Page 13 of Rebellious Harmony
5
Nolan
Moving through the crowd of groupies surrounding my bus, I ignore their pleas, their grabbing hands, and the dirty looks directed at Ava.Since I didn’t spend much time backstage, the fans have followed me here.I step up into the bus, my only true place of solace while on tour.
My driver, Ezra, looks up from his book and greets me, “Good evening, Nolan.”
I give him a quick nod and introduce Ava, then step into the kitchenette and begin to give Ava the grand tour of my home away from home.The sound of the fans shouting and pleading for me to let them into my personal space continues outside.Supernatural hearing gets old.
“So, this is the kitchen and dining area, with couches to relax.”
The interior is exactly how I wanted it, designed in my favorite sage green and gray colors.The kitchen space is nice, but the TV and electric fireplace are even better.A rich dark wood dining table and couch make the space inviting.It’s just what I need after performing all night.
“Geez, your bus is crazy nice.So open and calming.I never knew they looked this luxurious on the inside.It’s so fancy.There’s an electric fireplace and everything.”
“Yeah, it was custom-made to my specifications.Everything I need to feel comfortable while on tour is here.Come on, there’s more to show you.”
I walk down the corridor that runs the length of the bus and point out the two comfortable bunks built into the wall and the bathroom with a full shower and tub.When I get to the stairs at the end of the bus, I wait for her to catch up.She takes in every detail, which I find fascinating.When she doesn’t realize anyone is looking at her, her emotions are apparent on her pretty face.I can see her excitement and wonder.
It’s annoying that I don’t hate her.She fascinates me in a way that other women don’t, including other Omegas.She fits in with the band and Stella.There is no strained weirdness, like there was with Larissa.She holds my attention.
“Let’s go upstairs to the main rooms and my recording space.”
“You have a recording space on your bus?That’s convenient.”
“I’m often inspired to write after a show, but that hasn’t happened lately.Rex does the arrangements, and I write the lyrics, for the most part.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
We make our way up the stairs, and her jaw drops.The seating area with my laptop and mixing board is nothing fancy to me, but Ava seems to find everything impressive.
“Nolan, this is a dream space.You have everything you need to create music here.”She wanders to the photos and record albums hanging on the wall, smiling at the snapshots of the band’s rise to where we are today.“You all look so young and happy.You guys are so close, and with Stella too.I love that.”She sounds wistful and lively even this late at night.She’s also oblivious to me watching her, lost in her own world.
“Yeah.We’re happy with our success.”I glance at the old photos, remembering each day as if it was yesterday.“The band and Stella mean the world to me.I would do anything for them.”
“Is a vampire interacting with humans looked down upon?”
“My dad thinks I should be around vampires more often.He wants me to have more ties and connections to the house.Vampires often struggle outside of houses.And, of course, he wants me to settle down with an Omega.”
“Oh.”She sounds intrigued.Her eyes take in my expression.“I see.Is that not what you want?You’re young—you have time.I mean, youlookyoung, like twenty-five.How old are you really?”
“I don’t want to claim an Omega yet, if ever.”Chuckling at her question, I answer, “I’m thirty.Vampires age like humans do until around twenty-five.We age visibly only a little bit each year from then on.”I didn’t mean to open up to her, but she’s easy to talk to and seems to view the world on a deeper level that most people overlook.I looked at her feed, and she’s a great photographer.An artist in her own right.I hate to admit it, but I can sort of see why my father thought she’d be a good fit for the band.
I continue to the second bedroom and open the honey-hued wood door.“So, this is the spare room.You can sleep here when we aren’t in a hotel.”
She walks past me into space and turns around numerous times, taking it all in.“This is amazing.There’s a full-size bed and my own bathroom.This is better than a hotel.”
“I hope so.I get tired of hotels.”I’m smiling at her.She gets blown away by the simplest things.“From the look on your face, I’m assuming you love it.”
“Well, I like a nice hotel room.It makes me feel like I’m worth the extra expense.But this is amazing.”
Nodding, I take in her small stature.The room looks bigger with her in it.She’s about 5’1’ to my 6’5’.The height difference between us is almost comical, but her size brings my protectiveness to the surface.I want to keep her close and safe.
My instincts need to chill out.
She looks more flushed than when we were backstage at the show, and I wonder if her Omega nature is kicking in.My presence in her space and our biology will impact us both.My dad’s actions have put us in a tricky situation, and there’s another possible complication that could affect the tour.She could go into heat.I hope it’ll hold off until I can get her to the sanctuary after the Las Vegas show.Of course, she had to be twenty-one when she crossed paths with my dad, the average age at which Omegas can be uncloaked.
“How are you feeling, Ava?”
