Beat (Life on Stage 2)

Around noon, Duff stumbles from the back. “You still writing in that notebook?”

“I am.”

“Why don’t you write us some songs instead?” He pours himself a cup of coffee and collapses in the seat across from me, one hand fighting back his unruly morning hair.

“I’m not good with finding the music in my head.”

“Me either. You need a partner, then. Someone who can put your lyrics to music.”

“That’s how my dad and mom actually met. He was a drummer but played a little of all instruments. They wrote my mom’s bestselling song during an all-nighter the week that they met.” I smile, thinking of how many times I heard Dad proudly tell that story.

“Maybe you and Dylan will become the next Simon and Garfunkel.”

The truth is, music is the biggest thing we have in common, yet after all this time, we’ve never even thought of working together in any way. Unlike Flynn and I, who naturally gravitated to music to bring us closer. Maybe it’s because Dylan’s older and more experienced, but he and I have our roles—roles he defined for us. He’s the rockstar, I’m his girlfriend. The picture he paints for our future becomes clearer and clearer the more time we spend together. The thing is…I want to paint too.

“I think Dylan’s more of a soloist.”

Duff snickers. “That’s one way of describing the fame-hog bastard.”

“He doesn’t really share the limelight well, does he?”

“We’ve been friends since we’re six years old. Fucker didn’t even share his toys. Linc is the only one he never seemed to mind stepping aside from the stoplight for. Probably because the poor bastard is homely looking and there’s no real competition there.” Duff downs half his mug of coffee and makes a loud ahhh sound.

“How is Linc? Probably be tough to leave the babies in a few weeks and rejoin the tour.”

“In a few weeks? You mean in a few nights.”

“It’s only the thirteenth. Flynn’s filling in through the thirty-first.”

“Guess boss man forgot to give you the memo.”

“What memo?”

“Beckham’s gone. Bus left him behind last night when we pulled out of Vegas.”

Nausea threatens as I stand in front of Flynn’s sleeping berth, curtain still tightly drawn. With a hollow feeling in my stomach that tells me Duff isn’t just screwing with me, I slowly pull back the thick, dark fabric.

Chapter Thirty-One

Flynn—

Yesterday

Dylan Ryder strides from the elevator to the lobby with purpose, ignoring the heads that turn as he passes. The guy’s had an issue with me before anything even started with Lucky, but today the scowl on his face is more hateful than most.

Coming directly to where I’m sitting, he tosses an envelope down on the table in front of me, eyes narrowing to crinkled slits. “Here’s the change to the show.”

I wait for an explanation, but he isn’t offering one. Nor does he look like he plans to sit down. Unsealing the envelope, I shake the contents into my hand.

A plane ticket.

One way, back to New York.

Swallowing, I look back up and our eyes meet. His voice is stony, words spoken through gritted teeth. “I’m not fucking blind. The way you look at her.”

I say nothing. Whether I like the guy or not, the least I can do is not play games and pretend I don’t know what he’s talking about. Plus, I have no idea how much he actually knows, and there’s no reason to make it any more difficult for Lucky than it needs to be. She works at the record label he’s been with for the last decade.

“Did you think I would put up with you sniffing around, trying to get into her fucking pants? Keeping her company while I’m taking care of business?”

I stand to meet him eye to eye. “Taking care of business? Is that what you call Jamie these days? You paying for her services, so it’s considered a business transaction?”

“What I do is none of your damn business.” An evil smile twists his lips. “But if want the best blow job you’ll ever get in your life, stop by 3225 Honeycomb on your way to the airport to catch your flight tonight.”

“You don’t deserve a woman like Lucky.”

“And you do?”

We glare at each other.

“Go back to New York. Now that Easy Ryder has made your pretty-boy face famous, there will be a line of women to suck your cock.” He turns to walk away. “If you try to contact Lucky, your little band won’t be opening for Easy Ryder, and the only gig you’ll be able to book will be in a garage. And if she’s stupid enough to be interested in you, you won’t be the only one on the unemployment line.”

“Fuck you.”

He takes a few steps and turns back, a sadistic smile on his face. “Flight leaves at midnight after the show tonight. Be on it.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Lucky

“Where’s Flynn?” Reaching over where Dylan’s soundly sleeping, I tug the bottom of the blackout shade so it rolls up with a loud snap, revealing the large rectangular back window of the bus.

“Good morning to you too.” He squints from the flood of light.

“Did you kick Flynn off the tour?”

He pulls the cover over his head and tries to ignore me.

“Answer me.”

Nothing.

I tug at the cover. “Answer me.”

“What the fuck, Lucky?” he shouts, springing upright.

“Did you or did you not kick Flynn off the tour?”

The muscles in his face tighten. “Linc is coming back.”

“So sending him home had nothing to do with me?”

He glares through angry eyes. “You tell me, Lucky. Does it?”

My irritation flickers while I hold his indignant stare. A silent standoff ensues until Dylan finally rips the covers back in a huff and rises, ramming his bare feet into his jeans before storming out of the bedroom.

An hour later, I’m still sitting in the bedroom when he comes back in. He rakes his fingers through his hair and I wait through another lengthy silence. My mind is a whirl of questions, most of which I probably shouldn’t ask.

Finally, he sits. His voice is low. “We’re going to be at the next stop in an hour.”

I nod.

He blows out a loud stream of air. “I asked Linc to come back early.”

“Why?”

“Because.” I’m still not looking at him, so he moves from beside me to kneeling in front of me, leaving me no choice but to face him. When I look up, he continues. “I want to be with you, Lucky. I want to settle down, have a couple of kids and plant roots somewhere.”

“I’m…I’m not ready for that.”

“You’re just nervous. That’s all.”

I shake my head. “No. It’s more than that.”

He searches my eyes. “Then what is it?”

“I’m not sure about us, Dylan.”

“You were sure last month.”

“Things change.”

“What changed?”

Dawning realization hits and his eyes narrow to accusing slits. “You have feelings for Beckham?”

I lower my head and nod.

“He’s a snake. Slithering in and giving you attention when I’m too busy running a fucking tour.”