[ - ]
Table of Contents [Report This]
Printer Chapter or Story Microsoft Word Chapter or Story
- Text Size +
“What’s taking them so long?” I muttered as I looked over my shoulder for what seemed like the hundredth time.

The show had ended almost twenty minutes ago. Thankfully, there was no after party scheduled because it was the second of two back-to-back shows in Montreal. We had all been dying to confront Cassandra since making our mid-afternoon discovery, but time definitely hadn’t been on our side.

“She’s probably long gone by now anyways.” Jason mumbled. “She quit. Why would she hang around at the hotel?”

“You guys need to stop being so pessimistic.” Lauren sighed. “She’ll still be at the hotel. There’s no way that she could have found a flight to California on such short notice, especially on a long weekend.”

“I hope you’re right.” Kevin’s strong voice cut in as he and the rest of the guys came strolling out from backstage. “I have some things that I would like to tell her.”

“You guys ready?” Q asked, motioning for us to follow him. “We’ve got some fans outside.”

“We’re not stopping.” Kevin instructed. “We need to get back to the hotel as soon as possible.”

The rest of us nodded in agreement as we hustled to keep up with Q’s steady strides. The squeals started as soon as we stepped out into the cool night air, and Kevin instinctively pulled Baylee towards him and away from the swelling crowd.

True to their word, the guys didn’t stop to take pictures or sign autographs, but they did wave and thank the fans as we hurried in the direction of the waiting bus. Brian’s hand found mine as we rushed past the mob of women and I couldn’t help but look at him in surprise. This was the first time that he had ever shown any kind of affection towards me in public. He grinned back at me and squeezed my hand even tighter, using his free hand to wave at the fans. I shielded my eyes from the flashes and blocked out the pointed comments that were being hurled in our direction as we piled into the bus.

“So, is there a plan?” Howie asked as the bus pulled out of the parking lot.

“I plan on calling that bitch out.” AJ smirked. “I dunno about the rest of you.”

“Who are you talking about?” Baylee asked. His young eyes bore into AJ’s as he spoke. “Why is everyone so angry?”

“It’s nothing that you need to worry about.” AJ replied honestly. “I shouldn’t have called the person a bit - a bad word.”

“But you did.” Baylee challenged. “Are you talking about Cassandra?”

“What makes you think that we’re talking about Cassandra?” Brian asked the question rather cautiously.

“I was in the room!” Baylee cried, rolling his eyes in exasperation. “You guys always pretend that I’m not around, but I can hear you! I’m not a little kid!”

“Bay, why are you getting so upset?” Brian’s voice was soft. “Are you worried that we’re mad at you?”

“No!” Baylee exploded. He clenched his hands in frustration as he struggled to get his point across. “I’m worried that you and mom are going to scream at each other again. I know that you guys are mad at Cassandra and she and mom are, like, best friends. If you guys go and yell at Cass and mom finds out than she will get mad and take me away again!”

“Do your mom and Cass spend a lot of time together?” Lauren jumped in before Brian had a chance to respond.

Baylee nodded. “They’re always together when dad is performing, and they talk on the phone all the time. Just like you and Amy.”

“What do they talk about?” Jason pressed.

“Stuff.” Baylee shrugged. “They talk about John a lot.”

Even Q raised an eyebrow at Baylee’s comment. I saw him exchange a confused glance with Brian as the rest of us stared at Baylee and waited for him to continue.

“What do they say about John?” Brian prodded.

“You know? Girl stuff. I think that Cassandra likes him.” Baylee replied. “So, you’re not going to yell at her, right?” His eyes widened with worry as he re-directed the conversation back to his earlier concern.

“We’re not going to yell at Cassandra. We’re just going to talk to her.” Howie explained.

“Here we are!” The driver interrupted our conversation as the bus slowed to a stop in front of the hotel.

There were only a handful of fans waiting outside, and I found myself breathing a sigh of relief. I was in no mood to deal with a crazy exit strategy.

“Q, do you mind taking Baylee back to our room?” Brian asked as the rest of us waited in the lobby for Nick to finish posing for his final picture.

“Of course not.” Q grinned. “Let’s go Little-B. We can finish watching that movie with the crazy guy in it.”

“The Dark Knight?” Baylee eyes lit up. “I’ve been waiting forever to see the end!”

“The Dark Knight?” Brian repeated. “Bay, you’re not supposed to be watching that! I never said that you could watch that!” He shot Q an accusing glare as Baylee practically dragged the excessively large man towards the elevator.

“Sorry, Bri. He’s already seen most of it.” Q apologized.

“It’s not appropriate for a ten year old.” Brian admonished. “We’ll be talking about this later.”

“We’ve got more important things to talk about.” AJ pointed out, resting a hand on Brian’s shoulder. “It’s just a movie.”

“A scary movie.” Brian frowned. “You’re not the one who has to deal with him when he has nightmares.”

“Sorry!’ Nick’s voice boomed through the lobby as he finally pushed through the double doors. “The last one was a clinger.”

“Classy.” Howie mumbled as we headed for the elevator.

Not wanting to waste any more time, the eight of us all piled into one car. We were silent during the quick ride to the third floor. Regardless of which hotel we stayed at, Cassandra always requested a room on the third floor. It was her thing.

We stepped out of the elevator and Kevin led the way down the hallway. He stopped in front of room 312 and knocked softly on the door. He motioned for us all to step back so that none of us would be visible through the peep-hole.

We heard shuffling from inside the room and eventually John pulled open the door. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw all of us crowded in the hallway. Jason capitalized on the beefy man’s confusion by pushing his way into the room. The rest of the guys followed suit, with Lauren and I bringing up the rear.

“What are you guys doing here?” John asked, rather gruffly. “No after party tonight?”

“You know that we never do an after party on the second night of a back-to-back show.” Nick chided. “If we had an after party tonight, you would be working.”

“Well played.” John mumbled. “I suppose you’re looking for Cass.”

Lauren and I exchanged a quick look of astonishment. The guy was dumb! Well built, but dumb.

“That’s why we came to her room.” Howie rolled his eyes. I couldn’t help but notice that he was speaking slower than usual. “I would ask you what you’re doing here, but I have a feeling that I don’t want to know the answer.”

“John? What’s going on? Who are you talking to?”

“Sweet Jesus.” AJ mumbled as Leighanne’s voice floated through the air.

I could feel Brian tense beside me as his soon-to-be-ex-wife walked up behind John. She gave everyone the once over, but her eyes settled on me.

“Is Cass still here?” Jason asked. He was clearly hell bent on tearing into Cassandra about his stolen phone. Rightfully so, as the whole ordeal had practically cost him his career with Ground(ctrl).

“She’s stepped out for ...” Leighanne’s response was cut short as Cassandra burst through the door.

“Fucking Greg has managed to trace the signal to Nepean! Thank God that he hasn’t ...” Cassandra stopped herself mid-sentence as soon as she caught sight of the eight of us. A look of panic flashed across her face and she turned abruptly, as if she were about to flee the room.

Lauren quickly moved over and blocked the door. She gave Cassandra a small smirk as if to say; ‘busted!’

“It was you!” Jason exploded. “How could you set me up like that? I thought that we were friends!”

“We trusted you.” Kevin added. “We paid you good money to keep us out of trouble. Is this how you say thank you?”

“Why did you do it?” Howie asked. His question was softer than Kevin’s had been, but there was still a definite edge to his voice.

“I think that I have a pretty good idea.” Nick interrupted, glaring menacingly at Leighanne. “I bet someone put her up to it.”