Wicked End (31 page)

“Ssh, we’re here.” He nuzzled her neck and dropped a kiss below her ear. When she relaxed against his body, he let out a slow breath. “I won’t let you go.” Some days, he wished he didn’t have to, but he knew she loved Brandon.

Just as sleep came for Scott, her ass brushed against his crotch. He groaned, trying to fight the pending erection. She did it again, and his cock grew. He suffered in silence, his stiff dick pressed into her ass cheek. He slowly moved a hand over Mackenzie’s arm that was around Brandon.

Suddenly, Mackenzie couldn’t see or even breathe. She clawed her way out of the tunnel she thought she was in, but she wasn’t making headway. Her scream was muffled and went unheard. Panicking, she reached out towards a light.

“Aaaahhhh!”

Scott awoke to Mackenzie screaming in his face. He looked down at her, asleep and clinging to him. She must have turned over in her sleep. “Hey, wake up, Mackenzie.” He held her close and stroked her hair. “It’s a dream. Wake up.”

She opened her eyes to see she wasn’t drowning again. “I’m scared.” She assumed she was gripping Brandon’s shirt. Then she felt a body press against her from behind.

“Tink, it’s OK. I’m here.” Brandon put his arms around her and felt another body in front of her. He sat up quick. “What the fuck?”

Scott looked up. “Sorry. She needed soothing, and I fell asleep.” He let her go and watched her slide over to Brandon. “She just had a nightmare. Maybe you should…”

The door opened and several voices interrupted him. “We got the good stuff,” Austin announced. “Chili cheese fries, milkshakes, burgers, coconut custard and mashed potatoes just for Kenzie.”

“Did you get her ice cream?” Scott asked, sitting up.

Jake nodded. “Yeah, vanilla and chocolate.”

“He didn’t believe she liked vanilla more.” Austin cracked a smile. “I pay attention sometimes.”

Mackenzie let Brandon go and coughed a few times then groaned in pain. Seconds later, Austin handed her a spoon and a cup of soft vanilla ice cream. She gave him a half-smile then let Scott and Austin help her get comfortable against the headboard.

The babying would only last for a day, because that was how long she planned to let it go on. At that moment, she was tired and in pain, so she was grateful for them smothering her. Once settled, she took a large spoonful of ice cream and sighed. It felt so good.

Brandon sat back and watched her expression change from pain to relief several times. He put a hand on her knee. He didn’t know what he would do without her. Then an idea popped into his head. If he proposed, she would really be his. He quickly dismissed the thought. That was not something you just did, no preparation, no ring. He had to be ready and know that was what they both wanted.

Standing next to Mike, who was driving, Brandon gripped the railing in front of him. He glanced at the map on his phone. “Make the next right.”

The band was on its way to Boston. Everyone was glad to leave Canada behind, too many regrets. Jake, Brandon and Scott hovered over Mackenzie, especially since she had developed pneumonia, a day after the accident. She didn’t whine as much as Brandon expected, but that was probably because she slept through most of it. He hated going on stage and leaving her with Jesse, although he trusted him.

Brandon waited until they were going in a straight line then looked down again. “It says go half a mile then turn left.” They needed to stop for gas, and the station close to the highway had been out of diesel.

Mike exhaled loudly. “We need to get the GPS fixed.”

“We need a new bus!” Jake shouted. “I wanna bedroom like Silverblade!”

Brandon sighed. He wished they had one, too. Then maybe Mackenzie could sleep better. The bus was loud most of the time.

He heard her cough and turned, but only saw the curtain. Mike never kept it open. Her illness had brought back awful memories of Brandon’s mother’s last days. The emergency room wait was torture. All the while, he kept thinking,
Please don’t die
.

Scott smiled at the idea of a bed, and then stood up from the couch to check on Mackenzie. He held onto the bunks as he walked down the aisle, feeling the bus go around a double-parked car. She was asleep in his bunk, since it was further back than Brandon’s. He moved the curtain a little and looked at her pale face. She had recovered pretty well, considering.

He caressed her cheek, then brushed her hair back. “Hey, we’re gonna make a stop.” When her eyelids fluttered he asked, “How you feeling?”

“Thirsty,” she croaked. Her throat still burned, but her chest felt better. She didn’t know drowning was so painful. The treatments in the hospital were even worse though.

Scott cupped her cheek. “I’ll get you some water. Stay still.” He still felt guilty for not stopping Jake.
If I had looked up a few minutes sooner, she wouldn’t have almost drowned. If Brandon hadn’t saved her…

“It’s not your fault.” She cringed at the pain when she talked. Trying to ignore it, she touched his face. “It’s done. I’m OK.”

He grinned, knowing she wanted him to let it go. His fingers ran down her face, and he kissed her forehead. “OK, fine.” He quickly grabbed her some water then helped her sip from the bottle. “When do you have to take your medicine?”

“I forget.”

Scott looked towards the front of the bus. “Brandon, when does she take her pills?” They all made sure she did as the doctor said.

Brandon checked the calendar on his phone. “In about 15 minutes. Is she awake?”

“Yeah.” Scott turned to see her climbing out of the bunk. Then she fell. “Shit!” He caught her, but she knocked him off balance. They tumbled to the floor.

She grunted as she tried to get up. “I fucking hate this.” The medicine made her dizzy and nauseous, but at least the side effects were starting to abate a little. She looked up at Scott, almost in tears from frustration. She hated relying on them.

Brandon flew through the bus, hearing the thud. “Oh God. You OK, Tink?” He lifted her up and cradled her in his arms.

“Don’t worry I broke her fall.” Scott groaned as he felt a bruise on his elbow. “She thinks she’s well enough to do everything.”

“They got the road blocked!” Mike shouted. “Where the fuck do I go now?”

Exhaling loudly, Brandon handed Scott, Mackenzie’s frail body. “I’ll be right back.”

“But I have to pee,” Mackenzie protested, reaching out for Brandon.

Scott pulled her head to his shoulder when the bus slowed to a stop. “I won’t look. It’s only a few more days. The doc said you should be starting to get your strength back soon.”

Brandon checked his phone while he looked out the front window. They were re-paving the street. “Um, take a right. There’s another gas station just to the north.”

While Jesse filled the tank, most of the band and crew walked around to stretch their legs. They were in what Vermont called a city. To them, it was more like a small town.

Mackenzie walked to the convenience store with one arm around Brandon and the other around Scott. It was the furthest she had walked since she left the hospital. When they had reached the halfway point, she slowed and had to rest.

“I can carry you,” Brandon offered, worrying she was pushing it.

She shook her head while trying to catch her breath. “I need to move.” Being in bed for days was boring. She gripped Brandon’s shirt tighter. “It’s just not easy.” She smiled when he pulled her into an embrace.

Brandon closed his eyes, willing himself to resist lifting her. He watched her struggle, feeling helpless. The past few days had been excruciating. He swore he was going to lose her several times. The urge to make her his wife grew each time she showed signs of coming back to him.

The day after the accident was the worst. He woke up and found her unresponsive and burning up. Scott had fallen asleep with them again and Austin who was sitting in a chair across the room thought she had been sleeping. They rushed her to the hospital, just in time.

“I think I can make it now.” She pulled away from Brandon and chanced standing on her own. A smile formed, she felt steady. She looked up at Brandon. “I’m doing it.” It had been days since she was able to do that.

Scott saw her falter first and grabbed her arm. “That’s enough play time. Brandon, we should get her back in bed.”

“She needs this,” Brandon admitted as he put his arm around her back. He knew she wouldn’t get better cooped up for a week. He just hoped she was well enough to fly Tuesday. “This way she can pick out her own drinks.”

Mackenzie took a step, the guys right along with her. “Yeah, water and that fruit punch stuff is boring.” She grinned. “I want chocolate milk.”

Brandon nuzzled her head gently. “There’s my girl.” He had to support her a bit more, the closer they got to the door. When they entered the store, she pulled on his shirt. He moved fast, lifting her, just before she slipped. “OK, now I’m carrying you.”

With a frown, she put an arm around his neck while he held her in both arms. Then he spun her around. She squealed like a child, but laid her head on his shoulder, to quell the dizziness.

“Sorry.” Brandon kissed her cheek. “Let’s go get your chocolate milk.” He bought her a large container, glad she would be getting some sort of protein in her finally. “You think you could eat something, Kenzie?”

She shrugged. “I’m not hungry.” The doctor had explained her appetite would be diminished somewhat. “You should get something though.” She worried he was not taking care of himself. He worried so much about her.

“I’m fine.” He nuzzled her neck. “You need to get better.”

Scott took the milk jug from Brandon’s hand. “I got it. Why don’t you take her back on the bus?”

“Thanks.”

Brandon’s arm was slightly tired, so he was grateful. She was right. He was not sleeping much or eating, because he blamed himself for being asleep when she became so desperately ill. When he crashed from being up too many hours, Scott or Jesse checked on her every hour, as promised. Each time she had woken and assured them she was fine.

Jesse sat on the bus steps, strong coffee in hand. “Do you need help with her?” He stood and backed up the steps to get out of Brandon’s way.

“Can you get her medicine?” Brandon grunted as he climbed the steps. He had very little strength. He had been up for nearly 30 hours. He settled on the couch with her and held her close. “Tink, you need anything?”

She leaned on his shoulder. “I’m fine.”

Scott boarded the bus and held up the milk jug. “Do you want some now?” A nod from Mackenzie made him smile. He found a clean plastic cup and filled it halfway. “Drink slow,” he warned her as he handed it to her. “You don’t want to upset your stomach.”

Jesse watched her face as she drank. On more than one occasion, fluids had come right back up on her. As her part-time caretaker, he had gotten close to her. “How’s your stomach?”

“OK.” She was getting tired again. When Jesse handed her two pills, she took them without question. She faintly remembered him giving her pills before.

By the time Brandon got Mackenzie back in Scott’s bunk, she was almost asleep. The medication usually knocked her out soon after taking it, if she was the least bit tired. He hoped she could stay awake long enough for the plan he had the next night.

“Hey.” Chico stood next to Brandon as he watched her sleep. He continued in a hushed tone. “Ashley said we can park in her driveway, and she’ll have breakfast ready at eight.”

Brandon’s eyes opened wide. “As in eight in the morning?” He only got up that early if he had a plane to catch, or Mackenzie was in his bed, but he had always been able to go back to sleep.

“Yeah, we got a lot to get done tomorrow.” Chico’s eyes were pleading. “I need to get laid, man. I can’t wait till noon.” He was glad Ashley lived outside the city and had a large piece of property she inherited from her grandma. She had plenty of room for the bus and the truck. “You guys keep her kid occupied while we get it on upstairs.” She also had a ten-year-old son, Julian, who adored Chico. If he had to choose only one woman to be with, it would be Ashley.

The Labor Day weekend festival was a two-day event. Gasoline was headlining. There would be at least 10 bands performing and several opening acts on both days. Brandon had already arranged for a hotel for the next night, so Mackenzie could sleep better.

Also… so he could finally get some pussy. He had been masturbating every night before bed because he knew she was too weak for him to even think of fucking her. The night before, he had hoped she was ready. When whispered in her ear that he wanted her, she responded with a groan. That turned him on even more, and he felt guilty. Even with her sick, he had a hell of a time keeping his hands to himself.

“Dude, you OK?” Chico saw Brandon’s eyes were unfocused. “She’s gonna be fine. Don’t worry so much.”

Brandon shook his head and looked down as his straining cock. It felt like it was going to explode. “Yeah, I guess.” He groaned and rubbed it through his jeans.

Chico laughed. “Oh, you ain’t getting any either. No wonder you been so cranky. Can’t you just fuck her in her sleep? I doubt she’ll wake up.”

“It’s not right.” Brandon caressed her slightly flushed cheek. The walk had completely exhausted her.
What if she can’t sit on stage long enough for the entire show?

Scott exited the back lounge and watched Brandon. He still had an attraction towards him, although Brandon had no clue. When Chico walked away, he put a hand on Brandon’s shoulder. “You OK, man? Anything I can do?”

Brandon met his questioning eyes. “Tell me she’s gonna get better, please.”

“She will.” Scott gave him his best smile. “Yesterday, she couldn’t even stand. Today, she can. That’s a step forward. Relax and eat something.”

With a sigh, Brandon checked on Mackenzie again. “She can’t eat.”

“But you can, and she needs you strong, dude. I’ll make you something.”

That made Brandon laugh, although quietly. “Hell no, you’re the worst cook.”

“No, I’m not. I make good scrambled eggs. How about that? I can make toast, too.”

Brandon nodded. He was trying to be helpful. “Thanks.”