Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Right, we have some things to look into in San Fran, but after that we’ll head up that way. Any idea how long she’s stayin’ in Seattle?”
“Four days, two shows.”
“Right, we’ll be there, give you some extra eyes from then until she rolls in home. Be careful, buddy, don’t know how deep this goes.”
“I’m not fuckin’ stupid, yeah?”
“Yeah,” he mutters. “Stay cool, brother. We’ll be in touch.”
I hang up and toss the phone, frustrated. I reach up, rubbing the back of my neck where tension is brewing. The bus is expected to make a stop in Salem, and then travel through to Seattle the next day. I’ll be finding some pussy tonight when we stop, fuck knows I need it—the only way to remove some of this tension is a good, hard fuck.
And considering I can’t fuck the woman I want, I’ll have to settle with what I can find.
I pack up my small bag of shit and pick up my phone, throwing a message to Scarlett.
M – What time you hitting the road?
She replies instantly, and it does bring some relief to my chest. Which fucks me up, because if she is somehow involved in any of this, it isn’t going to feel nice when it all comes out in the wash. I fucking like her, a lot. But I have to take emotion out of it and use my head right now. Until we piece this together, I can’t let my feelings run away with me.
S – In about an hour. How are you today?
Fuck if that doesn’t make my chest feel warm.
M – Good. Slept like shit. Will be following you. Where are you staying?
S – Some house again. I’ll send the address when I find it. Thanks for tagging along, I’m sure you have better things to do with your time than babysit me.
M – Rather that, then see anything happen to you. See you soon.
I close the phone and walk outside to my bike, slamming the hotel room door shut behind me. I throw my stuff in the storage compartments, then throw my leg over and start it up. I need food and a coffee before I get on the road.
Here’s hoping something comes to the surface in the next few days.
I want that fucker found.
And I want him dead.
By my hand.
-11-
SCARLETT
I stare out the window, just watching, but I don’t see him behind the bus. We’ve been on the road for a few hours, and still nothing. My heart sinks, because he always follows me, so why isn’t he today? Maybe he got stuck and couldn’t catch up? Maybe he didn’t leave until later? All the same, the disappointment is crushing. I’ve noticed his distance, and I wonder if what I told him about Trey bothered him enough to make him wonder if I am what I say I am?
Does he see me differently now?
A knock at my door has me glancing over to see Amalie coming in. This is her first time traveling on the bus, and I’m sure she’s probably a little nervous. I smile and wave her in, and she shuts the door behind her then joins me on the seat by the window. “Are you waiting for someone?” she asks me, her voice soft.
I nod and look at her. “Can I tell you a secret?”
She nods. “Of course.”
“I have this man I’m friends with, and, well, he always follows the bus the last few times I’ve traveled. It’s kind of our little thing, but today, he isn’t here.”
“Maybe he got stuck in traffic?” she offers.
I smile at her. “Yeah, maybe. How are you finding your first bus stay?”
She beams. “It’s a lovely bus. My sleeping space is great.”
“I know it sucks being out there with the band, but if you ever want to come in here, you’re more than welcome. I don’t mind the company.”
She nods. “Tell me more about your friend.”
She crosses her legs and faces me, and my heart swells. I am so glad to have a friend that I can confide in here on the bus and also on my tour. I rarely get the chance to talk to many people. Sure, I speak to Susan daily and Isaac comes in and has a chat, but mostly, it’s just me. I’m glad Susan has given Amalie a chance.
“Well,” I say, “he’s a biker.”
Her eyes get big. “A real biker?”
I nod enthusiastically. “Yeah, and he’s pretty intense, but I really like him. He is great to talk to and he makes me feel safe.”
“Is he hot?” She smiles.
“He’s so hot.” I giggle.
She giggles too. “How did you meet him?”
“I was having a bad day, not so long back, and I had ducked out to get some peace and quiet and was sitting on this fountain. He was sitting there, too, but I didn’t realize, and he spoke to me. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again, but one day a biker was following my bus, and I was making little symbols at him. It was kind of funny, and it made me laugh. He showed up to my concerts, and it turned out that it was the same person from the night at the fountain. He really made me feel better. He does, constantly.”