“See you guys later,” I said with a lift of my hand.

Matt and Evan both said bye. Griffin said, “What’s going on?”

I got stopped a few times to sign things as I left. That was fine. I owed the fans a lot more than a few seconds of my time, but that was all I could give them so it would have to do. The night was almost over, but Avoiding Redemption was still playing their set. Naturally, they played more songs than anyone else. I hoped the bus was quiet. It wasn’t always, since a lot of guys went back there when they were finished playing. And not all of them went back there alone. I really wasn’t in the mood to listen to people having sex right now. But whatever. I had headphones.

In the parking lot, I looked around for Paul. He’d been a ghost since I’d slugged him. He wouldn’t even ride our bus anymore. I was extremely grateful he wasn’t going to test me on my threat. His absence was another small relief.

Hopping on my bus, I headed straight to the cubbies to lie down. Maybe I’d call Kiera. I’d talked to her earlier, before our set, but talking to her again sounded wonderful. That thought was on my mind when I stepped up to my bed…and spotted a naked woman seductively half-curled up in my blanket. For a half-second I thought it was Kiera, until the foreignness of the girl’s face shattered the illusion. What the fuck was a naked stranger doing in my bed?

“Hi,” she sweetly said, looking completely at ease.

A weary sigh escaped me. I really don’t need this right now. “Hey. I think you have the wrong bed.” My voice was calm, polite, but also firm. Please leave.

She smiled, showing a dimple in her cheek. Her eyes slowly scanned my body. “No, I think I’m in exactly the right place.”

I looked around the cubbies, to the ones that were full. The guys there were smiling, staring at my uninvited guest. Meeting eyes with Kurt, I raised an eyebrow. “You do this?”

Grinning wider, he shook his head. “Nope. She climbed in all on her own.”

Sighing again, I looked back at the girl. “Can you get out please.”

She pouted as she rubbed her legs together. “Why don’t you get in?”

Sitting up as much as she could in the small space, she leaned over to grab my hand. I pulled my fingers away, so she started running her hand up my jeans instead. I grabbed her hand to stop her from fondling me, and she smiled at me like she’d won.