Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,59

use her bathroom. It quickly devolved into a shouting match that I was forced to break up.

We had two hours of peace, then Ty raided Chandler’s food stash and ate his gluten-free cookies, and that kicked off when Chandler tipped out of his bunk and flung the last cookie at Ty’s head, shouting that he was a selfish prick.

But the biggest fight was the night before and came on the heels of Serena refusing to end practice at three in the morning. Chandler reminded her that they needed to get some sleep and somehow that was taken as evidence he was less dedicated to the band.

Their raging penetrated our earplugs. Brant and I stumbled out of our bunks to shut them up and send the members to their separate corners.

Bianca’s order to make sure they keep their heads makes a lot more sense now.

I didn’t remember my tour bus times like this, but then I guess those hardened rockers were on their best behavior around the little blond kid.

No one is on their best behavior with me now.

“Amazing,” a voice said from behind me. “I woke up this morning and I didn’t know where I was. Then it hit me.” An arm snaked through mine. “Being here still doesn’t seem real.”

“Told you about this, mama,” I said mildly. “My lady doesn’t take kindly to other women touching me.”

“She’s not here,” Serena replied—though she dropped my hand.

“Actually, she is.” I checked my watch. “Or she will be in an hour.”

“Valentina’s coming? Why? This isn’t a vacation. You’re working for us. Does your father know about this?”

I crooked a brow. Serena sounded a tad ticked off. “Why? You going to rat me out?”

“It’d be cool to meet your girlfriend,” Chandler broke in. “We don’t go on until tonight, so maybe we can all hang and listen to the bands until then.”

“We’re not on vacation either,” Serena snapped. “We’ll be practicing until we go on.”

“Don’t wear yourselves out before you perform,” I said. “We’re early. You have a couple of hours to stretch your legs, check out the city, and then be back at noon for a soundcheck. After that, you can chill on the bus or wander the festival, vibing with the audience and meeting the other bands. I’ll call you when it’s time for hair and makeup. After you’re dressed, you’ll warm up and then it’s a countdown until you go live.”

“In other words, we can have a little fun before we go on.” Chandler pulled out his phone. “I looked up the best places for beignets and this says it’s a place called Subodo’s. Do you and Valentina want to meet us there before the soundcheck?”

“We can do that.”

“If we have a soundcheck, we definitely need to practice,” Serena said.

He walked off to the backroom.

“Chandler!” She trailed him, slamming the door.

I considered going after them to break up that fight and decided against it. They had a manager. He could work out with them when they should or shouldn’t practice.

The manager in question emerged from the bathroom and made for the cereal I left on the table. “I heard you say your girl is coming,” he spoke up. “Don’t worry. I’ll get these guys off the bus and out of your hair.”

“That’s why I love you, Brant.”

He barked a laugh. “Save the sweet talk for your lady.”

Brant handed over the cereal. We sat down to the city unveiling before us, alive with colors and boasting old-world charm that stretched as far back as the seventeen hundreds. There was nowhere on the earth quite like this city. Walking the streets, you tapped into the beauty that inspired the likes of Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, and the Neville Brothers. Music pumped the lifeblood of New Orleans. It’s where an artist could truly call home.

We made good time rolling onto the festival grounds. Fifteen minutes before Val’s taxi brought her to the festival and plenty of time for me to kick the band off the bus.

“Run free, friends,” I said. The band had their faces glued to the window, taking in the massive crowd. “It’d be a crime to come to New Orleans and not give her a proper visit. Chandler, text me the address to that place.”

“For sure, Jaxson.” He got up and grabbed his stuff, ignoring the daggers shot at him. “We’re hitting Bourbon Street and then Jackson Square.”

“I’m not going,” said Serena. “I’m staying and running through our set list.”

Brant stepped in. “Let’s meet the organizers. If we’re lucky, they’ll