Ace (Band of Brothers #1) Page 6

  Elizabeth’s presence was like a giant wave in my normally steady ocean. While most women threw themselves at me, she was too busy trying to get away. Elizabeth Riley intrigued the shit out of me.

  I strummed another chord and somehow found myself lost in the Beatles, “Let it Be.” I belted out as the lyrics cut into my already raw soul. I remembered when we first covered the song and how Nik, Jex, and Rex sang backup harmony. My mother couldn't have been prouder.

  The door cracked open and Nik stepped in, singing out the next chorus in perfect harmony. When we finished, he was smiling ear-to-ear.

  "Tomorrow, we have to play it at the show," Nik said leaning against the frame of the door.

  "Only if Jex and Rex are okay with it."

  He laughed. "We have the keyboard. We'll get with Romeo and have him set it up. The crowd is going to go fucking crazy. I can't wait. It's been years since we played it live and we've never done it on a big tour."

  I smiled. "All right then. It's a done deal. You get with Romeo and I'll play it. Damn, I haven't played the piano since before we left."

  "Told you to get that baby grand installed on the bus."

  "We could do the guitar version?"

  "Nope. Everyone always sees you play guitar. I think this’ll bring a wow factor, you know? The keyboard is happening. I'll get it set up. We will do it before the end of the show. I'll fix the list before we go on. And I don't think I'll tell the Twinkies." He laughed.

  "I'll let the set list tell Jex. Rex won't care. I'll switch them out after warm up."

  "They might kill you," I said.

  "I'd like to see them try. Everyone knows I'm smarter than both of them put together."

  Nik was way too excited about this song; but he was right, I hadn't played piano live in years.

  Tomorrow we'd be going back to our roots and playing old school songs.

  I actually felt some sort of small shift inside me.

  Shit.

  10

  Elizabeth

  I knew we had arrived to our destination because once the sun rose, people were hustling and bustling around. It would be impossible for me to sleep in on this tour because being on the top bunk was hot. Damn it. By the time this tour ended, I'd probably be twenty pounds lighter from sweating. There was nothing worse than having my clothes stick to my body.

  I rolled over on my side and opened my laptop and reviewed the pictures one more time before I sent them to Jack. The last thing I needed was to be late on my deadline. I knew he was waiting for me to fuck this up. Band of Brothers owed me an interview because all night the four of them haunted my dreams. At one point I was running from Ace at a full sprint, but somehow he always caught me. Nightmares. I'd wake then go back to sleep and fall into another chase dream. I blamed it on the constant movement of the bus.

  I closed my laptop after I dropped several pictures to the server and opened the curtain to my bunk and gracefully maneuvered my way out trying hard not to let my toes touch another bunk. I grabbed my duffle bag and pulled out a pair of clothes to wear.

  Jenny opened the curtain to her bunk and crawled out too.

  "Sleep okay?" she said rubbing her eyes. Her brown hair was sticking up on the side. I smoothed it down for her.

  "No," I grumbled, then laughed. "Can't I sleep until tomorrow?"

  "It's almost ten. Time to get up. And you get used to it. After a while, the move and sway of the bus will rock you to sleep within minutes—guaranteed. You might even ask yourself why you can't fall asleep when you're at home. Answer is always…"

  She waited for me to fill in the blank she created with her arms.

  "Because you're not on tour," she said with a huge smile on her face.

  She seemed so familiar, but I think it's because she reminded me of Jules. Most people reminded me of my bestie because she had one of those strong friendly personalities.

  "What are your plans today?" Jenny asked.

  "I don't have any. I don't know anyone, remember?”

  "Right. Change. I'll show you the venue and the best place for pictures this show. Aren't you glad you know all the in's?"

  She bumped me with her shoulder and changed clothes right there in the hallway. Jenny gave no fucks about modesty. I had a lot to learn.

  "I'll take watch for you. Another thing you'll learn—changing in the hallway is easier than fighting for the bathroom in the morning." Jenny walked to the opening that led to the living area and placed her arms on either side of the entrance. She turned and gave me a quick nod and took watch. I hurried and slipped my t-shirt and pajama bottoms off and put on some shorts and a crop top. When I slid a pair of sandals on, Frodo opened the curtain and toppled out of the bottom bunk.

  I smiled thinking about hobbits and walked to the bathroom to hurry and brush my teeth. Jenny was right, everyone and their mommas was trying to get in there. I waited my turn patiently though my bladder felt like it would burst.

  We walked off the bus and I was surprised by the landscape. Red-bricked buildings and trees surrounded the landscape. The parking lot was full of buses and semi-trucks, so much that another vehicle wouldn't have room to park behind the stage.

  We walked around so I could get a better view of the seats and green-grassed hill.

  "How will everyone fit in this venue?" I asked.

  "They won't. It holds five thousand and there will be people in the streets listening. The lawn will be packed too."

  I remembered how large the venue was yesterday. It held almost double the amount of people.

  Roadies were already unloading lighting racks, sound equipment, and massive amounts of chords. It amazed me how quickly they moved, but it would take six to eight hours to set up everything. The stage was bare bones.

  "Come on. There's this place a few blocks away that has the best damn tacos in the world and it's basically lunchtime."

  I followed her down the sidewalk and realized how freaking tall she was for a girl. The fact that she was wearing boots with a heel didn't help me at all.

  Cute little shops lined the sidewalks. Jenny stopped, and then turned into Texicali Taco and Tequila Bar. She gave me a huge grin before we walked inside. Wooden floors filled the space along with a sugar skull vibe. I already blamed the tequila.

  Jenny sat at the bar and I sat next to her. Behind the bottles of tequila that were nicely lit with a blueish light was a display of a motorcycle with red flames dripping down the body. A cute bartender named Jackson leaned across the bar on his elbows and took our order. Moments later double shots of tequila were sliding to us.

  Jenny picked hers up and I followed her lead.

  "To Band of Brothers," she said.

  "To Band of Brothers," I repeated allowing the burn to coat my throat.

  "So what do you think of them so far?" She put the lime between her teeth and sucked.

  "I don't have an opinion," I said as truthfully as possible. The only one I could form any sort of opinion on was Ace. The others seemed okay, I guessed.

  "No? You'll love them after you get to know them."

  "I doubt I will get to know any of them. I have a big Journalist Beware sticker pasted to my forehead."

  "So you've met Ace?"

  I looked off at the tequila lined perfectly behind the bar then tucked my lips into my mouth. "In passing."

  "He's a little intense sometimes. You'll have to ignore him. He probably is the only one who sees journalist scribbled on you."

  All I could think about was Elvis and him hearing me sing that song. I swallowed hard, feeling nervous talking about him. Jenny laughed at me as I lingered inside my head.

  "He doesn't make it very easy," I said.

  Jenny smiled and shook her head. "Nothing in life that's worth something is easy. But I suppose that's why you're here."

  I sighed. "Right now I would be sitting on my couch in my pajamas channel surfing."

  "But aren't you glad you aren't? Once you have these soft tacos, you're going to die."
<
br />   Jackson placed our food in front of us, as if he were cued. The smells of fresh cilantro and homemade tortillas made my mouth water. I carefully picked up the tortilla stuffed with pure deliciousness and took a huge bite. Just as I did, four gods entered the room. Jenny turned and looked at Band of Brothers and waved.

  Shit.

  My walls immediately went up the moment I spotted Ace. He hadn't even taken his Ray-Ban's from his eyes yet. I uncontrollably sighed when I saw him wearing a tight t-shirt with Elvis's logo on the front. Was this his way of communicating with me? My heart began to pound hard in my neck and my adrenaline spiked. I turned my head and finished chewing, suddenly feeling overly insecure.

  Rex walked over to us with a huge smile on his lips.

  Did all of the Band of Brothers have messy styled hair?

  "Finally making friends?" he said, teasing her.

  "Shut your face." She nudged him with her shoulder.

  I focused on my food, trying to be invisible. Maybe I was the one not making this easy?

  "Elizabeth, this is Rex. Drummer of the band," she said.

  I wiped my hand on my napkin, swallowed, and shook his hand.

  "Nice to meet you," I said, giving him a smile.

  Rex leaned against the bar giving me a cute little side grin.

  "What are you two drinking?" His eyes didn't leave me.

  "Tequila, obviously," Jenny said, moving her hand toward the tequila bar.

  Rex ordered three shots when I felt warmth on the other side of me. I sucked in a ragged breath, then turned my head and saw Ace leaning against the bar, studying me. His Ray-Ban’s had found their way to the top of his head.

  "Hi," he said. His voice was low and velvety and made my insides squirm.

  "Umm. Hi." My hunger had vanished. My throat went dry and I had to force out my words.

  Jackson placed the tequila shots in front of us and Jenny held hers up in the air.

  Ace's arm brushed against mine and the smell of his body surrounded me—fresh soap and pure man. Holy shit! I needed that shot sooner.

  Jenny opened her mouth. "To—"

  "New friendships," Rex finished.

  I took the shot like it was my lifeblood. It zoomed down my throat and within a few minutes I could feel the double shots coursing through my veins.

  Nik walked up to the bar and placed a hand on Ace's shoulder. "Are we going to eat or hang out at the bar?"

  Ace turned and looked at Nik, then looked at Jackson. "I'll take their check and whatever else they'd like," Ace said.

  "No, that's okay," I insisted.

  Jackson handed the bill to Ace who held it in between two fingers. I didn't want him to pay for this. I was an independent woman. I turned my body to face him.

  "I've got it, seriously," I said.

  He waved the ticket in front of me. "It looks like I've got it."

  I glanced down at his shirt, then narrowed my eyes at him. He gave me a little smirk and then a slight raise of an eyebrow. My breathing increased.

  "You're not making this easy," I whispered more to myself.

  He leaned in. His breath brushed against the softness of my neck.

  "Ace and easy don't go in the same sentence."

  "I think some people would disagree with that considering the reputation of your after show cool down. Maybe that could be the title of my next article? I think people would enjoy it, don't you?"

  "Dare you," he said, now narrowing his eyes at me.

  Blush hit my cheeks and I didn't know if the tequila was to blame or Ace. Maybe it was a combination of the two?

  Nik and Rex walked back to a table in the corner where Jex had been sitting and ordered. Jenny excused herself to the bathroom, giving me a thumb's up behind Ace's back. I shook my head at her.

  "So what drives you more crazy? The fact that you're attracted to me or the idea of never getting that interview?"

  "Are you always this egotistical?"

  He burst out into laughter as if I were joking.

  "Hmm." He pretended like he was thinking about that question as he tapped his finger on his perfectly sculpted chin. "Probably."

  "Oh you actually answered a question," I said, trying to find more courage and that invisible line so I could cross it. I figured it would take more tequila before I went that far, but having those shots had helped.

  "Do you believe everything you read?" He turned his whole body toward me and propped his chin up with his balled fist.

  "Mostly. Unless it's tabloids."

  "Listen, doll. I told you that I don't care for journalists, not that I don't talk to them. Obviously…" He tilted his head at me.

  I sat in silence and waited for him to disappear as I built my invisible wall around me. The tequila had helped me find some confidence but not all of it.

  He smiled at me. "You. You, Elizabeth Riley…"

  Jenny walked back to the bar and sat down next to me.

  "Ready?" She leaned forward and glanced at Ace then looked at me.

  "Yes." I pulled a twenty from my pocket and laid it on the bar as a tip.

  We stood and pushed our stools under the bar top.

  "See ya, Ace," Jenny said.

  "Yep. Bye, Elizabeth," he said, not allowing his eyes to leave mine.

  I tilted my head at him and Jenny grabbed my arm and pulled me across the restaurant.

  "What the hell!" she said.

  "What?"

  "He's obviously flirting with you."

  "No, he's not. He's being a jerk." I tucked my hands into my pockets, trying to replay exactly what was said. Before we opened the door and walked out, I turned around and watched him watch me. I looked at him one last time before we exited.

  Once I stepped outside, I felt like I could breathe again. The heaviness that had pressed against my body had gone but it was replaced with a weird excitement that oozed through me as we walked back to the venue.

  "I cannot believe Ace Hathway was flirting—or attempting to," she said.

  "Are you and him…?"

  She burst out laughing. "God no. Trust me, it's nothing like that. It's been a long time since I've seen him try."

  The sun was blazing down on us and I couldn't wait to get inside the bus, but Jenny insisted on showing me where I had to stand tonight. We walked around the side of the stage, across the way to the sound booth that sat right in the middle.

  "There's enough room for two or three people to stand here. It's a perfect shot. The side stage isn't great for photos here. Trust me. Some of the ones I've seen were terrible," she said.

  I stood exactly where Jenny said and with the right focal length. She was right—this would be the perfect spot.

  "You're going to the after party tonight, right? It's one of the biggest parties of the tour. It's considered the kickoff for all of the vendors and sponsors."

  "I wouldn't miss it for the world." But what I'd wanted to say was, I couldn't miss it for the world or Jules would murder me.

  11

  Ace

  Hours had passed since I last saw her. The thought of her sitting in silence was driving me crazy. What was she thinking about? She had barely said a few words to me. Had I been too much? I understood I had one of those personalities, but it wasn't my intention.

  "What's with you, bro?" Nik asked.

  I glanced over at him.

  "You seem more agitated than usual—which isn't saying much, but still."

  I shook my head as he leaned his back against the counter with a straight face that soon cracked into a big smile. I gave him my best death stare that finished with a scowl.

  "No fucking way." Nik scooted in front of me at the table. He placed his chin on his fist and leaned in. "It's the journalist, isn't it? She's getting to you."

  "Fuck no." I didn't even wait a beat before I spoke again. "No."

  "I can't wait to tell Rex and Jex."

  I rolled my eyes at him and leaned my head back on the seat. When I lifted my head he was still standing with
a shithead smile plastered across his face.

  "We all saw that little display at the Texcali. You weren't subtle. Even Jenny noticed it. I think the only one who didn't was Elizabeth."

  "Nik, I don't fucking think so. She's blonde. You know how I feel about them. Not. My. Type. She's practically helpless. She's clumsy and homely. Way too shy. No backbone, unless she has shots. She's everything that I don't like or want. Complete opposite of my type actually."

  "But she sings well and plays guitar. She runs away from you like you're poison. You're intrigued by her and that's exactly why it's busting your balls."

  "I don't fucking think so!" I stood up and walked to the back of the bus. I sat on the edge of my bed and rubbed my hands over my face.

  I was too young to feel so fucking old. But I had to admit there was power in Nik's words. Maybe she was getting to me. I huffed out a breath and lay back on my bed.

  What the hell was I doing?

  Flirting?

  I didn't flirt.

  Women didn't make me work for it anymore. Ace Hathway got whatever he wanted, until he didn't. Elizabeth Riley didn't play by my rules and I'm not sure she ever would. Truth was that did intrigue the shit out of me.

  I tucked my arms behind my head and closed my eyes, then popped them open and grabbed my phone. We had exactly four hours before the show started. If I lay here, I'd go fucking crazy.

  I got up and walked past Nik and off the bus. It was normal for me to walk around while setup was happening. I liked to be out there watching people sweat and work hard. It meant a lot to me that they would leave their families to come and be with mine.