Nobody Falls for the Opening Act (Break the Rules Book 2)

Chapter 8

“Good morning!” Harmony says cheerfully as she joins our table, taking her rightful place next to Knox’s chair.

The rest of us murmur greetings, all in various states of morning alertness. From what I’ve gleaned on tour so far, Jordan is the biggest morning person among us, with Chrissy a step behind her. Harmony and Katrina battle for third place most days.

The men, however, usually look pretty groggy at first light. Knox and Jonah almost always stumble down around the same time, while Bronson appears practically catatonic until he’s had a few energy drinks. August hasn’t appeared yet, but my guy likes to get in a morning pump at the fitness center before breaking his fast. Dude’s got discipline.

Addison, well…

She hasn’t come down yet.

I bite off a chunk of my toast, my eyes on the restaurant entrance, only partially listening to the chatter happening across the table. Can’t possibly be as important as last night’s burning questions.

Where the fuck did she go?

And who the fuck did she go with?

Just when I think Addison won’t show up at all this morning, I spot her walking through the doors. She pauses at the hostess’ podium, but gets waved on through with a point in our direction.

Glancing around, I somehow only just notice that the last remaining empty chair is the one next to mine.

I straighten up.

“Good morning,” Addison says to the group as she approaches. Without slowing stride, she walks around and sits down next to me. For a split second, our elbows touch and I flinch before shifting my chair over to give her space.

“Good morning,” I say, along with everyone else.

Quickly, a server appears between our shoulders and asks for Addison’s order. As she requests a vanilla latte and a pastry of some kind, I study her closely. She’s tired. With heavy lids and puffy eyes. But I guess riding some motorcycle dude all night long can really wear a girl out.

The server zips off and Addison glances at me. “Hello,” she says.

Realizing I’m still staring, I look forward. “Nothing,” I say, clearing my throat.

Addison cocks a brow, but doesn’t ask.

“Okay,” Jordan says from the other end of the table. “Now that we’re all here, let’s go over today’s itinerary.”

“We have an itinerary?” Knox asks. “I thought we had a day off.”

“No,” she says, glaring at him over the rims of her glasses. “We have practice today.”

“We practiced on the bus yesterday,” he argues.

Katrina cringes. “I wouldn’t call what happened yesterday practice.”

“Neither would I,” Jordan says. “Which is why we’re having practice today.”

Knox sighs into his orange juice. “Why are we practicing so much now?”

“Because you agreed to a Battle of the Bands with your nemesis, so half of our days off have now been converted to practice days because we have to write new material for said battle.”

All eyes lock on Knox around the table. They hold no judgment or ire. Just facts.

“Okay,” Knox says, sitting up. “That’s fair.”

With a brief sigh, Jordan continues going down her list.

I nudge Addison’s arm, unable to stop myself. “So, how did you sleep last night?” I ask her.

She looks at me, blinking twice. “What?”

“How’d you sleep?” I ask again. “Did you have some nice dreams? I don’t know what they’re doing differently out here in Colorado, but the pillows here are to die for. Aren’t they?”

Addison hesitates, her expression twisting slightly. “That’s a… strange question, Harvey.”

“What’s strange about it?”

“It’s kinda personal, isn’t it?”

“What?” I chuckle. “No, it’s not. We’re friends, right?”

“Uh… yeah. We’re friends. But?—”

“What’s friendlier than making sure your buds are getting adequate sleep?” I ask.

Addison pauses again, her mouth hanging open. “I…”

“Hey, Knox,” I say, drawing his eyes in our direction. “How’d you sleep last night, buddy?”

Knox frowns. “That’s an intimate fucking question, dude.”

“No, it’s not!”

“Mr. Moon.”Jordan eyes me over her rims this time. “Is there something you’d like to add?”

Everyone stares at me, waiting for my response.

“No,” I answer.

Jordan nods. “Now, as I was saying…”

I sit quietly as she continues. After a few minutes, Jordan wraps it up and random discussion sparks once more around the table. I listen and observe, still not used to the idea that this is my fucking life now.

I’m eating breakfast in a Botsford Plaza Hotel with Criminal Records.

Wild.

Amid the buzz of conversation, Addison stands up.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

She pauses, giving me a look.

I hold up my hands. “Just curious.”

“I’m going to the bathroom,” she says.

I shrink. “Okay. Cool.”

Addison leaves the table without a word, but with a furrowed brow.

Yeah.

I’m not acting like a weirdo at all today.

As I deflate even further into my awkwardness, a light vibration tickles the table next to my plate. I look over, my eyes suddenly wider as I see Addison’s phone sitting on the table beside her napkin.

There’s a notification. In the few seconds of its existence, I read the message in its entirety.

Prof B

Same time tonight?

Three little words. Just three little words and the crack in my heart rips even deeper.

The motorcyclist, perhaps?

It has to be.

Does Addison have a mysterious biker professor lover here in Denver?

I’m not sure I even want to know the answer to that question.

But one thing’s for sure: Wherever she’s going, I’ll be there, too.

Same time tonight.