Page 135 of Five Summers

"Princess, don't believe everything you read," he retorts, his voice filled with frustration and a hint of anger. He strides over to the refrigerator and grabs a bottle of water.

My attention shifts to the three other band members making their way onto the bus, with four excited groupies. I notice their wide-eyed expressions on their faces as they spot Xander, leaning against the kitchen cupboard, gulping down his water.

Suddenly, Reg storms onto the bus.

“No. There are to be no groupies on this bus. Seriously, how many times do I have to say it? Everyone get out now!” He points towards the door, gesturing for them to leave.

A busty blonde groupie looks my way, clearly annoyed. “Why does she get to stay on then?” she says, her tone resembling that of a tantrum-throwing toddler.

Xander tosses the empty bottle into the sink and comes forward. “She’s not some fucking groupie. Get off this bus right now before I kick your skanky ass.”

“Relax, man,” Theo interjects. “They’re leaving, right, baby?” He kisses her and walks her down the steps.

The other three groupies quickly exit the bus the second Xander strides across.

Ace and Nate grab their bags and make their way towards the closed door halfway down the bus.

It’s only a few seconds and then Theo returns.

"You totally killed my vibe, Regie boy," he says, snatching his bag. Then he throws a smirk Xander's way. “I might have to find my fun somewhere else.” Then he glances my way. “What about it, Spitfire? Can you handle ten inches?“

I know he’s just messing with me. I've already figured out who Theo is. He enjoys messing with people, just like Xander did for his own entertainment.

“Well, Theo, if it’s really that big, you’ll have no problem shoving it up your own ass,” I reply.

He pauses, smirks, and gives Xander a quick look. “I like her. She's a keeper. For fuck's sake, don’t screw it up this time.” Moving ahead, he goes through the same door Ace and Nate went through earlier.

Theo's words won't leave my head. Does everyone here know what Xander did to me back in the day? Did he blab that I was just a high school fling? Do they actually think I'm crushing on Xander, like Jade does? Yes, I still have feelings for him, but it’smore than that. He shared things with me he told no one else, except for Ace.

“Come on,” Xander says, grabbing our bags. “I’ll show you where your bunk is.”

Chapter fifty-one

Xander

It’s the middle of the night and I suddenly hear my ringtone. I’ve been lying awake, unable to sleep, knowing that Poppy is just across from me in the bunk. It must be the nurse calling Poppy to give her an update about her son.

Curiosity gets the better of me and I pull back the curtain just enough to catch her getting out of her bunk. She looks so hot in her sleep shorts and tight tank top, my dick can’t help but react. Despite my intense stare, she’s too busy on the phone to notice. She stops in her tracks when she almost steps on Theo, who, as usual, has somehow ended up in Nate’s bottom bunk.

Those two idiots think we don't know what's going on. Every morning, Theo rushes back to his bunk to hide what's going on, but they're wrong if they think we don't know. All I know is that Nate is the only one who can calm Theo when things get too intense. I know Theo has nightmares that haunt him from his painful past. Apart from them sharing girls and Theo ending up in Nate's bunk, there are no clear signs that they are in a relationship. Even if they were, I wouldn't care. Their sexual status would never change the way I feel about them.

As soon as Poppy leaves, I swiftly get out of bed, being careful not to step on Theo, who has his ass hanging out over the bunk. In a rush, I grab a shirt and put it on, desperate to cover up the tattoo on my chest before Poppy sees it. I step over Theo and make my way to the front of the bus.

I quietly approach the slightly open door, staying hidden in the shadows, observing Poppy as she sits back on the couch. Holding her phone up, she glances at her son’s image on the screen. Because she’s facing me, I can’t see him, but I can hear his tiny voice.

“I’m fine, mommy. It hurt before, but it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there, sweetie.”

“It’s okay. I got a huge pile of ice cream from Nurse Sally.

“Eat as much as you want to feel better.”

She's beaming with joy, showing how much she loves that little boy. I can't help but admire her, smiling in awe, wishing I could join this amazing family. If only it were Alex, Poppy, and me. Regret consumes me. Was it a waste for me to leave her when I could have had this with her? She never pursued her dream, and I didn't stop her like her mom thought I would. Now that I have everything I could ever ask for, the one thing I desire most in this world feels out of reach. The longing to provide her with everything still lingers, but now I fear it may be too late.

“Have you seen a kangaroo yet?” Alex asks.

“No, not yet. But I promise to snap some shots when I do.”

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