Back Before Now Save as PDF
Chapters (123)
  1. PLAYLIST
  2. CONTENT NOTE
  3. Dedication
  4. 1
  5. REMI
  6. 2
  7. FOSTER
  8. 3
  9. REMI
  10. 4
  11. REMI
  12. Before…
  13. 5
  14. REMI
  15. Now…
  16. 6
  17. FOSTER
  18. 7
  19. FOSTER
  20. Before…
  21. 8
  22. REMI
  23. Now…
  24. 9
  25. FOSTER
  26. 10
  27. REMI
  28. Before…
  29. 11
  30. FOSTER
  31. 12
  32. REMI
  33. Now…
  34. 13
  35. FOSTER
  36. 14
  37. FOSTER
  38. Before…
  39. 15
  40. REMI
  41. 16
  42. REMI
  43. 17
  44. REMI
  45. Now…
  46. 18
  47. FOSTER
  48. 19
  49. FOSTER
  50. Before…
  51. 20
  52. REMI
  53. 21
  54. FOSTER
  55. 22
  56. REMI
  57. Now…
  58. 23
  59. REMI
  60. Before…
  61. 24
  62. FOSTER
  63. Now…
  64. 25
  65. FOSTER
  66. Before…
  67. 26
  68. REMI
  69. Now…
  70. 27
  71. FOSTER
  72. Before…
  73. 28
  74. FOSTER
  75. Now…
  76. 29
  77. REMI
  78. Before…
  79. 30
  80. REMI
  81. Now…
  82. 31
  83. FOSTER
  84. 32
  85. REMI
  86. 33
  87. FOSTER
  88. 34
  89. REMI
  90. 35
  91. FOSTER
  92. 36
  93. REMI
  94. 37
  95. FOSTER
  96. 38
  97. FOSTER
  98. Before…
  99. 39
  100. FOSTER
  101. Now…
  102. 40
  103. REMI
  104. 41
  105. FOSTER
  106. 42
  107. REMI
  108. 43
  109. FOSTER
  110. 44
  111. REMI
  112. 45
  113. FOSTER
  114. 46
  115. REMI
  116. 47
  117. FOSTER
  118. EPILOGUE
  119. FOSTER
  120. Later…
  121. ALSO BY C.G. BLAINE
  122. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  123. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christian’s waiting at the top with a smile, even as he dodges Foster. I force something similar onto my face. I slip by him and stop to survey the lounge area. Two sweaty rock stars already cover one of the expansive couches lining each side. Plush and overstuffed with the worn-in throw pillows tossed out of the way.

Felix sinks deeper into the dark charcoal cushions. “Welcome home.”

He slaps Dev on the chest with a flat palm, and the bassist throws me a smirk.

I scoped out the buses earlier today. I ran my fingers over the pristine leather of the couches, opened the microwave in the kitchenette for no reason. The four spacious bunks deeper on the bus are twice the size of the six on the other one. Worthy of rock gods in the making.

I’m flashing back to sleep-away camp and trying to recall which bunk is best when Colton appears from behind the drape that separates the back from the front. My brows slant together.

“You’re sleeping on this one too?”

He stalls his steps. “Where else would I sleep?”

Four of these guys. Four bunks.

“Doing the math?” Christian asks, and I cut him a look. “Have no fear, gorgeous. I took care of you.”

His eyes shift, and mine follow to carved-out footholds in the wall. I missed them earlier. They lead up to what looks like a loft space above the cabin.

“Roomiest digs on the bus,” he says.

I question that but try another quick smile before taking the ladder. My head breaches first, and I stop. A queen mattress waits for me, fresh bedding and extra pillows. A small ledge borders three sides of the bed. A foot or so of space by the ladder already has my bags with more room to spare. I can’t help the real smile that curves my lips.

I rush the rest of the way up and drop my camera bag with the others before I flop onto the bed. Flipping over, I blow out air and stare up through the skylight perfectly centered above me. Not much to see now, but I can already imagine the stars as we cross the country. Muted sounds filter up from below. A cushioned beat of bass. Someone laughs.

I close my eyes and listen in what feels like a room all to myself.

* * *

I angle the camera to avoid any reflection as I shoot out the tinted window. The image through the viewfinder shows the road’s shoulder across from us. Palm trees whip by as we meet cars on the highway.

“You ever stop with that?”

My eyes flick to Colton, his mouth lifted on one side.

The inside of the bus has been silent all morning. Other than the driver, I could forget anyone else existed until now.