out of the goddamn water, they’ll be begging to open for us.”
While they’re busy dreaming about our future, I pull out my phone and google Bria Cash. I don’t see anything about an album, but I find a YouTube video of a high school talent show where she sings a Taylor Swift song. I put in my earbuds and listen to the entire thing.
Chapter Five
Bria
During the van ride to Hartford, I stare at the White Poison tour bus in front of us. I don’t get to ride in it. Never have. It’s for the band only, so they can sleep, de-stress, or work on new music. Despite being onstage with them, I get to ride in the large passenger van with some of the crew. It’s almost impossible to sleep, given its rigid seats and lack of headrests.
Liam’s van is behind us. It’s even smaller than this one, yet it holds the four of them and all their luggage and equipment. I wonder if there’s any extra space. The short time I spent with them at the diner yesterday was better than any time I’ve experienced on the road with White Poison. They seem genuine and nice, but that’s probably because they haven’t made it big yet.
I try again to fall asleep, but I can’t. I haven’t slept more than a few hours since yesterday. Every time I doze off, I hear Aimee bragging about going to Fiji. I turn to the guy sitting next to me; he sets up the band’s instruments. “What are you doing after the tour ends?”
“You mean after I sleep for two weeks straight?” He laughs. “I’ll do what I always do between gigs—work on my brother’s construction crew. He builds houses.”
“Are you …” I glance at the tour bus again. “Are you going to Fiji?”
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Fiji? Where did you get a crazy idea like that?”
“I thought since the band is going, maybe you’d go too.”
He snickers. “As if I’d ever be invited.”
“So they do invite people?”
He gives me a sympathetic look. He knows I’m dating Adam. Everyone does. “I honestly don’t know who goes on those trips. For all I know, it’s just the four of them.”
He’s lying. I look out the window, lips tight, and gaze at the snowy hills in the distance, wondering who else has been lying to me.
A few hours later, we pull up at the hotel, the entire caravan still in perfect follow-the-leader formation. That rarely happens. Liam’s van pulls in behind us, surprising me. They never stay at the luxury hotels where we bunk.
When I get out, I stretch my legs and catch Crew doing the same. “I thought you couldn’t afford places like this.”
“We can’t, but this is our last show, and Liam’s uncle wanted us to go out in style. He booked this for us as a Christmas present. After the gig, we’re staying the weekend to unwind and do some male bonding or some shit like that.”
“That’s nice.”
I can’t help feeling a little sad that after tonight, I won’t get to hear their music in my dressing room before I go onstage, but I remind myself there are only five more shows, and for the first time in months, I feel a sense of relief.
Crew and I are talking when Aimee gets off the tour bus. I feel a quick spurt of anger. “What the …?”
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“No, everything is not okay. I was told nobody else rides with them. It’s why I was relegated to one of the roadie vans. I’ll catch you later.”
I storm over to the bus as Aimee saunters away, her hair all disheveled, like she was sleeping or something.
Kurt, Collin, and Louis get off the bus. When they see me, they look guilty.
Adam appears, tucking in his shirt. “Hey, luv. Didn’t know you’d be waiting.”
“Obviously, otherwise you’d have wiped Aimee’s lipstick off your face.” His zipper is at half-mast. I point. “Might want to close the goddamn barn door.”
“What’s got you in a tizzy? I was sleeping. I always sleep on the bus.”
I cross my arms. “Yeah, sleeping with Aimee. Not to mention taking her to Fiji.”
“Hogwash,” he says with no guilt whatsoever. “But even if that were true, you’re the one who gets to call herself my girlfriend.”
I’m disgusted that he says it like I should be honored even though he’s sleeping with anyone wearing a skirt.
“I’m so stupid.” Outraged, I look at the sky. “How naïve I was to believe I