Page 26 of The Rocker

“Deal.” I’d say anything in that moment to get her to talk to me and to find out what the hell happened while she was away. Was she pregnant with my baby? My hand instinctively went to her stomach.

“Don’t touch me, either,” she growled like a tiny kitten.

Putting my hands at my sides, I waited. “Fine, just tell me what’s got you acting like this.”

“Do you know what I saw the one and only time I looked you guys up on social media?”

“Not really. You know I don’t go on there.” Social media was not my thing. It was all negative assholes who thought they could do better or women wanting to have our babies. The extremes were too much for me to handle.

“Well, I’ll tell you since you wanted to know so damn much. All I saw were picture after picture of women draping their bodies all over you. Which I get because you have to take pictures, but I saw the look on your face, and you were enjoying it a whole hell of a lot. So, there you go. You don’t need me; you’ve got a gaggle of women lined up at your door to service you. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go to sleep.” Pen pushed on me again, and this time I let her.

Pen wasn’t mad. No, she was jealous, and jealousy was something I could work with. Now, I just had to figure out the best way to use that to my advantage.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

pen

From the cornerof my eye, I saw Kenton nudge Cross as they played some video game. I was trying to read what Stella had sent to me of her book, but I was having a hard time concentrating. Ever since Walker joined me in my bunk last night, I couldn’t get him out of my head. “What’s got him in such a chipper mood?”

“Fuck if I know. He was one moody ass bitch while Pen was away, and now it’s like he’s walking on sunshine. I kind of want to stab him,” Cross answered.

I looked up from my Kindle and was met with their smiling faces. “No stabbing anyone. Even band members,” I said before I went back to my attempt at reading.

“Do you know why Walker’s in such a pleasant mood?” Kenton leaned forward, waiting for my reply.

“No, I idea. Maybe one of your groupies made his night. I don’t know. That’s not really part of my job.”

“I heard you two fighting last night,” Cross muttered.

“Good for you,” I rolled my eyes at him when what I really wanted to do was snap at him for listening. “If you heard, then you should know your guess is as good as mine on why he’s in such a good mood.”

Cross held his hands up and scooted back on his side of the bus. “I had my headphones in, so I couldn’t make out what you were saying. I only heard you two arguing.”

“If you’re so interested in why Walker’s acting the way he is, then why don’t you ask him?”

Kenton’s face scrunched up as he looked down the hall at the bunks. “It’s not his week to get the bedroom, is it?”

“No, fucker, it’s my turn. Don’t act like you didn’t know,” Cross hit some buttons on his controller and then growled. “You cheated.”

“How did I cheat?” Kenton threw out there.

Fighting over games was typical on the bus. It kind of made me wish I hadn’t got them a PlayStation to begin with. I guess it was better than them watching porn. Listening to a bunch of moans from the living area would have been pretty awkward. Why hadn’t I packed my noise-canceling headphones? Maybe I needed to order a new pair and have them delivered to a future venue. Then I wouldn’t have to listen to their chatter.

Cross set down his controller and moved into the kitchen. “Does anyone need a drink?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“Hey, Walk,” Cross moved to stand beside Walker as he folded some clothes and put them into a bag.

“What’s up?” Walker asked without stopping what he was doing.

Cross bumped his shoulder into Walker’s and looked back over his shoulder. I looked down quickly, hoping he didn’t see me looking at them over my Kindle. “Do you have any more of whatever you’re on?”

“Fuck off,” Walker growled. “You know I don’t do drugs. I don’t even take ibuprofen, asshole.”

“Seriously though, what’s up with you? Why are you so happy?” Cross leaned back against the wall of other bunks.

Walker lifted one shoulder. “Why wouldn’t I be in a good mood? We’re living the dream.”

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