He responds quickly. Say hi to the Cowboys cheerleaders for me ;)

I scoff. In your dreams.

Footsteps and greetings to Beau at the front of the bus make me look up. The guys are here.

“I need a beer,” Drew says, stopping at the mini fridge. He opens the door and pulls out a Miller Light.

“Me, too,” Paul says as he plops down on the couch. Dean joins him and adds, “Me, three.”

“Jen?” Drew holds the refrigerator door open. “You want one?”

“Sure,” I say and catch the can Drew tosses me. It’s Angry Orchard, my new favorite. “Thanks.”

As quickly as Paul sat, he stands and looks around. “Where’s the remote?  I know there’s a game happening somewhere.”

Dean pulls the control from beneath his butt and turns on the TV. It looks like it’s going to be another typical night on the bus. Beer and baseball until everyone gets tired and crawls into their bunks. Not that I’m complaining. I’m glad the guys save the parties for hotels, when we stay a few nights in one city.

Popping the top to my can, I ask, “Where’s Roxanne?”

The boys look at one another and shrug. “I thought she was with you,” Dean says, looking toward the back of the bus.

“Nope.” I lift the curtain to her bunk. “She’s not here.”

“Well, your guess is as good as mine.” He turns back to the television. Paul’s found ESPN and they’re recapping a Detroit Tigers game from earlier today. Go team, I silently think in support of my home state.

I set my drink down and open my backpack, locating the cozy clothes I left out of my suitcase. I walk to the bathroom and change, then brush my teeth and wash my face. I pull my hair back in a loose pony. It takes almost thirteen hours to get from Denver to Dallas, and that’s if we don’t stop. When I fall asleep tonight, I want to crash without having to wake up and wiggle out of tight jeans.

Just as I settle in my bunk with my guitar across my lap, I hear Roxanne’s excited voice from the front of the bus. I lean to the side and stick out my head to see what’s going on.

“Just make yourself comfortable; we have plenty of room,” she gushes. “Boys. Ariel will be joining us for our drive. Please try not to be rude.”

My eyes widen as I see Ariel standing behind Rox. She’s hanging on to a small rolling suitcase with one hand and a large Coach purse, more like a duffle, with the other.

“There’s no need to lecture the guys,” Ariel says. “They know me and I know all of them. We’re like family.”

Dean leans forward in his seat. “What’s going on?  Is everything all right?”

Ariel rolls her eyes. “Just some dancer drama that I don’t care to be a part of.”

“Then kick them the fuck off your bus,” Paul says with a wave of his beer. “That’ll show ‘em. Not that I care you’re here.” He grins. “If we have to be family, we can we be distant cousins by marriage and share a bunk.”

Ariel laughs and Roxanne glares at Paul before turning to our guest with a forced smile. “Anyway,” she says, “we have three available beds. Two next to Jen and I, and one next to dipshit over there.” She jerks her thumb in Paul’s direction. “Take your pick.”

“Thank you so much,” Ariel says as she starts to follow Rox toward me. “I couldn’t take the bitching anymore. My moods haven’t been the best lately. If I stay, it will only make things worse.”

Roxanne nods with empathy. When the two of them make it to me, Ariel smiles. “Hello again. I hope you don’t mind me crashing your party.”

I shake my head. “Not at all. It’s your tour.”

Ariel selects the bottom bunk directly behind mine. She lifts her suitcase on to the bed and then peeks around the corner. “I was hoping we’d get a chance to talk. You know, get to know one another.”

I can’t stop my confused look. “Why?”

“Jen!” Roxanne scolds me. “If the headliner wants to speak to you –”

“Rox.” Ariel puts her hand on our manager’s arm. “It’s random that I’d want to talk to her. Think about it. She’s dating my ex.”

Roxanne goes silent, then focuses on me. “I’m going to get comfortable, head to the back of the bus, and get lost in a book. Behave.”

She turns on her heel and I look at Ariel. Her bottom lip disappears between her teeth to suppress a laugh, and I do the same. She starts to unpack, and I turn back to my guitar.

Time passes and Beau gets the bus underway. An idea for a new song popped into my head tonight before the show, so I mess around with notes and lyrics. Everything is gibberish right now, but that’s how my songwriting usually starts. After a half hour or so of playing around, Ariel appears by my side. “Is this a bad time?”

My eyes swing to her. She’s changed clothes, and her dark hair is piled in a messy bun on top of her head. With her hair off her face her features look exotic, something I hadn’t noticed before. “No,” I say and move back a little. “What’s up?”

She crawls on to my bunk and faces me, crossing her legs. “Nothing really. Just lonely and bored.” She glances around and her eyes land on Oliver’s drawing taped to the wall. She smiles. “I bet I know who made this.”

I’m about to confirm her thoughts when my phone vibrates. “One sec,” I say and pick it up. It’s a text message from Pete: Hey, rock-n-roll queen. Where are you?

I smile. On a bus in the middle of nowhere. Where are you?

Home in bed. I should be asleep, but I’m not. I’m worried out of my mind.

I frown and respond Why?  Is everything okay?

Three little dots appear on my phone, indicating he’s typing back. It must be a long message because the dots linger. I hope nothing is wrong with Jules or our family, although my parents would’ve called. Great. Now I’m starting to worry, too.

“Who are you talking to?”

I look at Ariel. “My brother. He’s being vague and annoying.”

“Older or younger?”

“Older.”

Finally his message comes through. Everything is fine. I’m awake because I have an expensive diamond ring sitting in my dresser drawer and NO IDEA HOW TO PROPOSE.

“Is that all?!”  My voice is loud. You idiot!  I send. You scared me.

Ariel cocks an eyebrow. “Is something the matter?”

I sigh. “My brother needs help coming up with a way to propose to his girlfriend. They got married in secret and now he’s backtracking. I told him I would think of some ideas for him, but I’ve fallen down on the job.”

Ariel shrugs like it’s no big deal. “That’s easy. Have him do it at a show. Call them up on stage and have him surprise her. She’ll love it.”

My mouth falls open. It’s so simple it’s stupid. “How did I not think of that?  Thanks!”  I start rapidly typing while Pete responds to my idiot comment.

Calm your buns, I send. Ariel Allyn is sitting across from me and she says you can do it on stage.

He replies. Are you serious???

Yes. You should do it in Detroit, since mom and dad will be there. I grin. It’s perfect.

You said Jules deserved epic and this definitely qualifies. Thank you Jen. Now I can sleep.

I make a face. Because that’s what’s important, dork. I’ll get back to you with the details.

No, seriously. Thank you.

You’re welcome. I set my phone down.

“Everything good?” Ariel asks.

“Yes. I’ll work out the details with Dean later. I’ll tell him you said it was okay.”

She smiles. “I’m glad I could help.” Her eyes go back to Oliver’s picture. “His nephew drew this, right?”

I nod. “Oliver’s a cool little kid.”

“What is he now?  Five years old?”

“Seven,” I say.

She shakes her head. “I can’t believe how much time has passed.” Her eyes land on my guitar. “So, what are you working on?”

“Not much. I’m just messing around.”