Better Off This Way

We stopped at a rest area to stop for a little bit, just to go out and get some fresh air. I was still in yesterday’s clothes, unfortunately, and I hadn’t showered yet. I felt gross but how was I supposed to get ready without my things? As I got off the bus, I noticed that there were a few other busses. Neil walked out of one of them and headed towards the bathrooms. You little shit. I thought to myself as I went over to the bus so I could grab a clean change of clothes.

“There you are!” Jeremy laughed. “We missed you last night, what happened?”

“Oh I just kind of passed out on ATL’s bus after I finished their profiles.” I explained.

“Got it,” he nodded and scratched his neck. “Neil was complaining last night.”

“About?” I made my way to my bunk so I could grab some clothes.

“Mostly about you being with some other guys and not him but it’s not like he was totally bitching and moaning about it.” He spoke a bit louder so I could hear him.

“What was he saying about that?” I was curious now. Neil had brought me on this tour and I wanted to get the whole tour experience, not be cooped up in his tour bus for an entire two months.

“Who are we talking about?” Neil’s voice entered the conversation.

“You,” I walked over to him and placed a small kiss on his lips. “I heard that you missed me.”

“That I did.” He smirked. “Are you staying with me tonight or are you going to ditch me again for your new besties?”

“Whoa there, hold on.” I laughed. “Last time I checked, it was you who left me after I passed out over there. If you don’t remember, I was planning on coming home last night.”

“Oh hey look,” Jeremy got up from the couch. “I’m just gonna go check out that bird outside, it looks pretty rad.”

“Don’t blame this on me.” Neil let go of my sides and took a step back.

“Wow, sorry for even pointing out what fucking happened.” I grabbed my backpack and bag of clothes and walked towards the door.

“Where are you going now?” He sounded even more irritated than he had before, his voice echoing off the walls in the bus.

“Back to my ‘besties.’” I made sure to put besties in air quotes as I got off the bus and tried my best not to slam the door behind me. I got a few unsure glances from surrounding crew and band members as I made my way back over to the ATL bus again.

“You’re back.” Zack smiled.

“Yeah I just kind of got into a fight with Neil…” I scratched my arm awkwardly. “You wouldn’t mind if I just stayed another night to let things cool off would you? Because I can always stay somewhere else if it’s too much trouble…”

“Are you kidding?” Zack laughed. “You’re always welcome to stay here, I mean, Matt likes you so there’s seriously no problem with that at all.”

I dropped my bags on the ground and ran over to Zack, pulling him into a hug. “You’re seriously the best Zack.”

“I know.” He mumbled.

--

“Oh shit,” Alex threw his hands up in the air. “Looks like Blithe is going after yet another shot!”

“I guess five wasn’t good enough!” Rian laughed.

“Come on you guys, let the girl take another shot if she wants to!” Zack laughed along with them whilst sticking up for me and my alcohol habits.

“Calm down man, you know we’re only joking.” Alex nudged his arm. I took the shot without any other things keeping me back from doing so. They all cheered and patted me on the back as I handed the shot glass to Vinny and he promptly patted me on the back.

“Want another?” He asked.

“Oh hell no,” I shook my head. “Any more of these and I’ll have alcohol poisoning for sure.”

“Yeah, do you want to lie down or something?” Zack asked. “I mean I can get you some water or bread.”

“Do you have some toast and jelly?” I asked.

“Yep, I’ll get right on it.” He patted my head and went to the front area of the bus to the kitchen area.

“You’re the best Zack!” I called after him. I sat down on the couch and some of the people started to pour out of the bus and back to their own, maybe even to a hotel room. Alex sat next to me and started rambling on about space and how it’s never ending and that we take up so little space in the giant infinity that is the universe.

“You know, he really likes you.” Alex stopped his rambling for a second.

:What do you mean?” I asked.

“Zack,” he rolled his eyes as if I should have known. “The first day he saw you he just said that you were so beautiful but he was upset about how shy you were. The guy just wanted to get to know you and you ran off like a pussy.”

“Hey, I’m not a pussy.” I crossed my arms. “I just got weirded out because there was a half-naked guy standing outside of the busses.”

“I don’t think that’s why.” Alex shook his head.

“And why not?” I questioned him.

“You’ve been to stops on their tours before right?”

“Well yes.” I answered.

“Then you’re used to half-naked men and that obviously didn’t bother you in the slightest.” He reasoned with me. “What I think is that you were afraid of the fact that you found Zack attractive and you’re currently in a relationship.”

“Alex

“Uh uh, let me finish missy.” He waved his drunken index finger through the air. “Now you need to make it obvious that you like him back or I will do it for you.”

“But I’m with Neil right now, I can’t just leave him like this.” I shook my head. “Do you know how wrong that would be?”

“I figured your happiness was more important that the right or wrong thing.” He shrugged.

We were quiet after that. But that really got me thinking, should I go after Zack? I mean Neil and I had just gotten into a fight about me not spending enough time with him. Somehow I just don’t think I’m ready. I can’t handle leaving Neil right now and I definitely wouldn’t be able to see Zack for the rest of the tour if I am going to stay with Neil. I still had feelings for Neil, that’s a given, but there’s no denying the feelings that are blossoming for Zack as well. I guess I was just going to whatever my heart tells me and go wherever the wind happens to take me.

“Here’s your toast.” Zack smiled while handing me a plate. “You looked pretty lost in thought or something.”

“Yeah, it’s nothing.” Lie, seems like the rest of this tour was going to be full of them.

Notes

Well I'm not entirely sure what I was doing with this chapter. But yet again, I'm never really sure how things are going to turn out when I'm writing. Anyways, as always, I hope you guys liked it and thanks to all of you who are providing me with positive feedback! I love hearing from you guys on all of my books. Also, thanks to whoever came over here from Drawn To Each Horizon, you guys are seriously super awesome.