Page 22 of Hinder
Oh. My. Lord. This means he’s coming on the tour. On our bus. We’ll be spending the day together . . .everyday together. In close quarters. The memory of yesterday and how sweet he was to help me clean the kitchen steals my breath. Then how badly I wished he’d kissed me afterward—and how foolish I felt when he didn’t. Lord. I’m not prepared for two more freaking months of him.
As if he can read my thoughts, Leighton lifts his gaze and finds me staring. I wish I knew what he’s thinking. Or if he notices how much I don’t belong.
“Opal?” Bedo’s question and close proximity startles me so much that I jump.
I smooth my hair back from my face and resume the tight grip on the notebook I hold in my hands. “Yes, hello.”
“Trent’s personal assistant.” Bedo’s smile seems genuine, but after everything the guys have warned, I can’t help but imagine it’s more like a shark’s before taking a deadly bite.
I swallow the fear that he’ll see me exactly for who I am, proud of myself for holding his gaze. “That I am.”
“I’ve never seen you around before.” He tilts his head and narrows his gaze. “Where exactly did he find you?”
“You already trying to poach my PA?” Trent drapes his arm around Bedo’s shoulders.
Bedo steps out of his hold and straightens the pressed linen of his dress shirt. “We’re getting to know each other.”
“Yeah, I know how that works. Next thing, I’m out an assistant.” Trent rolls his eyes in the most disrespectful manner. Seriously, I can’t imagine speaking to anyone this way, let alone a business manager. “Run along, this one isn’t for sale.”
“What? I was only saying hello.” Bedo flashes another smile, but this time I notice the tension around his eyes. “Isn’t that right, Opal?”
“Yes.” I wave them both off, not wanting to be caught as a pawn in whatever power game this is. “It’s fine, Trent.”
Trent holds my gaze, undoubtedly unconvinced.
“You can’t keep me from talking to your assistant, Trent. It’s necessary.” Bedo laughs and I get it now. There’s something in my gut that churns with this man’s bravado. As if he knows best and Trent should stay out of it. He’s hiding something.
“You have her number. So does the studio.” Trent raises his eyebrows. “I’m sure you received my email last night.”
“Sorry, Bedo,” the tour manager interrupts. “We need to hit the road if we’re gonna get to San Fran by four.”
“I’ll be in touch, Opal.” Bedo smiles before turning to the group. “All right boys, hit the road. I’ll catch a flight up later.”
“Later.” Trent waves but hangs back with me as everyone else climbs into the bus. “He wasn’t being a dick, was he? Because you need to tell me if he is.” His overprotectiveness, much like an older brother, warms my heart.
“I’d tell you. He was really only saying hello. I’m good. Promise.”
“Good.” Trent nods at the bus. “Let’s get you a spot.”
“Spot?”
“Bed. I’ll apologize now. There’s not much privacy. If it gets to be too much, you can kick me out of my room. I mean that. I’d let you take it, but that’d automatically set off warning bells. Everyone knows how much we fight over it.”
“You guys fight over a bed?”
“Privacy. The only bedroom. A door that locks.” He winks and jogs up the steps that lead inside.
“Oh.” I nod and follow after him, but when it dawns on me what exactly that means, my eyes widen. “Oh!”
Trent waves me off and chuckles. “Which is only important when Lexi’s here, but more than that, it’s bragging rights.” He calls over to Austin who’s mid-climb into one of the sleeping spots. “How you like your bunk? Enough space in there?”
“Fuck you!” Austin pulls shut the curtain, but his middle finger protrudes.
Trent chuckles louder. “So, that bunk is taken.”
“I’ve got the one on top.” Sean glances up from his cell and points above Austin’s bed.
“So, take the one you want and little drummer boy gets what’s left.”
