Chapter 5: Take a Picture…

POV: Gabby

August 31, 2007; San Francisco, Ca

Up until we hit California the temperatures had been fair, not really cold not really hot. Los Angeles had been hot though and it was miserable. I had to change into a tank top and even that was questionable but just a sports bra around all these men wasn’t a good idea. Our drive to San Francisco was quiet and eventless, thankfully. Yet, Los Angeles was hot, it was twice as bad here. The morning temperature was already in the 90’s, fans were lined up and waiting though. I got dressed on the bus, a tank top over my sports bra again and then myself and the other members began to unload the trailer.

Getting the stuff inside wasn’t that bad, just the back and forth made it hot and humidity didn’t help. I had realized after a few stops that any tedious tasks that required attention was given to me. It seems setting up Zac’s drum set and hooking up all the wires were mine, they didn’t care if I did nothing else. I waited until all the items were set up before I started hooking up wires. I found the connection to be under a table on the side and I could reach some from the sides, but the ones in the middle I couldn’t. I tried reaching under but quickly realized my position may not go over well, despite most of them being very respectful it was still better to avoid those situations and with Zac around, avoiding those positions was better. So, I laid down on the floor, letting the cloth cover lay on my shoulders. There were no labels on anything and I couldn’t see very well. The light from the phone helped, but not much.

“Hey, are you okay?” Isaac asked.

It took me a moment to realize he was standing near me and no one else was even around us.

“Yeah, I just couldn’t reach the plugs, so it was easier to lay down.”

“Can I do anything?”

“Um, a flash light would be great. The screen on my phone isn’t that bright and it’s going out every 20 seconds.”

“Sure thing.”

I heard him walk away, there was bound to be one in the back somewhere, but the footsteps that returned weren’t Isaac’s. His shoes made a click because of the short heel, the ones that approached me didn’t and they sounded more sneaker like. The flash light slid in though a few moments later and a quick glance said they were Zac’s feet, his shoes I recognized. I was also acutely aware that he was probably staring at my ass. His feet didn’t move and I hooked up a few wires and then turned my head some.

“You know, if you just take a picture it would last longer.”

I hooked up two more wires and then I heard the little click the phone made when he took pictures. Had he just…seriously?! I considered getting up, but that would put me on all fours and it would probably satisfy whatever he wanted me to do and get another picture of that position too, instead I remained laying in the floor.

“I am shocked you didn’t get up, but you are right, the picture would last longer.”

“Did you seriously take a picture of my ass?” I asked.

I heard him giggle and then walk away, but about three minutes later I got a text from him with the picture, it really was a great picture of my ass. The message simply said ‘you said to take one’. He was such a dick! Yet, I would deny the several of him I had taken last week. I was just finishing the wires up and was about to get up when I felt something move across my lower back, it felt light and feathery but it scared me because no one was around me. I got up way too fast and the back of my head hit the underside of the table.

“Oh shit!” Taylor said.

I moved out from under the table and sat on the floor, holding my head wondering what the hell had happened.

“Are you alright? I didn’t think it would scare you that badly.”

“Didn’t think what would?”

He held up a common feather. “I expected a girl scream or something, not you trying to bust through the center of a table with your head.”

I pulled my hand away from the spot that hurt and throbbed and saw red covering my fingers. “I uh…”

He was quick to kneel behind me and then his hands were in my hair, checking the very spot that throbbed. I could feel his fingers on my scalp and just sat still. I was sure he could visually see if I needed a doctor or not, whereas I couldn’t.

“It’s not a bad place, small little cut here. It’s not bleeding anymore but you will need to be careful brushing your hair. I am so sorry, I just seen this small area across your lower back and it drives women insane, Stella hates it when I do that. She usually screams though and doesn’t freak and try to break tables in half.”

“Oh, I just didn’t know anyone was there. Scared me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thankfully I was done and didn’t get electrocuted or anything. That would have been super bad.”

“No kidding. Feel okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll keep a check and make sure, if it bleeds more I’ll um, I don’t know really.”

“If it doesn’t stop you’ll visit the hospital or call paramedics or something.”

He helped me up and I smiled. I did pause for a few moments, made sure it had stopped before I went about finishing what I needed too, which included fetching Zac his lunch. I waited for the sound check and had to fix a wire, Taylor’s second keyboard didn’t work and one of the speakers for the drum didn’t either. Beyond that it was right and I was glad. I went to the bus about 5, I needed to change clothes because the ones I had on were dirty and sweaty, since I was running the merchandise booth I figured more appropriate clothes were needed and clean ones.. I was certain other people were on the bus, so I got clean clothes and stepped into the bathroom. I changed into the blue jean Capri pants and the grey tour shirt. Taylor had told me to get one of each that I liked, that way I could wear them for walks or when I worked the merchandise table. I took my deodorant, brush, and dirty clothes back to the bunk and when I turned to leave Zac was there, he startled me some.

“You could have left what you had on, it was fine.”

“I don’t think your fans would appreciate that.”

“Some might would.”

“I doubt they would appreciate smelling a sweaty me in dirty clothes. I’m not you.”

“There are men in the crowd at times.”

I started to go around and he just moved. “I need to get back inside, set the table up.”

“The table is set up already, Carrick got bored. You don’t have to be inside for a few hours really.”

“Then I am going to assume you want something that is across town?”

“What I’d like, you don’t have to leave for.”

Well, that confused me. If he wanted something I would have to leave unless it was here already, if it was here he could get it himself without me. He moved some of my hair from my shoulder and the wheels began to turn and they finally snapped into place. What he wanted was way more than I was going to give.

“Well, I guess you can get it alone then. It would mean it’s here already.”

“You are here.”

I honestly couldn’t deny that he was pleasing to the eyes, he really did look very nice with the medium hair that always looked like it needed to be brushed and the soft chocolate eyes. He was nice looking and the closest to undressed I’d seen so far is shorts and a t-shirt. Yet, I just didn’t want some random hook up with someone, I wanted forever and he didn’t do forever. I placed my hands on his chest.

“My job doesn’t include anything that deals with getting undressed. If you are that horny, I am sure you can find someone outside like you did in Colorado. I am sure there is at least one person willing to hike a skirt or drop their pants for you. I’m pretty sure you still have condoms left too.”

His chest felt strong and I could feel his heartbeat under my hands, son of a bitch! Again his hands brushed the hair away from my face and when he went to lean down I backed away.

“That was a no Zachary. I don’t do one night stands and I was not hired to take care of you sexually. I need to get inside now.”

He didn’t block me when I moved but the very notion of his hands on me, putting his lips on me, set my skin on fire. Yet, I knew he didn’t do steady or long-term. I went inside and made some minor alterations to the merchandise table, made it easier for me. Not that the night was any better, nothing wanted to work. My head hurt, which didn’t help. I was so glad when the last fan left that I packed and loaded the merchandise in like 20 minutes. I was so over today it wasn’t even funny anymore. By 1:20 we were all packed, loaded and ready to head out. Most everyone was tired, but Zac seemed wide awake. I put the same t-shirt and shorts I’d worn the night before back on and then joined them in the back. They were talking idly but Taylor looked at me.

“How is your head?” Taylor asked.

“It’s hurting but nothing aspirin wouldn’t help, I just haven’t had time to get any really and the bottle I brought is in my suitcase in the cargo area.”

He hopped up, ran out and returned with a bottle of water and two tablets. I thanked him and took them, hoping they would help the headache go away. Sleep would probably help too.

“Why did you ask about her head?” Isaac asked.

“Oh…she was hooking up the wires and I couldn’t resist the feather to the back. I expected girly scream, no, she yelped and tried to bust through the table with her head.”

“Table won.” I said.

“Dammit Tay! We told you to stop that!” Isaac said.

“It’s usually a guy!” he said.

“Uh, that doesn’t help. You do that to guys?” I asked.

He giggled. “Guys scream like girls, it’s hilarious actually.”

Carrick rolled his eyes and began to recount the time he did it to him, Taylor sure was a strange man. I felt my phone vibrate so I got it, it was a text message from Zac, who was three feet away, why had he sent me a text message?!

Is that why you said no earlier? Because your head hurt?!

I look up at him, sitting at the end of the sofa with his phone smirking. His relaxed posture said he was certain that was the sole reason.

No. I said no because I didn’t *want* too, not because my head hurt. What..? Do a lot of girls tell you their heads hurt to get out of it?

Haha! No, but they don’t seem to walk right afterwards. ;) Ironic, I think you do want too.

Then you’re thinking with the wrong head Zac, just because your fans will drop their pants or hike a shirt, or touch themselves in the front row, doesn’t mean I will.

Touching themselves in the front row?

You know who I’m talking about..blonde, black skirt, fake boobs. Everyone saw how she acted, but only a few know you went there after the show. I’m not stupid I knew where you went.

I put the phone away and listened as Carrick told another story, a different groupie. I went to bed rather early, I was tired anyway.

So..Abby….I was on the floor and Zac seriously took a picture of my ass and then he hit on me.

You’re better than him Gabs, you know what Maxwell said. He doesn’t do relationships and come on, do you really want to go down that road again?

No…but…he’s not abusive Abby.

You told me the same thing about Simon when you met him. I don’t believe Zac is like him, but at the same time honey he doesn’t want steady, just a fuck buddy he can go to whenever. Do NOT make me come out there!

You won’t have too. I’ll be good.

She sent a smiley face and I didn’t reply, instead I sent one to Maxwell.

So..when were you going to tell me that Taylor ran a feather all across your lower back and you screamed like a girl?

Fuck! Who told you that?!

Andrew, he did that to me today only I didn’t girly scream, I tried to bust through a table. Table -1 Gabby – 0. I didn’t bleed long thankfully and aside from a headache, no other injuries. But, his story about you? Hilarious.

Ugh. It was last tour and he did that, scared the hell out of me. Sure, it’s hilarious now but not then. So…what’s this about Zac hitting on you?!?!

Abby…He did earlier today, I turned him down and told him why. No worries. I mean, I kind of expected it at some point based on how you said he was. I’m the only female here dude, expect it.

Yes. But, I know you and I know him. It’s not what you need.

I know! I know! I’m not biting! Geez. You guys are going to turn me into a nun!

That’s the whooollleeee idea Gabs! So, I’m heading out soon.

I know. What band are you with again?

I’ll be with Korn until the end of October then I join another one through March, that one hasn’t been announced but it’s Korn too. Lol. We will have Christmas off.

You better!!!!

I will be Gabs, not many tours cover that holiday. But I know it’s late for you, get some rest and don’t fall for his tricks.

I promise I won’t. Night.

I put the phone up and laid there for about ten minutes before I let the soft sway lull me to sleep.

-Zac-

Finding her laying in the floor earlier today was hot, I couldn’t deny that picture of her ass was the best one I had. The curves and I was finding myself wanting to touch her, but obviously she didn’t want me too. She’s shut me down pretty quickly and she was right. Her contract didn’t include any form of sex. She clearly said no, so I let her go past me and I gave her time to get inside before I went inside. Truth was, I had looked at the line and I didn’t see anyone in the line that jumped out to me.

“I didn’t expect you inside right now…” Carrick smirked.

“Neither did I.”

I wasn’t really that horny, I wouldn’t say no but it wasn’t a desperate need or anything. Yet, I wouldn’t have disappointed her and honestly, I wasn’t thinking only once.

“No takers? That is..wait..is that a first? Is this the first time anyone turned down sex from you?”

I raised an eyebrow at him, ironically she was the first person to say no to me. “Yeah, well, I only asked one.”

“She said no? Is she stupid?”

“She did say no. She’s not stupid.”

He looked at me before he just doubled over laughing, for which I waited for him to calm down and then he noticed I wasn’t laughing at all. I didn’t get what he found was so funny about her saying no and the fact she wasn’t stupid.

“You had the balls to ask the only female on the bus and she said no?”

“She did say no.”

“I wish I could have seen that! I may have to ask her why she said no.”

“She said she didn’t do one night stands or anything like that.”

“Well, there you go. But there are a few hundred outside and I’m sure at least five wouldn’t care if you took them right there in line.”

“Well, there is random and hot and there is downright wrong, middle if 100 girls is wrong Carrick.”

“Oh come on, orgy. Others may join your vanilla ass.”

I rolled my eyes at him and went to the back to get ready, I never said I wanted an orgy! The show would be long and then we head north again. After the show we were just chilling and Taylor mentioned the head wound, I hadn’t even known she’d been hurt and I probably should have asked if she was okay, but my brain said that was why she’d said no. Yet, it wasn’t, I think I would have much preferred a headache be the reason she said no. Didn’t hurt my ego as badly.

I felt different knowing that she knew about the blonde, knowing that she’d not only seen her antics at the show but that she knew I’d gone there and even why. I didn’t know why it bothered me, but it did. When she put her phone up I knew she wouldn’t answer anything else, her way of ending the conversation. So, I sat here and listened to them talk, she seemed engaged at times but sometimes she appeared lost, usually on political matters. As her usual, she went to bed before anyone else but she’d spend thirty minutes or so texting before she actually went to sleep. I assumed it was Abby and Max. When I went to bed her bunk was quiet.