Second Chances

I waited for CC in the lobby of the hotel we were staying at. We had a show the next night, but we agreed that since the hotel wasn’t too far from the venue we’d stay there instead of on the buses. I fiddled nervously with the edge of my dress and stared at the floor, wondering if I could back out. Earlier I had asked CC if he’d be willing to go out with me, and he said that he’d love to. Sometimes I wish that I could go back in time and change things. Aside from the first time my band played I had never been so nervous.

“Hey Chase, sorry for making you wait. Your brother gave me a ‘list’ of do’s and don’ts.” I looked up as CC and smiled.

“I believe it. He’s a bit more relaxed about the whole thing than I thought he would be.” CC took my hand in his and looked at the bracelet.

“This is one of the Never Take It Off bracelets isn’t it? Where did you get it?”

“Elk and Kaim bought it for me. I never really thought about getting one, but I do like the idea behind it.”

“So, what’s your vow? Andy has a few so I know a bit about them.”

“I’m not telling you. So where are we going? You said I wasn’t allowed to pick the place.” I followed CC out of the hotel and pressed closer to him as we walked down the road.

“We’re just going to have dinner. Jinxx did threaten me so I’m going to play by his rules for now.”

“Wow, so you are obedient.” CC laughed and put his arm around my waist as we walked.

“I listen sometimes, mostly when I want something.” I leaned against him and smiled.

“Sure you do.” CC opened the door to the restaurant and reluctantly let me go so I could walk in first. The waitress brought us to our table almost as soon as we entered. “So, are we doing anything after dinner?”

“We can if you want.”

“Christian, I swear if you keep acting like that I’m going to just tell my brother that you were being mean.”

CC laughed and shook his head, “Chase, what would you like to do after dinner? That better princess?”

“Yes, it is thanks for asking. We can do whatever you want as long as it keeps me from having to play twenty questions with Elk and Kaim.”

“Those two are a little protective of you aren’t they?”

“A little? It’s more like a love hate relationship. They love me to death, but hate everyone who shows any interest in me.” I smiled as I replayed the conversation I had with the two before I went down to the lobby. “Kaim even told me to bring pepper spray just in case you try something.”

“Aww, the betas are so protective of their alpha. It’s kinda cute honestly.”

“Don’t encourage that. It’s bad enough that Clair has started in with it and had deemed herself second alpha. It’s getting hard to stay over there. I mean I’m seriously thinking about just moving onto your bus.”

“Your brother wouldn’t approve now. Granted, I don’t quite understand how he ever approved to have you sleep anywhere near Ash.” Our conversation stopped while the waitress brought drinks and took our orders for food.

“How’s the hunt for a new lead guitarist going?” CC asked, dragging me out of my thoughts on that very same subject.

“Turns out Clair can play pretty well. I think Kai and Kaos are teaching her the songs. The guys think I can play, but I can really only play bass and acoustic. I don’t like lead for some reason.”

“Acoustic is technically lead you know.”

“Yeah, maybe it’s because it was always Jashire’s thing. I don’t really know, but I’m hoping that Clair can learn the songs fast enough. It’s really only five songs but in my opinion, they’re the hardest ones to play. Elk and Kaim fuck up on them, and they’re the ones who actually wrote them.”

“I’m sure she’ll make a great addition to the band. After this tour, I hope you guys come with us again. You’re all pretty fun to hang out with.” Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about going on tour with BVB again. I wanted to try to tour with the other bands I loved and was influenced by, but if Andy ever asked I wouldn’t turn them down.

“Maybe, it depends on how Lone Wolves turn out. We don’t have a producer, or a record label. We’re doing everything ourselves right now.” I sighed and sipped the soda CC ordered for me. “Jashire has been texting me lately. It’s kinda worrying me.”

“What’s he trying to talk to you about?”

“I don’t know. I keep telling him I’m busy, but he said he’s going to come to the show tomorrow night. I don’t think I can avoid him for much longer. I don’t really want to talk to him.”

“I think you should at least see what he wants, but if you don’t feel comfortable talking to him on your own, have someone with you.”

“Knowing how you, Elk and Jinxx are you’ll have everyone there and ready to kill him if he even upsets me. I don’t want to see any of my favorite people end up in jail because of me.”

“It’d be worth it.”

“No it wouldn’t be. Do you even understand how much shit both bands will end up going through because of that? It’s not going to happen. And if for some reason something does happen, you are to lie to the fans and media understood?”

“Uhh, you expect something bad to happen?” I could tell that he was genuinely confused.

“Just promise, it’s just a precaution. I’m sure nothing will happen anyway.” I glanced down at my phone which vibrated for probably the fifteenth time since sitting down.

“I’m going to assume that’s Jashire?”

“Yeah…like I said I don’t want to talk to him, but I know I have to.”

“Answer the guy then. He’s just going to continue to blow up your cell if you don’t.” I shook my head and ignored my cell as it went off again. “Chase, you know you can’t keep ignoring him.”

“Oh trust me; I can ignore him for as long as I want to. Telling me to answer his calls is like saying that you don’t want to go out with me. You might not mean it like that, but that’s how it seems to me.” I got up and walked out of the restaurant, leaving CC there alone. I walked back to the hotel ignoring the calls from my cell. It was either Jashire or CC, and I was in no mood to talk to either of them.

As soon as I got to the hotel, I took the stairs two at a time to the third floor. I legit ran into Ash and Jake on the stairs and tried to go around them while apologizing. Ash grabbed my arm and forced me to stop. “Hey, what’s wrong? Why are you alone?”

“It’s nothing. Let me go Ashley.” I yanked my arm from his grip and tried going to Elk and Kaim’s room, but was stopped by Jake.

“What happened?” Jake pushed me against the wall and trapped me there, making me look up at him.

“I just want to go talk to Elk and Kaim before I do something that I promised not to. If you try to keep me here I will fight you, and make a scene that will get hotel security to drag you out.” I glared at him, pushed him away and went down the hall to Elks' room. I was sick of people, and if I could get my way, I would try to get Lone Wolves dropped from the remainder of the tour.

Notes

The beauty of female mood swings. Gotta love how unpredictable women can be. Heh, Havic's giving me whiplash with her mood swings too. I swear she's like bi-polar or something. Drama will be coming up soon.

Random fact: When someone tickles you, the laughter is a panic response. That's why you can't tickle yourself, as your body never senses any real danger.