Page 120 of Just Wait

“You’re not going to sell at one of our promotional shows,” he whisper-hisses back. “Do you know how bad that would look if someone puts it together that you’re with me?”

Shit.

This is definitely a private conversation that I should in no way be listening to. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get past them while they’re blocking the hallway.

“I know what I’m doing,” she says, laughing mirthlessly. “Not all of us have parents at the ready, just waiting to transfer five grand when our bank account is running low. Rhys didn’t have any cash to leave me, but he did have excess product, and that’s really the same thing. I lost my job two months ago after everything that happened with your⁠—”

“I’ll buy it,” Tennyson says, cutting her off. “We’re going to need it anyway, and I don’t want you carrying that kind of weight out in public. That’s distribution charges at the least and trafficking at the fucking worst. You know how strict the laws around here are.”

“You’re insufferable. You know that, Ten?” She laughs, and I pull the door open.

It sounds like Tennyson grew up wealthy, while Wren’s life was a little closer to my own. Maybe that’s where the disconnect comes from. Their argument has nothing to do with me, and I probably was being nosy.

I should have done this two minutes ago, but better late than never. I rip the door open, not even trying to be quiet about it.

Tennyson looms over Wren, who has her back to the bunks.

“Sorry, can I slide by you guys?” I ask.

“Sure,” Tennyson says, smooshing Wren against the bunks even more tightly.

I turn sideways and make it past them with my back dragging against the bunks on the other wall.

The energy in the hallway was tense, but it lightens up as soon as I step into the living room area on the bus.

Parish sits on the floor, cutting up lines.

Riser, Mal, and Kincaid are already dressed and waiting.

Malcolm pops up when he spots me, smirking as he comes to greet me. “Jesus, baby doll. I just got heart palpitations.”

“Might be time to lay off the coke,” Riser says under his breath before coughing to cover his words.

Malcolm stretches a hand back, flipping him off while his other sneaks around my backside, pulling me into his chest. “Tonight is the best kind of night. We do a short as fuck set, then we get paid to party.” He bends down, getting close to my ear. “I promise, we’re going to have a blast.”

“I believe you.” I smile and stretch up to kiss his cheek. “The last time we were at a club, we didn’t get to dance. That means you owe me a dance or two.”

“Oh, baby doll,” he purrs. “Just wait. We’re going to date the fuck out of you tonight. All three of us.”

A shiver runs down my spine.

Maybe I’m greedy, but I don’t care.

Being spoiled by all three of them is the shit my dreams are made of.

The club is packed to capacity, and the energy backstage is stressful. The label security team was needed around the front of the stage, which leaves me and Wren with only Benji to keep an eye on us.

I’m not stressing too badly since there are very few people watching from backstage. Tangled Desires apparently got to chill on their bus tonight. I’m still riding the high of that win.

Unfortunately, the guys are kind of in the process of freaking out on their manager. If I wasn’t sure it would make them more upset, I would offer to wait in the greenroom they were given.

I technically don’t have a key card to get into it, since this place is super fancy, but I could ask Mal for his. I’m sure he would give it to me.

Kasey watched Wren and I last night, and everything went smoothly during the last show in Columbia. This venue just doesn’t have the same level of staff, and it shows.

“You were supposed to be out there ten minutes ago,” Benji says, throwing his hands up into the air. “That’s why the crowd is getting restless. Go do your twenty-minute set. I’ll watch the ladies myself.”

“Nah, fuck that,” Tennyson says. “I’m not letting Wren out of my sight unless she has a trained bodyguard watching her. She’s too good at getting into trouble.” She huffs, but Ten steps over, grabbing her arm and pulling up his bass. “Plant your ass between the guitar and my chest.”