Beeswax

Jason shakes his head about dinner. "Sorry, won't have time. We can pick up some fast food though." He gives her a wink. "We can eat before we take something back to the others."

Pushing off the wall, he starts for the exit. "I'll pick you up in a while," he calls over his shoulder. "Anything changes, call."


Maria stiffens and grits her teeth as she looks at Charlotte. "Okay. Well... I guess I'll be going now. Can't say I didn't offer."

Spinning on her heel, she walks briskly back out into the hall, disappearing.

Bret rolls his eyes before settling back down again. "So much for peace and quiet." His hand is still in Charlotte's and he gives it a little squeeze. "You alright?"


Dani waves out the front door as Dalton drives off and she smiles until he's down the block. Turning, she heads across the floor at Mom and Pop's towards the kitchen where she's met by Carson.

"Have fun?"

"Mm-hmm." Dani nods as she sets her purse down and goes for her apron. "Wouldn't mind giving me a ride home tonight, would you?"

"Um, yeah... yeah, I can do that before I go to Misty's. You didn't drive?"

"No, I had Dalton bring me back."

"Ah, I see." Carson quirks an eyebrow. "No mishaps?"

Dani shakes her head. It had been a short trip from the apartment to here. "Nope."

"Good." Carson moves about the kitchen, preparing another meal. "Like him?"

Dani gives him an elbow to the ribs. "None of your beeswax."


Later...


"Phil, toss that cord over here!"

"Mike, where's that microphone case?"

"Who has the duct tape?!"

"Jason, get over here!"

"Has anybody seen my brain??"

The craziness was the same. The laughter was the same. JetStream preparations were always the same and always loved.

Jason scurries around with the rest of the band, enjoying himself like always, along with Phil, Mike and Jen. Fooling onstage with his guitars and amps, he spies Katie across the room near one of the boxes. "Hey Katie!" he shouts, pointing to the box. "Can you bring that to me??"


Trent leans back in the kitchen chair, wiping his mouth with a napkin and setting his fork down. "Well... Ryder was right..." He throws Thirteen a wink. "You're doing a fine job."

"See?" Ryder nudges her as he clears off the table. "You're a natural."

Trent grins a little. Grace had been a good cook.

Ryder starts to rinse some of the dishes, continuing to glance over to Thirteen to make sure she was alright. So far, the topics of conversation had revolved mostly around the weather or the Elite. But nothing about Trent himself or Texas. Maybe it was best that way.


"Twins?" A smile creases Austin's lips as he sits on his couch, the phone to his ear. "And Wendy? ...good. Yeah, okay. Hey tell Angel..." His voice trails off for a moment. "No, never mind. Thanks for letting me know. Okay... bye."

Hanging up, he continues sitting in the dim living room, nothing around him but the quiet.