Page 27 of Crimson Desires
“Oh,” I said, shrinking a bit.
“Anyways, I’m sorry that he manipulated the room situation last night. That was completely unacceptable. Are you okay?” Ava asked.
I nodded. “I’m fine. We actually ended up having a good discussion.”
“Jack’s a pain in the ass,” Ava said. “He’s spoiled, egotistical, and he never knows when to quit. But he’s not a bad person, just so you know. He’s got a good heart.”
“Yeah. I’m starting to realize that,” I said.
“Anyways, I need to make a few calls. See you on the bus.”
Ava patted me once on the shoulder. Then, she dug her phone out of her pocket and pressed it to her ear.
Seeing Ava on her phone prompted me to bring out my own.
Talking on the phone on the bus was a faux pas. Because the crew bus was so cramped and small, loud phone conversations could easily get irritating. For that reason, most of the crew did their calls in the downtime before or after shows.
Now seemed like a good time to get a call of my own in.
I dialed my dad’s number.
The phone rang twice before he picked up.
“Hey, honey!” Dad’s voice was warm and comforting. I could hear his smile through the speakers. “How’s the tour going? You guys are in Richmond today, aren’t you?”
“How’d you know that?”
“Melinda’s niece showed me how to use social media,” Dad said. “I’m following the official Wicked Crimson Instagram page.”
“Really?”
I fought to cover my laugh. Dad had never been savvy when it came to technology. He’d once nearly gotten into a fistfight with our Wi-Fi router trying to connect Violet’s laptop to the Internet.
“Really,” Dad confirmed. “Also, you won’t believe this, but I learned yesterday that there are hot singles in my area waiting to meet me! All I have to do is sign up for this website and give them my social security number.”
“That better be a joke.”
“Don’t worry, it is,” Dad chuckled. “Anyways, how’s the tour? Have you made any friends? Got any stories?” His voice faded to a hush. “Done any drugs?”
“It’s going well. Yes, I’ve made friends. Yes, I’ve got a few stories. No, I haven’t done any drugs.”
“And the band? Have you met them?”
Funny you should ask, I thought.
“Not really, no,” I lied. “They’re pretty busy. They don’t have a lot of time to spend with the crew.”
“That’s a shame. Didn’t your sister really like Jack Maverick, the lead singer?”
“Maybe.”
Dad hummed. “I noticed that the tour is stopping in Charleston...”
“How’s everything at home?” I cut in. “Have you been taking your medication? Keeping up with your exercises? Eating full meals?”
“Yes, yes,” Dad said.
“Remember, you have an appointment-,”