When we arrived back at headquarters with all of our stuff, Howie and Kevin met us as we got out of the limo.
"Hey, Bone," Kevin called, "The busses are already here, so we may as well get the girls loaded." He welcomed us with a wave as he pulled suitcases from the limo's trunk.
"How many rigs did we get this time?" AJ asked as we started to go towards the back of the building. We rounded the corner to the parking lot, and my mouth dropped open. Lined up in front of us were eight huge black tour busses. "Only eight?" asked AJ. "Cramped..." Summer and I stopped in our tracks.
"Only? Only?!?" she asked, amazed.
"Well, yeah..." Howie answered. "Ours, the bands, the dancers, security, management, tech crew, storage, and the last one's for whoever doesn't fit in one of those places. We usually tour with 10 or 12." He explained. As we recovered from the shock and moved towards the busses, we could see that they were all numbered.
"You two will want to be in the same bus, right?" Kevin asked. Summer and I nodded, as he reached into his back pocket and took out a list. "Lemme see... I think there's room in 5, with Miranda, Jared, Sam and Erica... yeah, that'll work." he wrote on the list, and we headed to bus #5. If you've never been on a tour bus before, the first step up the stairs is a shock to the system. I expected it to be like the motor home I spent summers in when I was younger... not this bus. It was chrome and leather and suede, and very rich-looking. Neither Summer nor I expected anything near this, and I guess it must have shown on our faces. AJ laughed at us.
"It won't be this clean in a week, enjoy it while it lasts, girls." he climbed the stairs. "Where do you two wanna sleep?" he asked, obviously wanting to put our bags down, somewhere.
"Um, wherever's empty, we can always move them later." Summer said, still in shock. Kevin and Howie helped us finish loading, then left us to unpack. I guess I was getting used to Howie, he didn't unnerve me as much anymore. AJ didn't leave with the other guys though. He stood behind me and whispered in my ear.
"Does Summer know?" he asked. I smiled.
"Yeah, is that ok?" I turned to look at him.
"Sure thang sweetheart, didn't expect you to keep me a secret!" he laughed. "That also means that I can do this..." he smiled softly and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Let me introduce you to the entertainment section of bus #5..." he whispered, his voice raspy. I laughed as he held my hand, leading me past the bunks and toward the back of the bus. Behind the door was a smallish room with a couch, a TV and a VCR. AJ grinned wickedly. "Now, I wonder why they call this the entertainment room..." he questioned, walking closer to me. I backed up against the door, locking the latch behind my back.
"Gee, I don't know..." I replied, walking into his embrace. He kissed me hungrily on the lips, while running his fingers through my hair. I was more relaxed with him now than I was before, it was as if we had grown accustomed to each other. My heart still fluttered, but I wasn't nervous when he touched me. I stopped thinking about anything, and just let the moment take me. I pulled back to look into his eyes eventually, and saw myself in them. I let out a small sigh and he smiled at me.
"Come sit, Cassy." We both sat on the couch, facing each other.
"What's it like being famous?" I asked, it was the first thing that popped into my head. He grinned.
"It's like being the exaggerated version of me, all the time. You'll see enough of it to understand. The fans are great, they just get a bit overwhelming at times. I'm actually surprised that they haven't discovered that we're here yet. Being mobbed isn't the best part of the job." I smiled, putting my arm around him.
"That's what I'm here for!" He grinned back at me.
"Thanks babe. You can be my personal bodyguard." He put his feet up on the coffee table and leaned his head on my shoulder. He seemed worn out.
"I'll guard your body any day, sleepy head!" I joked as I played with his hair. He yawned, smiling.
"Nick kept us all up last night, he wouldn't go to bed. Then, when he did, he talked in his sleep all night. I think Summer really got to him." AJ explained, yawning again.
"You're tired, we may as well get comfy for a nap." I decided. He laid down on the couch and I slid in beside him. He wrapped his arm around my waist, spooning me. "Night J..." I whispered. He kissed the top of my head and his breathing soon got heavier. Not long after, we had both drifted into a comfortable sleep, together.
