Page 52 of Knot My Band: Part One
DIRTY BETA GOSSIP COLUMN
DID JACK HANSLEY CROSS THE LINE BY BARKING AT THE CROWD?
April 26th
The slap of playing cards against the table fills the tour bus. I’m sandwiched between Aiden and Chase, with Jack lounging across from us and Dax next to him.
The tour has been flying by, and every moment with these alphas has been amazing.
“Your turn, Oli,” Aiden murmurs.
I glance at my hand, then up at him, catching the softness in those brown eyes of his.
“Thinking of folding already?” Chase teases, his sandy brown hair falling into his eyes as he leans back with a confident grin. His drumsticks are nowhere in sight, but his fingers tap an impatient rhythm on his knee.
“Never,” I retort, tossing down a card with a flourish. “I’m about to wipe the floor with you.”
“Sure you are,” Jack chimes in, winking at me. His playful energy is as infectious as ever, his blue eyes dancing with mischief under that white-blond hair. He reaches acrossthe table to nudge my hand with a chuckle, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. “Just make sure you don’t lose your shirt in the process—or do. We wouldn’t complain.”
“Speak for yourself,” Aiden counters with a smirk. His proximity suddenly becomes more noticeable as he leans in, ostensibly to glance at my cards. His breath ghosts over my ear, and I fight the urge to shiver.
“Keep dreaming, boys,” I quip, though my heart skips a beat at their combined attention.
I win that hand.
I check the time. “I think we are an hour out.”
“You need to eat something before the show,” Chase tells me, taking care of me.
“I will,” I say easily.
“Let’s place an order, and someone will pick it up,” Aiden says.
“With dessert!” I say, clapping.
Jack rolls his eyes. “And vegetables.”
Jack calls in an order. I’ve gotten used to the amount of food they order now.
Dax deals, and I have horrible cards.
“Your bluffing face could use some work, Oli,” Dax chimes in, leaning back against his seat with an ease that’s new.
He flashes me a rare grin that showcases an unexpected dimple, causing my heart to skip a beat.
“Ouch,” I say, placing a hand over my chest in mock pain.
His chuckle rumbles through the confined space, warm and surprisingly pleasant. He’s really been trying to enjoy life more and be happier, and true to my word I’m not reading into it but just enjoying his happiness.
The bus suddenly slows, the change in momentum pullingus all forward slightly. I glance out the window and see the sparkling lights of our destination drawing closer, turning the atmosphere inside the tour bus electric with anticipation.
“Looks like we’re almost there,” Jack announces, peering over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of the approaching venue.
“I can’t wait to get some fresh air,” I affirm, rising from my seat as the bus rolls to a stop.
“We can wait outside the bus for our food to get here,” Jack declares, stretching his arms above his head.
“Let’s go!” I say, grabbing my sunglasses as I head toward the bus door.
