Phoenix Rising Issue #3 - S. R. Watson Page 0,6

heel.

Phoenix takes one last look around the room, skipping over me completely, then turns to follow Desiree. He doesn’t look at all concerned about the ass chewing I’m sure is waiting for him. He just runs a single hand through his hair as he casually strolls out of the room. His return wasn’t all that warm or forthcoming, but it’s a start. He’s back. I just hope the guys can salvage their relationship—he and Asher, to be specific. The others don’t seem to have any lingering issues with him.

Will he get back on the bus tonight? Will there be more blows in a round two? I have no idea what the hell we’re all embarking on, but my battered heart can’t take much more.

Lily studies me from across the room as she helps Asher gather his things. Her unspoken words are etched in her raised eyebrows. How do I feel now that Phoenix has returned? My emotions are skidding rampantly into a vortex of uncertainty. How they’ll evolve is to be determined. I follow a few steps behind the guys as they discuss how epic tonight’s performance was, careful not to poke at the elephant in the room.

“Are you staying?” Ren finally asks as we board the bus parked out back.

Sevyn quickly glances around the bus, but Desiree and Phoenix are nowhere to be found. “For now,” he answers hesitantly. “You have your front man back, so I don’t want to be in the way.”

“We still don’t know what he’s thinking or if he plans to stick around,” Killian points out.

“That’s not the vibe I got from the brevity of our conversation. We’re already on bad terms, and I don’t want to add to it.”

“What exactly happened between you two? I mean, we know about the news crap, but what did you tell him to make him go apeshit?” Killian pries.

And there it is. The million-dollar question I wouldn’t mind knowing the answer to as well. Things were dire, but the implosion only occurred after their talk in the bedroom.

“It’s personal and not open for discussion. Sorry, guys, I’ll stay as long as I’m needed, but if my brother gets back on this bus and asks me to leave, then I’m out.”

Ren and Killian nod their heads in understanding. Asher is busy looking for something to snack on, and Lily has taken a seat in the corner—arms crossed and a pout on her thin lips. Were she and my brother fighting again?

“Are you joining us on the other bus, Sevyn?” Killian inquired.

“Nah, I’m good. I think I’m going to just crash and see what the future holds in the morning.”

Wild Silence didn’t perform tonight, but according to Killian, their bus would be arriving any minute to follow them to their next stop. They’re renting a beach house for the next two weeks in Galveston since they’re missing the Alabama lake house.

“Asher?” Killian inquires.

“Not tonight. I’m going to stay here with Lily.”

“Pussy,” he mumbles under his breath before he follows Ren off the bus.

The smile on Lily’s face looks like it may just crack her face. So that was why she was all pouty. She didn’t want Asher on that other bus, and I don’t blame her. He carries the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches he made for them along with a glass of milk. The scene before me is so cheesy, but it still inflicts envy. Something so simple, yet so thoughtful and sweet. That’s the brother I’m familiar with—only I get his alter ego apparently.

It’s nearly one in the morning now. Gus and Stewart board the bus just as I decide to make my own PB & J sandwich. I stop spreading the jelly when Phoenix boards behind them. Again, he looks straight past me to find his brother sprawled out on the sofa.

“A word, brother.”

That’s it. A simple summons. He spins on his heel and heads to the bedroom with Sevyn in tow. This has deja vu written all over it. Are they going to pummel the shit out of each other? Who will intervene this time? Surely not Asher. His fucks for Phoenix at the moment are in the negatives, and it’s not like Lily or I could help. My hands shake as I will them to finish making my sandwich—listening for elevated voices or signs of trouble. Should I grab Gus and Stewart from the front of the bus now? The bus starts to move, and that idea dissolves. Five minutes pass, and so far, there