Launi

I lay still as the band members settle down for the night. I can't find my panties anywhere in my bunk, but it's dark and to be fair, they were one of my smaller pair. I'll continue my search in the morning with the lights on. The bus is moving down the highway now, the music turned off and the lights down low so we can all sleep—not that I will be able to.

I find my phone in the dark and text Parker.

Me: Remain calm.

Her bubbles pop up immediately letting me know she's got her phone in her hand and is ready for the tea.

Parker: Not a chance. Spill it.

Me: In my defense

I begin to type out the set-up of how it all went down.

Parker: I'll assume all usual disclosures. Hurry up.

Her text makes me laugh quietly. Disclosures mean that we are good girls that sometimes make bad decisions. These decisions should not be held against us because we didn't mean them. In our friendship, there's no judgement between us. I don't need to defend myself to her, she's along for this ride in my life no matter where I steer the ship.

Me: A crazy fan was looking for Rye

Parker: Fair. Same girl, same.

Me: Parker focus

Parker: Sorry. Ok did you see something hot?

Me: I'm getting there

Parker: Send the video

Me: Parker!

Parker: Fine. Just describe it in great detail.

Parker: But next time be quicker with the camera. You failed us both

Me: So this fan

Me: She came looking for him on the bus

Me: He had just taken a shower and hadn't got in his bunk yet

Parker: Shower sounds fun

Me: So he climbed in my bunk to hide

Parker: OMG I love this for you!

Me: I tried to kick him out

Parker: Why would you do that? Are you suffering a medical emergency?

Parker: Should I call 911?

Me: This is serious

Parker: Ok sorry. Be boring. Kick him out.

Me: Problem is I didn't

Parker: YESSSSSS

Me: Parker this is bad

Parker: Is it? Was it bad?

Parker: Tell me the details and I'll be the judge

Me: Best sex I've ever had

Parker: I knew it.

Me: But it can't happen again

Me: This could fuck with both of us. Our jobs.

Parker: Why does anyone have to know?

Me: It's tight quarters here

Parker: SO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!

Me: You know it's not that simple

Parker: Fine. Maybe you just had to get it out of your system

Me: Yea. Maybe.

Me: I can't stop thinking about it

Parker: Let's think of something else

Me: Ok

Parker: Tell me about Sean

The bus rocks slightly as we climb onto the highway. A few items crash in the front room, empty cans and maybe even a glass bottle that hits the floor and slides but doesn't sound broken. Imagine taking your living room on the freeway.

A low chuckle emanates from the hallway outside the bunk. "These belong to anyone?" I hear. My heart stops.

Rye and I make eye contact as we open our curtains but then quickly look away and to Eric, the keyboardist who has a pair of torn black lace panties hanging from his finger. He swings them around like an old western cowboy would his revolver. Tony who had also peeked out of his bunk grunts and closes the curtain again.

I'm going to die of embarrassment. I will never admit they're mine. I can feel my face growing flush as I try to think of a way to deny them. Against my better judgement, I look at Rye. He squints his eyes as if to ask why I'm looking so panicked. I shake my head slightly, imploring him to please not put attention on me or insist they're mine.

"Sorry," Rye says, reaching for the panties. He slips them from Eric's finger and tucks them in his pocket. "Crazy fan girl. I'll hang on to them until the next stop."

"You gotta be careful with those girls," Eric says as he tucks himself into his bunk.

"Noted," Rye says, his gaze locked on mine.

I lean over and check that all the curtains are closed before extending my hand to retrieve the lace. I'll be so relieved when they're back in my possession.

Rye's smirk makes my heart stop. "Go to bed, Launi," he says. "Sweet dreams." Then he slides his curtains closed, shutting out the chance to get the panties back.