Page 57 of Don't Bang a Bandmate

We all acknowledge it with a grunt or a clap.

“Should be at the hotel by noon,” Jordan continues. “You’re free to relax for a few hours and then meet in the ballroom at four for practice.”

“Foursharp?”Knox asks. “Or are we cool to just stroll in around four fifteen?”

Jordan doesn’t answer. She merely glares at him over the rims of her glasses, her eyes sharp as nails.

I smile. I love it when she does that.

Knox sinks into his seat. “I’ll be there at four,” he squeaks.

“Excellent,” Jordan says, returning to her to-do list.

The bus buzzeswith light conversation. It’s a short drive to Detroit, so not much reason to sleep. Still, I tilt back and prop my feet up, resting my eyes while discreetly keeping an ear on the others.

Jonah makes some quiet phone calls. His mother, Fiona. His brother, Ira. And Marla, always.

Knox and Harmony whisper to each other, passing their notebooks back and forth, sharing lyrics and pitching ideas. Honestly, seems nice to have a muse. Won’t fault ‘em.

Harvey and Katrina gush over some new romance she’s reading, which he’s apparently read as well. Jordan chimes innow and then, her voice alone yanking my attention across the bus.

“Oh, god! And thatscene,”Jordan says.

“Which scene?” Katrina asks.

“Thescene. The one where he throws her over his shoulder and carries her across the house to the bedroom.”

“Oh, yes!Sogood.”

“I must have re-read that one a hundred times.”

“I wish I could do that,” Harvey says. “But I’m pretty sure Addison would punch me if I tried.”

They laugh. Sad but true.

Speaking of Addison...

That burning spot on my cheek is still tingly.

I open my eyes and look at her. We instantly make eye contact.

“You weren’t with Hannah last night,” she says, her voice low enough for only me to hear.

I close my eyes again. “Yes, I was.”

“No, you weren’t. I know you weren’t because I watched you go up in the elevator and you never came back down again.”

“You’re stalking me now?”

“Where were youreally?”she teases.

“I was in my room. With Hannah.”

“No, you weren’t.”

“Addison.”

She looks at Jordan. “Honestly, whatever you’re doing at night that makes her smile likethatall day, keep it up. I’d like to sleep in sometimes, too.”

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