Phew finally done. This one took awhile. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. If I was a reader this is one of the chapters I would be most excited about reading. Seeing the big fight, Skylar's attack and the trip to the hospital from Dimitri's POV. Now you guys will get to read what led up to Dimitri acting the way he did. Hope you enjoy!
I lay in bed watching Skylar fly around the room getting ready for the concert while the bus enters Boston. She glares at me every time she asks me for my opinion on her clothing choice and all I say is she looks great. Because she does. Hell she could wear a paper sack and still look great.
Finally she spins around in a circle yelling gleefully, "ta da!"
My eyes run over her apparel and all I can think about is either fucking her against the wall or throwing a parka over her. She decided on tight black pants, a shirt that only covered her breasts because the other material was see though lace. She had also put on a black leather jacket.
My eyes continue to run over her enjoying the sight before me. No longer able to keep my hands from her I leap from the bed and circle around her. Once I'm facing her again, I run a hand down her face loving the sensation of her soft skin.
How did I get so lucky this women gave me not only one chance, but three? I'll never deserve her no matter how much I try. All of my luck in life was used up when she entered and I'm more than okay with that.
"Just when I think you can't get anymore beautiful you make a liar out of me," I tell her huskily. Not too long ago I was buried deep inside of her and by the stirring of my dick I'm ready for another round.
A blush blooms across her cheeks at my words and she reaches her hands up to touch them. I wrap my mad in her hair and brush my lips against hers. She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down.
The kiss deepens under her command and I allow her this power. She slips her tongue shyly past my lips and strokes my tongue with her reminding me of how my dick feels when she strokes him with her tongue.
Our kiss is interrupted by a loud knocking on the door. A groan of frustration flies past my lips. Thoughts of ignoring the knocking filters in my head. The concert could go on without me. The guys would be fine. They would be able to figure everything out. Sure I would get a tongue lashing from Aubree, but not like I haven't gotten one before.
"Guys you ready," Lucan yells through the door. Shit they sent him in. There is no telling him no. Lucan would have no problem breaking the door down and pulling me out. "The bus just pulled in and Aubree needs us."
Giving into the inevitable I say, "yeah we will be right there," never taking my eyes off of Skylar. I would much rather spend the concert in bed with her. Lucan's heavy booted foot steps get quitter with each step he takes. "Ready baby for another crazy day," I ask her.
She lets out a sigh, "as ready as I'm going to be." The tour is slowing taking a toll on Skylar and we still have more to go. I hope she can hang on till the end. Losing her now would destroy me. Truthfully, I would give up this life before I gave her up.
I take her hand and kiss the top. "Let's go then." Taking a firm grip of her hand I take her off the bus and we disappear into the craziness of being backstage.
We don't get far before we discover the guys standing around with a frustrated looking Aubree. She is giving off rapid fire directions. Madison stands next to her with a clip board, but instead of focusing on her bus her eyes are on me. She runs her eyes over me making me want to disappear. When will she understand I'm not at all interested in her? Her and me will never happen. Not sure how else I can express this to her.
I burry my face into Skylar's neck wanting to hide from her, but also remind her I'm with this goddess. Sadly I'm a weak man and being this close to her my lips on their own direction begin to nibble on her neck.
Aubree puts an end to my play. "Alright you two enough." She tries to sound stern, but I catch a ghost of a smile on her lips.
I kiss her neck one more time because I can and smile at Aubree. She rolls her eyes at us, but says nothing more. Madison on the other hand gaze burns with so much hatred I fear Skylar and I will burst into flames. I can't wait for when she is no long with us.
Skylar tightens her holds on me. I gaze down at her in confusion over her actions. She tries to tell me with her eyes all is well, but she's lying. Skylar's eyes flicker to Madison and I put the puzzle together. Her worries are linked back to Madison.
I think the time has come for me to have another conversation with Aubree about Madison. We gave her some time to locate a new assistant, but Madison still seems to not be getting the message. Enough is enough. Skylar should not be uncomfortable on tour. I want her to want to going back on the road with me in the future and I refuse to let Madison put a bad taste in her mouth.
Aubree continues to give us directions, but my brain drifts away from her spiel. By the glossy eyes of the others they too are elsewhere. I do catch her saying we are to report to the stage for a quick sound check then off to wardrobe, my least favorite place.
I give Skylar a lingering kiss not ready to walk away from her, but I have a job to do. Our fans are expecting a fantastic show. Reluctantly I leave her and trail off after the guys.
While I'm waiting my phone buzzes with an incoming message from an unknown number.
Hey Stranger! How are you?
Normally I wouldn't respond to numbers I don't recognize, but no good reason I do.
Sorry don't have this number programed. Who are you?
My name is called to test my mike and the incoming text is ignored. Sound check is not a smooth sailing today. Seems Boston wants to be difficult. The crew is dealing with some technical issues today. They tell us to take a mini break while they worked on a yet another connection issue, but at least we can step out of the sun for a bit.
When I step off the stage I grab a bottle of water and don't come up for air till I completely drain the content. Only then do I remember the random text message. I pull my phone out of my pocket to see if they had responded. A name flashes across my phone and I almost lose my grip.
Sierra
Why in the fuck would she be texting me now? Ryder joins me, but I don't pull my eyes from the phone. He says words me, but I can't hear what they are. When I don't respond to him he glances over my shoulder and snatches the phone from my grip drawing my fill attention.
"Fuck no Dimitri. Don't you fucking dare text that bitch back." He waves my phone in my face.
I try to take my phone back, but Tray beats me. "Let me see! Who shouldn't he be texting?" Tray glances at the screen and takes a strong grip on the phone. "Are you fucking kidding me? How could you text the bitch when you have Skylar?"
Somehow, I manage to get my phone back from Tray. "I didn't text her per say," I explain. Tray and Ryder both cross their arms and stare at me. "A random number texted me and when I asked who is this that's when she told me."
"Has Aubree taught you nothing? Never respond to an unknown number," Lucan lectures. "For the past few months, I've been getting calls and text from this strange number telling me to call them, but I just ignore them. Honestly, I'm thinking of changing my number," he says the last part more to himself.
Mason throws his arms over Lucan's shoulder. "Yeah, what he said. Dimitri you should know better." Great I was now being scolded by Mason of all people.
I roll my eyes and send her a quick message. "Guys it's not a big deal. I'll just see what she wants. Just because she is a bitch doesn't mean I need to be an asshole."
"Yes. Yes you should be," Ryder tells me. "She royally fucked with your head and now you have something great. Do you really want her to get in the middle of you and Skylar?" He sounds disappointed.
"No way am I going to let her get in the middle of me and Skylar. My heads in a much better place." I reassure him.
Sierra and I were dating when Steel Wolf first got signed. She made me believe the lies she sprouted though her lips. My dick was more concerned about getting laid then realizing our relationship was no relationship. I believed I was in love and she was the one. Man I couldn't have been more wrong. She was in a committed relationship the entire time. I was the other guy. Hence why we never hung out with her friends or family.
Tray shakes his head at me in disgust. "If you hurt Skylar because of your stupidity, I will hurt you." He pokes me in the chest hard. "I promise. Come on Mason I can't stand around here and watch Dimitri destroy the best he will ever get." Tray stalks away. Mason waves goodbye then follows Tray retreating back.
"Am I being stupid for responding," I ask Lucan and Ryder.
"How can I explain this in a way for you to understand," Lucan says thinking. "Let me try this. How would you feel if Skylar was texting the douche she was seeing right before you?"
"I would be livid," I say without needing to even think about my response and seeing red. "She has no reason to be texting him. We would get into a major fight."
A rustling catches my back and I watch Madison quickly retreating away from the stage. Good riddance. I'm already dealing with enough shit without having to deal with her also.
"Exactly," Lucan states laying a hand on my shoulder. "I'm only going to parent you with this last statement than I too am walking away. Remember how angry you felt thinking hypothetically about her texting a certain someone pretty sure she would feel the same about you texting Sierra."
"Don't forget we weren't the only ones dealing with your ass when Sierra was in the picture. Skylar was as well. She more than likely remembers how fucked up you were. Girls tend to remember that shit." Ryder remarked. "Think hard before you open Pandora's box." He eyes my phone as though the device is diseased.
"I agree with Ryder," Lucan adds while he walks backward. He ends up tripping over some wires and pulling them lose from somewhere. Some of the crew guys glare at him. He mouths the words sorry and takes off at a job being more careful. Guess our mini break just got extended.
My phone vibrates in my hand.
I'm doing really well! Actually, moved to Boston. How are you?
Not sure why the guys are worried she isn't being pushy or anything. I'm more than capable of having a civilized conversation with an ex-girlfriend.
I'm great. Steel Wolf is selling out crowds. Funny story we are actually currently in Boston getting ready for a show.
Ryder shakes his head at me. "Like the others I can't watch this train wreck. You have no idea how lucky you are to have the women you love return your love. She is here on tour with you and she wants to build a future with you. And now here you are possibly jeopardizing your relationship for someone who isn't even worth the dirt you walk on." While he was speaking his gaze locks onto Aubree. Ryder is projecting his own issues onto me.
"All of you are blowing this way out of proportion. We are only texting not like I'm planning to meet up with her."
Not pulling his eyes off of Aubree he says, "go ahead and screw up a relationship you've fought so hard for." He returns my gaze to me. "Take it from someone who knows losing the best thing ever to happen to you because of your own stupidity is something you will always regret." Ryder too leaves me to my thoughts and my phone.
All of them are over reacting. People talk to their exs all the time. I'm not the first person or the last person to talk to their ex. Granted she fucked with my head anyway she could I'm a different person now.
No way! Seriously! I had overheard some co-workers mentioning they were seeing you guys tonight. Actually, ended up talking to them about how you and I use to date. They didn't believe me at first till I showed them the pictures of us.
Why does she still have pictures of us? I deleted every single one. Granted took me awhile because I wasn't ready to let her go even after I learned the truth.
That's cool.
Not sure how else to respond to her message.
Anyways. So cool we are in the same city. Anything new going on? Seeing anyone? We use to talk all the time and now all I know about you is what I read online.
Yeah, been awhile since we last talked. Years to be exact. I am seeing someone, Skylar. She's pretty amazing.
If she reads about me online then me dating Skylar should be only news.
Isn't she the girl you were just friends with when we were dating?
Actually, she is. We decided to give us another try.
Another try? I knew it you had a thing for her when we were dating, but yet you gave me shit for being interested in someone else while we were together.
This bitch had some serious screws lose. I debate ending the conversation with her last text. No! I will not allow her to have the last word especially with those being her words.
Interested? You were more than interested. You were fucking dating him and I was the dirty little secret.
At the time he was going places. A girl has wants and needs. Obviously, I choose wrong. He is no longer in the picture. Hasn't been for a while. In face the spot is vacant if you are interested in giving us another try. Promise you I'm better in bed than her.
I really should end this conversation and walk away, but I don't. Guess I'm as weak as the guys thought I was. She sends another message before I can respond.
How about this? Send me a ticket to the concert and we can reconnect back stage like we use to.
Not happening. I love Skylar and I would never cheat on her.
Dimitri I was too scared before to say this, but I'm not scared now and plus maybe this can be our second chance. I love you. In fact, I never stopped loving you.
What? Back then I would have given my left arm to hear her tell me she loves me. All I had wanted was to have her tell me those three little words. I use to tell her all the time I loved her, but looking back now what I felt was only lust. We had recently been signed and were finally starting to go places. I was caught up in the moment and allowed myself to be pulled down by her.
When we were together all I had wanted was to hear you tell me you love me. Sierra you are to late. We will never be together. Not now. Not ever. Even if I wanted to get you a ticket the show is sold out.
Stop being such a drama queen. Fine can't get tickets meet me for drinks after. Then we could reacquaint ourselves in the bedroom. This girl of yours isn't good enough for you. She doesn't understand you like I do.
The guys were right texting her back was not one of my better idea. I can't believe I use to be so into her I was almost willing to forgive her and remain in the relationship.
She's talking to me about getting back together what if at some point Keith tries with Skylar. Thinking about her being with Keith has me seeing red. Skylar could easily be texting him like how I'm texting Sierra and I would never be the wiser.
Before I could type my response, I'm called back onto stage. I slip my phone into my pocket and hurry to the stage. The faster we finish this the faster I can finish the conversation with Sierra and see Skylar.
Aubree barges into wardrobe to approve our look for the show. She started doing this when Tray worse something unappropriate. While she is there, I ask her if she can track down Skylar and send her to our dressing room. She readily agrees and parts ways with is while we head to the dressing room.
We are back in the dressing room before I'm able to send Sierra a response. I take a seat on the couch and pull out my phone. The guys all send me their version of the death glare. Ignoring them I send her my final response and then block her number.
Wow you really are a crazy bitch. Why the fuck would I ever go for you when I have the one woman I truly love? You are nothing compared to her. She has never lied to me like the way you did. Skylar has always been there and was my rock when you and I split. And you're wrong on both accounts. I'm not good enough for her and nor do you understand me. Goodbye Sierra. We have nothing more to stay to one another.
I hit send and slip the phone in my pocket. Speaking with her has drummed up some of the hurt and anger from the past. Never should have texted her in the first place. My head is spinning in a million different directions.
Madison saunters into our dressing room with a cat got the cream smile. "Dimitri I found Skylar's phone and a message came in you have to see." She hands me the phone.
At first I wasn't going to look, but after my guilty conversation with Sierra I'm curious to see what she might have been up to. The text message I saw was like a slap to the face.
I'm so stoked you finally excepted to go out with me. I knew that I would eventually wear you down. Let me know once you get back and we can set something up. Can't wait to see you!
She has been texting Keith. What the fuck? I break out in a cold sweat and my hands start to treble. She is just like Sierra. Dating me, but also seeing someone else. All I can envision is the two of them wrapped in each other's arms laughing over how stupid I am.
Madison wraps her arms around my neck while standing on the side of the couch. "I'm so sorry Dimitri. This isn't the first time I caught her speaking to him, but the first time I was able to get evidence. At least now you know the truth before you got to deep. I'm here for you if you need a shoulder to cry on." I lean into her touch for a moment.
"Madison what we need is for you to get the fuck out," Lucan demands eyeing me as though I'm a bomb about to explode.
She shrugs her shoulder. "I was only trying to protect him. Turns out Skylar isn't as good as you all thought she was. She has been texting Keith. They are supposed to be going out when she gets back from the tour."
"Lies," Tray mutters. "She is fucking lying," he roars standing and taking a step in Madison's direction. Madison cowers beside me and Lucan grabs Tray's arm.
"I wish she was, but I have a text here as prof," I explain keeping all emotion from my voice.
"Dimitri," Tray says softly. "Think will you. This bitch has never hidden the fact she fucking wants you. All of this is more than likely a misunderstanding she is using for her own gain." Tray glares at Madison since Lucan won't release him.
"Like I said before Madison get the fuck out," Lucan commands. She scurries out of the room watching me. If she was waiting for me to ask her to stay, she would have been waiting for eternity. Right now, I was done with women.
The door opens and the last person I want to see walks in. Skylar. At first I ignore and remain fixed on the message before me. I can feel her eyes on me.
"Dimitri," she says in her soft voice. Still acting as the loving girlfriend I see Skylar.
I lift my eyes to meet her concerned gaze. We enter into a staring contest till she stumbles back a few steps. Bingo. Skylar has learned her lies have been exposed.
"Dimitri I can explain." She tries to reason with me and for a moment I wonder if maybe this is all a ruse, but Sierra's face floats in my head changing the direction of my thoughts.
She takes a step towards me and rest her hand on my shoulder. Her touch burns me so I shove her off me and leave my seat. The need to put as much space between the two of us drives my actions.
"Are you fucking kidding me Skylar," I roar when I can finally find my voice. She flinches at my anger and yet again my anger starts to wane and all I want to do is comfort her. No. She fucking lied to me. I change direction and stomp towards her shoving her phone in her face. "After everything," my voice catches so I shake my head instead. I take a step back.
Lucan clears his throat drawing my attention from Skylar. "Maybe we should leave so you guys can talk."
"No stay," I tell him. "I have nothing more to say." I run my hand though my hair and pace the room needing to burn some of this energy.
"Dimitri please listen this is all just a misunderstanding," she pleads. Misunderstanding? I think not.
"The only misunderstanding was believing you actually cared about me." I stumble though my words no longer able to hide my bitterness. "How long has this been going on?" I rethink my question and quickly say, "know what I don't want to know. Its one thing to be betrayed by a girlfriend, but another to be betrayed by your best friend."
"Dimitri I never betrayed you. Not once," she says with such conviction I almost believe her. "Stop projecting your past decisions on me," she yells clenching her fists at her side.
Internally I stumble from the blow she sent me way. She has no clue how close to the truth she has struck which only fuels my anger more. The ranging fire inside of me has turned into an uncontrollable forest fire.
I stalk towards her and completely invade her personal space. She takes a couple of steps back. "What shit are you spewing now?"
"In the past I was never," he voice trembles so horrible she has to pause for a moment and collect herself. "I was never the one to walk away. You were always the one to walk away when things got too complicated for your perfect little world. When you had to actually work at the relationship." She takes a few steps closer closing the gap between us and pokes me in the chest. "I never cheated on you back then, But I can't say the same for you."
My heart stops at her words and my mind floods with the time she is implying. Anger at myself over how I had treated her floods me. No our conversation isn't about the past. We are discussing how she betrayed me. I latch onto my anger towards her and beat down the anger at myself.
"What is she implying," Tray demands choosing to side with Skylar by standing next to her. Maybe the two of them also have a thing. They are awfully close.
I try to defend myself, but instead I turn into a stuttering mess. So Skylar jumps in sharing my soiled past with her. "You never told them about the second time we tried dating, did you?" She doesn't wait for me to respond and addresses the guys. "I told him I would wait for him during his deployment and these conversations when on for months. The about a month before he was to be deployed he finally answered his phone only to tell me he met someone new and wanted to try a relationship with her. I was going to wait for him."
Maybe I'm not so different from Sierra either. My heart breaks. How have we gotten to this point? We were blissfully happy earlier today and now we are at each other's throat. I need to protect my heart. Maybe we aren't as compatible as I thought. Maybe Skylar was onto something when she says she won't date an ex.
Skylar aims her heated gaze in my direction and I swear the temperature around me raised slightly. "I was going to wait for you," she sobs. "So why the hell would I do anything to fuck this up?" Why indeed seems have no problem fucking this up. "You have no idea how sorry I am for ever going out with Keith, but I was scared you would leave me high and dry like you did before. But even with all this anxiety hovering above my head I put my faith in you and let you back in."
No I can't let her wiggler her way back in. She was wrong in what she did. She was still texting him. Just like you were texting Sierra early a voice in my head points out.
"Skylar I know what I see and what I see is a text from Keith talking about you guys going out when you get home. Were all those plans we made just a joke to you," I narrow my eyes narrow and point a finger at her. She flinches from my actions. "I know what this is. This is your way of getting back at me for what I did to you. I bet your whole plan was to always go back to him. Now I get to be the fool and you two get to have a great laugh about it."
"Never," she says softly choking back tears.
"Madison told me this wasn't the first time she caught you talking to someone named Keith." I point out grabbing at straws. "She just couldn't get any evidence before now." Next, I say the hardest thing I have ever said before, "I want you gone and I never want to hear from you again." My voice raises with each word I speak and my heart shatters more and more. No longer able to face her I turn my back to her and cross my arms
"Dimitri you don't mean that." I can hear the tears in her voice. Skylar should have thought about how your actions would affect our relationship. "You aren't even giving me a chance to explain. Instead, you are taking Madison's words over mine. And of course, she couldn't find evidence because there was none to be found. She's lying to you."
I say my next words hoping the inflect as much pain as she did to me today. "At least she's always been upfront and honest with me. I've never had to second guess what her motives are," I sneer.
Her sobs fill the room till they are all I am able to hear. Stumbling over her words she says, "If this is how you really feel then fine I'm gone. But what happened to that promise we made to each other that no matter what we wouldn't believe the lies till we spoke to the others. You were the one who came up with it and was very adamant I promise to follow it. So why is it now you can't follow your own rule." Her tone is that of a broken woman.
The door closes behind her and then all hell breaks loose. Lucan has me pinned up against the wall. "Are you fucking kidding me? You've allowed both Sierra and Madison to get into your head." He takes a step back away from me. "Maybe this is for the best she can do so much better than your ass."
Wanting to beat the shit out of Lucan, but realizing I would never win a fight against him I start to flip the furniture over in my anger. But before I do he snatches Skylar's phone from my grip. I had forgotten I was still holding on to it.
Vaguely I hear Tray say how he is going to go check on Skylar. Lucan tells the others how they need to help get me to calm down because we still do have a show tonight.
Fuck the concert. Fuck the fans. Fuck the music. How can I go up on the stage and pretend all is well in my world when it is nothing but. I don't have the energy or the desire to pretend today. The girl I love has betrayed me. What hurts is she was there when Sierra pulled the same shit. But Skylar is so much more than my girlfriend she's my best friend.
I fall to my knees and the tears stream down my face. Lucan and Ryder reset the couch and drag my from off the floor and onto the couch. Mason starts to clean up the mess I created while I continue to sob.
Aubree steps into the room. "What the fuck happened in here." I glace up to her not caring of how I must look. She narrows her eyes and goes to yell at me, but Ryder intercedes and drags her from the room.
Tray storms into the room and punches me directly in the face I rise from the couch with clench fists. "I'm going to beat the shit out of you," I roar.
"Come on I will take some much pleasure in beating the shit out of you," Tray answers raising his hands into a fight stance.
"No one is fight anyone." Lucan interjects. "Sit your ass down," Lucan commands pushing on my shoulder. "And you over there," he directs Tray pointing at a chair on the other side of the room. Tray slumps into his seat, but never removes his glare from me.
"Why am I getting yelled at when he's the one being an idiot." Tray pouts crossing his arms in front of himself.
"Tray please," Lucan sighs. "I have enough dealing with Dimitri I don't need you adding in your shit." His voice slightly softens. "Were you able to find Skylar."
"I was," Tray tells him.
"And," Lucan asks trying to draw an answer from Tray. I open my ears starved to hear how she was after our fight.
He shakes his head. "About as good as him." He nods his head in my direction. "I told her to go for a walk then head back to the bus." He then starts to yell at me. "How the fuck could you believe Madison over Skylar?"
"There was a text message on Skylar's phone," I say defending myself.
"Madison could have shown you a picture of Skylar naked in bed with Keith and I still would believe Skylar over her skank ass." Tray scolds.
Mason takes a seat on the floor since I destroyed the other two chairs. "I'm with Tray on this one. Nothing is adding up correctly. Skylar would never do this."
Lucan jumps in, "wish we knew what really happened."
Tray let's out a sign. "I know." All of our eyes shoot to Tray.
"Well out with it man," I demand.
Tray rolls his eyes. "Sure, now you want to hear the truth opposed to when Skylar was trying to tell you." I grit my teeth, but latch on to myself control. If I beat Tray up, I'll learn the truth.
Ryder and Aubree renter the room. Aubree stumbles and almost faints at the damage I've done. I can hear her counting to ten under her breath a few times, but she never yells at me. Instead, she pulls out her phone. Probably sending emails to clean up the mess I created. I do feel slightly guilty for destroying the room.
Tray explains what Skylar shared with him. "She had been talking to Vanessa and Vanessa asked her is she was okay with her going out with Keith. Skylar said she didn't care." He pauses for a moment letting his words sink in with everyone. "Skylar thinks the text you saw from Keith was actually meant for Vanessa. She then explained how Madison was snooping around when all of this went down."
Tray's words logically make sense and sound more like what would have happened. How could I allow the past shit with Sierra to bleed into my relationship with Skylar? The guys warned me not to text her and I didn't listen.
Now I have Skylar pissed at me. Can't blame her. I said many things I didn't mean and wish I could take back. But once something is said you can't unsay it.
Fuck. What if I have lost her? I won't be able to live with myself. I hand my head in shame and slump back against the couch.
"Seem he's realizing how much of an ass he was being." Tray says. I flick him the finger.
I need to fix this. I need to go grovel at her feet and make her take me back. With a new found determination I spring from my seat and head towards the door.
"Where are you going," Aubree asks.
"Skylar," I murmur.
"Sorry Dimitri, but the only place you are going is the stage," Aubree insists.
I shake my head. "I need to find Skylar and fix us." Tears fight at my eyes again and the depression starts to set in.
"I hate to say this because you all know how much I dislike agreeing with Aubree, but she is right. We still have a job to do and Skylar could use some time to herself." Tray states drumming his fingers on the chair's armrests.
"Gee thanks Tray," Aubree says sarcastically.
"Anytime," Tray sends sending her a kissy face and earning a whack upside his head from Ryder.
I pounder my options only to realize I don't have any options. In this case work has to come first. Skylar would understand if she was her.
"Right after the concert I'm leaving to go talk to her. You will have to make excuses for me."
Aubree goes to disagree with my plan, but Ryder shakes his head shutting her up. "Not a problem man we will cover you," Ryder tells me.
Someone knocks on the door to inform us the show was ready to start. I try to center myself and shut my brain off from thinking about the mess my life has become. After the concert I'll be able to fix the shit show my life has become.
~*~
Somehow, we manage to make our way though the show, but barely. Between none of us having out heart in the show and all the technical problems this concert will go down in the books as being one of our worse ones. By the screaming of the fans, they seemed to have enjoyed the show.
I down a water bottle and slip away from the back stage. The guys all wishing me good luck. With my heart heavy in my chest, I make my way to the bus.
When I reach my destination I find the bus to be pitch black. She must be in back sleeping. I enter the bus and carefully make my way to the back and stand in front of the door for a moment drawing on all of my confidence to face Skylar. Once I have as much courage as I'm going to have, I knock on the door and wait. Not a single sound comes from the other side.
She never answer the door and I tell myself she is sleeping, but when I open the door the room is empty and appears the last time anyone was there was before the show. I check both bathroom and she isn't in either one.
Maybe she went to Aubree's bus because she wasn't ready to face me. I sprint to Aubree's bus, but find it as empty as my own. Then I remember I could call her and find out where she is.
I call her phone and wait for her to answer. "Dimitri," Lucan greets then before I can say anything he continues. "Before I forget I wanted to let you know Keith texted Skylar apologizing for the text. He said it was meant for Vanessa." I try to interrupt him, but he continues to ramble. "He explained how in his phone he has some of the people from her barn listed in his contact list as barn and then the person's name."
If I didn't already believe the story, she told Tray this would have sealed the deal. She really didn't reach out to him and this was all a misunderstanding. I hate myself even more.
"Is Skylar with you," I ask him pacing between the two busses not commenting on what he just told me. My main focus was on finding her.
"No. Why would she be here with me?"
I roll my eyes. "Because you answered her phone."
"You mean the one I took from you before the concert." I freeze at his words as though ice water was dumped on my head. She never got her cellphone from when she left the dressing room and now, I can't find her. She is out there somewhere without her phone and her wallet because she left it on the bus earlier.
My breath gets caught in my throat because of how worried I became. I need to find her and now to make sure she is okay.
"Dimitri," Lucan calls. "What is going on?"
"She's not on either bus." I tell him rubbing at the side of my head. "And by who the busses appear she never was."
"First calm yourself down. Getting all worked up is not going to help her. Second, we will be right there to figure out our next steps. Remember Tray told her to take a walk. I bet she is someone where around here."
Lucan's words help me to relax and I latch onto the idea she is merely walking around the property. We should have no problem finding her then. "Okay see you guys soon," I tell him and hang up.
I resume my pacing while I wait for the guys to wrap up. In less than fifteen minutes I'm joined by the guys and Aubree. We form a circle while we come up with a game plan.
"Dimitri has already checked both busses and she wasn't on either one." Lucan explains jumping in and taking charge. He glances around the surrounding area and all the people running around. "Someone has to have seen here. There is too much action back here for her to have gone completely unnoticed."
Mason puts his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels. "We could talk to the security guards at the gate. There job is to see everything happening back here." Mason cringes as though he is waiting for someone to hit him upside the head for his idea. Are we really that cruel to him he no flinches?
Tray slaps him on the back and sure enough he cowers slightly into himself. "Great idea," Tray exclaims.
"Really," Mason stammers peeking at Tray. Then he stands up straighter and puffs his chest out. "Of course it was."
If I wasn't so worried about Skylar I would have laughed at Mason, but like Tray said he had a great idea.
"What are we waiting for lets go talk to them and then figure out our next move," I say addressing the group.
As a unit we move towards some guards who weren't super far from the bus. Skylar would have had to cross they path at some point this evening.
The stand up straighter when we approach and their eyes pop out of their heads when they figure out who we are. I take the lead of the group and reach them first
"Mr. Brandt," one stammers. "This is a honor to meet you."
"I need to know if you saw this women," I say cutting him off. There is no time to listen to him grovel. I need to find Skylar. Quickly I describe Skylar to them. Tray even shows them a picture of her from his phone.
The guards study the picture carefully and we continue to lose time while we wait. I was about to pick one up by the front of his shirt when the guard who has spoken to me eyes light up with recognition.
"Pete isn't this the girl we turned away from the gate?"
The guy names Pete studies the picture more closely. "Sure is." He raises his eyes to me. "She was claiming to be your girlfriend. Wasn't the first one nor the last one we heard the same story from. But I will say she was the most believable. I almost let her in. But orders are orders," he says with a shrug.
Now I'm seeing red. I clench my jaw and form fists at my side. The guys eye me with concern. Normally I'm not the first one to blow up, but they have all seen this look in my eyes before and the last time I cost the label a pretty penny.
"She is my girlfriend," I roar catching them off guard. Both of them stubble backwards and exchange frightful glances.
"We didn't know," the one named Pete stutters eyeing me.
"Sir, we were only following orders. Anyone without a pass wasn't allowed to enter." He holds his hands up in front of himself.
I take a step closer till I was in his face. "Don't fucking care. You claim to be fans and our pictures are all over social media. How the fuck did you not recognize her?"
Aubree steps in-between us and pushes me back. "Dimitri cool off. They were only following their directions. Not their fault she didn't have her pass."
Tray steps up next to me. "Dimitri is right how the fuck didn't the recognize her?" He brings his arm back to punch one of the guards, but Ryder laches onto him and drags him back. Tray struggles against his hold muttering to Ryder to let him punch the idiot. Ryder adamantly tells him no and holds on.
"Where did she go?" Lucan asks.
The guards think for a moment before one points in a direction. "She started to walk that way." I glance at the way she supposedly went and all I see is darkness. She wasn't in the safety of the venue she was out there. Out somewhere someone could hurt her and I wasn't there to protect her. This situation has gone from bad to worse.
I direct my anger on the guards. They are the reason my girl is out there unprotective. The thoughts on how we wouldn't even be in this situation if I was able to control my anger filter in my head, but I shove them down.
I lunge at the guard with the sole purpose of taking my anger out on them and not caring what consequences might arise. "She's out there alone with nothing. No money. No phone. Nothing!" I yell.
Right as I'm about to make contact I'm locked against Lucan's chest. He takes a tight hold of me. "Fucking let me at them Lucan. Skyler is out there all alone because of them."
"And you are only wasting time we could be using to search for her," Lucan whispers in my ear.
At first I pause in my struggle, but images of Skylar hurt or worse dead filters in my head causing my anger to come back tenfold. I roar unrecognizable words and up my struggle against Lucan, but he holds strong. My words also trigged something in Tray because he to fights against Ryder.
Lucan and Ryder were so focused on keeping Tray and myself in check, Aubree included, no one was watching Mason. He slipped around us and before anyone could respond he punches one guard and then the other in the face. The both fall backwards holding their noses.
Tray and I freeze in shock at Mason's actions. He is more of a lover than a fighter always has been since we were younger. Ryder and Lucan release us and latch onto a sputtering Mason dragging him away.
Aubree glares at the three of us. "Enough," she yells louder than I have ever heard her yell before. We all stop what we are doing at stare at her in shock. "Dimitri and Tray go in the direction they say Skylar go off in. Lucan, Ryder and Mason go in the other direction she might have gone. Stop in at any place that is still open she might have went somewhere to wait till the concert is over." She narrows her eyes at us.
"What are you going to do," Ryder asks he seems not to be a fan with leaving her alone.
"I'm going to stay here and do damage control." She states eyeing the two guards. "Plus someone should be here in case she returns."
"Make sure your phone are on and the ringer is turned all the way up," Lucan directs. "Call if you find something."
We all nod our heads in agreement and follow the directions given to us. Ryder, Lucan and Mason all go one direction while Tray and I search in the direction the guards claimed to have seen her.
"Wonder why Aubree put the two of us together," Tray states while we power walk up the sidewalk checking for any place with an open sign on.
"Probably because she figured the others wouldn't want to deal with our asses," I respond with. "Where the fuck could she have gone? She has nothing on her."
Tray knocks his shoulder into mine. "This is all your fault dipshit. If anything happens to her it's on you."
A coldness creeps into my body. He's right this is all my fault. We would all be safe on the bus right now if I didn't let my insecurities and jealousy control me. I quicken my steps. "If anything happens to her, I won't even fight back when you beat the shit out of me. How about I have been so stupid?"
Before Tray can answer we hear a blood curling scream, but the sound is cut off almost as quickly as the yell had appeared. Tray and I stare at one another pondering what we should do.
"Did you hear that," I ask Tray wanting to make sure I wasn't hearing things.
"Yeah," he answers his eyes searching the direction for the source. He points down an alley not to far from where we were standing. "It was coming from this way."
We start to run towards the direction we had heard the yell. Neither one of us worried about our own well-being. Our sole purpose was to reach our destination.
Tray and I turn the corner and the sight that greets us has me wanting to fall to my knees. We found Skylar, but she is far from safe. My nightmares are coming to life. Some guy has her pinned against the brick wall with a knife pressed against her throat. My worried eyes meet hers.
"Dimitri," she whispers.
I shake myself and focus on the task at hand. She needs me here and not lost in my own mind. I nod slightly towards Tray and he slowly slinks to the to other side "Let her fucking go," I demand in an unwavering voice. The dead man focuses on me and ignores Tray. Perfect. Stay focused on me.
"Why would you care what happens to some slut," he spits tightening his hold and pricking her delicate neck. Currently right now he holds all the power one wrong move and he can easily end her life. I then wouldn't be able to apologies and fix us.
I clench my fists at me side. Tray eyes me waiting for me to make a move. "Because she is my girlfriend," I say keeping my eyes on Skylar. Her eyes light with joy and I have hope all will be well once we get out of this. I resume my focus on the knife plotting our next move. "Baby we are going to get you out of this. I just need you to stay with me." I say wanting to calm her, but also noticing how she was swaying on her feet.
He might have hurt her before we were able to find them and given her internal damages. By the dim light I can see some blood in her head, mouth and a thin line from where the knife knocked her. But under the surface I can't see what injuries she may have. She can't lose consciousness.
"Hey I recognize you. Ain't you Dimitri Brandt." Maybe my stardom can get us out of this. I'll use whatever I can to keep her safe. He removes the knife and points the blade in my direction. I let out a breath I was holding happy to have the knife off her and not even caring he was aiming at me.
"I am," I say as calmy as I can even though I'm feeling anything but calm. "I can get you autographs, tickets to shows, whatever you want at long s you let her go." Not wanting to trigger him I keep my arms relaxed as I can at my sides.
The man returns his eyes to Skylar and stairs at her chest. " I don't know she offended me by telling me no." As is her right asshole. Focus Dimitri. Get Skylar away from him first. I take a few steps closer while he continues to talk. "And I wouldn't mind to know what it feels like between her thighs. It must be good if she was able to land you."
Between hearing Skylar whimper in his arms and the words he said I'm out for blood. Tray catches my eyes and shakes his head no. I take a deep breath and fight down the urges to strike.
Skylar's frantic eyes seek mine and I try to reassure her as best I can. Think Dimitri think. My brain is coming up blank. I look to Tray again hoping he has an idea. Skylar follows my eyes sight and when Tray realizes he has both our attention he raises a knee. Skylar nods her head in understanding.
He wants Skylar to knee her attacker and then we can jump in once she is away from him. The best way to get out of this is to get Skylar as far from him as we can. All the members of the band have had some training in hand-to-hand combat. Nothing crazy, but enough.
"She isn't that great in bed," I say hoping he will let her go without her having to knee him or at least direct his attention to me. "We are only dating to help my image." The lies fall heavy on my tongue and I hate saying them. They are so far from the truth. At first Skylar's eyes flash with hurt, but then understanding settles in.
My plan simi works. He doesn't release her, but his focus has shifted from her to me. Not exactly ideal, but I'll take what I can got. We are running out of time.
"Now Skylar," Tray yells.
She slams her knee into his balls and he stumbles backwards dropping the knife. Everything happens so fast. Skylar makes a grab for the blade while Tray and myself go for her attacker. She's away from him and now I can fuck him up since she is safe.
Tray holds him to the ground while I let my fist fly releasing all my pent up anger and worry. Tray joins in on the action once he stops fighting. Soon the man beneath us is a bloody mess. Only when he stops moving do we stop.
Out of the corner of my eye I catch Skylar sliding down the wall. Tray nods in her direction telling me to check on her. I stumble over to her and kneel in front of her.
She flinches when I reach a hand out to comfort her and check for injuries. "Baby it's me," I tell her calmly not wanting to frighten her more than she already is. Her clouded eyes rise to meet mine. "You're safe," I whisper gathering her in my arms and she begins to sob. I run by hands up and down her back trying to calm her tears.
"We need to get her to the hospital to get checked out and we also need to call the police to take care of him." Tray reminds me. Thankfully he is thinking clearly. All I could think about was having her in my arms.
I nod my head in agreement. "Can you make the call? Don't think she will let me go long enough to do it myself." She's not the only one though who doesn't want to let go. Tray runs his eyes over her also needing reassurance she is okay.
"Of course," he says heading to the front of the alley to make the phone calls. "I'll also call everyone else to let them know what is going on."
"You came for me," she sighs and I return my attention to her.
I rest my forehead against her, but quickly pull away when she cries out in plain. "I'll always come for you baby. Always." My heart slows from the rapid beating it has been doing since I saw her with a knife up against her throat. My breathing also starts to return to normal.
Her eyes begin to flutter close. "Baby don't shut your eyes you need to stay awake," I demand leaving her no room to not follow my directions. My calm heart beat spikes once again. Have I saved her from her attacker only to still lose her?
"But I'm so tired," she mutters tiredly. Her eyes flutter close just as the sound of sirens pierce though the air.
"No. No. No," I sob like a broken man. I shake her, but get no response. "Baby don't leave me." I bend over her and can hear her shallow breathing. This is when I notice her pants are unzipped and a bucket of cold water is dumped on me. Did he touch her? Were we actually to late.
"This way," I hear Tray directing the paramedics and police.
Someone kneels next to us. "Sir you need to let her go so we can do our job."
I fear letting her go. Thinking if I let her go I will lose her. Someone rest their hand on my shoulder and I glace up at them through my tear filled eyes.
"Dimitri let them work," Tray encourages me.
Reluctantly I let her go and they jump on her. First they check her vitals and then begin asking us a series of questions. All of which I don't hear. My sole focus is on the women they are getting oxygen for. Tray steps up and answers what he is able to.
At this point the police arrive and start to assess what happened. Thankfully Aubree swoops in like an savor and somehow convinces the police to let me go with Skylar to the hospital and will come by later for my statement.
Tray along with Aubree stay behind so Tray can give his statement to the police. The paramedics want to move her to the hospital once she is stable enough to move. I leave them no options to say no when I jump into the ambulance and take her chilled hand in my own.
"We will meet you at the hospital," Lucan yells right before they close the doors and take off.
The entire ride is a blur. The only question to register is when they ask me for my relation to her. If I say boyfriend, they won't release any information. So I lie and tell them I'm her brother. I also quickly add how the others are her brothers as well and Aubree is her sister.
The paramedic gives me a glace which clearly screams they don't believe me. Luckily the paramedic is female and I flash her one of my famous smiles. She blushes and say nothing more on the matter.
When we enter the hospital is when I'm finally recognized. People stop what they are doing to stare at me. They start to wheel Skylar away to be checked out and I'm prevented from following. A nurse leads me to the waiting room, but when the pubic notices me a staff member leads me to a private waiting room. I tell them the others will be here and they promise to show them where I am waiting.
Not sure how much time has passed before the others join me. They stumble in and fall into the other seats. Aubree stands by the door clicking away on her phone. She is probably already dealing with damage control.
"Any word on how she is," Tray asks.
I shake my head. "Not yet. By the way we are all her brothers." They guys laugh at my lie, but none of them go against the lie. My leg starts to bounce due to my worry. I lean forward with my elbows on my knees.
Waiting has to be one of the worse actions. The second hand on the clock continues to go around and around while we wait. The guys try to engage me in conversation, but after many failed attempts they too laps in silence.
The longer we go without a word the more and more I imagine the worse. People say no news can be good news. In this case no news is going to be the death of me. More than once Lucan or Ryder have to hold me back from storming the hospital and demanding answers.
The police show up requesting for me to make my statement. I follow them from the room to a small office. They ask me to walk them though the events so I do. I answer all the questions they ask me. One of the officer shares with me currently no charges are being placed on Tray and me, but they want to speak with Skylar once she is awake. They take their leave and I return to our waiting room.
Finally, I doctor walks in letting informing us she will be okay. She has a minor concussion which caused her to black out. Skylar also has some busing and all the bleeding was minor. He also explained how she is going to be sore when she wakes up.
He has a nurse lead us to her room. I open the door and see her laying on a white hospital bed sleeping. Machines are connected to her tracking her vitals. This was not how I wanted this evening to end when I woke up this morning. My goal was to get her into bed after the concert.
I take a seat next to the bed and take her hand in mine. My focus is once again on her and I don't pay any attention to what was happening around me. The hospital could be on fire for all I care.
Aubree and the guys discus getting coffee, but my eye lids are growing heavy. I've been fighting sleep for awhile not wanting to be sleeping when she wakes up. Eventually my head grows to heavy and I rest my head on the bed. Maybe I'll close my eyes for a second.
Not long after I closed my eyes Ryder return to the room yelling, "wake up slackers. We brought coffee." I could hit him for being so loud.
I remove my hand from her and glare at Ryder. "Dude shut up before you wake Skylar," I say stretching my stiff muscles due to falling asleep in such an awkward position.
"Thought that was what we wanted," Ryder mutters passing out coffee. Tray and Mason are sitting on the couch and Lucan has claimed the recliner.
"Guess it's a good thing she's already awake," Skylar rasps from the bed. Everyone springs to their feet and surround her bed eyeing her with concern. My heart jumps in to my throat. She's awake. "Water," she croaks.
"Of course," I say softly reaching for a cup and pouring some water for her. I also adds a straw figuring she might have a hard time drinking and when she goes to take the cup from me I don't let her. Instead I keep my hold on the cup while she takes a drink. Skylar falls back against the bed when she is done and I place the cup on the table. Needing to touch her I bush her hair from her face.
"How are you feeling," Tray asks taking her right hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. For once my jealousy is no where to be found.
"Okay. I guess," she states shrugging her shoulders. She winces and brings her finger tips to her head. Concern clouds my eyes while I watch her. "How long have I been out of it?" She asks glancing at the blinds.
"Only for a couple of hours," I answer her. She nods her head and all the color drains from her face.
"Why does my head hurt so much?" She cries with tears springing to her eyes.
"Baby you have a minor concussion," I explain running my fingers along her jaw. My heart soars she is letting me touch her. Maybe we will be okay. She hasn't yelled at me yet.
"I'll go let the nurse know she's awake," Aubree says walking out the door.
Skylar closes her eyes and my heart jumps once again into my throat. All I can think about is the last time she closed her eyes. "Guys I'm still awake just resting my eyes for a second. How are all of you in here anyway isn't there usually a limit on the number of people allowed in a room at a time," she asks opening her eyes.
Lucan chuckles and says, "Skylar we are Steel Wolf we can get away with almost anything. Throw some winks this way."
"And some money that way," Ryder adds.
"Then bam," Mason says clapping his hands together causing her to flinch and earning a glare from everyone else. He looks sheepishly at Skylar. "Sorry," he mutters. Then he claps his hands quieter, "bam we get what we want. And what we wanted was to all be here. You're family."
She rest her had back on the pillow and asks, "shouldn't you be on a bus heading to your next show?" Like hell we would be with her in the hospital. They could have tried to drag me, but I would still be right where I'm at right now.
"Like I said you're family Sky and family always comes first," Lucan explains crossing his arms. "Since you are here this is where we need to be."
"The concert can always be rescheduled," Ryder says running his eyes over her in a brotherly fashion. "Currently making sure you are okay is our top priority." Everyone nods their head in agreement and Skylar starts to cry.
I jump into actions and wipe away her tear with my thumbs. She is doing really will with all things considered. When she woke up I had expected her to be a mess. Skylar is stronger than what I give her credit for.
"Do you remember what happened?" Tray asks running his eyes over her.
Aubree walks in with a doctor and some nurses before Skylar can respond. All of us focus on the doctor waiting to hear what he has to say.
"I get it you are all her brothers and sister, but I'm still going to have to ask you to leave so I can examine my patient." The doctor directs all of us a glance screaming he is on to us, but won't say anything because of all the money we just donated to his ward.
Skylar watches us with a raised brow when the doctor mentions us all being siblings. We never had a chance to explain the lie to her. Luckily, she catches on and says nothing.
We shuffle out of the room, but I make sure to make my displeasure loud and known. None of us go far from the door. I lean on the wall next to the door with Tray next to me. Mason and Lucan take up position on the other side. We all look like we are her personal body guards. Ryder and Aubree step farther down having a hushed conversation.
None of us say anything while we wait for the doctor to let us back in. I did catch people sending us curious glances and catch a women or two checking us out. Some even grow bold and approach. Which the guys ignore. This was not the time or place for them to try and pick up someone.
The door to her room opens and we practically almost tumble in due to our rush to get into the room. The doctor eyes us and rolls his eyes. The doctor and nurses fight their way though us and I notice how one accidently rubs herself against me. I feel her place something in my pocket I make not of to through away the first opportunity I get. Or I could give her numbers to one of the others.
I hang back a moment to talk to the doctor. He explains to me what I need to do to help with her concussion and not to press her to remember anything to let her remember on her own. He also once again reassures me she is going to be okay.
After thanking the doctor, I return to the room and shove Mason out of my spot next to Skylar. I kiss the top of her forehead avoiding the top of her head. Not wanting to hurt her more. She looks up at me in confusion over my actions.
"I promise once we are out of here we can talk and you can yell at me all you want. But please don't do it here where there are too many ears," I say running my hand through my hair. We can have it out, but not here.
Skylar's eyes seek out Trays and he offers her a smile. "Told you I would knock some sense into him bestest best friend."
She reaches out for his hands. "Thank you."
Her food tray arrives and we all take a step back letting the person do their job. Tray, Mason and Ryder fight on the couch and they keep pushing into each other trying to get more space. A small laugh escapes while I watch the three stooge the first once since all of this shit started.
"You had us all worried baby when you weren't at either bus," I disclose watching her carefully eat the soup they had brought her.
"Dimitri and Tray lost their shit when Dimitri described you to those two security guards and they explained how they denied you accesses." Mason says grimly. "Not sure who was more pissed."
I remember the moment Mason is speaking about and all the anger I was feeling then floods me. If they would have let her pass none of this would have happened. If I had better control of myself none of this would have happened.
"Dimitri definitely Dimitri," Lucan says not sounding judgmental in any way. He should have let me go.
"Man you weren't the one holding Tray back," Ryder jumps in shaking his head. "Took everything I had."
"Same here with Dimitri," Lucan says. Then he narrows his eyes on Mason. "We were so focused on Dimitri and Tray Mason was able to get a punch in before we realized what he was doing."
Mason shrugs as though it was no big deal, "someone needed to punch them for turning Skylar away. And since you guys were busy I took care if it. You should be thanking me."
Silently with my eyes I tell him thank you. Aubree would not be pleased is any of us put a positive light on what he did.
"You're lucky they are too scared to press changes," Lucan says scornfully and points a finger at Mason.
Aubree floats back into the room, "good news everything is under control. I released a statement and it seems to be keeping everyone at bay for now. Maybe in a couple of days we can post something or have Skylar do an interview."
"Aubree fucking cool it," I rage at her making her falter in her step and shoot worried eyes at Ryder. I get it she has a job to do and is only trying to protect us, but enough is enough. Steel Wolf is nowhere on my radar right now. We should only be focused on getting Skylar out of the hospital not on pleasing the fans or label.
Ryder stands and wraps a comforting arm around Aubree, "Dimitri don't you fucking dare start yelling at her for doing her job. Protecting us." He glares at me for snapping at Aubree.
"Skylar was attacked and almost raped," I say bitterly remembering her unzipped pants. "Give her some fucking time to come to terms with it before you feed her to the wolves."
"She wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for you," Tray suggests sounding livid. "This is all your fucking fault for not listening to her in the first place." Tray stands vibrating with anger.
Great now I'm getting attitude from both Ryder and Tray. Ryder can get over himself, but Tray has a point. Not something I haven't thought myself.
My head drops forward and slowly I raise my eyes to meet Trays fuming ones. "Do you think I don't know that," I ask softly. "The guilt is fucking eating me alive right now and Skylar has yet to take her pound of flesh from me," I tell Tray not even trying to hide the regret from my voice.
A nurse pops her head into my room, "is everything okay in here," her voice falters when she eyes myself and Tray, "Do you need me to call security hun," she ask Skylar with concern.
"No. They were both just overly excited and it got out of control. I promise it won't happen again," she explains trying to diffuse the situation we creates. "Right guys?" When we don't respond she uses her teacher tone, "right guys?" This time we mutter our responses and an apology.
The nurse shifts her eyes between the two of us, "okay hun. Just push the button if you need something."
"Thank you," she tells her as she walks out the door. Then she returns her glare to Tray and myself. "Shouldn't I be the one yelling and screaming? I mean after all I'm the one on the bed not you. I was the one who was attacked. Not you. I would apricate it if you knock it off. What's done is done. We can't go back and change it. All we can do is move forward from here."
Internally I stagger backwards form the hostility in her voice. Guess she is madder at me than I thought she was. Tray slumps back into his seat and no more words are exchanged between us. She resumes eating her soup.
"What's going on with Madison?" She asks out of the blue. Nothing good, but I say nothing. Aubree better let her go after all this shit or Skylar and I will be leaving the tour. I'm tried of her starting shit.
Lucan grips the arms of the chair so tightly and Ryder hides his face into Aubree's neck. Mason balls his hands in fists and Tray's muscles tense. None of us are pleased with Madison. I clench me teeth and takes a death grip on the sheets thinking about all the damage she caused.
"Currently she's being confined to the bus till we can sort all of this out," Aubree informs Skylar. This is news to my ears. Aubree has been a busy girl.
The police choose this moment to walk into Skylar's room. They ask us to leave the room so they can speak with Skylar. I place a lingering kiss on her forehead not wanting to leave her before I walk out.
Another officer meets us in the hall and explains as long as Skylar's story matches Tray and mine we have nothing to worry about. They also told us the name of the attacker is Bruce McGee, and how he was wanted in a few other states for sexual assault. My stomach cringes thinking about how Skylar was almost another victim. I'm glad he is off the street and can't hurt anyone else.
Everyone else decides to leave and give Skylar and me some time alone. They also want her to be able to rest as much as she can. I thank them for being here before they leave to head back to the bus. Aubree tells me to call Frank and let him know when the hospital releases Skylar and not to worry about how long it takes. I give her a hug so grateful to have her as our manager. Sure she can be a pain in the ass at times, but I would have no one else in our corner. We are lucky to have her.
Before the leave they discuss how they are going to trick the press into thinking Skylar was already out of the hospital, The mention something about using Aubree as a decoy. Finger crossed their plain works. Will make leaving the hospital easier on Skylar if they are able to trick everyone.
I return to her room and sits down on the bed. She watches the door waiting for the others to I tell her, "everyone figured since you were out of the woods they would head back to the bus. They concocted a plan that would hopefully take the press with them." I take her hand in mine and links our fingers.
"Do I even want to know?" She cautiously asks me.
Chuckling to myself I explain their plain. "It wasn't anything bad. They put a hoodie on Aubree and had her pretend to be you, while a nurse wheeled her to the awaiting SUV. Frank is going to return with one of the crew member's car to pick us up. Figured people wouldn't be watching for a normal everyday car."
We lapse into silence waiting for the hospital to deem Skylar able to leave. Not once do we discuss the elephant in the room and the weigh is pressing down on me. We have much to discuss and a new fear is setting in. She might be the one to walk away.