All Access

Desert Rose had spent years talking about going on tour. Not the weekend runs they’d scraped together before. An actual tour. Multiple cities, multiple states, weeks on the road.

Their equipment had taken over the dusty lot outside their rehearsal space, cases and bags scattered around the black passenger van and enclosed trailer the four of them had pooled their money to buy. Both were used, neither was pretty. But it belonged to them.

Years of terrible band names, abandoned projects, empty dive bars, tiny stages, and playing for crowds where they personally knew half the people had somehow led here. Desert Rose had an EP, a full-length album, numbers online that kept climbing faster than any of them knew what to do with, and enough people willing to buy tickets in other cities that this ridiculous idea had become financially possible.

Barely.

Nash shoved another duffel into the back of the van and stepped away, wiping his hands against his jeans as he surveyed the remaining mountain of gear.

Beck emerged from behind the trailer carrying a drum case against his chest.

Aiden corrected from beside an open equipment case, checking another item off the list in his hand.

Nash pointed at Aiden.

Vance leaned against the open trailer door, arms folded comfortably across his chest.

Nash nodded toward Beck.

Beck stopped dead halfway down the trailer ramp.

Aiden finally lifted his eyes from the checklist.

Beck lowered the case onto the asphalt with exaggerated care.

Aiden just stared at him.

Vance pushed himself away from the trailer, grinning as he grabbed another case.

Beck hauled the case toward the van.

Vance turned towards Nash.

Nash adjusted the box against his hip.

Vance’s mouth curved.

Nash caught it immediately.

Nash handed him the case.

Vance pressed a hand to his chest.

Aiden snorted from behind Vance.

The sound of tires crunching over gravel pulled their attention toward the entrance. A car turned into the lot, slowing as it approached.

Beck stopped. Vance abandoned his pursuit. Aiden tucked the checklist into his back pocket while Nash stepped forward.

Yomi.