Better Off This Way

Today’s date was held in Seattle, perfect for me. I was born and raised in Washington so I’m obviously a west coast girl. The only other people on tour that grew up on the west coast were PTV and they were down in Cali, not the North West. I guess we were hanging out in the Seattle area instead of just at the venue, which was totally fine by me.

We got to the Seahawk stadium and I tried not to squirm with nostalgia. Neil squeezed my hip and laughed at my happiness.

“I wish I could take you out here more often.” He kissed my cheek and ran off to pose for Adam. Someone was soon by my side.

“Enjoying yourself?” Zack asked.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I laughed and turned to him.

“You don’t seem that into sports.” He shrugged.

“I’m not, but I used to go to games with my dad as a kid.” I explained. “So it’s pretty nice to be back for a while.”

“Neil doesn’t come up here with you?” He asked.

“Are you kidding?” I laughed, “We’re in Ocala so there’s really no point in getting on a plane for an entire day.”

“Got it.” He nodded and looked at the other guys who were all throwing a ball around.

“Why don’t you join them?” I suggested.

“I can’t leave a pretty lady all by herself.” I couldn’t help but blush, say something back!

“Well you should really put those muscles to use.” I mentally slapped myself, wow Blithe, you really fucking suck at flirting. But you shouldn’t be flirting to begin with!

“You got it.” He winked and ran off to the other guys. I observed them, all in a silly trance. Adam was always running, leaning, sitting, crouching, or squatting to get the perfect view of them for photos. I started thinking about how this article would piece together, I mean, of course I didn’t have enough to make an article yet. But it wouldn’t hurt to start thinking about something, right?

--

“Ready to watch us go on?” Jaime asked.

“Well it is my job after all.” I shrugged.

“But you enjoy our set right?” He was double checking.

“You guys always put on a great show!” I reassured him. I liked Jaime; he was funny and a great guy to talk to. Plus his girlfriend is super nice (I kind of jumped in a Skype call last night, whoops.)

“Okay good,” he nudged my side and closed his eyes. The crowd was already cheering for them and to be honest, the sound was beautiful. “That’s my cue.”

I watched the guys run out from stage left, first Mike, then Jaime, Vic, and then Tony. They immediately started playing Bulls In The Bronx. They were all jumping around with so much life and energy that I couldn’t help but move around too.

“Enjoying yourself?” Zack looked amused.

“Yeah, aren’t you?” I laughed and danced as he just stood still.

“Of course I am.” He smiled.

“Dance with me then!” I yelled over the music.

“I’ll pass.”

“I’m not taking no for an answer!” I pulled his hands and forced him to move around with me, jumping and swaying all over the place. Other people were looking but we didn’t care. I could tell that the song was over so we slowed our dancing down to a mild sway at this point.

“See, that was fun.” I laughed.

“Yes it was.” He started leaning in but I hardly even cared. I leaned in as well and his lips were only inches away from mine. His lips finally pressed against mine but only for a second. PTV left the stage and more people started to appear to set up for ATL’s performance. Time seemed to fly by but I was hardly even paying attention, Zack was the only thing I could focus on right now.

--

“Cuddle with me?” Neil begged while he was lying in his bunk. I was sitting in my bunk and writing an article about the concert.

“Babe, I’m busy right now.” I sighed and continued writing my sentence.

“Please,” he whined.

“Alright,” I got out of my bunk and went over to his. All of the other band members were in their bunks with the curtains shut, even Adam was “sleeping.”

I was wrapped in Neil’s arms and I shut the curtain and closed my eyes.

“You know I love you, right?” He asked.

“Of course I know that, and I love you too.” I said quietly. No other words were shared, we just lay quietly with each other’s company.

Notes