First Chance Book 4

Gage

“Time to get up,” I say, giving Jason a playful smack on the forehead.

He mumbles something I can’t make out, pulling his blanket over his face.

We’re about to embark on a six-month tour, a deal that Ryan managed to negotiate with the label.

After weeks of discussions, the label agreed to a schedule of one show per week and extended hotel stays, since Natalie and Temperance are coming along.

Somehow, Ryan even managed to get them to throw in an extra bus, specially modified with a crib and changing table.

“Wake up, we’re leaving in fifteen minutes. I hope you packed last night,” I tell Jason, yanking his blankets off the bed.

“Alright, alright, I’m up.”

“See you downstairs,” I say, leaving his room.

We’ve all been staying at Ryan and Natalie’s place. They don’t seem to mind. We give them their space and help out when they need some alone time.

I reach the bottom of the stairs and see Nat in her pajamas, feeding Temperance in her high chair.

“You’re not ready yet?” I ask. “We’re leaving soon. Need any help?”

“Ryan’s loading the car. We might leave a bit after you guys. I still need to get myself and Temperance dressed. If you could take some bags out to Ryan, that would speed things up. They’re by the front door,” she says, guiding a spoonful of food towards Temperance’s mouth.

Am I the only one eager to get this tour started?

There’s a pile of luggage stacked against the wall by the door.

I sling two duffle bags over my shoulders, grab the handles of four suitcases, and head outside to where Ryan’s loading the car.

After three trips, arms full each time, all the luggage is loaded.

Jason, Zepp, and Ryan are ready to go, while Natalie and Temperance are still in the kitchen.

“Want to meet us there?” I ask Ryan.

“Yeah, I’ll help Nat get Temperance ready. Then I’ll pick up Liam and Layla. Could you call them and let them know we’re running late? It would help if they were ready when I get there.”

“Sure, I’ll have Jason call them while I drive to the label’s parking lot.”

This woman, who seems to think she has some special connection with me, has been a thorn in my side for months. I thought I’d finally shaken her off.

But she was just lying low, somehow finding out about our plans and getting a job with our record label.

We’re loading our stuff onto the bus we’ll be living on for the next six months when her car pulls up.

At first, I don’t recognize the woman with the long, golden hair flowing down her back.

It’s been months, so why should I remember her? That’s what I tell myself, anyway. But I do remember. I know it’s her as soon as she steps out of the car.

I glance over, admire her for a moment, then go back to loading luggage into the bus’s storage compartment.

The guys have already grabbed what they want for the bus. The rest of this stuff is what we’ll take into the hotels with us.

Thanks to Ryan’s negotiations, we’ll be staying in hotels more often, since Natalie and Temperance are with us.

The label generously provided a separate bus for them. They need space, and so does the baby.

Zepp, Jason, and I have been living at Ryan’s for over a year now. It’s a huge place, practically a mansion.

Layla and Liam drop by every week, but they’ve been keeping to themselves more than usual, probably because their relationship is still new.

Jason, Zepp, and I arrived early to claim our bus and beds. Normally we have two buses for a tour, but this time we have three.

One bus is for the road crew: our tour manager, lighting specialist, sound tech, and the roadies who set up the stage.

Another bus is for Natalie, Ryan, and Temperance, and probably Layla and Liam. They wouldn’t want to be on the ‘party’ bus, now that they’re a couple.

After loading our hotel luggage into the bus, I look around for Abagail.

She needs to understand that there’s nothing between us. Following me on tour is not part of ‘nothing’.

She clearly doesn’t understand the meaning of nothing.

When I spot her, she’s standing next to the road crew bus. I take a deep breath. Calm is the best approach here.

I knew she was clingy, but I didn’t expect her to become a full-blown groupie.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Well, that’s not a very nice greeting, Gage. I thought you’d be happy to see me,” she says, her eyes sparkling.

“Abagail, the last time we saw each other, I made it clear that I’d be happy if I never saw you again. How did you get the idea that I’d be thrilled to see you?”

She jerks back, but it’s so quick, I almost miss it. But I don’t. I’ve hit a nerve—she knows I don’t feel the same way she does, and it stings.

We’re not a we. She and I never were, and we never will be.

“I’m sorry you feel that way. I thought you’d know by now. I’m your new tour manager,” Abagail tells me, her gaze never wavering.

I’m not a guy who gets mad easily. Hell, I’m the most cheerful fucker I know. But this woman, she knows how to push my buttons.

I don’t take the bait and respond. I’ve been down this road before with groupie girls. Every time one of them gets under my skin, I react, and it turns into a fight.

Then I end up wanting to have sex—not something I do twice with the same person—and if I were to with Abagail, we’d just end up fighting again. I don’t want to go through that again.

She just doesn’t fucking understand. What’s it going to take? And why the hell didn’t Ryan tell me he hired her?

I turn my back on the brewing argument. Ryan better haul his ass over here and explain himself soon.