Roxie’s heart hummed, but she glanced at Anthony who looked about ready to burst into dance right there on the bus. She took a step away from Beckham.
“I’m not going anywhere—well, except back to my bus, but … that’s not what I meant. Uh,” she laughed awkwardly, “let me get used to the idea of not hating you.” She gave a wobbly smile. “We should try taking things a little slower. We seem to have the sex figured out.” Her face grew warm, but she ignored it and went to stand by Anthony.
Beckham pressed his lips together and looked down. “If that’s what you want, okay, but … we don’t need to go slow for me, Roxie. Just so we’re clear. I know what I want.”
Anthony clapped his hands together. “Well, this was really fun. AND informative. I think you’re making the right call, Rox.” He winked at her. “But let me just be the first to say,” he clasped both of their arms, “you guys will make the prettiest babies.”
“Oh my God!” Roxie groaned. “You’re both crazy.”
Beckham just raised an eyebrow and smiled.
The whole clan was hanging out when Roxie got on the bus. Justin did a cat call and Vanessa laughed, hitting him in the arm.
“Someone had a good night,” Brad said wistfully.
“So did you,” Shelton muttered.
“Totally,” Brad answered. “But look at her. She’s all sparkly.”
Brooke’s arms were folded and she didn’t say a word.
“Hi!” Roxie gave a general wave.
“Details!” Vanessa demanded.
“We talked.” Roxie shrugged. “Had some things to clear up…”
“Oh please. You can’t tell us you only talked!” Shelton yelled. “Take a look in the mirror, honey!”
The guys laughed and Vanessa shushed them. “Let her talk.”
“That’s all…” Roxie said. “What did I miss?”
Brad looked like he wanted to kill her for not spilling more dirt. Vanessa just looked determined.
Roxie walked back to her bunk before anyone else could say anything. She crawled in the dark and felt something all over her mattress. Flipping the little light switch on, she looked around. Little strips of material were everywhere. She opened the curtain so she could see better. Her blanket from home had been cut into tiny strips. It was the blanket she and Leo always cuddled under to watch movies together. The books that she kept by her pillow were shredded.
Just like that, her mood tipped upside down. Tears filled her eyes and she hit the wall with her fist. She grabbed a handful of material and paper and walked back to where they were still discussing whether she’d slept with Beckham or not.
“Who did this?” she demanded.
All eyes turned in her direction.
“What are you talking about?” Shelton asked.
“Who destroyed my blanket and books?” Roxie shouted.
Vanessa stood up. “Show me. What happened?”
Everyone walked back to the bunk and gasped when they saw it.
“Did you do this, Brooke?” Roxie got in Brooke’s face. “You did, didn’t you!”
“No! Get out of my face. Why would I do that?”
“You’re the only one who has it out for me!” Roxie yelled.
Brad took her arm. “Let’s get Anthony and Beckham and figure this out. Come on.”
“I don’t want to waste Anthony and Beckham’s time if you’re not going to tell the truth,” Roxie said quietly to Brooke.
“There’s no way you can think I did any of that,” Brooke whispered, her lip trembling and then settling into a sneer. “And certainly no way you can prove it.”
Everyone looked at Brooke then and it was silent for a beat.
“Shit,” Shelton muttered.
Roxie moved so fast, Brad couldn’t stop her. She shoved Brooke against the wall and said, “You leave me and my things alone. Got it?”
“I. Didn’t. Do. It,” Brooke said. And then louder, “But someone sure does hate you…” She started smiling and then laughed until tears were running down her face.
Roxie’s whole body shook. She let Brooke go and walked off the bus. Johnny was standing outside, guarding her door.
“Let’s go find a good deli, Johnny. I need to be around someone normal.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Hanging out with Johnny helped. He was a nice guy, nothing too intense or deep, but very pleasant. Exactly what she needed after experiencing every emotion possible in the last 24 hours. After they ate, she sat outside and Skyped Leo and they talked for a couple of hours. She didn’t know what she’d do if she couldn’t see him every day like this, even though it sucked that it was through a screen a lot of the time. His visits helped more, but Skyping helped them get by. So far they hadn’t gone more than a week without seeing each other. Even though it was expensive with all the plane tickets, it was completely worth it.
When she got to hair and makeup, her normal girl, Suzanne, seemed to realize she needed a boost and did a cute braid in her up-do. Roxie loved it. Tracy, the makeup artist that usually did Roxie’s makeup, was out sick, so the new girl, Coco, took over. She was a little heavy handed, but when she was done, Roxie had to admit that the crimson lipstick totally matched the mood she was in.
Beckham was pacing the bus when Sierra got on.
“I don’t know whether the pacing is a good sign or not,” she said.
“Well, she left, so, obviously not a great sign, but,” he bit his lip and beamed at her, “we did have a great night.”
Sierra made a gagging noise. “TMI, little brother, TMI!”
“No, not what I meant! Well, that too, but it was so much more than that. I feel better than I have … ever. We talked. A lot. I know why she’s been so angry all this time. I deserved every ounce of it, but … it was a perfect night.”
“When did you become such a girl?” Sierra laughed.
He stood still. “I know. I’m making myself nauseated, but I don’t even give a fuck.” He looked at her and laughed. “I think I could love her, Sierra.”
She dropped her bag on the floor. “Really? Isn’t it a bit soon for that? You’ve had one good night with her and love?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t know. It doesn’t feel sudden. She’s invaded my brain for nearly four months now. I’ve never felt this, that’s all I know.”
Sierra wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so happy for you, Beck. I really am.”
“I want to have Mom fly in—maybe when we’re in Atlanta or New Orleans—so she can meet her.”
“You’ve never had Mom meet a girlfriend. Wait—is she your girlfriend?”
He hit her over the head with a folded up magazine.
“Oh yeah, maybe you are finally growing up,” Sierra snorted.
He rolled his eyes at her. “I know. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“You’re the one who’s all ‘I could love her’ and blah-de-blah!” Sierra laughed. “Prepare Mom, so she doesn’t pass out from the shock…”
He bopped her over the head with a banana.
“Ow! Why do I keep getting hurt over this relationship? Use a pillow next time, dammit!”
He resisted texting Roxie all afternoon. He was afraid he might have already scared her off. He’d lost his mind since the moment he met her. Well—oh God, he couldn’t believe how he’d treated her before. Just further proof that getting clean was the best thing he’d ever done. He’d been a complete asshole. The fact that she was even considering giving him another chance was unbelievable. He had so much to make up for and couldn’t wait to start.
He talked to his mom but didn’t tell her about Roxie. He’d wait and surprise her, despite what Sierra said. He bought a ticket for her to meet them in Atlanta in a few days. He showered and did vocal exercises while he shaved. Maybe Roxie would stay with him at least part of the drive tonight. They had a long trek to Tampa and she didn’t have to stay the whole night if that made her uncomfortable.