Page 38 of Revived

“She tore off out of here the minute we came to a full stop. Deacon’s been giving her hell about finding a replacement.” The blush that stole across her cheeks told me that Deacon probably wasn’t the only one giving her hell. “We were pretty pissed about the possibility of having to pay money back to the label for missed dates,” she admitted without me having to ask.

“That’s fucked,” I told her.

“I know. What’s more fucked is that we all warned her this would happen again, and what it would mean to be stuck on tour with him afterwards.”

“It’s a shit situation all around,” I agreed.

“It didn’t have to be,” Roni argued.

“Can’t deny that, but Roni, I’m here for Mel,” I finally told her, not wanting to hash out our bandmates’ relationship drama any longer when I had my own to deal with. Roni grinned at me then as she stepped aside so I could board the bus.

“Good luck with that. Cal has had her ear the whole time, and she’s been relentless about no-good male rock stars.” Roni winked at me and then hopped down the last step to the asphalt below. “I’m out of here and the others already left, hot on Cal’s heels. So, you have the place to yourself.”

A simple nod was all I returned before moving further into the bus. “Oh, I can make more, if you’re back,” Mel called out as I heard the pop of bacon sizzling. The smell wafted up and tantalized my starving stomach into a loud growl. Mel’s laughter stopped abruptly when she turned and noticed who had made the noise.

“I didn’t realize you were here,” she offered after a startled gasp.

“We’ve been missing each other a lot lately, I didn’t want to take the chance of that happening again today. We have a day off and I’d like to spend it with you.” Mel bit into her bottom lip and glanced up at me shyly from beneath lashes that nearly kissed her cheeks as she kept her head tilted down.

“I’m not sure…” She started to say, but she stopped as I moved closer and tucked a finger up under her chin to lift her gaze to my own.

“Mel, the girls are most likely gone for the day. Please, let me spend some time with you. Whatever their problems, they don’t belong to us,” I tried to remind her gently.

“I should hope not,” she whispered back.

“You have more of that here,” I asked, tipping my head toward the bacon and eggs she was whipping up in the tiny little kitchen.

“I do, would you like to stick around for breakfast?”

“I would be honored. Anything I can help with?”

Mel rewarded my offer with the first real smile I’d seen her wear in days. “Just park your butt and wait patiently. There isn’t enough room in here for one person to really cook well, let alone two.”

“I’m okay with allowing you to cook for us, if you’re willing to go out with me tonight.” Mel turned, spatula raised above a pan where she had just flipped an omelet over. Her brow raised in question as she waited for me to tell her more. I didn’t respond to her, instead watching as she turned back to her cooking.

“Where exactly do you propose we go tonight that you won’t be instantly recognized and swarmed by fans?”

The grin that spread across my face should have been warning enough. “Do you trust me?” She hummed a noncommittal response that made me chuckle. “Okay fine, wear jeans, boots if you have them, and make yourself up however you like.”

She laughed at the uncertainty that was no doubt heard in that last little bit. I didn’t want to tell her to pretty herself up, because honestly she didn’t need anything to help with that. The woman was just naturally beautiful as is. “Okay, I’ll go along with it, but if we get mobbed, I’m definitely blaming you.”

“Fair enough,” I told her as she plated me up a cheese omelet and bacon.

“All we had left were the eggs and cheese, so it’s nothing fancy.”

“This is better than the ramen noodle breakfast I had two days ago, so no apologies necessary.”

“The way you guys keep in such good shape, I would think you would eat better on tour.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “We try, but sometimes we run out of shit too. Besides, we burn far more calories than we take in each night when we do have to eat like shit.”

“I guess that’s your bonus,” she glanced back at her own ass. “Maybe I should start doing more of Chevy’s workouts. I stopped, for the most part, after he left.”

“Nuh-uh, you’re not doing that. You are gorgeous just the way you are.” I reached over and pulled her closer to me. “Mel, you have to know you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, and the best part is that your insides perfectly match what’s on the outside – which is rarely the case.”

The pretty, pink blush that stole across her cheeks was enough of an answer for me. We were both quiet for a while as we sat, hip to hip, at the little table and dug into the breakfast she made for us. When I polished off my half of breakfast, I finally spoke.

“I’ve missed you,” I admitted.

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