Page 55 of Backstage

The Jailbirds’ tour bus is much more luxurious than ours. Downstairs there is the living area with leather sofas and musical instruments scattered around, while upstairs the rooms are furnished with a queen-size bed and a flat-screen TV on the wall. I know this because lately, I’ve been sneaking out of our tour bus to get into Damian’s bed. The sex with him is incredible, and after, we spend time snuggling in each other’s arms, talking about everything and nothing. The only flaw in this arrangement is that we have to keep it a secret.

Damian doesn’t want word to get out. Considering that we’ve just managed to silence the rumors circulating about him and me together, it would be annoying for everyone. I’m still shocked by the number of photographers, and the aggressiveness of some, who were lurking for the shot of the century. Until I met the Jailbirds, I thought the photos on those gossip sites were mostly the result of some lucky paparazzi. I mean, I knew they hung out where famous people go, hoping to get some shots, but I had no idea how harassing they could be.

The downside of this whole situation, though, is that I feel like a groupie fucking her favorite singer, rather than the bassist of a band that’s with a musician. Because, in the end, Damian and I aren’t together, we’re just two people having fun. I never expected him to give me more, or even thought I could want more from him, but sometimes I wish he made me feel a little more special. Apparently, I should be over the moon because, according to Thomas, whom I’ve spoken to openly, he’s never had anyone for more than a one-night stand, so I should be delighted. The drummer is the only one who knows about us, which makes it so much easier when I need a lookout to sneak out of this corner of paradise.

“Hey, you’re awake,” Damian grunts with his face in my hair while he’s squeezing me. His voice is husky and sexy.

“Yeah, your little guy’s been on my ass for at least half an hour. I can’t ignore him much longer.”

Damian takes a few seconds, then he bursts into a loud laugh and squeezes me tighter. “You could straddle me and alleviate the tension.” He smiles mischievously as he turns my face towards him and kisses me lightly on the lips.

The temptation is strong, it’s hard to deny myself another half hour of pleasure with him, but I have to get off the bus. We arrived in this parking lot at four o’clock this morning, and I ran out of mine like a thief. “I wish I could, trust me. But I have to get back before they find out I didn’t sleep on the bus last night either. It’s getting harder and harder not to be noticed,” I admit with a grimace.

Damian looks at me sternly, as if about to tell me something important, but in the end, he shakes his head and smiles at me. “I’ll manage on my own by thinking of you,” he says with a naughty grin, massaging his boner from above the sheet.

“Jerk,” I reproach him, but without any malice in my voice. I like to tease him.

“I don’t think you’ve ever complained about what I do.” He raises an eyebrow in defiance.

“In fact, I wasn’t. Actually, since you’ll be all right when I walk out this door, I’ll give you something to enhance your fantasies.” I stand up to put on my pants and then I lift up my shirt, flashing my boobs at him.

I feel him inhale violently, and when I lower the light fabric, I can see all the desire in his stormy eyes. I hit the nail on the head, and I’m delighted. It is rewarding, in a way, to know that I can excite him so much that he loses contact with reality. I’ve often thought about the women he’s had, but I don’t know anything about them, and I imagine amazons, sex goddesses that drive him crazy. I’m just...me, anonymous and not even that experienced.

“Get out before I bite off those clothes,” he whispers in a husky, longing voice.

I giggle, open the door to his room, and peek out. I hear voices downstairs and realize I can’t pass without being seen and have to explain what I’m doing here. “There’s someone downstairs,” I whisper in Damian’s direction.

He props himself up on his elbow, smiles, and then shouts out loud, “Thomas, I need you here! I need you here now.”

I lock myself behind the bedroom door, and when the drummer opens it wide, he almost slams it on my nose.

“Could you help her out without people asking questions?” he points to me.

Thomas looks at me with a half-amused smile while I greet him, waving an embarrassed hand in front of my face. I’d like to sink into the ground. “The little prince wants a pizza for breakfast. What do you say? Shall we go find a pizza place that’s open at this hour?” Thomas cries.

I hear “He can suck my dick” and “Asshole” from downstairs, and a lot of laughter, and I guess it’s their way of letting him know they’re going out for pizza. I’ve often heard them insult each other that way. It’s a man thing I’ll never fully understand.

“Thank you,” I tell Damian, lowering myself to kiss his lips gently, but he holds me back for a kiss full of affection, which takes me by surprise. It’s not just desire.

When I get up, I’m breathless and dazed. And it takes me a few seconds too long to make contact with reality and leave the room, taking the stairs and then leaving the bus door undisturbed. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes when I am hit by the sun’s rays, and I give myself a few seconds to enjoy them. When a hand touches my shoulder, I almost jump on the spot from fright.

“That’s where you were.” Luke’s voice is weird, and his expression too.

I watch him for a few seconds to see how I can deflect it, but I’m still leaning against the Jailbirds’ bus door. It’s hard to tell him I’m coming from a run in the country. “I was playing some songs with Damian,” I lie with the first excuse that comes to mind. A little weak, since we don’t have any more shows together, but more realistic than a vague, “I had something to tell him.” Luke looks at me with his forehead wrinkled and his serious expression. He seems almost annoyed.

“Is it just me, or have you two been hanging out a lot lately...even though you don’t have to rehearse together anymore?” Luke’s voice is suspicious.

That’s what I mean. He’s my best friend: he can smell lies from miles away. I wear my prettiest mask, the one with the shy smile, and pretend I’m embarrassed.

“Yeah, well...I found out that I like to play with him. He relaxes me and makes me relieve the tension I build up during the tour. I take advantage of that because it doesn’t take long to get from one bus to another.” It’s not a total lie. It’s true that I release tension and relax.

Luke studies me for a few seconds, but then he moves a few steps away and finally turns towards me. “Are you coming?” he asks me seriously.

I nod and follow him into our empty bus.

“We never talked about what happened at the festival.” He sits on the couch next to me after giving me a cup of black coffee.

“How I exploded and told everyone about the famous Accident?” I blush, thinking back to that moment.

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