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Reese snorted. “It’s way better than our apartment.”
“Really?”
“Yes, because it has wheels.” Staci laughed and Reese contorted to get out of the tiny bunk. “You asked for it.”
It was amazing how quickly the tour bus and the tour itself felt like Reese’s new normal. After staying the night in the Atlanta hotel, they drove the next day to New Orleans, stayed in another hotel, then had the second concert the next night. Maybe this would change after time, but the second concert was just as amazing as the first. Sterling shared a special smile with her after his encore (another acoustic mini-set of new songs) and she knew this time that he was smiling at her, not Morgan. That look from Sterling made Reese feel lit up inside, proud of the work she was doing for him. It also warmed her to feel like they had shared something private.
After their conversation in his suite and the intimate moment on the balcony, things had shifted between them. Sterling was more comfortable around her and sought Reese out for conversation. Sometimes they talked about personal things and sometimes issues related to his work.
“Do you think that I can make a push for my label to let me change my sound?” he had asked her yesterday.
“Not yet,” Reese had answered. “The last thing you want is a fight with your label. Kelly Clarkson’s best album was overlooked because she battled Clive Davis over it and he made sure it tanked. What you need is what you’re already doing: getting the fans on board. When the label sees that the people are on board, they’ll get on board too. Keep doing what you’re doing and we’ll focus on drawing in the fans, especially if you continue the encore set showcasing your new sound.”
She loved that Sterling respected her advice. Where most women reveled in knowing men thought they were beautiful, Reese never felt so beautiful as when a guy thought she was smart. Sterling made her feel that way. He had also told her she was beautiful the night they shared pizza in his suite.
What she didn’t know is what all this meant. Or how she should feel about it. They had grown closer, but he hadn’t said whether or not he bought her a ticket to California. He didn’t declare his feelings for her and hadn’t asked her on a date. Not that there was much opportunity, but there were pockets of time here and there. Reese’s insecurities often rose up like a swarm of critical voices in her head, reminding her that he had said she wasn’t his type. The last thing she wanted was to hope for something romantic when all Sterling wanted was friendship.
“Are you in the bunk room now?” Staci asked.
“Yep, and you saw my bunk. But I’ll start in the front and work my way back so you can see it all.”
Reese pushed open the door and the guys got louder. All four of them were sprawled on the couch and floor with game controllers. Sterling didn’t usually play video games and she was a little surprised to see him looking so relaxed.
If he had been hard to resist without knowing him, spending more time with him and getting to know more of who he was made it totally worse. Plus seeing him play almost every night …yeah. The more space, the better.
Reese pushed the button to turn the camera outward and scanned it over the room. A chorus of shouts broke out. Chuck and Moby started wrestling over something. She passed them and went to the driver.
“This is Brett, the driver. Brett, don’t you dare look up from the road. But say hi to my best friend, Staci.”
“Hi, Staci,” Brett said. Reese could see his smile in the way his cheeks lifted.
“You finish that book of crossword puzzles I got you yet?”
“Not yet,” Brett said. “But over halfway.”
Reese had gotten it on a whim when she was checking out at Ross with Morgan back in Atlanta. The book of crosswords was right by the registers in that death trap area meant to get you buying things you didn’t need. But Reese had a feeling that not many people thought much about Brett. Based on the way his face lit up when she gave it to him, she had guessed right.
Turning back to the main lounge area, she had to raise her voice. Chuck and Moby were still wrestling. “Hey! Can you boys say hi to my best friend, Staci? And maybe stop beating each other up?”
They straightened up and Moby stopped trying to punch Chuck’s arms, running a hand over his hair. “Hi, Staci,” they chorused. Except for David, who just waved.
Staci laughed. “Is this the man cave part of the bus?”
“Not always,” Reese said. “Just at this very moment.”
Moby hopped up and came around to stand with his face close to Reese. She could smell his cologne, a little too strong. He broke out in a grin. “Well, hello, Reese’s friend Staci.”
“She can’t see you. Hang on.”
Reese pushed the button again so that the camera flipped, showing her face and Moby’s smushed together. Staci laughed again and put a hand over her mouth. Moby pulled the phone out of Reese’s hand and sat down in one of the chairs under the big screen, tossing his controller back to the couch.
“Reese did not mention her hot best friend back home. Did she tell you about me?”
“Absolutely nothing at all. Who are you?” Which was a lie. Since Reese had told Staci just about every detail, mundane or not.
“Ouch!” Moby said. “I’m not important enough to tell your best friend about, Reese?”
Reese shrugged. The guys had paused the game and Moby waved them on. “Play without me. I’ll finish up the bus tour. Can I?”
