Forever Young

Tour life was very unforgiving without my wife by my side. I'd forgotten how out of hand things can get when Matt didn't have anyone backing him up or we didn't have a girl on the bus to make us act tame. It was honestly like being on a really long, really unwanted vacation.
The shows were great, no doubt about that, but Matt was stressing to the max because he had to do all of the work alone. Ember wasn't there to do the meet and greets for him, nor was she there to talk shit to Alex so he'd calm his happy ass down when we got off stage.


But on top of making wonderful music, making our fans squeal with joy, a bus full of guys can get pretty.. Out there. Booze, all the time, left us all in a fog. It was so much easier to stay sober when Ember was here to keep me in line. Then, of course, the single members of the band and crew had no shame in bringing half-naked chicks on the bus and bragging about her phat asses and bust size. Perhaps I looked a few times, but I always bitched at myself over it later... But come on, boobs.


These were just a few of the things Ember wouldn't approve of. Probably wouldn't matter if she were here, but I don't think she'd approve of drunk Jack and girls in their underwear. At least I had enough sense to focus on my wife and child instead of the chaos around me. Drinking was fun, I admit that, but at the end of the night when I'd crawl into my bunk, I'd miss Ember. Everything about her.


Sometimes I even worried that, not having her here with me would make me lose my shit again. The medication still worked its charm, but Ember was what kept me sane. Talking to her on the phone or doing calls online didn't feel like enough.. Though, the nights we fell alseep on the phone together, those helped a lot.


"Jack," Alex called, stumbling into the kitchen area where I was currently mixing a drink, "I needa cuddle buddy. Cuddle me, buddy."


"Why don't you ask her?" I chuckled, nodding my head towards a blonde with booty shorts and a low cut shirt barely covering her body. "She's no Tay, but..."


"Don't bring that shit up," Alex sighed, a drunken smile on his lips. "I think I maybe should just go to bed."


"I think that's a good idea."


Alex gave me a half-assed hug. More or less, I held him up for about thirty seconds until he stumbled away from me. These were the nights that really bothered me. The guys would invite a couple of chicks to come chill with us, then they'd get too drunk and pass out. Matt was pretty swift about getting rid of the unwanted guests, though, so I'm thankful for that.


This life just isn't what it used to be for me. I'm married, I'm about to be a father. Drunk slutty girls kind of just piss me off.. You know, when I don't feel guilty about staring at their boobs.


With a fresh drink in hand, I attempted to make my way back into my bunk. Home Alone was pulled up on my laptop and I was waiting for Ember's final call of the night. Before I made it there, though, the blonde seemed to turn her attention to me. Zack had thought she was pretty, but once she started talking, he realized he wanted nothing to do with her. Rian had already tapped out and Alex was too drunk hook-up with her. Plus, with her friends being there, she seemed content with the lack of life at this party.


"I cannot believe I'm on a bus with the infamous Jack Barakat," she smirked, her fingers gliding up my arm. I cringed, faked a smile and continued on my way to my bunk. "Where's your girlfriend? Did she not want to come?"


"Wife," I corrected, pulling back the curtain, hoping she'd get the hint. As I sat down and spun my laptop toward me, I realized she didn't.


"Are you guys having problems? That is so sad."


"No, no problems," I grumbled, taking a long gulp of my drink. When she didn't go away, I knew she'd want me to elaborate. "What with being pregnant, we felt it was best if she didn't come this time. She's got appointments and stuff to get to."


"So it's like.. Your single, for the next few weeks, yeah?"


"Uh, no? I'm married."


Shrugging, the blonde allowed herself to sit down beside me. I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I just wanted to watch my movie and talk to my wife. Maybe on another day, I could have befriended this girl, but not tonight.


Taking another sip of my drink, I pulled my phone out to check the time. Ember would be calling me in a matter of minutes. I tried to feel excited, but there was a buzz-kill on my bed.


"It's really sweet that she trusts you. Ever do anything to break that trust, Barakat?"


"I really don't think that's any of your business."


"So that's a yes," she smirked, leaning over on her fists to flash me her push-up bra. Shuddering, I bit on my lip and stared at my phone. Come on, Ember. "They say a person never changes."


"Well, I have," I avoided her gaze, tapping my fingers against my knee. It was when she started drawing circles on my upper arm that I almost snapped on her. "Could you-" I was cut off by Ember's face flashing on my phone. Gulping, I held a finger up to the girl and answered the call.


"Hey baby. You're right on time."


"On time and exhausted." I heard her sigh through the phone and I wanted nothing more than to wrap her up in my arms. "Bailey and I went for a really long walk today. Now all I want to do is sleep. Come curl up with me?"


"You know it. I'll be on the next flight home."


Ember's small giggle brought a sense of relief to me. The blonde now rubbing my thigh did not.


"So how are things on the bus? Alex sent me a text but I couldn't understand it. Is it drinking night?"


"Hate to break it to you babe, but every night is drinking night when you're not here. I swear, your womanly power made these idiots sober up."


"You used to be one of those idiots. And so did I."


We shared a small laugh over that, remember all of the times we used to have. I wanted to bring up some of the crazy sex we'd had as a result of parties, but it seemed wrong to mention with a stranger trying to turn me on.


"Yeah, well, he's wasted. Already passed out."


"So what are you doing, then?"


"I made myself a drink, culed up in bed and waited for your call."


"Awe, how sweet."


There was so much I wanted to say to her, even to the baby if she'd put her phone to her belly, but blondie was getting under my skin. As many times as I smacked her hand away, she lingered. The only thing I could think to do was tell Ember that I have to go, get rid of the blonde and watch my movie until I pass out.


"Baby, I know you're tired, why don't you-" I growled at the girl, who was now trying to yank at my shirt. When the girl murmured 'come on Jack, loosen up,' too close to the phone, I thought I was going to break her neck.


"Jack... Who the fuck is that?"

Notes

I didn't want to jump into the doctor's appointment and such so fast.. So I thought I'd put a little drama into the distance. Love you guyssss. <3.