Jane’s arm reached over to the other side of the bed, but instead of being met with Rob’s torso, she felt the sensation of paper crumbling beneath her finger tips. Her eyes fluttered open as she grabbed the note and brought it close to her face. [b]Gonna try to get some practice in while you do that interview. Go tell those fuckers whats up! Love you, Rob.[/b] A smile tugged at her lips as her finger grazed over the words, but the moment was cut short as she looked to the alarm clock across the room that read 8:39 AM. “Shit,” she mumbled as she shot up out of bed and began to scurry around the room to collect her things. Her and Sam’s ride to the radio station would be ready in six minutes. Jane bolted down the hallway and fumbled with the key card before slipping it into the door and bursting inside. “Jesus, Jane!” Austin yelled as he worked a towel around his waist. “Sorry!” She yelled back as she dashed into the room where her bags laid sloppily on the floor. “You know where Sam is?” “Downstairs,” he replied as he shut his room’s door behind him. Jane tore off the pajamas she had on and quickly worked a white v neck over her head and a pair of gray sweats up her legs. Once ready, she ran back out of the doors and finally made it down to the lobby. 8:44 AM. Like clockwork, the cab pulled up under the car port just as Jane greeted Sam, and the two of them climbed into the back in silence. Jane and Sam had never gotten that close. Yes, they were friends, but their bond was not nearly as strong as her and Austin’s, and [i]definitely[/i] not like her and Rob’s. “Hey,” Jane’s hoarse voice cracked. “I just want to say thank you for putting up with me and Rob this whole time. I didn’t realize how much it was effecting everyone.” Sam nodded. “It’s fine. I’m just worried about Europe. With you and Andy, then Rob and Zoe, who – “ “It’s fine,” Jane interrupted. “Rob and I worked it out. We aren’t exclusive.” “Do you really think that’s going to work out?” Sam asked as he turned his head to her. “You don’t think at least one of you is going to get your feelings hurt?” “No, I…” Jane’s voice trailed off. It was stupid trying to defend something she wasn’t sure of herself. “We’ll figure something out.” [center]*****[/center] [b]Carter[/b]: [music from commercial fades] Hey, everyone. We are now joined with Jane and Sam from In Bloom. They originated in Long Beach, California, and tomorrow will be setting off on a European tour with fellow American band Vicarious. How are you guys doing this morning? [b]Jane[/b]: Tired, man. Always tired. [b]Sam[/b]: [laughs] Yeah, me too. [b]Carter[/b]: Well, you both look great for being so exhausted. Alright, Jane, I’m gonna start with you. The new song that you guys released seems to be gaining attention fast. The lyrics are quite morose from the other single you guys put out. Do you mind explaining what they mean to you a little bit? [b]Jane[/b]: Well, I literally wrote the song in an hour, and blame it on me being a female or just crazy, but I’ve been going through a lot of emotional stuff lately, and I kinda just made it sound pretty. I don’t know. The lyrics, uh, they kinda stemmed from a fear I have of not being able to return the love someone gives me because of who I am and what I’m like, you know? [b]Carter[/b]: You don’t strike me as the type to worry about that type of stuff. [b]Jane[/b]: I never [i]thought[/i] I was, but this tour has been such a rollercoaster, I guess it just brought out some stuff in me I didn’t know was there. [b]Carter[/b]: I’m sure your relationship with Rob Pennie, your drummer, may have contributed to that. [b]Jane[/b]: [laughs] Yeah, you could say that. Not that anything’s wrong, or he did anything wrong. I don’t know. I think at this age, you feel like you’re supposed to know what you want already, and when you don’t, it eats away at you. Makes you feel like an idiot. And when you’re plowing through life and you don’t know what you want, a lot of people can get hurt. [b]Carter[/b]: Did you hurt Rob? [b]Jane[/b]: I don’t wanna dive too deep into that out of respect for Rob. He’s much more private than I am. But, I don’t think so. We have a strong friendship and deep bond, and we’ll always have that. [b]Carter[/b]: Well, I’m glad you guys found solace in each other out on the road. I know things can get pretty wild out there for bands, especially when its drugs, sex and rock & roll. Now, this is your first interview since those pictures of you were put up on the internet. [b]Jane[/b]: That’s correct. [b]Carter[/b]: And you gave us a little speech about it last night during your set. Some couldn’t help but speculate that you were throwing shade at Vicarious’ bass player. [b]Jane[/b]: No, no. She just happened to be in my line of sight. It wasn’t directed at her. I was mainly speaking to all the people who have made money saying negative stuff about me since In Bloom started blowing up. [b]Carter[/b]: Which seems to have been a lot. [b]Jane:[/b]: Yeah. I don’t get it. I don’t think I ever will. But, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. [b]Carter{/b]: That’s good. I don’t think enough people focus on your raw talent or your contribution to the band. It’s all too common for women in rock. [b]Jane:[/b] I appreciate that, thank you. Carter then moved onto Sam, who discussed some of the things he had seen during their performances, different types of guitars he had played in the past, and other music related topics that sent him off of different tangents. Jane opted to smoke a cigarette while he and Sam finished up, and as she stepped out into the courtyard, she took out her phone and scrolled to Rob’s name. 9:38 AM, Jane: [b]Had fun with you last night.[/b] After locking her cracked phone screen, she sighed and squeezed her eyes shut. Although she’d never admit it, she knew not being exclusive with Rob would partially be difficult, and the fact that she already wanted to be in his arms again after only an hour of being apart solidified it. Maybe it was just Sam getting in her head. She should be happy, right? She could sleep with whoever she wanted, yet still be held by Rob. But, did she even want to sleep with – Jane’s phone buzzed in her pocket, interrupting her thoughts. Cameron. [b]Jane:[/b] Hey, Cam. [b]Cameron:[/b] Hey, sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. Lyla is gonna be coming out with you guys to Europe. I arranged the flights and everything with Harold. She’ll be meeting up with you guys tomorrow before you head out. [b]Jane:[/b] Thank you so much, Cam. We’ll take good care of her. I owe you one. After a bit of banter back and forth, Jane ended the call and wandered back inside to the bathrooms down the hall from the room Sam was in with Carter. After peeing, she found herself staring at her reflection for a few moments. It was obvious that she had gotten out of bed moments before they left: her hair was wild, not two strands going in the same direction, and her eyes were red from exhaustion. Her fingers traveled to her neck, where a faint mark left by Rob hid behind the blonde waves. Her eyes fixated on it, and flashbacks of the night they had together raced through her mind. Why did he have such a hold on her? And why did he have to be so good in bed? The combination of the two made her shocked that she wasn’t obsessed with him. Deep down, she knew why what they had together physically was so good: it was because she loved him. But, she couldn’t let herself dwell on that any longer, especially after the arrangement they made. They weren’t good together in a typical relationship, and Jane didn’t want to put Rob’s feelings in danger just so she could act on hers. Jane knew that the “love you” said on the note he had written her this morning was probably just said platonically. If she let herself, she could have sat an overanalyzed it. The fact that she had told him she did, and he didn’t say it back. A knock came to the bathroom door. “Jane? We’re leaving.” Sam’s voice was muffled as he called through the door. “Coming.” [center]*****[/center] When Jane arrived back at the hotel, she opted for slipping back into Rob’s bed after stripping her clothes off her body. She had yet to receive a text back from him, and to allow him his space, she decided not to text him to tell him she was back. Her phone buzzed, though, and for a moment, she got excited thinking that it may have been Rob. 10:42 AM, Andy: [b]Eat yet?[/b] 10:43 AM, Jane: [b]Nah. But I’m kind of beat. Maybe we can meet up later?[/b] 10:45 AM, Andy: [b]Sounds good [/b] Jane sighed and tossed her phone to the other side of the bed before wrapping herself in the plush, white comforter. After a deep inhale, she could smell Rob’s cologne on it, and she couldn’t help but smile. Jesus, what was wrong with her? She eventually fell into a deep sleep, just like the one she had awoken from earlier. But somehow, even as she began to drift off, Rob still plagued her thoughts. Him and Andy. And the new adventure they were about to embark on. And how wonderfully and horribly it could all go.