Alcohol You Later (18)

“To see the bus?”

“Fuck yeah!” He beams, as if this is nothing more than another goal to be checked off his list and the sole reason behind his new mansion on wheels isn’t to care for his children.

It worries me, the way he can just block out any unsavory parts of his life…like yesterday, for instance.

If he doesn’t want it to exist—poof…gone.

His mom…gone. Dad…gone. Children? What children?

Makes me wonder if one day, if I make him angry enough…I might suffer the same fate.

Korie clearly has no such fear as she returns, casually strolling into the room with the babies flanking her sides, their little hands each curled around her pointer fingers. “Say good morning to your babies, Nicholas.”

An exasperated sigh is all he has to offer. The man can’t turn his attention back to his plate fast enough.

“I’ll take them,” I offer, attempting to douse the sparks she’s fanning before another day goes up in flames. “Come here,” I coo, rushing to crouch before them. “Good morning, Alex and Ava,” I say, smoothing my hands over their soft curls. “How did you sleep?”

“Bomp!” Alex shouts, popping my nose so hard I see stars.

“Wow, you’re a strong one,” I say, watching Nick’s shoulders flinch at the reminder of his first interaction with his son last night. He doesn’t turn around and doesn’t utter a word, but his reaction proves he’s not as unaffected as he’d like us all to believe.

I see you, Nicholas Potter…

“Bomp!” I say, tapping the little button in the center of his face with my pointer, before doing the same to Ava.

Somewhere between “If You’re Happy and You Know it,” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” my moody drummer boy manages to slip out of the room.

It isn’t until we’re unloading our luggage at the garage where the buses are parked that I see him again. The ass didn’t even ride over in the same car as me. I’m not used to getting the cold shoulder from him. I know I shouldn’t take his actions personally, because it’s crystal clear that his aversion is with the babies I’ve just strapped into the double stroller. But it hurts just the same.

“Can you take them for a little while?” I all but beg Korie.

She crosses her arms, narrowing her eyes at me. The girl is beyond sick of Nick’s shit, and I don’t blame her. But I’m not family, and don’t have that same luxury. I’m simply the girl he enjoys fucking most…and easily replaceable.

“You can’t keep catering to him. He has to get used to having them around, Raven.”

“I know,” I agree, staring longingly at Nicholas as he enters the bus across the lot. “I just… I want him to look at me for five minutes, Kor. I’m dying.”

“Fine.” She waves me away. “Go get your fix…but make it quick, because Rhett is getting fed up with Nick passing his responsibilities off on us.”

“Thank you,” I say, jogging backward as I blow kisses to her and the babies. “You’re the best.”

She beams. “Don’t you forget it, hooch!”

As if I ever could. That bitch is my ride or die.

With my pulse racing, I slink onto the bus as quietly as I can manage and creep up behind Nick, who’s distracted with inspecting the bus’s audio system.

“Rahh!” I shout, hopping onto his back and wrapping my arms around his neck and legs around his waist. He smells heavenly, like man soap and whatever expensive ass cologne he favors.

The hollow ache in the pit of my chest vanishes. His mere presence fills me with life and love.

Once he’s regained his footing, he grips my thighs, lifting me higher on his back. “Hey, dude.”

“Hey yourself, big shot!” I nibble the lobe of his ear playfully as a warm feeling of contentment falls over me.

“This is nice, right?” He looks around at our new digs, all dreamy-eyed. I know what he’s thinking…it’s a far cry from the tin can he grew up in, and he’s right. He should be proud.

“It’s amazing,” I agree, biting down gently on the tender spot where his neck and shoulder meet. “You done good, Potter.”

“I’m glad you’re here, pretty girl.”

Pretty girl. Melts my heart each and every time.

“Me too.” And it’s the truth. Despite the initial shock and disappointment, I’m honored he chose me. That in his darkest moment, when his world was falling apart around him, he knew he could count on his dude.

He peers back over his shoulder and, in a moment of weakness, probes for reassurance. “Tell me you don’t hate me.”

“I could never.” I tighten my hold, hugging him from behind, still dangling from his neck.

He winks, wiping any signs of vulnerability from his features. “That’s why you’re my favorite.”

Favorite what, though? I wonder as he takes off galloping through the living area and kitchen, past the bathroom and bunks and straight to the master bedroom, where he throws me down in the center of his king-sized bed.

It’s nicer than I expected. The room is decorated in varying shades of gray and navy, with gold fixtures. The bed spans the width of the space and is much more comfortable than I ever expected to find on a bus.