Escaping Me (3 page)

I take his lips rolling so that I am on top of him.  As I move my mouth against
his, I straddle his lap and grind against him. “Take me right now Landon.” I growl against his mouth. “Please.”

Chuckling, he
rolls us to our sides. “I won’t take you on a bus with everyone around Daisy.  I can’t do that.”

The rejection stings like a bitch. “What?  How is this different from the back room last night Landon?  We aren’t going to be in hotels very much, we have to be resourceful.” I say sounding more like a spoiled brat I know but I am worked up damn it.
  Regardless of the fact that I’m worked up by the wrong brother, I’m in need of a release.

“
Last night shouldn’t have happened like that.  You don’t do that to the woman you are going to marry.  That’s groupie sex and we don’t do that Daisy, Aiden is right.” The joke from Aiden hits me square in the gut and I stand to my feet, grabbing my laptop off the shelf.

“Fine.”
I say flinging the door open.

“Wait Daisy, don’t get upset.”

I turn, picking up my laptop from the shelf to meet his beautiful blue eyes. “Landon, I’m fine with whatever you want.  I’m not the one that will have to hide that.” I say gesturing to his straining zipper. Yeah, Landon’s brain may not want to do this on the bus, but Landon’s second head sees my reasoning.  I smile knowing I will win this fight if I hold out. “I’ll just take care of it myself.  No biggie.” I shrug then walk out of the room closing the door behind me.

I pass Tad
in the aisle on my way into the living area. He rolls his eyes then walks back toward the bunks.  I secretly wonder what his problem is, although maybe he heard us.  Or maybe he is just a determined manager wanting to work.  My bet though is that he is probably just an asshole.  Grayson’s eyes meet mine as he drops a shot glass to the counter. “You want one?” He asks me when I sit my laptop down on the table.

“Hell yeah!
  It’s a tradition she has to do a shot or three.” Hunter says fist pumping the air.

“Yep.”
I say as Hunter hands me the salt shaker.  “Line ‘em up.” Licking my salt covered hand, I look at Aiden. “What was that you said before?  Fill ‘er up and shut ‘er down?” I ask and he nods as I down my shot.  The burn slides down my throat as it warms my belly.  Quickly I suck on a lemon wedge and gasp for a breath. “Yep that’s the new motto.” I say bumping his outstretched fist.  Hunter pours another round in the glasses while I officially start my last hoorah.

Chapter Three

Shaft Approved

I lose count after the sixth shot but
I do know that the bottle is empty. Sagging to the couch next to Aiden and Gray, I decide that once you down a bottle of tequila with a guy you can call him by his nickname.  I know I am drunk when I accidentally ask ‘Cunter’ to pass the lemons.  He spits tequila all over the bar making me fall to the floor, erupting in a fit of giggles.  The guys all look at me in shock but laugh along with me anyway.

I watch Aiden flip
through the channels on the flat screen arguing with Gray over what to watch.  It’s safe to assume Landon is still sulking in the bedroom but I really could care less at this point.  I want fun and this is what this is right?  I’m touring with the next big thing.  I am on a tour bus with Shaft and even though my fiancé is being a total dick….  Ha!  Shaft, dick…see what I did there?  I bury my face in my hands and laugh making Gray turn his eyes to me.

“What’s so funny Wild
flower?” He asks pushing the hair away from my face.

“I was thinking that I’m having fun with Shaft even if Landon is being a dick!” I say doubling over in laughter.  Tears streaming down my face as I roll
off of the couch and onto the floor still giggling.

“That’s awful
ly punny.” Hunter laughs from his chair then takes a pull from his beer.

“Yep sure is hard not to laugh at the Shaft jokes.” Aiden says and now I am heaving for breath through my laughter.

“I fuckin’ love this chick.” Hunter says laughing as I lean back against Gray’s leg, catching my breath. 

“Thanks,
not so bad yourself.” I say sweetly.  He just winks at me.

“What the hell is wrong with her?” Land
on bursts through the aisle while I am wiping my face on my shirt sleeves.  He stops at my feet, then pulls me off the floor with a groan. “She’s drunk!  What the fuck Daisy?” He says looking around at the guys. “Are you all drunk?”

“That’s a great big positive there Captain Blue-ball.” Hunter
announces.   I push away from Landon only to plop between Aiden and Gray on the couch again.  Landon’s eyes angrily flit to mine making me wince. “Oh and you’ll wanna keep your voice down.  I mean if you don’t wanna fuck her on the bus because she’ll be too loud then you should know you two arguing on the bus about it is pretty much the same thing.”

“I say she fakes it
any way.” Aiden says making me elbow him in the ribs.  I don’t deny it or come to Landon’s defense and this seems to send him over the edge.

“You four are lik
e children!” Landon snaps then jerks my hand, pulling me to my feet.  Tossing me over his shoulder he nearly falls backward into Hunter, then stomps down the aisle toward our bedroom.

“Put me down Landon!  What the hell is wrong with you?” I scream tryin
g to wiggle free.  He tosses me to the bed as he slams the door.  I jump up to argue which is a big mistake. The room starts to spin as I meet him toe to toe at the edge of the bed.

“What is wrong with
YOU?  You’re supposed to be helping me keep them in line not doing shots of tequila with them.  Are you trying to ruin everything?  Tad is furious!” He shouts, getting in my face.

I slu
mp to the bed burying my head in my hands. “I’m sorry.” I whisper.

Landon
paces the small room, his hand diving into his hair.  He is so angry with me.  I don’t know what to say to calm him down.  I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.  Landon doesn’t drink, ever.  Maybe that is what he is upset about.  I don’t know.  I have never seen him so unhinged.

Looking out the window I notice we have made it to the venue.  Landon walks to the door. “
Maybe it is best you don’t come to the show tonight Daisy.  I’ll see you later.” He says then he slams the door.  I hear muffled voices then the bus door slam.  I watch Landon and Tad walk away from the bus and into the building.

L
eaning against the wall I slide to the floor, letting the tears fall freely.  The door to the bedroom flies open making me jump.  I look up to meet angry grey eyes. “Why the fuck did you let him talk you like that?” Gray growls pulling me into his arms.

“I…I…” Is all I get out before he crushes his lips to mine
, I feel his lip ring pressing against my bottom lip.  Gray groans into my mouth as his hands slide under my shirt meeting my bare skin.  I should fight him but I don’t have it in me. All the alcohol mixed with all the emotions is making my head swim.

Just as quickly Gray pulls back and runs his thumb across my bottom lip. “
Never let anyone trample your petals Wildflower. No one.  Don’t let him get away with brushin’ you off.”

“I deserved it.” I say def
ensively. “I don’t act like this Gray.  I’m supposed to be here for Landon.  I was being stupid before.  Now Tad is angry with him and it’s all because of me.” I choke out.

Gray get
s right up in my face shaking his head. “No one Daisy.” He repeats and once I manage to nod he hands me a shirt. “Wear this to the show.  Stand on stage left where I can see you.  Some fuckin’ body needs to be worried about you.” Then he’s gone.

 
I pace the length of the room over and over trying to figure out what to do.  Landon told me not to come to the show tonight. I have a feeling if I do we will just fight again.  I don’t know what has come over him in the past few days.  He is usually so sweet and relaxed.  Now?  Now he is wound so tight I think he may snap!  I need to give him his space.  Let him go do his job without me getting in the way.  Then, I think about Gray and the fact that I really do want to watch tonight.  I want to hear him sing. 

Continuing to pace, I worry the shirt in my hands as I continue debating with myself.  Then my mind goes where I don’t want it to…the kiss.  Flashba
cks of Gray marching in here taking something he wanted just like he said he would has my body trembling at the memories of his hands on my skin…his mouth on mine.   

I am
pretty sure I’m losing my mind completely.  I should pack my things and leave before something horrible happens.  Never in my life have I ever felt so torn over what to do.  I can’t think straight enough to fix a sandwich let alone talk this shit out in my head.  Having only met Gray yesterday, I hardly know him. I have been with Landon over a year.  I should go right now while I still can.  Distance is the only thing that would clear my muddled brain. 

Instead, I straighten my hair and dig a black mini-skirt out of
my bag.  Once I am dressed after giving myself a once over in the mirror, I attempt a half-assed pep-talk.  My pink converses match the words on the black halter top and I have to still be half-lit to even contemplate going out in public wearing this stupid thing.  I can’t help laughing at the phrase ‘Shaft Approved’ plastered across my chest as I hear a tap on the door.

“Time to take you over Daisy.”

Turning I face th
e giant of a security guard. “I’m ready Henry.” I say as he drapes a security tag around my neck.

“This way no one questions you i
f we get separated.” He says but I can only nod. “You good to go then?  Need anything?  Show starts in half an hour.”

Not waitin
g for my answer he leads me up the aisle, out the door.  The minute my feet hit the pavement, Henry wraps a protective arm around me blocking me from view.  We shuffle through hundreds of people all waiting to get a look at the bands before the show.  I don’t get to look around too long before Henry swipes a card key, getting us inside away from the growing crowd.

He
nry leads me down a hallway into a staging room.  My eyes go wide as truck tires and my jaw probably hits the floor.  Hunter is on a couch with a topless red head in his lap, his face buried in her tits.  She moans loudly as she wiggles her ass into his crotch.  Does this bitch have no shame? “Maybe after the show.  Company’s here.” He says as he spots me.  Hunter shoves her off his lap, making her stumble in her heels as she fixes her top.

“Boy
s…” I mumble walking over to sit on the couch across from Hunter while the redhead is dismissed from the room.

“Love the shirt.” Aiden says with a wink as he
unwraps his burger.

“She’s off limits.” Gray growls as he walks through the door and flops down beside me. “
She’s gonna be Daisy Cole so she’s a no-go.” He stresses his glare drifts between them both. “That especially means you Cunter.”

My eyes meet Gray’s but
I can only nod.  He is sending me mixed messages.  He says he wants to be friends, then kisses me, then says I’m off limits.  I don’t get it.  Maybe I read more into that kiss when all I should be doing is finding Landon to apologize.  It seems the more my buzz fades the more confused I become.  One thing is clear though now that the alcohol has nearly left my system.  I need to talk to Landon.

“Ha
ve you seen Landon?” I blurt making Gray’s smile fade.

“Yep.”
Aiden says through a mouthful of burger. “Down the hall with Tad.”

I stand to my feet and head for t
he door. “Thanks.” I whisper then head down the hallway in search of my fiancé. 

H
eading further down the hallway, I stop outside of a closed door.  Before I can knock the harsh voice makes me freeze. “I told you Landon.  You get her on board with this.  I have given you enough chances.” Tad snaps.

Oh no they are fighting about me again.

“It’s not that simple with Daisy.” I hear Landon’s hushed tone.

“Either she’s with us on this or she’s fucking gone.  End of story.
  Remember your place Landon I hold all the cards here.”

I watch in horror as the door knob starts to move.  Oh my God!  They are going to see me
. They will know that I have been listening.  Move Daisy!  I’m frozen in my spot.  I couldn’t make my feet move if the building was on fire.

A hand covers my mouth, muffling my gasp as my feet leave the ground.
“Ssh Wildflower.” Gray whispers against my ear as we duck around the corner. 

We watch
Tad and Landon step out into the hall.  Tad glances around before turning to Landon, pinning him with a glare. “You want her to stay then get the shit done.” He bites out then they go separate directions leaving Gray and I standing out of view.

“What the hell w
as that about?” Gray asks sagging back against the wall.

“I’m a problem.” I whisper as a tear rolls down my cheek. “I need to go before I get Landon fired.”

“The fuck if you are.” He roars turning me in his arms to meet his eyes.  He opens his mouth to say something else then shakes his head. “Show is starting.  We’re openin’ for No Approval Needed. When we’re done I’m goin’ to feed you.  Then we will talk to Landon and figure this shit out.” Gently Grayson pushes the hair off my shoulder before walking away.

By the time I take a minute in the bathroom and head back up to the staging room Henry is standing there w
aiting for me. “Ready?”  He takes my arm, leading me through the stage doors.  Picking me up, he plops me on a stool and pats my shoulder. “Better than front row Daisy girl.” I can’t help but smile when he grins at me.  Then without a word he walks over and leans against the wall.  Crossing his arms over his chest, he fixes his eyes on the stage, going into his badass mode.

The stage lights dim as
I watch Hunter and Aiden come into view.  Aiden takes his place at the drums immediately beginning to pound out the beat.  He is one with his kit, his sticks just extensions of his fingers as the intensity pours off of him in waves.  I watch the tattoos ripple across his chest as he slams his foot down on the bass pedal, keeping time. His sticks moving almost effortlessly as he sinks his teeth into his bottom lip in deep concentration.

Hunter’
s bass kicks in with his brother’s beats seamlessly.  It’s amazing being this close.  I can see everything as it changes, every movement, every facial expression…  They communicate without words.  The music does all the talking for them as Gray’s guitar cries out.  The crowd goes wild as he walks out joining the guys.  I scream out too making Henry chuckle behind me.

Gray’s eyes roam across the stage until his gaze lands on me.  His eyes
heat, making me drop my gaze to his guitar. Big mistake Daisy.  I watch his hand glide up the and down the neck, paying special attention to each note just as he would every inch of my body.  The thought makes me squirm and I inwardly scold myself.  Where the hell are these thoughts coming from?  I can’t be thinking thoughts like this about Gray!  The pull I felt nearly instantly for him is so strong I don’t understand it.  He says that he feels it too, but it doesn’t make it right.  It just means that I have to fight it that much harder.   

Hunter’s voice breaks through the haze as he plays up the ladies. “Look at all of the sexy kittens boys.  Are you all here for me?” He asks as he rolls his hips earning him a few screams.  Two
blondes flash him making him smile wickedly. “Uh oh…” The cocky bastard scolds clicking his tongue, “You naughty kitties need a tongue lashing.” Looking over to Henry, he points to them. “These two, Shaft Approved…  See to it Henry.” Henry nods in agreement.  My eyes immediately go to my shirt. Shit! “Now hold on to somethin’ Shaft’s comin’!”