Unwritten (Woodlands 5)

Davis joins me when the first band, whose name is Jane Eyre Sucks so I automatically hate them, starts playing. Adam is close to the stage, surrounded by a swarm of girls. I don’t know where the other two are.

“How’re you doing?” my brother asks.

“I’m good. How about you? Nervous?”

“Nah. Excited,” he admits. “This is wild.”

He’s wired and not from booze, because Davis doesn’t drink before he plays. During? Yes. After? Hell, yes. But not before. I wish he’d give it up, but so far he appears to have it all under control.

His fingers drum against the tabletop. His knee bounces repeatedly. He stares at the crowd, too, but for different reasons. He can’t believe how many people are going to see him play. I’m so happy for him. He’s earned this.

I need to stop monitoring his liquor intake. He didn’t invite me on to the tour to keep track of how many times he gets drunk. Even Davis deserves to lose control now and again.

He leans close so I can hear him over the music. “I know it was selfish of me to make you come with me, to give you the ultimatum, but I’m not sorry now. You still mad?”

“You know I’m not.” I reach across to squeeze his hand. “What would I have done at home? Sat in front of the computer screen and pretended not to be incredibly lonely while you, May, and Mom and Dad were gone? This is an adventure.”

“See, I was right,” he says smugly.

“Don’t make me come over this table,” I threaten.

He gives me a return squeeze before sliding out of the seat. “I’m going to get a water and chat up the fans. Adam wants us to do some in-person marketing.”

Is that what Adam is doing? Because it looks like he’s flirting with dozens of different girls, flashing his beautiful smile in their direction, allowing them to touch his tats. One girl even sticks out her tongue and pretends to lick his arm. Gross. Thankfully, Adam backs away from her.

“Sounds miserable. I’m going to hide in the corner.”

“We’re watching out for you, Landry. Nothing’s going to happen while you’re on tour with us.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Worry about Adam getting a disease from the arm-licker. “I’m fine. This is awesome.” It’s a good thing that noses don’t grow when you lie or mine would be poking Davis in the arm.

He gives me another squeeze, probably to reassure himself as much as anything, and disappears into the crowd.

By the time FMK takes the stage, I’m close to better. A drink or three has helped, but I stay in the booth and for the most part, I’m left alone. A couple of girls wander over, wanting to find out why so many FMK members are talking to me, but they take off when the music starts. The stage is an inexorable draw. Davis’s voice is so gorgeous, full-bodied and deep with a surprising dash of falsetto. And Adam? His music is exactly right for Davis’s voice. In the back, Ian’s arms flash in and out of view. I boost myself onto the back of the booth so I can see over the waving hands and jumping bodies. The crowd’s in a frenzy, particularly the ladies. I swear a few of them are trying to haul the guys down off the stage.

A cute guy with Fabio hair wanders over shortly before the end of the set.

“You look lonely!” he yells. He waves a hand and a waitress appears almost immediately. “Corona and…?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Whatever’s on tap is good for me.”

“She’ll have a Corona, too.”

I open my mouth to object, but the guy speaks over me. “Bottles make more money, and as part of the band, spending some of the money on the house makes a good impression.”

I shut up. I’ve got a lot to learn about this touring business. I should start taking notes.

“I’m Mike. Saw you rolled in on the grand deluxe.”

“Landry Olsen.” I shake his hand. “And if that’s what you’re calling the bus, then yes. Adam calls her Bessie.”

“It’s a girl?”

“I guess? I mean, we could change her name to Mike.”

“That’s just mean.” He winks and lifts his hands behind his head, catching his hair in a pony and twisting it into a bun with more efficiency than I’ve ever seen a girl wield.

“Are you with a band?” I ask, guessing that he’s connected somehow because of his ease and the way the waitress came over so quick.