AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is rated M.
Chapter 13
STITCHES
Addison silently cursed under her breath as she watched him walk angrily across the emptying parking lot. Her body screamed for her to follow him and take it all back, her heart begged for her to stay and spare it anymore hurt, and her head tried to reconcile the two. Yes, he used her. Yes, he cheated on her. Yes, he made her fall in love with him just to break her heart into a million pieces. But earlier that day… the tattoos, the things he said… None of it made sense. She leaned her head against the cold brick wall and let out a shaky breath. Even after everything he had done, all that she had been through since, he still owned every beat of her heart.
"Hey, Casey!"
She opened her eyes to see Tracey standing in front of her. She cracked a weak smile. "Hey, Tracey."
"Whatchya doing?" he asked, his eyes wide with excitement as he bounced from foot to foot.
She held up her cigarette for him to see before bringing it to her lips for a drag.
"Well hurry up and finish! We're going to be taking off soon and I've had this idea running through my head since we got here and I want us all to work on it tonight!"
"I think I should probably keep my distance from Lacey for a little bit," she mumbled.
"She'll get over it. She thinks EVERYONE is flirting with Zed." His smile widened. "I mean, to be fair, most people are… but it's not like she has a claim on him, like at all!"
"What's the deal with that anyway? I know Bucky said they were a thing and then there was something about a song?"
Tracey rolled his eyes. "First off, saying they were 'A thing' is a bit of an exaggeration."
Her eyebrows rose. "Care to spill the tea?"
His eyes lit up. "OMG! Please tell me we can gossip? I live for it, and… let's just say Lacey isn't one to let me talk her ear off. Stacey is great, but her and Macey were besties and we've just never been as close, and..."
Addison started to laugh. "Tracey, we can definitely gossip. I could use a distraction or ten or fifty… anything to get out of my own head right now, really."
He clapped his hands excitedly and grabbed her arm, pulling her down to the ground to sit. "Okay, so we all came up in the New York music scene together. Played the same venues, shared a lot of the same fans," he waved his hands, "I'm sure you know how it is… Anyway, as anyone with half-decent eyesight can tell, Zed is quite the looker."
Addison couldn't help but scoff.
"You disagree?"
"I didn't say that..."
"I didn't think so..." Tracey smiled again. "Okay, so once Lacey sets her mind on something, that's it. She doesn't stop until she gets what she wants. And Zed had her attention from the second she saw him on stage… Believe it or not, she used to be a lot of fun. But… ever since the Zed incident, she's changed." He looked around to make sure they were completely alone. "We were all out one night and we ran into Bonzo and Eliza. Zed wasn't with them. Lacey started asking questions and eventually managed to find out that he was at home alone. Well… she decided she was going to make her move. She left us at the bar and I didn't see her or hear from her for two days. Which is crazy because I live with her."
"Oh god...I'm so sorry, Tracey..."
He bit back a laugh before he continued. "Anywho. By the time she came back to our flat she was already mentally making their gift registry and picking out china patterns."
"Must have been a hell of a couple of days."
"According to Lacey. Zed tells it much differently."
"Oh really?"
Tracey nodded his head. "I love her like a sister, but I also know how she can be… she says it was two days of pure bliss, he says it was two days of hell where he kept trying to get her to leave. How she ever thought that boy could be tied down is beyond me."
Addison bit her lip to keep herself from telling him that Zed actually enjoyed a bit of rope play every now and then. Instantly her mind was filled with memories of him on his knees in front of her, arms tied behind him, fully submissive. She took a deep breath trying to clear her head, only for images of herself trussed up with intricate knots formed across her body as Zed looked down on her with a wicked smiled playing on his lips, to replace it. "So…" she said, trying to get her mind off of its current torturous course. "Where does this song thing come into play?"
"Ah yes… the song… So when she came back to the apartment she kept going on and on about how 'inspiring' the whole thing had been and that she has this song that we need to work on immediately. So we all get together at our rehearsal spot and work through what she wrote. I'll give it to her, it was a damn good song. Probably the best thing we've ever put together..." he sighed and looked up to her. "That next weekend we're out and Zombies is playing. Well… you can imagine our surprise when the song we had just spent the better part of the week working on is being performed on stage."
Addison gasped.
"Yup...and that's when the bad blood started. Lacey caused this HUGE scene, actually got escorted out. Bucky had to talk management out of calling the cops..."
"Damn..."
"Girl...it was insane. She was screaming and throwing things… Kept going on and on about how they were in love and she couldn't believe he could do that to her. He called her every name in the book and said something about loving someone else… I don't know… None of it made ANY sense whatsoever… Bucky met with both of them the next day. Since neither of them was budging on who actually wrote the song, no one gets to perform it. And if either of them does, Bucky will drop them."
"Wow."
"Yeah."
Addison looked around before leaning in closer. "Since we're sharing juicy secrets… I have to ask... You and Zed?"
Tracey threw his head back and laughed. "That is another story for another night." He stood up and helped her to her feet.
"Awww…" she pretended to pout before hip checking him. "Please?… I'll let you have first dibs on my shoes for the next show..."
He laughed again and draped his arm around her shoulders. "Casey, I have a feeling this is the start of a beautiful friendship!"
"Who the hell does she think she is?" Zed mumbled to himself as he shoved his hands back into his pockets and kicked at an empty bottle in his path. "Can't trust me? What the fuck is that?"
He turned down another dark alley. He knew the anger building inside would be short-lived. It always was. After the anger would come the soul-crushing pain. He couldn't handle it. After he was kicked out of Julliard he had the army to keep him from going down that dark path. But after the army… escaping became more and more difficult.
Shooting up again now would be like visiting an old friend he hadn't seen in a while; a volatile and temperamental friend to be sure, but a faithful one. One that would keep the nightmares at bay. One that would make visions of blue tear-filled eyes vanish.
He slumped down onto the dirty ground and removed his jacket, rolling up his shirt sleeve. This was the good stuff, the gingery kind that took you down smooth and slow. He tied the tourniquet around his arm, holding it tight with his teeth as his veins became visible. He punctured his skin with the needle. All he needed to do was push down on the plunger and sweet euphoria would wash over him.
"Where the hell is he?!" Bucky yelled to Bonzo and Eliza as they stood outside the tour bus. "We were supposed to be on the road over an hour ago!"
"We told you, we don't know!" Eliza said for the fifteenth time. "We haven't seen him since we were backstage. He's not answering his phone."
"If he's not back here in the next thirty minutes, we're leaving. He can find his own fucking way to the next show." He punched the side of the bus before going back in. He stormed down the narrow hall and into the back room where the Acey's were all congregated. "At least you're all here," he mumbled as he pushed past Addison to get a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Everything okay?" she asked over the top of the door.
Bucky stood back up and closed the refrigerator. "Do any of you know where Zed is?"
Lacey rolled her eyes. "Don't know, don't care… he can drop dead as far as I'm concerned."
"Real nice, Lacey..."
"What?" she smiled innocently.
"Speaking of Zed…" Tracey smiled, "so after that little show and tell this afternoon, I started writing..." he grabbed his guitar and started to play.
"Go on and take it off
Take it off!
Shake it off baby, for me
C'mon and break me off
Break me off!
Cause I get what I want and I like what I see..."
He continued to play a riff before he looked up to Lacey. "I could use your help on the verses… something fun… like we used to write."
"Fun, huh?"
Tracey nodded excitedly.
She finished off her scotch on the rocks and smiled. "Fine...fun… play me in." She listened as he played the tune.
"I'm on my second drink
But I've had a few before
I'm tryin' hard to think
And I think that I want you on the floor
Uh-huh, yeah on the floor!"
"Oh my God! I love it!" he laughed as he scribbled it down into his notebook. "Casey! Jump in!" he said as he picked up his guitar and started to play again.
"Um, excuse me?!" Lacey snapped looking between Tracey and Addison. "I don't fucking think so." She pointed at Addison. "Your job is to play bass, not write songs." She looked back at Tracey. "And you… the only reason you're even allowed to write and sing is because we've been friends since Kindergarten… don't push your luck…" She looked over to Stacey, "Stay in your fucking lane, too."
"What did I do?" Stacey asked, twirling a drumstick between her fingers.
Lacey rolled her eyes and took a step back looking at all of them. "You all seem to forget who runs this show. I'm the lead here. Me. I say what goes and what doesn't."
"Well then maybe you should start writing!" Bucky snapped.
"Excuse me? What did you just say?"
"You're a band, Lacey. Together. The four of you. Start acting like it! I want everyone writing...Got it!"
They all heard something hit the side of the bus hard followed by Bonzo's voice.
"Joy…" Lacey said with a heavy eye roll and sarcasm dripping in her voice. "He's back." She looked over to Tracey. "Let's finish OUR song."
.
"Fucking voice mail again!" Eliza growled. "Zed! Get your ass back here or I swear to God when I find you I am going to shove a drum stick so far up..."
"There he is!" Bonzo said pointing towards the entrance of the parking lot.
Eliza hung up the phone and shoved it into her pocket. "Thank god… he's at least upright."
"Cut him some slack, E… Maybe he just needed some fresh air."
"Bonz… It's been less than a year. Statistically speaking..."
"E! Enough. I don't give a shit about statistics. He's not using."
"Are you willing to risk everything to back that up?"
"I am."
"Fine… But I swear..."
"I know… I'll talk to him."
She rolled her eyes but didn't say anything else. When he finally made his way over to them, she pulled him into a hug. "I love you. Don't disappear on us, again," she whispered into his ear before pulling back and walking onto the bus.
Before Zed could say anything Bonzo grabbed him by the shoulders of his leather jacket and slammed him against the side of the bus. "Where the fuck were you?"
Zed cringed at the sudden impact but relished the pain. "Needed fresh air."
"Do not fuck around with me Z…"
"I'm not! Look at my eyes! You'd be able to fucking tell!"
Bonzo looked into his eyes. Sure enough, his pupils were normal size. He loosened up his grip and exhaled loudly. "I'm sorry… I was just worried you had… you know..."
"It's fine… I almost did."
"You did?"
Zed pushed his jacket sleeve up and showed him the puncture in his arm.
"Fucking Christ, Z! Why?!"
"I needed to feel something...anything... other than this..."
"What stopped you?"
"The same thing I was trying to escape… Her..."
Bonzo gave him a strange look.
"I've worked too damn hard to put my life back together..." he whispered quietly. "I sat there, needle in my arm, and all I could think about was her… and I fucking hated her for driving me back to that shit… and I fucking hated the thought that she'd ever see me like that… and… and… FUCK!" his hands grabbed at the ends of his hair in frustration as he sighed heavily. "I thought I had her back. I was willing to forget that she ripped my heart out and cut me off. I thought for just a minute that she still loved me and that everything in that letter was a lie… But I was wrong."
"Dude, H is not the answer."
"I know… But Bonz… I can't help that I still love her. I hate her… but I still love her."
"So take that hate and anger, and..."
"Lust, love, confusion..." Zed added.
Bonzo chuckled. "Yeah, all that shit...but take those feelings and make something from them. You're a fucking musician… Use it. Unrequited love makes the best fucking songs, man."
Zed cracked a small smile. "You up for an all-nighter?"
"I am if you are."
Zed threw his headphones off and looked behind him to where Eliza was sitting at her small electric drum kit, "I think we've got it." He took his shirt off and used it to wipe the sweat from his face.
She pulled her headphones off and smiled. "This is so badass."
Bucky looked up from his phone. "Well...Let's hear it."
"What about the Acey's in the back? Aren't they working too?" Bonzo asked. They all had an understanding. Headphones only while they were working.
Bucky waved him off. "I'm pissed off at Lacey almost as much as I'm pissed off at this one," he said motioning over to Zed. "I've heard most of the song they were working on, now I want to hear what you three came up with."
Zed smiled and plugged into the amp.
"If it stayed I'd never leave it
If that turned around
I'd grieve the special dirty things that we used to talk about
I mean that loving you is strange
And adored by me throughout, oh no it's you again…
Someday soon you'll find that someone
Waiting for the chance to beat you
Drooling on the set to feel you
Blessing you with every kiss..."
The volume kicked up as they tore into the chorus. The heavy rhythms shaking the windows.
"Tying yourself to me
Stitch up my emptiness cause you're the death of me
So precious loving the thrill
Tying yourself to me
Stitch up my emptiness cause you're the death of me
So precious loving the thrill..."
"What the hell is going on! We're trying to work!" Lacey screamed over the music as she and the rest of The Acey's walked into the front room. She looked over to Bucky for back-up but he just held his finger over his lips to tell her to be quiet.
Addison's mouth ran dry. Zed. Shirtless. Guitar… Her eyes focused on the way his muscles moved as he played. She licked her bottom lip and pulled it between her teeth.
"Such the patient one who needs me
The spoiled one who wins
So shocking where's your sense
Don't you know I hate you, oh oh
Unsatisfied, you little girl..."
Her head snapped up as she processed the lyrics. He was staring at her. The venom in his voice made her breath catch. "Holy shit he's pissed," she thought to herself.
"Tying yourself to me
Stitch up my emptiness cause you're the death of me
So precious loving the thrill
Tying yourself to me
Stitch up my emptiness cause you're the death of me
So precious loving the thrill..."
Zed watched her as she listened. He poured every ounce of pain and confusion into the lyrics. He knew she knew the song was about her. He knew he should break eye contact before everyone else realized it as well, but he couldn't.
"I mean that fucking you is strange
And adored by me throughout
Oh no it's you again
Blessing you with every kiss
So precious you know this hate of mine exploded
I'm so deranged you know
I will never be the same
Tying yourself to me
Stitch up my emptiness cause you're the death of me
So precious loving the thrill
Tying yourself to me
Stitch up my emptiness cause you're the death of me
So precious loving the thrill."
As they ripped into the instrumentals he kept his eyes locked on hers. Her fists were clenched, her breathing was heavy, her lips were parted. She looked just as conflicted as he felt. With the final chord, he threw her a wink.
Addison inhaled sharply. She turned on her heels and took off towards the back room. If they hadn't been on a bus traveling 70mph on the interstate, she would have walked out the door. She needed air. She needed clarity. She needed an escape. She settled for tequila.
She knew she was dreaming. She'd seen this all before. The hot sun beating down on her as she lounged on the top deck of the stark white villa overlooking the dazzling water of the Mediterranean.
"Five years from now… where are we?" Zed asked as he ran his hand through her long blonde hair.
She placed a kiss on his bare chest and looked up into his eyes. "Co-headlining a major tour, selling out arenas, playing our hearts out for millions of adoring fans…" She giggled and kissed him. "Definitely more nude sunbathing… I wonder if I could buy this place… How much do you think real estate in Santorini goes for?"
He let out a soft laugh. "You don't dream small do you?"
"Nope. That's why you love me."
"One of the many..."
"What about you?" she asked, sitting up and straddling him. "Where do you see us in five years?"
He squinted, looking up at her. "You really want to know?"
She giggled and leaned down to kiss him. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."
"No bullshit?"
"Always."
He grabbed her left hand and placed a soft kiss on her ring finger.
Letting out a sigh, she rolled her eyes. "You know my stance on the M-word."
Zed nodded his head. "I also knew your stance on the L-word…."
"You won that one… you should quit while you're ahead Jacobs." She giggled as he grabbed onto her ass and rolled them both over.
His hand rested on her cheek."Don't fight me, Baby. You know I'm going to win."
"But you love it when I put up a fight..." she licked her bottom lip and pulled it between her teeth.
A mischievous grin crossed his face. "Safeword is 'baklava'," he whispered as his expression darkened.
Addison giggled in anticipation as his hand moved from her face down to her throat. He leaned over, squeezing slightly but not constricting her airflow. She reached up to place her hands on his shoulders, but he gathered both her wrists and slammed her hands against the chaise above her head.
"I'm going to fuck you hard, and you're going to love it…" He grabbed her breasts roughly, still holding her wrists above her head. "I don't care how many times you beg me to stop..."
"How hard do you want me to fight back?" she asked breathlessly.
"As hard as you can, Baby..."
She shuddered a moan and closed her eyes. She twisted her hands until they were free of his grip and then shoved at his chest.
His eyes widened for a second before he smiled. "Is that all you got?" He grabbed her hands and held them out to her sides.
She twisted and turned under him, but he was lying on top of her, preventing most of her movements. He pressed his mouth to hers- hard- and she could feel his tongue up against hers. She continued to struggle weakly under him as he pulled back and placed his hand over her throat again.
"I'm so in love with you…"
"Love me later… Right now, make me yours..."
"You're topping from the bottom again..." he licked the side of her face while he applied ever so slightly more pressure against her throat.
Addison brought her legs up and tried to pull her knees together to kick him off, but he was too fast. He grabbed one leg and held it down while his other hand grabbed her hip. He flipped her over onto her stomach and quickly grabbed her hands again.
He held them together at the small of her back and pushed her face down on the chaise lounge. He pushed her thighs apart with his knees.
She tried to struggle again, but it was hard to move at all with her hands pinned behind her. She loved feeling how strong he was. She felt his fingers between her legs and then inside of her.
"I knew you'd be wet," he breathed into her ear.
She bit back another moan as she heard him opening a condom with his teeth.
He positioned himself and slammed into her. The force of his penetration causing her to slide forward, but he pulled back on her hip, keeping her in place.
Her hip throbbed where his fingers dug into her flesh. Her shoulders strained against the awkward position. Her knees ached as he pounded into her over and over again. Every muscle becoming fatigued as she tried to shift herself away from him. All the while, her body tingled and her clit throbbed at the sensations. Even as she tried to dislodge him, her body screamed for more. Though the safeword was fresh in her mind, she had no desire to use it.
"Zed!" she cried out, only to receive a sharp smack on her backside.
"Shut up and take it."
His words were enough to take her over the edge. She stilled her movements and held her breath as the orgasm swept through her in a flood of sensation. When she was able to breathe again, she nearly collapsed.
Zed wrapped an arm around her torso, slowing his movements as he leaned across her back and breathed hot air against her neck. "I'm not done with you yet..."
Her exhausted smile widened as he grabbed both of her ankles, pulling them out from under her. She could feel his tight grip on her shoulder right before he flipped her over and covered her body with his.
"No!" She shoved at him, arching her back and twisting her hips.
He grabbed the back of her head, twisting his fingers into her hair, and pulled back sharply. His legs covered hers, and his other hand grasped her throat.
"No more of that," he said harshly. "You're going to do what I say, or you are going to regret it."
She tried to struggle, but he had her completely pinned. He tightened the grip on her hair.
"You ready to obey now?"
She couldn't move her head, so she glanced down to look at his face. She knew she could use the safeword now if she wanted to, but nothing about this made her want to stop. Her skin was tingling, and the feeling of his weight on her was causing her body to throb with anticipation. She loved this game.
"There's no escaping, Addie..."
She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. She nodded and much as she could. When she opened her eyes again, she smiled. "Yes, sir..."
"That's a good girl." Zed released her and leaned back on his heels. "Now get back on your knees and spread those legs."
Slowly she rolled herself over and pulled her knees in. She placed her hands on the seat below her, fingers spread and moved her legs apart. She could feel his hand on the back of her neck, pushing her down until her head was against the seat as well.
"This...is...mine!" He slammed into her, jarring her forward. He didn't pull back, but pushed forward, grinding into her until she was screaming his name again. Her body convulsed, tightening around his cock as he ground into her over and over.
"Zed! Zed! Zed!" she cried out again as another wave hit her. She almost collapsed, but he held her hips as he began to thrust again, harder and faster than before.
She felt sweat dripping onto her back. Her knees shaking and her arms aching, but the feeling was incredible. Every sense heightened. She felt as if every nerve in her body was firing all at once. Her head spinning, and he continued on.
Zed suddenly cried out, painfully tightening his grip on her hips as he comes. A moment later, they both dropped to the chaise lounge in a pile of sweat, completely exhausted.
"Holy shit, Adds..." Zed rolled to his back and placed his hand on his chest, breathing hard. "That was a workout."
She giggled and leaned over to kiss him. "For me, too."
"You put up a hell of a fight," he grinned as he pulled her in to deepen the kiss.
"I told you you love it..."
"And you love it when I take control."
She let out a quiet giggle. "I do… but when we get our energy back, it's my turn… and you mister… are in serious trouble."
His eyes lit up. "Promise?"
"I'm pretty sure there's some extra rope down on the boat… I hope you remember that safeword."
"God do I love you…. Forever."
"And after..." she whispered as his lips came down onto hers.
Her eyes shot open. "Just a dream..." she whispered to herself. "A really, really good fucking dream..." She reached for her phone to check the time. Nine in the morning. She rolled her eyes. They hadn't called it a night until nearly five, but after that subconscious trip down memory lane, she knew she wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. With a heavy sigh, she opened the curtains of her bunk and climbed down, quietly making her way towards the kitchen in the back of the bus.
"Morning, Princess."
Addison jumped and turned around to see Eliza sitting at the kitchen booth.
"Oh!" she startled. "I didn't expect anyone else to be up yet."
Eliza shrugged. "Haven't gone to bed yet… Figured at this point I might as well just stay up. You?"
She grabbed the bottle of tequila from the cabinet. "Trying to chase off a dream."
"Nightmare?"
"Worse, a good one."
"Care to explain?"
"Bad dreams I'm used to. Good dreams… they give you hope. And hope is a dangerous thing." She unscrewed the cap and took a large swig. "So, what's up with the 'Princess' nickname? It can't just be because of the hair."
"Because I suck at lying and I'm worried I'll slip and call you Addison in front of everyone." She stood up and walked over, taking the tequila bottle from her. "How about you grab a cup of coffee and we talk for a little while. I've been hoping we would get the chance ever since Bucky told me you were joining the tour."
"I'd like that."
Eliza opened the cabinet next to them and grabbed a mug, handing it to her.
"Thanks," Addison whispered as she poured herself a cup. "So… you and my brother?"
"Yup. I'm sure he's told you that it's very much on the DL."
"Was that your choice or his?"
"His," Eliza stated matter of factly. "I mean, I get it. He's trying to build his business."
"And you're okay with it?"
She shrugged. "I get to see him every day. And we try to spend alone time together. But..." she smiled sadly.
"Not much privacy on a bus."
"Exactly," she laughed quietly as they both sat down in the booth across from one another.
"I don't know how you two do it. I mean, not like I do the whole 'relationship' thing, but when I did…" she sighed wistfully. "Yeah, there would have been no way we could have kept things quiet."
"Bucky may have mentioned something about walking in on you and a boy in high-school… He was quite traumatized."
Addison laughed and rolled her eyes. "He really needs to get over that."
"I don't think he ever will. He's very protective of you."
"Trust me. I know."
"He talks about you all the time. At first, I thought it was weird, you know… because you guys aren't really related and you were only step-siblings for a couple of years..."
"And we weren't even close then," Addison added.
"So he's said," she smiled. "But, after he told me everything… I get it. You two went through a lot together… and blood doesn't necessarily make family."
"That's for damn sure."
"You know it really means a lot to him that you're on this tour, right?"
"He was in a bind, and… I owe him."
"I didn't mean as a replacement for Macie. He loves you, and he worries about you."
"I've told him a hundred times he doesn't need to worry. I'm fine."
Eliza took a sip of her coffee as she contemplated her next words. She set the cup down and looked at Addison. "I know I've only heard Bucky's version of what happened, and I'm sure there's a whole hell of a lot that he doesn't know… but, if you ever need to talk to anyone… I know we just met and all… but… I'm here."
Addison looked around uncomfortably. "Thanks..." She took a sip of her coffee, desperate to change the subject. "So… how did you and B get together?"
Eliza smiled wide. "Luck."
"Luck?"
She nodded her head. "I've always just been lucky. I get a feeling, follow it, and it works out."
"Ooooook..."
Eliza laughed. "Follow me on this one… So I didn't pick up a pair of drumsticks until I started at MIT."
Addison almost spit out her coffee. "You went to MIT?"
"Yeah."
"How the hell did you end up in New York? With the band? With Bucky? I have so many questions!"
She let out a laugh. "Like I said...Luck…" she shrugged before continuing. "I happened to be out in town shopping before the start of my second year. I walked past a music store and just got this feeling that I should walk in. So I did. The second my eyes landed on that pearl kit… I knew I needed to learn how to play. So I did. It started with me just playing to blow off steam, but the more I played the more I loved it. School had been my everything… and suddenly it wasn't. I kept getting this feeling that I needed to follow a new path. So… with two weeks left of my last year, I walked out of class, packed my shit and hopped a bus to New York."
"That's crazy!" Addison smiled.
"Best thing I ever did. I was in town for less than a day when I met Bonz and Z. They happened to be looking for a drummer. They took me in. Let me crash at their place… We started jamming together and we just clicked… I'm an only child and those two instantly became the brothers I've always wanted. They drive me insane! But I love them fiercely." She smiled and took another sip of her coffee. "Two weeks after we officially formed Zombies, we met Bucky... and a year later he finally asked me out. We've been together ever since."
"Wow..."
Eliza shrugged. "Like I said. Luck."
"I can't
get over the fact that my idiot brother actually asked you out. The only person more anti-relationship than me was him!" she laughed. "Although, to be fair, it was because he was too chicken shit to ask anyone out."
Eliza laughed. "So he's said… did you really set him up with Frances Bean Cobain for prom?"
Addison slapped her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing too loudly. "Oh my god, I almost forgot about that one!"
"So it's true?!"
She nodded her head, still trying to hold in her laughter.
"How in the..."
"You have to understand, B did not fit in AT ALL in LA back then. He was all New Yorker. So, I took pity on him when prom rolled around. I was already going with one of his classmates… imagine what it would have done for my reputation if my brother went dateless."
Eliza bit back a laugh. "But Frances Bean?!"
Addison shrugged. "We grew up together. My dad produced albums for her dad and mom. We were shoved together a lot as kids. Luckily, she was always pretty cool. So, I called in a favor."
"Wow… I mean, like I know Bucky said your Dad produced… but Nirvana? Hole?… That's legendary."
"And my brother became legendary at school after he showed up with her."
"I can't even imagine..."
"I might have become a school legend for the rest of that year, but this one…" They both looked up to see Bucky standing in the doorway. "kids at Seabrook High still talk about her." He walked further in and kissed Eliza. "Morning, babe." He looked over to Addison and smiled. "Hello, sister-dear."
"Brother-dear." She rolled her eyes. "And I doubt anyone remembers either of us. High school was a long time ago… if you're getting coffee, can you get me a refill?"
He took her cup from her and walked over to the coffee pot. "Well, as of my reunion they were still telling the legend of THE Addison Donnelly..."
"A cautionary tale to be sure," she mumbled.
Bucky handed her her mug and rolled his eyes. "Stop."
"What?"
"Putting yourself down… I know what you're about to say..."
"I doubt it."
He smirked. "Blah blah blah, washed up, has been, never was, never will be, blah blah blah… Did I get it close?"
She narrowed her eyes. "I hate you."
"You love me. You're just pissed I was right."
"Maybe."
"And you know I don't agree with any of it. So you've been through some shit. It's not the end of your story."
Addison stared silently into her coffee cup for a moment before standing up. "I'm sure you two would like a few moments alone. Thanks for talking with me Eliza."
"Anytime… Oh, and Princess… I have a good feeling about you being on this tour."
With a forced smile, Addison turned and walked out of the back room. She was halfway down the bunk lined hall when she collided with a hard body.
"Shit!" she yelled out as her fresh cup of hot coffee spilled down the front of the baggy sweatshirt she was wearing.
"Fuck!" Zed yelled at the same time. "I'm so sorry! I didn't look when I jumped out of bed. He frantically tried to wipe the coffee off the two of them. "Christ you're soaked..."
"I'm fine..." she said trying to swat his hands away as he tried to help.
He pulled at the bottom of her sweatshirt.
"Zed, stop, I'm..." she pleaded.
He easily slipped it off of her, only to freeze when he realized she was completely naked underneath. "Fuck..."
"I told you I was fine!" she exclaimed, trying to get past him to her bunk.
"What's all the commotion...AHHHH!" Bucky screamed clamping his hand over his eyes.
"Fuck...um..." Zed quickly ripped his own shirt off and handed it to her. "It's not what it looks like, B!"
Addison quickly pulled the t-shirt on over her head, trying to ignore the fact that it smelled like him. That combined with the dream she had had… she was quickly approaching dangerous territory. If it hadn't been for her brother standing there, she didn't know what she would have done.
"Well, then what the hell is it then?" Bucky called out, still covering his eyes.
All of the curtains seemed to open at the same time, as both bands were awoken by the commotion.
"Why are you wearing Zed's shirt?" Tracey asked sleepily.
Addison threw her hands up in the air and pushed past Zed, ignoring the urge to pull him with her. She climbed into her bunk and closed the curtains in a huff.
"I may have bumped into her and spilled her coffee all over…" Zed began to explain, only to be cut off by his shirt hitting him in the back of the head. "I was trying to help clean up… and..."
Lacey rolled her eyes. "What the fuck ever..." she stood up and pushed past him. "I don't care… And… since we're up, we might as well start practicing."
Addison threw open the curtains and climbed back out fully dressed in a tight Led Zeppelin t-shirt tied up above her waist and ripped jeans, a pair of studded Loubiton booties in her hand.
"DIBS!" Tracey shouted running up to her and taking her shoes.
"Hey! You owe me a certain story for those, you know!"
He blew her a kiss. "Later, I promise!" He looked at the shoes in his hands. "Hello, my beauties… you and I are going to have so much fun together!"
Addison rolled her eyes and stuck her head back into her bunk grabbing her Gucci coral snake flats instead.
"How many pairs of shoes do you have?" Stacey asked in shock.
Zed had to turn away and bite his tongue to keep himself from commenting, knowing full well that she owned more shoes than she could count.
"Too many..." Bucky deadpanned before he turned and walked back into the kitchen.
Addison shrugged as she twisted her hair into a top knot. "I only brought two bags of shoes with me."
"God, I wish we wore the same size," Stacey laughed as she hopped down from her bunk and walked out to join Tracey and Lacey in the front of the bus.
Bonzo stood up and stretched. "Sounds like I missed quite the show..." he winked at Addison as he walked down the hall. Zed growled low in his chest and punched his shoulder hard as he walked by.
Silence filled the narrow hallway. "Sorry about the sweatshirt..." Zed whispered as he looked nervously down to his feet.
"It's fine," she sighed. She looked around to make sure they were alone before adding in a low whisper. "It's yours anyway. Keep it."
He looked up and smiled. "I'm pretty sure possession is 9/10ths of the law. You've had it for a hell of a lot longer than I ever did. So..." he handed it back to her.
"Thanks… And thank you for the t-shirt."
He let out a quiet laugh. "Literally the least I could do… sorry I ogled."
She arched her brow. "Are you really?" she asked skeptically.
"Not in the slightest…"
"Didn't think so..." It didn't escape her that they had slowly been walking further down the hall. Their bodies instinctively drawing closer to one another. Her back was almost against the last set of bunks.
"Nice shoes by the way…" He licked his lower lip as his eyes moved up from her feet to meet hers with a look that made her insides melt. "Still have the matching thigh-highs?"
"Wouldn't you like to know..." she countered back, trying to keep her eyes from wandering down his bare chest.
He smiled coyly and shrugged.
"Casey! Are you coming or not?" Lacey called out from the front of the bus.
"Fucking, Lacey..." Zed sneered under his breath.
Addison looked up at him. "I should go..."
He put his hand upon the wall next to her, practically caging her in. "I'm sorry about last night… that song… The way I acted… I was just really pissed off..."
"Don't be sorry…" She took a breath and looked into his eyes. "It was a really good song… Tying… stitches…" she bit her lip. "Reminds me of that night we spent out on the boat in Greece..."
Zed's mouth dropped open. It took him a moment to find his voice again. "I didn't even think of that..." he whispered out hoarsely. "That night was..." his lips turned up in a smile "Amazing doesn't even come close…"
She looked to the side and ran a finger over his hand. "You still have the scar from when we slipped..."
"Okay, amazing until the end," he whispered, reveling in the feel of her hand on his. "And ten stitches tend to leave a scar…"
When their eyes met again, he could tell she was fighting back tears.
"Addison..."
She placed a finger against his lips and shook her head. She ducked down under his arm and walked off to the front of the bus where the rest of their bands were congregated.
Zed turned himself around and rested his head against the wall she had just been standing against and let out a deep breath, needing at least a temporary reprieve from the emotional whiplash. He didn't know how he was going to survive this tour. One second he hated her, the next he wanted nothing more than to hold her, and then the next he wanted to screw her brains out. Life was certainly more complicated with her around.
"Zed… a word?" Bucky said walking back into the hall.
He turned his head towards Bucky. "What's up?"
Zed slumped onto one of the benches in the front of the bus.
"What the hell's got you so pissy?" Bonzo asked from next to him. "Is this because you didn't get any ass last night?"
Zed rolled his eyes and punched him on the shoulder again. "No… but I did just get an ass-chewing." He looked up to see Bucky walking into the room.
"Hey, Bucky!" Bonzo called out above all the chatter from everyone else. "I gotta get some tonight. How about we stop off at a strip club after the show? We'll pick up some girls, do our thing, and then get on the road."
Lacey looked up. "You are not bringing skank ho's on this tour bus to fuck."
Zed cracked a smile. "If the bus is a skank-ho-free zone, then you'll have to leave too, Lacey."
"Zed..." Bucky warned in a threatening tone, deflecting Lacey's volcanic reaction.
"Come one, Bucky!" Bonzo tossed his hands up in the air. "Z and I are used to fucking two or three women a day. If I don't lay some pipe soon, I might lose my motivation.
And you can't afford that..." He looked over to Zed for backup, but received a middle finger instead.
Bucky stirred his coffee. "There are other people on the bus to consider. I don't want to hear you banging girls, either. It's one thing to do whatever it is all of you do at the venues… we don't need that shit on the bus."
"Then we just need a system to let everyone know when fuckery abounds."
Zed laughed again. "What are you suggesting we do Bonz? Put up a fucking sign: 'Gang bang in progress. Do not disturb'." He caught a glimpse of Addison across the room trying to hold in a laugh.
Bonzo shrugged and smiled. "Beats tying a sock to the door."
Bucky rolled his eyes. "You seven need to sort that shit out between yourselves." He took a sip of coffee before he continued. "And yeah… there's probably a strip club close to tonight's show. If everyone finishes another song… maybe I'll let you go out and have some fun."
"YES!" Bonzo shouted, jumping up onto the bench seat.
Tracey looked over to Lacey and Stacey. "You know… someone still hasn't been properly initiated..." he said in a sing-song voice.
Stacey clapped excitedly. "Perfect!"
A chilling smile crossed Lacey's lips. "Well, Casey… looks like initiation is tonight."
Addison, Bucky, and Zed's heads all snapped towards Lacey simultaneously. "Initiation?"
.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yup, I know I suck. I haven't updated in FOREVER. But, this was a good long chapter, so please don't hate on me too much! I'm really trying to finish up the next chapter of Watch Us Shine. It's so close. I was hoping for this week, but this chapter just flowed easier and it finished first. So… I'm going to say next week (fingers crossed).
I know this chapter had some pretty dark moments. But, I promise a Happily Ever After. Just stick with me!
Let me know what you thought!
SONGS USED IN THIS CHAPTER
Take It Off- The Donnas
Stiches- Orgy