Page 30 of #Moonstruck

To believe I meant something to him. That this wasn’t about the conquest or notching or adding another stupid girl to his total.

That he was nothing like my father.

But I happened to live in the real world. I couldn’t even guess how many other women had been in this room before me.

I stood. “Thanks for showing me around. My curiosity would have killed me.”

He sat up on his bed, seemingly surprised I was going. “I was serious. Anytime you want, you’re welcome to hang out back here.”

Nodding, I quickly left, shutting his door behind me. The door between the bathrooms and the bunks was open, and Fitz stood in the doorway, looking at me sadly.

Since he blocked my only escape route, I had no choice but to walk toward him.

When I reached him, he gently touched my shoulder to stop me. “I know what I promised. I know you’re an adult, and I know you can make your own decisions,” he said quietly, probably so as to not disturb Anton, “but you were there. You know I promised Mom I would keep you safe. That guy’s going to break your heart, Maze. And when it all falls apart, we’re going to lose the best thing that has ever happened to us. Please stop this before it starts and we all get fired.”

Then he left me alone with my guilt and fear that he was right.

CHAPTER NINE

I rejoined the other guys in the front lounge. I hoped I looked nonchalant and like I didn’t care about Ryan or anything related to him. A few minutes later, Fox got on the bus, followed by Vince, and it was time to head out. They gratefully accepted the two remaining brownies, and I found a trash can in the kitchen area for the paper plate and aluminum foil.

The bus rumbled to life and then made beeping sounds as Vince backed up. Finally, we were officially on the road to Las Vegas.

I looked out the window, watching as the other buses started up and followed us, like a massive metallic caravan. I couldn’t help but grin. It was happening!

Ryan came into the lounge, and it was like somebody dumped a bucket of ice water on me. Fitz’s words echoed in my brain. I didn’t want to be the reason we lost this gig. But at the same time, I was still drawn to Ryan. I wanted to talk to him. To sit by him.

It was going to take a few hours to get to Vegas. I decided the best way to deal with my Ryan issue was to just stay away from him. I headed into the bunk alley and settled into my bunk after putting on the clean linens and blanket provided. I climbed into my new bed and realized it was a good thing I wasn’t claustrophobic, as the bunk had the look and feel of a coffin.

The previous tenant had left some Command hooks on the wall, and it ended up being a good place to hang up things I needed close by, like my toiletry and makeup bags. I tried to read one of the books I’d brought with me, but my jumbled, confused mind wouldn’t allow me to concentrate.

I made up my brothers’ bunks as well. Not because they weren’t capable of doing it themselves but because I needed a reason to stay out of the lounge, and I needed to keep busy. I even tried taking a nap, but that was an epic failure. Mainly because some kind of video-game playing was happening in the lounge. I knew this because of the excited, muffled yelling I heard from their end of the bus. Someone would shush them, and then it would happen again.

I knew what a mistake it would be to date a famous musician. And I had to keep reminding myself that my family’s entire future depended on my staying away from Ryan De Luna.

More whooping and yelling. Now, somebody was singing about an after-party. It sounded like Cole.

This was going to be excruciating.

Somehow the hours passed, and we finally pulled into the parking lot of the Palazzo in Las Vegas. I grabbed my carry-on and headed for the front, careful to avoid eye contact with Ryan. A flustered Piper came on the bus. “There’s been some kind of a mix-up, so there will be a slight delay before we can get into our rooms. Irene’s made everyone lunch. She’s setting up outside.”

“Irene?” I heard Parker ask as we filed off the bus, and I hoped for her sake she wasn’t young and hot, or she was about to get some serious attention.

“I have a pretty strict eating regimen, and even though the venues would provide catering, I’ve found that it’s easier to have my own gourmet chef.” Ryan said it apologetically, almost like he was embarrassed. I didn’t know why. If I could afford it, I definitely would have my own personal chef. “Her bus has fewer bunks and a huge galley kitchen, so she can cook while we’re traveling. She also has a mobile kitchen she uses at the venues. She’s amazing. There’s a lot of fighting to be on her bus.”

Even though I’d been reminding myself for the last four hours why Rule #1 existed, just being a few feet away from Ryan was enough to make me forget. I wanted to make him laugh. For him to turn and smile at me. To tease me.

I was only halfway through Day One.

I was so screwed.

“You’re the new opening act, right?” I turned to see who had spoken, and it was the woman just behind me in line for lunch. She had well-defined arms and braids down to the middle of her back.

“Yes. I’m Maisy.” I offered her my hand, and she shook it.

“I’m Ashley. I’m one of the backup dancers. You should come eat with us.”

Maybe this was what I needed. To hang out with the women on the tour.

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