Page 53 of Don't Bang a Bandmate

16

JORDAN

Fifteen shows down. Nine to go.

“Goodnight, you guys,” I say to the band as we walk through the Botsford Plaza lobby.

They head toward the hotel bar, no doubt looking to stay there until it closes, while I practically beeline toward the elevators, a goodnight’s sleep calling my name.

“On the bus. Nine AM! You hear me?”

They all perform various signs of acknowledgment, Katrina assuring me they’ll all be ready to go on time.

I give them a wave and continue toward the elevators. Chrissy and August follow behind me, the air between them crackling with tension. I catch their hidden glances all the way up. August’s subtle smirk. Chrissy’s sinister eyes.

I swallow the tease on my tongue. Truthfully, it’s kind of sweet.

“Goodnight, Jordan,” they say as we step off the elevator.

“Goodnight, guys,” I say, fishing for my room key. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Chrissy unlocks her suite next to mine and August follows her inside.

Well, hopefully they’re quiet tonight. We share a wall.

I enter my suite. I peel off my clothes and let down my hair, debating whether to take a shower now or wait until morning. It doesn’t take long for me to make that Morning Jordan’s problem and I whip out my pajamas before heading into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Over the sound of my electric toothbrush pulsing against my gums, I hear a knock on my door.

I walk over to the peephole and see... nothing but black.

Slowly, I slide the chain into place before opening the door an inch.

Bronson stands in the hall with his hand planted over the peephole.

I exhale, relieved.“Bronson.”

He chuckles.

I release the chain and open the door wider. “Why would you do that? I thought you were a serial killer or something.”

“We need a system,” he says, ignoring the complaint.

“A system?” I ask, waving him into the room.

He walks in and I give the hall a cursory glance before closing the door behind us.

“Yeah, a system,” Bronson says as he follows me to the bathroom. “Something you can do to discreetly let me know you want me to follow you upstairs at night.”

I rinse the toothpaste from my mouth and spit. “Hm,” I say, considering it. “Yeah. I didn’t even think of that.”

“I did, but...” He smirks. “You fell asleep.”

“You mean you put me to sleep?”

He shrugs cockily.

“Well..” I press my lips together in thought. “I can text you?”

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