Music of the Heart (Runaway Train #1)(19)
Author: Katie Ashley

He motioned to the couch. “We were just about to watch a movie if you’d like to join us.”

“Nothing NC-17 I hope?” I teased.

Brayden laughed. “No, maybe a little R-rated Will Ferrell comedy. Would that be okay?”

“If it’s Ricky Bobby, you got a deal.”

“Great minds think alike.”

“Just let me get changed.” As I walked back to the bedroom, I paused outside of Jake’s roost. “Jake?” I tentatively asked. When he didn’t respond, I kept on going. Even though I pushed my luggage and guitar case against the door, I tore off my dress at record speed. I then threw on my ratty Jacob’s Ladder’s t-shirt and my yoga pants from earlier. I slid my hair into a ponytail and then headed back out.

The opening of the movie was already playing when I eased down beside Brayden on the couch. Even though we’d probably all seen the movie a million times, we were laughing hysterically. I had to admit that it was fun hanging out with the guys sans Jake. His absence seemed to take the pressure off, and AJ and Rhys behaved like brothers, rather than potential lovers.

After they started Step-Brothers, the exhaustion of the day, coupled with the lull of the bus, caused me to get drowsy. My eyes grew heavier and heavier until I finally nodded off. When I woke up, the movie was ending, and my head was on Brayden’s shoulder. I jerked away from him. “Oh, I’m so, so sorry!”

He smiled. “It’s okay. You were tired.” He glanced over at the other guys. “We should probably get our asses in bed. Tomorrow is another long day of traveling before the next show.”

Once we all took turns using the bathroom, we settled into our roosts. I glanced down at my phone and fielded a few texts from the boys. Thankfully, my parents were at a conference with packed events, so the boys had yet to break the news to them until a few hours before about my mishap. Because it was so late, I didn’t get a wrath-filled phone call like I normally would have.

Instead, it was a barrage of heated texts from my dad that if he hadn’t been a minister would have equated to “What the hell do you think you’re doing on a bus with a bunch of horny rockers?” My mom, who was always the peacemaker, was included in the messages and tried reasoning with my father, which was pretty hilarious considering they were in the same room.

Finally, I went for the jugular by telling him as a minister, he shouldn’t be so judgmental. After a lengthy pause, he finally responded with You’re right, Abigail. We know you have a good head on your shoulders. Just make sure you let your conscience and your moral compass guide you.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the epic guilt trip laid at my feet. Instead, I quickly typed back, Of course I will. I’ll see you guys in a week.

My parents were flying in to see my first performance with the boys. I was supposed to have had this week as preparation, but now I would be heading right off the bus and to my first show. I gulped down the rising bile in my throat at the thought.

After telling them goodnight, I laid my phone down and settled in the cramped quarters. Just as I closed my eyes, a long groan came from close to my head. It took me about two seconds to decipher that I was way too close to Jake for comfort. Each and every time I started to doze off, Jake would make a noise, and I would be wide awake again.

I fluffed my pillow for what felt like the millionth time and tried ignoring the sounds coming from Jake’s bunk. Heat flooded my face when the whimpers and groans escalated. Jeez, it sounds like something off a  p**n o! With my brothers, I had a pretty good mind what he was doing, and it infuriated me, especially after what had happened earlier with Billie Jean.

They all swore to me they’d be perfect gentlemen if I stayed on the bus with them! I silently fumed. What kind of sex-fiend maniac is Jake that he needs to do that again after just getting off at the diner? I don’t care if he needs to relieve some stress after the phone call earlier. This is bullshit!

Flopping back down on the mattress, I crossed my arms over my chest before a frustrated grunt escaped my lips.

“¿No puedes dormir, Angel?” AJ’s deep voice questioned from behind my curtain.

I flipped back the heavy fabric. He reclined on his bunk, flipping through a sports magazine. “No, I can’t sleep with all the racket going on next to me.”

He met my gaze and grinned. “Don’t get the sexy, lacy panties I dream about you wearing in a twist. He isn’t jerking off.”

“That’s not what I was thinking.”

“Yeah right,” he snorted with a wink.

As if on cue, Jake let out a long moan. I shook my head. “Um well, if he’s not doing that, then is he okay?”

“He’s been having a lot of nightmares lately. I try to ignore it—let him save face and not look like a pu**y.”

I rolled my eyes. “Did you ever stop to think maybe you should ask him if something is going on with him?”

AJ quirked his brows at me. “If I started getting sappy and shit like that, Jake would ask me when I grew a vagina.”

“Well, I think someone should check on him. I mean, he sounds like he’s in both physical and emotional pain.”

When AJ didn’t move, I heaved an exasperated sigh before hopping out of my bunk. I could not believe after everything I had been through with Jake so far in the last twelve hours that I even had one shred of care left for him. But I had seen something within him—some flicker of decency—that made me worry and care about him, even when I shouldn’t.

I shot AJ a murderous look to which he held up his hands. “Look, mi amor, guys just don’t do the touchy-feely shit, okay? If I woke up Jake right now to cuddle him, he would get super pissed.”

I ignored him and tip-toed over to Jake. With trembling fingers, I opened the heavy curtain to his roost. Jake had the sheet twisted around his waist. A coat of sweat covered his heavily tattooed chest. His brow creased, and his mouth curved up in a grimace. My hand hesitated above his shoulder. Finally, I shook him gently. “Jake, wake up,” I urged softly.

His body jerked before his wild eyes popped open and swept across the top of the bunk.

“Shh, it’s okay,” I murmured.

Jake’s frantic gaze swept over to mine while he opened his mouth and gasped for breath.

I gave him a reassuring smile while rubbing his shoulder. “You were having a nightmare.”

Jake continued wheezing in air. I eased back as he swung his legs out of the bunk and onto the carpet. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned forward and put his head in his hands. “I’m sorry I woke you,” he replied.