Page 52 of Cadence
Eli grins, exhaling happily. “All of this? We’re finally rock stars.”
He leans against me as we take it all in. The smell of leather and success, the sunlight streaking through the windows, casting strands of gold across the clean floors and long couches lining the main area. A mounted TV glows from one wall, and onthe opposite side, there’s a compact kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and marble counters.
Down the narrow hallway are the bunks, eight of them, four on each side in sets of two. Identically compact with curtains on each, a small shelf and a reading light. Just enough space to lie down and sleep. If you don’t mind feeling like you’ve been buried alive.
Beau opens the fridge, bracing one arm along the top as he starts to read out loud. “Energy drinks, protein shakes…oat milk.” Shaking his head, he shuts the door.
“Alright then…” Eli grins, rubbing his hands together. “Dibs on this top bunk.”
Wordlessly, I step forward and toss my bag onto a bunk across the aisle.
“I’ll take this one,” Paige says quickly, shoving her things into the space next to Eli, the one directly across from mine.
“You sure?” I ask, the words slipping out before I can stop them.
“Yeah, you know Eli snores like a freight train,” Beau adds, laughing when Eli flips him off.
“You should take the back room,” I suggest, walking past her and pushing open the last door at the end of the bus.
It isn’t huge, but compared to the bunks, it’s basically a palace. A queen-size bed takes up most of the floor space, with shelves above the headboard, and a small rail for clothes to the side. A low dresser is bolted to the opposite wall, a small lamp clipped to the edge.
Standing aside, I watch as she peers in, sticking out her lower lip before she shakes her head.
“I’m good.”
“It’s a real bed, Paige. Space, a door, actual privacy.”
Exactlywhyshe should take it.
“And I saidI’m good,” she repeats as she plants her hand on the bunk she’s already claimed. “I’m not here to play diva. I want to be with the band, not locked away like some VIP.”
“You wouldn’t be.” Irritation creeps into my voice. “I just think it’s better if—”
“What?” she presses, crossing her arms as her chin lifts.
Eli climbs into his bunk, pulling his curtain shut, disappearing from view, while Beau watches us like it’s a tennis match. I drag a hand down my face, conscious of the guys listening.
“You shouldn’t have to cram against a goddamn wall when there’s a whole bed with your name on it.”
“My name’s not on it.”
“You know what I mean,” I snap.
“Do I? Because it kind of sounds like you’re trying to separate me from everyone.”
“It’s not about that,” I grind out. “It’s about comfort.”
“Bullshit,” she mutters.
My molars grind so hard it hurts. She glares at me, not backing back down. The worst part is, she’s not even wrong. Idon’twant her lying across from me. Not because she doesn’t belong here, but because I don’t know if I can stand having her that close, learning what she looks like when she sleeps, when she dreams, when she wakes up.
Not when I already know how she tastes, how she sounds, how easy it would be to slide in beside her and make a whole new mess.
“Take the fucking room, Paige,” I growl.
“No. If you’re so obsessed with it,youtake it.”
There’s a beat of silence, my blood alight with annoyance, before Eli pops his head out of his bunk.
