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“Give me a hug, bestie. Are you going to make it two months without me?” Reese leaned across the console, ignoring the gear shift stabbing her hip, and pulled Staci into a tight hug.
“I’m going to party like it’s 1999 in our apartment. I might find a new roommate by the time you get back. Who knows? Maybe I’ll finally meet a man.”
“Just remember that I brought you to Nashville. I can take you out.”
“Whatever. Get out of here and please remember to text me. I’m going to be dying until you tell me how it goes.”
Reese gave Staci a last look, grabbed her duffle bag and purse, and walked purposefully toward the two big tour buses. This was going to be fine. She was a professional.
Before she even reached the bus, the doors opened and a pretty blonde stepped off the bus in bare feet. She was gorgeous in torn jeans and a fitted black T-shirt, showing off tattoos totally covering one arm. Immediately Reese felt overdressed in her black pants and fitted gray button-down shirt. She had debated about what to pack, waffling between being professional and more casual and edgy. Everything she had now seemed totally wrong for a rock tour. Maybe they could stop at a Ross. Or a Goodwill. Anywhere that she could trade in her casual professional wardrobe for jeans and less fussy tops.
As the woman got closer, Reese saw that just the tips of her hair were a bright pink. Sterling’s girlfriend? Part of the band?
“You must be Reese,” the woman said, offering her hand. Reese shook it firmly, trying to shove back her nerves. “I’m Morgan.”
“Morgan, right. Sorry. My boss made it sound like you were a dude.”
Morgan laughed. “I get that a lot. At least until people meet me.”
“Obviously. You don’t look like a dude. Sorry. I have a tendency to ramble.”
Morgan gave Reese a once-over, her expression curious. “I was expecting a guy as well. Daniel?”
“Yeah, last-minute change. His wife is pregnant and on bed rest, so he couldn’t travel. My boss said he talked to you?”
“Maybe he emailed me or left a voicemail. My inbox and my voice mailbox are graveyards. I’m a text kind of a girl. Not a big deal. You’re here and we’re about to leave in a few hours. Let’s get you set up on the bus and then we can talk about plans for Sterling. Sound good?”
“Yep.” Reese shouldered her laptop bag, purse, and small duffle bag, following Morgan back to the bus. “Do we all sleep on one bus?”
Morgan turned her head slightly as she answered. The bus engine was loud as they climbed the steps. “You and I will be on here with Sterling and the consistent band members. The other bus will have some of the sound guys, support musicians, and the gear.”
I’m going to be sleeping on a bus with Sterling James!
Reese’s inner fangirl let out a shriek, but on the outside, she held it together. Her nervousness at seeing him again after the incident tempered her excitement as well. “Sounds good. Whoa. This bus is insane.”
Morgan laughed again. “You’ll get over it by day two. You don’t get motion sickness or anything, right?”
“Not that I know of. Seriously, though. This bus is nicer than my apartment.”
The main room of the bus had what looked like reclaimed wood floors and dark leather seating with metal accents. Masculine and industrial. A few dark blue throw pillows made the lounge look a little softer. A huge flat screen took up one side, but every inch of space had a purpose. There was seating underneath the TV as well with a table that looked like polished concrete. The tiny kitchen area had an espresso maker, small sink, and stainless-steel fridge. Gray curtains kept the area dark.
“This is the main lounge that everyone can use. Oh, and our driver is up there,” Morgan said, already moving toward the back of the bus.
Reese stepped back toward the driver’s seat they had already passed. She hadn’t even noticed the bearded man doing a crossword puzzle when she got on. She stuck out her hand. “I’m Reese. Thanks for driving. What’s your name?”
He looked surprised, but set down his puzzle and turned to shake her hand. “Brett,” he said. He lowered his voice. “You’re the first one to ask my name. If you need anything, you just let me know.”
Reese smiled as he gave her a friendly wink and went back to his crossword. Morgan was waiting by a door at the end of the living area. She pointed toward a small door. “There’s a bathroom in there. Sorry to immediately dive into personal stuff, but basically use the bathroom only for peeing. Not showering or anything else. You got me?”
“Wow, okay. I won’t ask why.”
“It’s just the nature of toilets and holding tanks. That’s about all you’ll want to know without getting gross. We’ll stop a lot and stay in hotels along the way as well. If you have to stop, just ask the driver.”
“Brett.”
“Hm?”
“Our driver’s name is Brett.”
