I was gonna go further, but I wanted to leave room open for ze dialogue. Hope it floats your boat!
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“Who really knows?” Cameron said with a smirk as she entered the room Justin was resting in and settling in a free cot adjacent to his. “Talking to yourself may be a bad sign though.” She assumed that the shift he took, based on the horrors she heard from the survivors, took a toll on him both emotionally and physically. The past few weeks had probably taken years off each of their lives due to just stress alone; the thought caused Cameron’s fingers to trace the bandage that was wrapped around her waist.
“I’m sorry I volunteered ourselves. I should’ve checked with you.” She unraveled her hair from the knot on her head and scratched at her scalp before continuing. “I think I've just been in this adrenaline-fueled save-the-world mode since all this shit started.”
Each foot worked the booth off the other, and once they were free, her legs swung up onto the cot, and Cameron rolled on her stomach to face him. “If you wanna figure out another arrangement, I’m all ears.” She felt bad to offer such a sentiment while knowing there was really no other choice for the two, but the need to say it had tugged at her. Of all the people she had ever known, Justin deserved to go through what they had the least. He was selfless and generous, unlike Cameron or those she was raised by. She always was taught to fend for herself and only herself, not to put others first or to risk her own safety for someone else’s. While it was all foreign to her, Justin’s characteristics were much appreciated, especially in such a hostile time.
Cameron smile faintly out of sleepiness and turned to her side, pulling the thin blanket she was provided up over her shoulders, more out of a feeling of security rather than a need to be warm. She wanted to enjoy the last peaceful night they would have for an indefinite amount of time, maybe the last peaceful night if they kept getting attacked like this. Death can only be escaped so many times.
“I think we’ll be fine,” she spoke quietly, more to reassure herself than anything. "We'll just have to be a bit better at laying low as we move. I don't wanna end up in an underground prison again."
“I’m sorry I volunteered ourselves. I should’ve checked with you.” She unraveled her hair from the knot on her head and scratched at her scalp before continuing. “I think I've just been in this adrenaline-fueled save-the-world mode since all this shit started.”
Each foot worked the booth off the other, and once they were free, her legs swung up onto the cot, and Cameron rolled on her stomach to face him. “If you wanna figure out another arrangement, I’m all ears.” She felt bad to offer such a sentiment while knowing there was really no other choice for the two, but the need to say it had tugged at her. Of all the people she had ever known, Justin deserved to go through what they had the least. He was selfless and generous, unlike Cameron or those she was raised by. She always was taught to fend for herself and only herself, not to put others first or to risk her own safety for someone else’s. While it was all foreign to her, Justin’s characteristics were much appreciated, especially in such a hostile time.
Cameron smile faintly out of sleepiness and turned to her side, pulling the thin blanket she was provided up over her shoulders, more out of a feeling of security rather than a need to be warm. She wanted to enjoy the last peaceful night they would have for an indefinite amount of time, maybe the last peaceful night if they kept getting attacked like this. Death can only be escaped so many times.
“I think we’ll be fine,” she spoke quietly, more to reassure herself than anything. "We'll just have to be a bit better at laying low as we move. I don't wanna end up in an underground prison again."
Working on something for you today! :----)
Lola’s last words came out as Caleb pulled into his assigned spot in the parking garage, and he sighed as he gripped the wheel. “Maybe…” he hesitated momentarily. He was being too soft. “Maybe after the funeral tomorrow we can grab some of your shit if you want.” Wincing at his words, he turned off the engine and got out of the truck. “I’m gonna talk to my boss tomorrow. See how he wants me to handle all of this shit. All of my ideas either end in you dead or my permanent roommate, and I’m guessing you don’t want either,” he laughed.
Upon entering the apartment, he locked the door behind him and signaled for Lola to follow him to the bathroom so that he could find something to take for the pain. He leaned against the counter so his back was to the mirror and began looking in the cabinet that was affixed to the wall on his right, squinting his eyes so he could focus on the small letters.
“Vicodin. A year expired. Cough syrup, no. Hmm,” his fingers moved around pill bottles and other items until he located the one he was looking for. “Xanax? Would that work?”
He took it out and placed it on the counter and rubbed his face with both of his hands. “Are you doing okay? I mean, as good as you can be?” He removed the hands from his face and looked at her. “I’m sorry you got sucked into this.”
Why was he feeling so guilty? All the years he spent engaging in illegal activity, he thought, had numbed him to such useless emotions. Now, he was sitting here in the bathroom with a young woman, more concerned with how she was holding up as opposed to the fact that her knowledge alone could send him away for years.
It was a dangerous emotion, and hopefully it was just the blow to his head making him feel such a weakness.
Upon entering the apartment, he locked the door behind him and signaled for Lola to follow him to the bathroom so that he could find something to take for the pain. He leaned against the counter so his back was to the mirror and began looking in the cabinet that was affixed to the wall on his right, squinting his eyes so he could focus on the small letters.
“Vicodin. A year expired. Cough syrup, no. Hmm,” his fingers moved around pill bottles and other items until he located the one he was looking for. “Xanax? Would that work?”
He took it out and placed it on the counter and rubbed his face with both of his hands. “Are you doing okay? I mean, as good as you can be?” He removed the hands from his face and looked at her. “I’m sorry you got sucked into this.”
Why was he feeling so guilty? All the years he spent engaging in illegal activity, he thought, had numbed him to such useless emotions. Now, he was sitting here in the bathroom with a young woman, more concerned with how she was holding up as opposed to the fact that her knowledge alone could send him away for years.
It was a dangerous emotion, and hopefully it was just the blow to his head making him feel such a weakness.
An instinctual urge of protection washed over Caleb as Lola began to converse with him and Jessica, but following her lead, Caleb remained cool. Especially with Lola’s warning about not over exerting himself, there was nothing he could do physically to the man without risking hurting himself further.
So instead, he thought of the next best thing to make a point to not come near Lola without tipping off Jessica that they had already met. Before introducing himself, he wrapped an arm around Lola’s shoulders and pulled her closer to him to give off the illusion that they were together. “Caleb,” he spoke firmly, offering a hand and a polite smile to Jessica. As he turned to Jack, though, his expression changed to a stern one, glaring at him as he shook his hand with a powerful grip.
“Nice to meet you. Come on, babe, let’s take the food back to my place,” he confidently suggested as he nodded to the two in front of them and led them to the door.
Deciding to wait until they got back to the truck to discuss what had just happened, they silently walked through the parking lot until they both climbed in.
“Is he following you?” asked Caleb with a concerned look in his eyes. “And why is he with your friend? That’s some creepy shit,” he mumbled as he shook his head and ignited the engine. “He’s not gonna touch you, Lola, I promise. The second I stop feeling like I have a knife lodged in my skull, I’ll do something about it.”
The anger he felt bubbling up inside of him made him pause for a moment. Why was he feeling so protective over her? The girl who witness him commit a heinous crime? Perhaps it was truly only because she was a woman. Yeah, that was it.
“Look,” he began with his eyes focused on the road ahead of them, “I don’t play with that shit. A man should never hurt a woman out of rage. I’m gonna make sure it doesn’t happen again, okay?”
He took a deep breath as he continued navigating the truck down the road. “In the meantime, can you do something about my head? I’m not one to complain, but I can’t take it anymore.”
So instead, he thought of the next best thing to make a point to not come near Lola without tipping off Jessica that they had already met. Before introducing himself, he wrapped an arm around Lola’s shoulders and pulled her closer to him to give off the illusion that they were together. “Caleb,” he spoke firmly, offering a hand and a polite smile to Jessica. As he turned to Jack, though, his expression changed to a stern one, glaring at him as he shook his hand with a powerful grip.
“Nice to meet you. Come on, babe, let’s take the food back to my place,” he confidently suggested as he nodded to the two in front of them and led them to the door.
Deciding to wait until they got back to the truck to discuss what had just happened, they silently walked through the parking lot until they both climbed in.
“Is he following you?” asked Caleb with a concerned look in his eyes. “And why is he with your friend? That’s some creepy shit,” he mumbled as he shook his head and ignited the engine. “He’s not gonna touch you, Lola, I promise. The second I stop feeling like I have a knife lodged in my skull, I’ll do something about it.”
The anger he felt bubbling up inside of him made him pause for a moment. Why was he feeling so protective over her? The girl who witness him commit a heinous crime? Perhaps it was truly only because she was a woman. Yeah, that was it.
“Look,” he began with his eyes focused on the road ahead of them, “I don’t play with that shit. A man should never hurt a woman out of rage. I’m gonna make sure it doesn’t happen again, okay?”
He took a deep breath as he continued navigating the truck down the road. “In the meantime, can you do something about my head? I’m not one to complain, but I can’t take it anymore.”
"Shit," he replied to her diagnosis, but he was soon distracted by their closeness and the way her eyes scanned his face. He subconsciously returned the favor, but after a few moments, he realized what he was doing and sat back into his seat. "Let's eat."
Caleb wasn't used to having to hold back any urge he had around women; he never really needed to. But, he was determined to make it through the situation with Lola without anything physical happening. Hopefully, he would figure it out soon so things wouldn't get more... tense.
He led her into the restaurant obviously only designed for take out. "Here," he said as he handed her a few twenty dollar bills. "Order me something good. I gotta make a phone call."
He stepped back outside and quickly called Happy.
"Hey, got your text. What's up?" Caleb spoke quietly.
"Smith has been asking where you've been all day," Happy replied with the same volume. "I think he believed my cover, but you should probably check in with him tomorrow."
Caleb sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "Okay, okay. Thanks, Hap."
He hung up the call and entered the establishment, the ringing of he chimes in the door causing him to wince with sensitivity.
"What'd we get?" he asked with sincere curiosity as he approached the counter.
Caleb wasn't used to having to hold back any urge he had around women; he never really needed to. But, he was determined to make it through the situation with Lola without anything physical happening. Hopefully, he would figure it out soon so things wouldn't get more... tense.
He led her into the restaurant obviously only designed for take out. "Here," he said as he handed her a few twenty dollar bills. "Order me something good. I gotta make a phone call."
He stepped back outside and quickly called Happy.
"Hey, got your text. What's up?" Caleb spoke quietly.
"Smith has been asking where you've been all day," Happy replied with the same volume. "I think he believed my cover, but you should probably check in with him tomorrow."
Caleb sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "Okay, okay. Thanks, Hap."
He hung up the call and entered the establishment, the ringing of he chimes in the door causing him to wince with sensitivity.
"What'd we get?" he asked with sincere curiosity as he approached the counter.
Caleb rolled his eyes at her questions before walking past her to exit the apartment. “Don’t worry. Soon you’ll be back in your bed, texting your friends about boys and class, going to bed at 11:00.” He looked back to her with a satisfied grin as they walked down the hallway. He was starting to find it funny how easily ruffled she got from teasing. It was almost like he was with his little sister.
“We’re going to the bank first,” he began, climbing into the driver’s seat of the trunk, “and then you can pick what you want for dinner. Nothing crazy,” he mumbled the last sentence as he side-eyed her.
They pulled up to the ATM outside of a large bank, and Caleb pulled out the folded stack of cash and worked the rubber band off of it before making the deposit. It had just gotten dark outside, making the illuminated screen in front of him much brighter than usual. After stuffing the cash in the slot, he looked back to her. “Should the light from the screen hurt my eyes this much? I feel like I need fuckin’ sunglasses right now.” It had been a long time since he had been hit that hard, mostly due to his ranking in the crew. He usually never had to do the dirty work. And now he wouldn’t for a while, based on how badly his head was hurting currently.
After getting his receipt, they got back out on the main road with the older truck rumbling furiously beneath them. “So, what is it, huh? Italian, Chinese?”
“We’re going to the bank first,” he began, climbing into the driver’s seat of the trunk, “and then you can pick what you want for dinner. Nothing crazy,” he mumbled the last sentence as he side-eyed her.
They pulled up to the ATM outside of a large bank, and Caleb pulled out the folded stack of cash and worked the rubber band off of it before making the deposit. It had just gotten dark outside, making the illuminated screen in front of him much brighter than usual. After stuffing the cash in the slot, he looked back to her. “Should the light from the screen hurt my eyes this much? I feel like I need fuckin’ sunglasses right now.” It had been a long time since he had been hit that hard, mostly due to his ranking in the crew. He usually never had to do the dirty work. And now he wouldn’t for a while, based on how badly his head was hurting currently.
After getting his receipt, they got back out on the main road with the older truck rumbling furiously beneath them. “So, what is it, huh? Italian, Chinese?”
A little over three hours later, Jane, Andy and Austin found themselves at their second bar of the night. They were all fairly drunk from the alcohol and buzzing from Andy’s party favors, but Jane’s mind kept wandering back to Rob.
Where was he now?
What was he doing?
Who was he with?
She was annoyed at herself for thinking about him so much, and Austin’s next question only solidified her grievance.
“Lighten up, J,” he whispered as he nudged her arm. “You’re being a buzzkill.”
She had been lost in thought for a few minutes, only moving to take a sip of her drink. “Sorry,” she murmured while forcing a faint smile.
Austin ruffled her hair before Andy returned from the bathroom and plopped down on the bar stool on Jane’s other side.
“She cheer up yet?” Andy asked Austin.
“I’m right here, ass – “
“No,” Austin shook his head, interrupting Jane. “She’s being a real buzzkill.”
“No I’m not,” she whined as she looked back and forth to the two long haired men. “I’m… I’m just quiet.”
“Yeah, that’s not normal,” Austin laughed with Andy.
Jane sighed, putting her face in her hands. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Andy placed a hand on her back, gliding it up and down gently. “It’s gonna be okay, Jane. If he was the one who brought this up, do you think he’s moping around right now?”
She shook her head. “Probably not.”
Austin’s mouth turned downward in empathy. “Then have some fun, J. This isn’t like you to be all upset over a guy.”
“I know,” she sighed as she waved at the bartender. “A round of Jameson, please.”
“There she is,” Andy smiled, removing his hand from her back. “Let’s have some fun.”
Another hour passed, and they were all now in a sketchy, dark night club that housed probably too many people for its capacity. Not much talking could be done over the loud electronic music the DJ perched in the corner was spinning, but that didn’t stop Austin, who had found a petite brunette to buy drinks for and dance with.
That left Andy and Jane at the bar, and they people watched together, pointing and laughing at the strange things they saw the crowd doing. Each time Jane found herself growing quiet in thought, Andy would snap her out of it, either by attempting a conversation or laughing at something, and she did her best to play along to save her the heartache her thoughts would inevitably give her.
Jane’s inner dialogue mostly berated her for giving so much to Rob – something she normally would have never done – only to be shunned for it in return. How could she be so stupid to think someone like him would truly be happy with a girl like her? No matter how hard she tried, he must have not been able to look past the fact that Jane would always be the promiscuous, care-free, unreliable wildcard that would eventually self-destruct.
“Am I an awful person, Andy?” Jane asked sincerely as the DJ went out for a break.
“Jesus, Jane. No,” Andy replied with furrowed brows. He rested a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Why would you say that?”
“I mean, if my best friend, the one who I had spent seven years with, decided that I just wasn’t what he wanted, I must really be fucked.” Although it sounded like a pity party, Jane was just being honest. She had never felt so insecure and self-conscious about herself before. Another thing to thank Rob for.
“Just because it didn’t work out with Rob, doesn’t mean that you’re destined to be alone. Some people just don’t mix like that.”
“But, I thought we did, you know? Maybe I’m just blind,” Jane sighed as she shook her head.
“I would never break out this quote, mainly because I don’t want anyone to know I watch it, but there was this quote from Sex and the City – “
“Oh my god,” Jane smiled.
“Hey, we’re on the road a lot. There’s only so many shows to watch,” Austin laughed at her amusement. “Anyway, the quote goes ‘Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them.’ And I’ve never met anyone that quote pertains to more than you.”
Jane tried to suppress a smirk. “Thanks, Andy.” Her eyes moved from the floor and met his, and for a few moments, they lingered there.
”This is bad, Jane. Don’t do it.”
Andy’s hand reached out and tucked her hair behind one of her ears.
”How is this going to solve anything? It’s going to make it worse.”
Without thought, Jane’s hand reached up to his in her hair and gripped it.
”You’re going to regret this.”
After another moment or two, Andy leaned in slowly until his lips met Jane’s. She was paralyzed for a moment, not sure of how she felt, and once he noticed, he leaned back into his chair
“Sorry. This probably isn’t what you need, huh?” Andy asked, but his facial expression betrayed his sentiment.
“I, uh,” Jane began, “I think it is.”
Andy raised an eyebrow in both surprise and satisfaction, and after hearing Jane’s opinion, he consequentially leaned in towards her again, this time with less hesitation. A hand reached up to Jane, his fingers wrapping around the back of her head into her hair while his thumb settled on the side of her face.
Jane, this time, returned Andy’s kiss, pushing Rob out of her mind as she did. After a few moments, they broke away from each other and laughed.
No matter how good the kiss made Jane feel, she couldn’t help but think of Rob, and Andy was able to read the expression she subconsciously displayed on her face.
“I understand, Jane. Don’t do anything you’re not ready for.”
Jane groaned. “It’s not that I don’t want to. Really. I just keep seeing his stupid face,” she chuckled as she wiped a tear that had formed. “Thanks, Andy.”
He nodded and rubbed her arm that was propped against the bar. “Want me to take you back to the hotel?”
Jane nodded in disappointment in herself, then scanned the crowd for Austin’s curly hair, who she spotted with the brunette.
“Hey,” she called to him as she approached the pair. “Andy and I are gonna get outta here.”
Austin nodded. “I’m gonna stay. If I’m not home by the morning, come find me.”
“Can I stay in your room? I… I really don’t wanna share with Rob right now.” Jane was a bit embarrassed to ask this of Austin - letting anyone know how much she was hurting usually was – but it was worth it not to deal with the awkwardness that could have been waiting for her behind Rob’s door.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll just sleep in yours when, well if I come back. It’s room 907. Not sure what Sam’s doing though, so enter with caution.” Austin grabbed her head and pulled her close so he could kiss her forehead. “Hang in there, kid.”
Jane nodded and waved farewell before making her way back to Andy. “I’m ready.”
Andy was the first to get out of the elevator, but before exiting, he leaned in the doorway and looked to Jane. “You gonna be okay?”
Jane sighed. “Yeah. I’ll be fine. Austin’s letting me crash in his room instead.”
He looked down at the floor and nodded. “Look, Jane. I didn’t kiss you earlier for any other reason other than I’m purely attracted to you. Not to help you forget about Rob, or because I’m fucked up.” His eyes slowly made their way up to hers. “I think you’re a beautiful person, inside and out, and I understand you’re going through a lot right now. I guess what I’m saying is, I’m here for you. Even if it’s strictly platonic. Okay?”
“Thanks, Andy,” Jane’s raspy voice spoke with sincerity. “That means a lot.”
“Good night, Jane.” And with that, Andy took off down the hallway to his room, and the silver doors closed in front of her.
She leaned back against the cool wall behind here and squeezed her eyes shut. The night made her feel both better and worse than she had before she left the studio. Better, because for just a small moment in time, she forgot about her problems with Rob. And the way Andy talked to her – how he actually spoke to her and told her how he felt – had boosted her mood and confidence. Worse, well, because kissing Andy made her realize how much more work she had to do to get over Rob, work that wouldn’t involve just sleeping with someone else. This was far too much of an emotional attachment for that to work. Why couldn’t Rob talk to her the way Andy did?
Perhaps it was because he had realized he did not feel that way anymore. Or that he realized he never did. Possibly, simple infatuation, the “wanting-what-you-can’t-have” phase was what blinding him into thinking that it could work with her.
It reminded her of a song that, although sonically she didn’t find appealing, the words were haunting:
The possibility of being able to be loved by Rob was Jane’s only motivation for trying so hard to please him. It wasn’t to try to change herself, or an attempt to convince Rob that she was something she wasn’t. It was all driven by passion. A selflessness. Something foreign to her.
Yet, she was left here empty handed, using her vices to try to forget the mess she had created.
Jane unlocked the room Sam and Austin were assigned with the small key card and pushed it open to find the common area empty. Thank god. She didn’t feel like explaining to Sam the event that led up to her staying there instead of with Rob.
After locating the unoccupied room, she locked the door behind her and stripped down before drunkenly diving into the plush bed. She didn’t want to sleep alone; in all honesty, she wanted to be in Rob’s arms like she had grown accustomed to. But, things were just too weird now. She couldn’t get away with just sliding into bed with him like she could before.
Eventually, after wrapping herself tightly in the comforter, Jane drifted off to sleep with thoughts of both Andy and Rob, the tour about to take place, and the new song they were recording. And not to forget, the general sense of dread she had about waking up tomorrow and navigating the day around Rob.
It was all too complicated now.
Where was he now?
What was he doing?
Who was he with?
She was annoyed at herself for thinking about him so much, and Austin’s next question only solidified her grievance.
“Lighten up, J,” he whispered as he nudged her arm. “You’re being a buzzkill.”
She had been lost in thought for a few minutes, only moving to take a sip of her drink. “Sorry,” she murmured while forcing a faint smile.
Austin ruffled her hair before Andy returned from the bathroom and plopped down on the bar stool on Jane’s other side.
“She cheer up yet?” Andy asked Austin.
“I’m right here, ass – “
“No,” Austin shook his head, interrupting Jane. “She’s being a real buzzkill.”
“No I’m not,” she whined as she looked back and forth to the two long haired men. “I’m… I’m just quiet.”
“Yeah, that’s not normal,” Austin laughed with Andy.
Jane sighed, putting her face in her hands. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Andy placed a hand on her back, gliding it up and down gently. “It’s gonna be okay, Jane. If he was the one who brought this up, do you think he’s moping around right now?”
She shook her head. “Probably not.”
Austin’s mouth turned downward in empathy. “Then have some fun, J. This isn’t like you to be all upset over a guy.”
“I know,” she sighed as she waved at the bartender. “A round of Jameson, please.”
“There she is,” Andy smiled, removing his hand from her back. “Let’s have some fun.”
*****
Another hour passed, and they were all now in a sketchy, dark night club that housed probably too many people for its capacity. Not much talking could be done over the loud electronic music the DJ perched in the corner was spinning, but that didn’t stop Austin, who had found a petite brunette to buy drinks for and dance with.
That left Andy and Jane at the bar, and they people watched together, pointing and laughing at the strange things they saw the crowd doing. Each time Jane found herself growing quiet in thought, Andy would snap her out of it, either by attempting a conversation or laughing at something, and she did her best to play along to save her the heartache her thoughts would inevitably give her.
Jane’s inner dialogue mostly berated her for giving so much to Rob – something she normally would have never done – only to be shunned for it in return. How could she be so stupid to think someone like him would truly be happy with a girl like her? No matter how hard she tried, he must have not been able to look past the fact that Jane would always be the promiscuous, care-free, unreliable wildcard that would eventually self-destruct.
“Am I an awful person, Andy?” Jane asked sincerely as the DJ went out for a break.
“Jesus, Jane. No,” Andy replied with furrowed brows. He rested a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Why would you say that?”
“I mean, if my best friend, the one who I had spent seven years with, decided that I just wasn’t what he wanted, I must really be fucked.” Although it sounded like a pity party, Jane was just being honest. She had never felt so insecure and self-conscious about herself before. Another thing to thank Rob for.
“Just because it didn’t work out with Rob, doesn’t mean that you’re destined to be alone. Some people just don’t mix like that.”
“But, I thought we did, you know? Maybe I’m just blind,” Jane sighed as she shook her head.
“I would never break out this quote, mainly because I don’t want anyone to know I watch it, but there was this quote from Sex and the City – “
“Oh my god,” Jane smiled.
“Hey, we’re on the road a lot. There’s only so many shows to watch,” Austin laughed at her amusement. “Anyway, the quote goes ‘Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them.’ And I’ve never met anyone that quote pertains to more than you.”
Jane tried to suppress a smirk. “Thanks, Andy.” Her eyes moved from the floor and met his, and for a few moments, they lingered there.
”This is bad, Jane. Don’t do it.”
Andy’s hand reached out and tucked her hair behind one of her ears.
”How is this going to solve anything? It’s going to make it worse.”
Without thought, Jane’s hand reached up to his in her hair and gripped it.
”You’re going to regret this.”
After another moment or two, Andy leaned in slowly until his lips met Jane’s. She was paralyzed for a moment, not sure of how she felt, and once he noticed, he leaned back into his chair
“Sorry. This probably isn’t what you need, huh?” Andy asked, but his facial expression betrayed his sentiment.
“I, uh,” Jane began, “I think it is.”
Andy raised an eyebrow in both surprise and satisfaction, and after hearing Jane’s opinion, he consequentially leaned in towards her again, this time with less hesitation. A hand reached up to Jane, his fingers wrapping around the back of her head into her hair while his thumb settled on the side of her face.
Jane, this time, returned Andy’s kiss, pushing Rob out of her mind as she did. After a few moments, they broke away from each other and laughed.
No matter how good the kiss made Jane feel, she couldn’t help but think of Rob, and Andy was able to read the expression she subconsciously displayed on her face.
“I understand, Jane. Don’t do anything you’re not ready for.”
Jane groaned. “It’s not that I don’t want to. Really. I just keep seeing his stupid face,” she chuckled as she wiped a tear that had formed. “Thanks, Andy.”
He nodded and rubbed her arm that was propped against the bar. “Want me to take you back to the hotel?”
Jane nodded in disappointment in herself, then scanned the crowd for Austin’s curly hair, who she spotted with the brunette.
“Hey,” she called to him as she approached the pair. “Andy and I are gonna get outta here.”
Austin nodded. “I’m gonna stay. If I’m not home by the morning, come find me.”
“Can I stay in your room? I… I really don’t wanna share with Rob right now.” Jane was a bit embarrassed to ask this of Austin - letting anyone know how much she was hurting usually was – but it was worth it not to deal with the awkwardness that could have been waiting for her behind Rob’s door.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll just sleep in yours when, well if I come back. It’s room 907. Not sure what Sam’s doing though, so enter with caution.” Austin grabbed her head and pulled her close so he could kiss her forehead. “Hang in there, kid.”
Jane nodded and waved farewell before making her way back to Andy. “I’m ready.”
*****
Andy was the first to get out of the elevator, but before exiting, he leaned in the doorway and looked to Jane. “You gonna be okay?”
Jane sighed. “Yeah. I’ll be fine. Austin’s letting me crash in his room instead.”
He looked down at the floor and nodded. “Look, Jane. I didn’t kiss you earlier for any other reason other than I’m purely attracted to you. Not to help you forget about Rob, or because I’m fucked up.” His eyes slowly made their way up to hers. “I think you’re a beautiful person, inside and out, and I understand you’re going through a lot right now. I guess what I’m saying is, I’m here for you. Even if it’s strictly platonic. Okay?”
“Thanks, Andy,” Jane’s raspy voice spoke with sincerity. “That means a lot.”
“Good night, Jane.” And with that, Andy took off down the hallway to his room, and the silver doors closed in front of her.
She leaned back against the cool wall behind here and squeezed her eyes shut. The night made her feel both better and worse than she had before she left the studio. Better, because for just a small moment in time, she forgot about her problems with Rob. And the way Andy talked to her – how he actually spoke to her and told her how he felt – had boosted her mood and confidence. Worse, well, because kissing Andy made her realize how much more work she had to do to get over Rob, work that wouldn’t involve just sleeping with someone else. This was far too much of an emotional attachment for that to work. Why couldn’t Rob talk to her the way Andy did?
Perhaps it was because he had realized he did not feel that way anymore. Or that he realized he never did. Possibly, simple infatuation, the “wanting-what-you-can’t-have” phase was what blinding him into thinking that it could work with her.
It reminded her of a song that, although sonically she didn’t find appealing, the words were haunting:
”You were red and you liked me because I was blue
You touched me and suddenly I was a lilac sky
And you decided purple just wasn't for you”
You touched me and suddenly I was a lilac sky
And you decided purple just wasn't for you”
The possibility of being able to be loved by Rob was Jane’s only motivation for trying so hard to please him. It wasn’t to try to change herself, or an attempt to convince Rob that she was something she wasn’t. It was all driven by passion. A selflessness. Something foreign to her.
Yet, she was left here empty handed, using her vices to try to forget the mess she had created.
Jane unlocked the room Sam and Austin were assigned with the small key card and pushed it open to find the common area empty. Thank god. She didn’t feel like explaining to Sam the event that led up to her staying there instead of with Rob.
After locating the unoccupied room, she locked the door behind her and stripped down before drunkenly diving into the plush bed. She didn’t want to sleep alone; in all honesty, she wanted to be in Rob’s arms like she had grown accustomed to. But, things were just too weird now. She couldn’t get away with just sliding into bed with him like she could before.
Eventually, after wrapping herself tightly in the comforter, Jane drifted off to sleep with thoughts of both Andy and Rob, the tour about to take place, and the new song they were recording. And not to forget, the general sense of dread she had about waking up tomorrow and navigating the day around Rob.
It was all too complicated now.
Caleb had drifted off at some point as he laid on the couch, and eventually, he awoke with the same headache he had previously. He winced after sitting up because of the throbbing sensation, rubbing his eyes to make sense of his surroundings. In a panic, he stood up quickly and checked the house for Lola. As he swung open the door leading into the guest room, he spotted her sleeping in the bed.
"Hey," he whispered. "I have to run an errand. I'll get us some dinner too. I'll be waiting in the living room."
It'd be much easier to leave her behind, but it'd also be much more stupid. As sweet and cooperative she had been, Lola was still a stranger that he couldn't trust. Not yet.
Caleb unlocked the safe that was housed in a lower cabinet in the kitchen, and once it was opened, he pulled out a large wad of $100 bills from the bar. The business account was under his name, therefore, he was responsible for all of the transactions, and he was much too paranoid to leave that much money in the house.
He began to count the money on the kitchen counter when another wave of splitting pain began to pound at his head. After mumbling a few curses, he continued to count until he reached the end of the stack, then he folded it.
He retrieved a gray tee shirt, a snap back to cover the blood that still sat on his scalp, and a leather jacket, and the money made it's way into the breast pocket - it's usual home.
Caleb knocked lightly on the guest room door. "Ready?"
"Hey," he whispered. "I have to run an errand. I'll get us some dinner too. I'll be waiting in the living room."
It'd be much easier to leave her behind, but it'd also be much more stupid. As sweet and cooperative she had been, Lola was still a stranger that he couldn't trust. Not yet.
Caleb unlocked the safe that was housed in a lower cabinet in the kitchen, and once it was opened, he pulled out a large wad of $100 bills from the bar. The business account was under his name, therefore, he was responsible for all of the transactions, and he was much too paranoid to leave that much money in the house.
He began to count the money on the kitchen counter when another wave of splitting pain began to pound at his head. After mumbling a few curses, he continued to count until he reached the end of the stack, then he folded it.
He retrieved a gray tee shirt, a snap back to cover the blood that still sat on his scalp, and a leather jacket, and the money made it's way into the breast pocket - it's usual home.
Caleb knocked lightly on the guest room door. "Ready?"
Caleb laughed. "Not that I know of." As she began to walk away from him, he grabbed her forearm to stop her briefly. "Hey, thank you," he said sincerely before releasing her arm and walk down the hallway.
Happy remained silent until he heard the bathroom door close behind her. "She's something else, huh?"
Caleb scoffed. "Yeah. I'd say so."
Happy's amusement turned to concern as he peered at Caleb. "What are you gonna do with her, Blue?"
He shrugged. "I can't think straight with Jimmy's funeral looming over my head like this. I'm gonna get through tomorrow, then think of somethin'." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "And if I have to bring her to Smith, I won't tell him you two were involved. Don't want him killing three of us."
Happy chuckled and rubbed his shoulder. "We'll figure it out, kid. How's the head?"
Caleb sighed. "Throbbing. I'm probably just gonna take it easy today."
"Alright, let me know if you need anything," Happy offered with a smile as he headed toward the door, Caleb following to lock it.
"Thanks, Hap. See you tomorrow."
Caleb secured the lock, walked back to the couch, and gently laid down as to not disturb the work Lola had just done. He may have been modest when he said his head was throbbing; it was pounding.
After seeing the time was 2:06 PM, a sigh of frustration escaped him. He still had to get through the other half of the day not knowing what to do with the girl he kidnapped. Subconsciously, he began to rub his temples in silence as he laid on the couch.
Happy remained silent until he heard the bathroom door close behind her. "She's something else, huh?"
Caleb scoffed. "Yeah. I'd say so."
Happy's amusement turned to concern as he peered at Caleb. "What are you gonna do with her, Blue?"
He shrugged. "I can't think straight with Jimmy's funeral looming over my head like this. I'm gonna get through tomorrow, then think of somethin'." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "And if I have to bring her to Smith, I won't tell him you two were involved. Don't want him killing three of us."
Happy chuckled and rubbed his shoulder. "We'll figure it out, kid. How's the head?"
Caleb sighed. "Throbbing. I'm probably just gonna take it easy today."
"Alright, let me know if you need anything," Happy offered with a smile as he headed toward the door, Caleb following to lock it.
"Thanks, Hap. See you tomorrow."
Caleb secured the lock, walked back to the couch, and gently laid down as to not disturb the work Lola had just done. He may have been modest when he said his head was throbbing; it was pounding.
After seeing the time was 2:06 PM, a sigh of frustration escaped him. He still had to get through the other half of the day not knowing what to do with the girl he kidnapped. Subconsciously, he began to rub his temples in silence as he laid on the couch.
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