Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I’ve dated a lot. Had a couple of steady boyfriends in college, the longest for about four months. We did a lot of things together, but we never did the actual deed.
“You’re kidding me,” Maddie says.
“Kidding about what?”
Maddie pulls her laptop out of her carry-on and plugs it in. “You’re a virgin, Brianna.”
How could she tell? She simply stares at me, her eyes gleaming.
I scoff. “Okay. I’m a virgin. Don’t you think it’s time I got my cherry popped?”
“All this time and I never knew.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I never told Angie, Sage, or Gina either.”
“You mean you have a secret from the rest of the awesome foursome?”
“Yeah. It’s kind of private. So…you’re on your honor, Mads.”
“Thanks for trusting me with this secret.”
“Well, you figured it out.”
“I did, but you have nothing to fear from me. I’ll take it to my grave.”
I smile. “Thanks.”
Maddie finishes with her carry-on. “Do you want to take a walk? I feel great.”
“Yeah. Should we ask any of the others if they want to go?”
“Maybe Donny and Callie. The band members probably have something going on.”
Then I jerk at a knock on the door.
“Speak of the devil,” I say when I open it. Donny and Callie stand there, along with Brock.
“We’ve got the afternoon free, ladies,” Brock says. “Rory and the others are having a meeting to make sure Jesse doesn’t fall asleep.”
“I wish he had—”
Brock puts a hand up. “We all do, Bree. But you know Jesse Pike.”
Callie and Maddie both nod.
“We do for sure,” Callie says. “I’ve had to deal with this rivalry since Donny and I got together.”
“It’s over, Cal,” Donny says.
“I think it is…on your side.” Callie frowns. “I’m not so sure about my brother’s.”
“True,” Maddie says. “If he had any brains at all, he would’ve taken that first-class seat.”
“Actually,” Callie says, “Rory told me he tried to get a seat, but Cage and Jake took the last two.”
“Oh my God,” Maddie says. “That plus losing his luggage? He must be so upset.”
“Our brother’s a trouper,” Callie says. “He’ll be fine. So let’s go. We can take a walk, check out what’s around here. Maybe do a little shopping or something. We’ll save the big sightseeing spree for tomorrow.”
“Sounds great. You ready, Maddie?” I ask.
Maddie grabs her purse. “Absolutely. Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jesse
I’m the leader of the band, and I can’t keep my fucking eyes open.
“Jess”—Rory nudges me—“you didn’t answer the question.”
I force my eyelids to stay up. “What was it again?”
“What time rehearsal will be tomorrow. We’ve got a location that’s reserved all day. Personally, I think morning would be good. It’ll force us out of our jet lag.”
“The rest of you don’t have any fucking jet lag,” I say crossly.
“For Christ’s sake, Jesse,” Rory admonishes. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself and man up.”
I can’t help a chuckle. “Man up? I can’t believe those words just came out of your mouth, sis.”
“I mean it, Jess. I’m sorry there were no more first-class seats available. I’m sorry they lost your luggage. It will be here tomorrow, and everything will be better.”
“I’d feel better if I could have a nap.”
“No way. If you nap now, you’ll never get over jet lag, and your performing won’t be up to par. You and I both know that.” She punches my upper arm. “This is important, Jesse.”
“Fine.” I rub the spot she hit.
She’s right, of course. This is our big chance, and if I blow it because of self-pity, I’ll never forgive myself.
Rory and the others will never forgive me either.
We go through the rest of the business, and then Rory grabs my arm. “Brock and the others are out walking around, sightseeing and exploring. You and I are going on a walk.”
“I just want to go to my room, sis. I won’t fall asleep. I promise.”
“I respect your good intentions, Jess. But you and I both know that if you go to that room, you will fall asleep.”
“I can make sure he doesn’t,” Dragon says.
“No, you can’t,” Rory says. “No one can. So you’re walking it off, and then we’re going to dinner at the pub, and after that, you can go to sleep.”
“Fine,” I say again, this time with more exasperation.
“Let’s take a walk. The rest of you are on your own.”
“Good enough for us,” Cage says. “Where’s the bar?”
The three of them are laughing—well, two of them, Dragon doesn’t laugh—as they walk through the lobby of the building.
“Let’s go to the pharmacy,” Rory says. “There’s one about a block away. I looked it up.”
“What for?”
“You can get the stuff you need.”
“There’s shampoo in my room.”
“Yes, and the airline gave you toothpaste and a toothbrush. But they didn’t give you any deodorant.”
She has a point. If I don’t use deodorant every day, watch out. “All right. Let’s go.”
A few hours later, when I’m literally on my last legs—seriously, they want to give out—Rory and I meet the others at the pub for dinner.