Elle drove with me to get toiletries and essentials. It was the first time we had been alone together in what felt like months. Last year we had been glued at the hip when I wasn't with Ari. Now we were dating brothers. The logical thing would be that we were hanging out even more. But no, I was hanging out with Jensen and she seemed to be keeping her distance. I wondered why? Why hadn't she invited me herself out to this show? She knew it would have been an instant yes. She spent most of her time with Aaron as it was. The excuse that she had wanted it to be a couple's trip with him felt like total bullshit to me.

We were perusing the isles looking for me a top to wear tonight. I finally swallowed my pride and asked, "Are we good?"

I noticed Elle flinch slightly, "Yeah, why wouldn't we be?"

I shrugged, "Feels like we haven't hung out a lot lately."

Elle shrugged back, "You've been busy."

I narrowed my eyes at the dig, "What do you mean? I've been around."

"With Jensen."

I balked, "You have an issue with Jensen?"

"She's Ari's ex. She just dumped him. He's been moping for weeks. Not exactly what a sister wants to see. Looks like she rebounded with you instead of him this time."

My mouth was almost hanging open, "I'm dating Tyler. Jensen and I are friends, what are you implying Elle?"

Elle turned and looked me dead in the eyes and said, "That she likes you. Ari thinks so too. And Aaron for that matter. I mean you can tell from all the posts she makes about the two of you. I'd think the two of you were together if I didn't know you weren't."

"Would you care if we were?" I'd meant to say it more to myself than her but the words slipped out before I could stop them.

Elle's eyes grew wide, "Would I care if you were gay, bi, whatever? No. You know I love you no matter what Lex. Would I care if you were dating my sibling's ex? Well you're already doing that and we see how much I care there."

I stifled a laugh at that one. "I love Tyler. I'm with Tyler. Jensen and I are just close. We click on a different level. I don't want you to think though that it means that you're not one of my best friends Elle. You're like a sister to me."

Elle looked like she might tear up, "I love you too, Lex." 

We hugged it out in the middle of the isle. I was sure that people would think we were crazy if they saw us carrying on like that but I really didn't care. 

Brenna texted that we needed to head back if I wanted to ride on the tour van. We got back in time for me to haul ass to the van. Their manager Larry was driving. Brenna had opted to drive with Elle so that I could have her spot in the van. I could see why. It was cramped in here to say the least. The equipment took up the trunk space and then a trailer was hauling the rest. It left two rows for the five bandmates and then two band members from the Station. Another van had the rest of the Station members and the lead band City and Colour. It smelled like boy in here. 

I was sandwiched between Tyler and the lead singer for the Station Jace Dempsey. I wasn't sure how I felt about Jace. He had more tattoos than I could count. Little metal rings stuck out above his eyebrow and his lip. His jet black hair swooped down in his eyes in the front but he had it buzzed off in the back to show off several more tattoos. I wasn't sure how much older he was than Tyler but I knew it was more than a couple. All I knew about Jace was that he had a great voice and he liked to party. The memory of seeing him coming out of the bathroom last night creeped back into my mind. 

I wasn't a fan of someone like him being around Tyler non stop on the road. It was one thing when they both played sets at the Garage. All of Tyler's friends and family were usually around. I didn't worry then that he would fall to the temptations of road life. I wasn't so sure what these two were getting into now that they were on their own and I wasn't fond of even the idea of it.

I leaned in closer to Tyler. He wrapped an arm around me and whispered, "You good, Baby?"

I nodded, "Just tired and hung over I think."

Tyler smirked, "Yeah you definitely went harder than you usually do. We'll take it easy tonight."

I returned the smile, "Sounds good to me."

We were on the road for several hours before making it to our destination. I hadn't even bothered to ask Tyler where we were. I had never really been this far outside of Toronto. I was pretty sure that we were still inside of Ontario but I knew I wouldn't know on a map where we were even if I knew the answer. At this point I was just along for the ride. 

I was happy for some fresh air and to stretch my legs when we did stop. We were at a Residence Inn. The signage pointed to the fact we were in London, Ontario.

I looked over at Tyler then and asked, "How far is London from Toronto?"

"A little over two hours. We'll be here the next couple of days and then the band is headed to Mississauga. That's only a forty minute drive for us and Jace and we'll be home until the weekend after we're done playing that show."

That made me happy. I tried to think then of what day it was. They were all running together. It was Sunday. I would be here until Tuesday and then I had work on Thursday. I would have to start really nailing down all the details of my road trip in Dallas when I got back. This summer was flying by already. I realized then that I would be getting to see Jordan in a week from today. I had just under a month left in summer before I would be a senior.

I started a group chat with Jensen and Laura while we headed into the hotel. I looked up and saw Elle then. 

"Is there any chance your folks would let you go on a last minute trip to the US?"

Elle's eyes widened. "Why?"

"I am going to Dallas to tour schools for college. Jensen and Laura have now piggybacked onto the trip. Well if my Aunt Clare says yes, Laura will be there. It would be fun to have you there too."

Elle nodded in excitement. "Let me know all the details and I will ask my mom."

I added Elle into the group chat then and started laying out the plans for them. I was headed out in a week. I would spend a week with Jordan and then they would all fly in. I would get them from the airport and then we would use Jordan's car to go out to A&M, UT, and Baylor. We would have a week of summer left when we got back. 

Once Tyler was all settled in and had checked in with the band he and I went with Elle, Aaron and Brenna to get food. I was starving at this point. Luckily there was a place called London's Burger down the street from the hotel. 

Thank the Lord. 

We piled into a booth after we got our food.

Elle started bouncing in her seat, "She said yes! I told her Jordan was chaperoning though. Do you think she'll ask your dad about it?"

I started to bounce with excitement too. "Doubtful. He's barely around enough for me to talk to."

Tyler wrapped an arm around my waist, "His loss."

We ate our food and headed back to the hotel. There was a lot of down time between when we got there and sound check that night. I didn't realize how much touring involved traveling and just trying to keep yourself occupied. All three bands were going back and forth between the hotel rooms. They were on the same block so it made it easy to see what others were up to. I felt like an old lady but I just wanted a nap.

Some rooms had card games going, I saw Jace come out of the bathroom again. He was wiping his nose in a way that told me he wasn't just taking a piss in there. Tyler was sitting, drinking a beer with Wally and Aaron. I walked along the corridor to Brenna's room. It was the one space that was off limits to guys. Brenna had put her foot down with management and set that boundary. I applauded her for it. 

I knocked and Elle answered, "Do you know which room Aaron is in?"

"Jace's."

I was thankful Elle was headed out because I wanted a moment to talk to Brenna.

Never thought that would happen.

Brenna was in the middle of figuring out her outfit for that night. Her eyebrow lifted in acknowledgement when I sat down on her bed.

"What's up Alex?"

"Jace has done coke at least twice since I got here."

Brenna rolled her eyes. "That idiot is on every substance you can imagine. He's a functioning addict."

"Does management know?"

"Management cares if there are ticket sales and an act on the stage. As long as he can sing, they don't give a flying fuck. Hell, Larry has done lines with him. That shit is everywhere at shows."

That made my skin crawl, "What about Tyler?"

Brenna arched her brow higher, "Not that I know of. I'd kick his fucking ass if I saw him do that."

"Good. The idea of him being on the road with that shit makes me want to throw up."

"Like I told you before Alex, that's the road. He's going to be around it. Sex, drugs, rock and roll. It's the tour life. He just has to be smart enough to not fuck up his home life."

"What about your home life? Nixon not joining you on the road at all?"

Brenna's eyes rolled so hard they looked like they would disappear in her skull.

"Don't get me started on Nix. He's not happy that I am the only girl on the tour. Keep in mind, I get my own room every stop. He still acts like I am damsel in distress that might trip and fall on someone's dick."

I laughed so hard that I felt myself snort. "I don't see you going for anyone here."

Brenna smirked coyly, "The only one I've ever fucked on this tour is currently madly in love with you. So no worries there."

My eyebrow raised at that, "Would you if he was single?" 

I hadn't thought to even think about that possibility. I had assumed the two of them were long past that.

Brenna shrugged, "I mean, he's great in bed, but no. Not into fucking band mates at the moment."

At the moment?

I tried not to be annoyed with that statement. Knowing that Brenna knew exactly what it was like to have Tyler still made me... jealous? Irked? I wasn't sure what the emotion was but I knew I didn't like it. I did my best to push it out of my mind.

Brenna walked over and grabbed two small bottles out of her mini bar.

"Relax, Harrison, take a shot with me."

She handed me the small bottle. It was a shot of malt liquor. 

Fuck it.

We tapped the tips of our bottles and then shot them back. The drink was sickly sweet but I knew it would take the edge off of my current mood. I was ready for the show to start so all this waiting around bullshit could be over.

There was a knock on the door and Tyler popped his head in.

"We have to head to sound check in fifteen, B." He looked from Brenna to me and added, "Are you two hanging out?"

"We're even taking shots together." Brenna quipped.

Tyler's eyes widened. "Wouldn't have bet on that happening in this life. But I'll take it."

Brenna and I both stuck out tongues out at Tyler. I mean he wasn't wrong. This road life was leading to all sorts of new experiences and I wasn't sure what was next. Tyler's sexy smirk told me I was going to be more than willing to stick around for it.