White Trash Damaged

17

I STRETCHED AND TUCKER’S arms coiled tighter around my stomach. I smiled, kissing him lightly on his forehead. He grinned as he slowly opened his eyes.

“I love waking up with you in my arms.”

“Good, because this could get awkward if you didn’t.”

He laughed, placing a kiss on the tip of my nose.

“Gross,” Eric called from his bunk, and Tucker and I both laughed.

“Good morning, Eric,” I called out.

“What’s good about it?”

“I’m going to make pancakes.” I listened as he slid out of his bunk and made his way into the tiny kitchen. Tucker frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“I didn’t want to let go of you yet.” He squeezed me again, and I peppered a trail of kisses up his neck. “Now I refuse to let go of you.”

I pushed against his chest to break free from his grip.

“Come on. I’m hungry.”

He reluctantly let his arms go slack and I slid out of the bunk, holding my hand out to him. He took it and stood up with a groan. I glanced down over the rough skin of his knuckles that had been busted and swollen from his fight with Eric. He pulled his hand back and ran it over his hair.

“I’m fine.”

I rolled my eyes but walked to the front of the bus to prepare breakfast. I cringed when I saw Eric’s face. His lip was not nearly as swollen, and where it had busted open had healed closed, leaving a thin red line. His eye was another story. It had darkened into deep purples and blues.

“You look rough,” Tucker called out from behind me as his hands fell onto my hips. I bent over to grab the ready-made batter from the fridge.

“I think it suits me. Chicks dig it.”

I shook my head as I listened to them talk as if last night hadn’t happened. I was glad that there was no tension in the bus. I had no clue what they talked about, but it seemed that they had worked out most of their problems.

It felt good to cook, even though it was something simple and most of the work was already done for me. I never learned how to cook homemade meals, anyway, so this was the best alternative. I let my mind drift to what it would be like in the future, standing over a stove in my own home. I wondered if Tucker would be around or off with the band traveling the world.

“Smells great,” Chris said with a groan as he made his way to the front of the bus. He shoved Eric over so he could sit at the table. Terry followed suit, squeezing in on Tucker’s side. Everyone was happy and chatting. I loved days like these; it made everything else worth it.

I stacked the pancakes on a plate, refusing to feed anyone until I had made enough for them to eat at the same time.

After dishing out a stack for everyone, I gave them their plates and leaned back against the counter to eat my own pancakes as I watched them.

“We need this every morning,” Terry proclaimed with his mouth full of food.

“I want to try to make beignets.” I shoved a bite in my mouth.

“What fancy kind of shit is that?” Eric asked.

“Weird donut things with powdered sugar on them. I had them when I visited my dad. So good.”

“Bring some home with you next time,” Chris chimed in.

“All right. I’d like to see him again. It didn’t feel like we had much time together . . . and I let so much go unsaid. . . .”

I looked up to see Tucker’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t read his expression. I finished my last bite of food and turned to wash my plate in the sink as Donna came out of her room in the back of the bus.

“I made pancakes.” I used my chin to motion to her plate on the counter. She made a disgusted face, turning up her nose.

“Coffee is the only breakfast I need.” She squeezed by me and began to make a pot. The bus was so small she had to put her arm against mine to do it, and I wanted to pull away, but I was trying to keep the peace.

“Good to see you all sitting here in one piece. Almost one piece.”

Eric laughed at her and I rolled my eyes since my back was to them all.

“I was going to have a meeting over breakfast, but this will do.”

“What’s up?” Tucker asked. I turned to face the table. Donna glanced at me like she wanted to ask me to go kick rocks, but she didn’t say anything.

“The awards show is approaching, and the tour is now heading to the East Coast, as you know. We have several shows along the way, but mostly we will be stopping only to sleep and eat. I need to know you are all committed to making this work. This is a big deal for Damaged and could really propel your careers.”

The guys looked around at each other as they all nodded.

“What happened yesterday can’t happen again.” She glanced over at me, and I wanted to scream that it hadn’t been my fault, but that was a can of worms we didn’t need to reopen. Instead, I pulled my lower lip between my teeth and kept my mouth shut.

She glanced down at her watch to check the time.

“If you want to get out and stretch, do so now. We will be driving through the day today. Limited stops because of time constraints.”

The guys groaned at the thought of being locked in the bus all day, and I couldn’t blame them. It was hard enough getting them all to get along, but locking them in together was asking for trouble.

They stood from their seats and began to talk about the upcoming shows. I grabbed their plates and began to wash them, also wanting to be able to get off the bus for a few minutes before we were on the road again. Tucker kissed me on the cheek and headed for the door.

“If you give me a second, I’ll come with you.” I used the back of my soapy hand to brush my hair from my face. He held up his cell phone.

“I’m just gonna call Dorris and see how she is feeling.”

I nodded, focusing back on the dishes and not Donna who was still standing next to me. One by one they left the bus, leaving us alone.

“Things like yesterday are going to happen.”

“Tucker and Eric worked out their issues. And Tuck and I are fine.”

“I meant the shoot. There will be more, and he will always have women hanging all over him. It comes with the territory.”

“I am aware of that.” I turned to look her in the eye. “But it’s between Tucker and me. You manage his band, not my relationship.”

I walked around her, not wanting to give her a chance to respond, and headed outside. I held my hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun as I looked for Tucker. He was a few yards away. He glanced over at me as he took his phone from his ear and began walking toward me.

“How is she?” I asked as I got closer to him.

“Good as can be expected.” He shrugged but didn’t elaborate. “I have an idea.”

“Uh-oh.” He chuckled at my response.

“Let’s ride today. I hardly ever get to use my bike, and I am dying to spend some time alone with you. Maybe we could get a room along the way when the driver stops for sleep.” He flung his arm around my neck and pulled me toward him as we walked, kissing the side of my head.

“That sounds like heaven.”

“Good. I can’t take a full day of those guys and Donna.”

I laughed as we stepped inside a small gas station. The rest of the band was inside loading up on candy, and Sarah was hanging on Derek’s arm. I immediately searched for Eric, hoping it didn’t bother him to see them together. Knowing what I did now and how painful it was for him to watch Cadence with Tucker, this had to be like reliving the past for him.

He was at the back of the store, looking over the beer selection. He glanced over at me as I walked up beside him.

“You all right?”

He nodded, glancing around. Tucker let go of my hand to find some snacks for the road.

“What kind of beer you want?”

“I’m riding on the bike with Tucker.”

He made a face, clearly disappointed.

“Only for a few hours, man.” Tucker walked up behind us and clapped his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Need some time alone.”

“I hear ya.” His eyes locked on Sarah while he responded. I took a step to the side to obstruct his view.

“Grab some beer for us for later.” I gave him a smile and he returned it.

“Sounds like a plan.” He grabbed a large case of Budweiser and kicked the freezer door shut with his foot. “Grab some beer. Party on our bus!” he called out to the twins who both hooted and hollered in response. Sarah turned around at the commotion and smiled at Eric. He looked like a love-sick puppy and I needed to make sure I pulled her aside and let her know just how fragile his heart was. She wasn’t the type to hurt someone intentionally, but I wasn’t certain she understood how Eric felt. He didn’t care about groupies; his eyes were only for her.

“I’ll bring some liquor from our bus,” Sarah called over to him, and he winked at her. Derek narrowed his eyes and I let out an audible sigh. So much for a drama-free night.

After we had gathered all the junk food and drinks we could carry, we headed back to the bus to load it up. It was already running, and Donna looked livid that we had taken so long.

“Cass and I are taking the bike,” he said as we walked by her. I grinned from ear to ear. I wasn’t going to let her bring me down.

“You need to practice as much as possible,” she called after him, and he stopped.

“We’re only riding for a few hours.” His tone was clipped, and I could tell she was getting under his skin. I didn’t understand why she acted the way she did. If she took off the ridiculous business-type outfits and threw on some jeans, she would fit right in with the rest of us. Maybe that’s why she didn’t. She wanted to put herself above us and keep herself isolated. A lightbulb went off in my head, and I almost squealed with excitement.

“I have an idea,” I whispered into Tucker’s ear. We left the bus, and I was dying to fill Tucker in on what I thought was a brilliant plan. He sat on his bike on top of the small trailer that was hooked to the back of the bus and slowly walked the bike backward off it.

“I’m scared to ask.” He put his helmet on. He held mine out and I took it, sliding it over my hair.

“You don’t need to ask, because I’m going to tell you,” I replied playfully as I slid onto the back of his bike and wrapped my arms around him. “I think we need to hook Eric up with Donna.”

“What?” he yelled and turned his head to try to look at me.

“She’s hot, for an evil bitch.” I shrugged. “Sarah and I could give her a makeover and let her have a few drinks with us today.”

“That is an awful plan. What if she’s an angry drunk? Can you imagine?”

“She and Eric would get along great then.” I laughed. “I’m just saying we see what happens. If she gets laid, maybe she will calm down and Eric may finally stop looking at Sarah with those puppy-dog eyes.”

“Come again?” Derek called from between our buses. He walked out beside the bike and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Shit,” I muttered into the back of Tucker’s shirt.

“What’s up, Derek?” Tucker asked, nodding to him.

“I thought I heard you say something about Sarah.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Just talking about the party. You coming?”

“I think Sarah and I are gonna hang out. Finally have a bus to ourselves.”

“I don’t blame you. See ya down the road.” Tucker started the bike, putting an end to the conversation. Derek waved as we pulled off. I squeezed Tucker, giggling at how close that was. It only convinced me more that we needed to get Eric’s mind on someone else.