Short Lines

“Hey, Nash.” I decided to call Nash, let him know what was going on; the boys were back and chilling on the balcony enjoying the sunny day in Los Angeles.
“Hi, Libby, what’s wrong?” The concern in his voice was apparent, guess I’m truly transparent.
“Crosby.” I grumbled, fixing my baggy striped shirt in the mirror.
“What now?” The same frustration oozed off his tongue.
“I found him snorting coke last night, and Miss Marla came stalking through town like Godzilla and fucked everything up.” My stomach hurt, my face crinkling as I sipped my milkshake hoping it would ease the pain.
“That little fuck, I swear to God, the minute you two get back I’m kicking his scrawny ass.” Anger seethed in Nash like a fiery dragon of death!
“Yeah, well the cherry on top is he bailed last night, left me a note saying he’s fine and shit but I don’t know if he’ll be back to actually bring me home.” I explained leaning against the sink; the back door opening as Alex walked in.
“I’m free tomorrow, if you can hold out until then I can come get you.” Nash soothed my worry with a calm voice.
“Thanks, Nash, I’ll let you know. If anything else happens I’ll call.” I smiled softly at Alex as he came and leaned next to me.
“Alright, talk to you later, hun.” Nash’s anger was gone in a flash, that sexy voice lingering in my ear as we hung up.

“If you need a ride home, I’ll drive you. Tonight’s our last gig of the tour so I’m free as a bird.” Alex smiled, trying to make the best of a bad situation.
“That’s sweet but I couldn’t impose.” I was so flustered by the thought, butterflies began to wreak havoc on my insides.
“No really, I’d actually love it, spend some time with a gorgeous woman, have a different experience with someone new.” He grinned like a child.
“Alex, you’re a musician, pretty sure you’ve experienced greater things than driving for hours on busy interstates and chatting up a stranger.” Sitting on the bed, I watched his reaction.
That cheeky grin sent fireworks through my heart, heat rising to my face, “That may be true, but I don’t want you to be a stranger.”
Without a word, I fell back onto the bed with a stupid beam smacked onto my face; I was crushing on Alex Gaskarth, is this real? Like what the fuck?
“I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer!” He sang as the boys came in.
“Time to go! Vinny just called and chewed my ear off, so let’s get a move on.” Rian clapped his hands as the other’s gathered their things.
“You coming?” Alex questioned with big doe eyes.
“Um,” I paused, mulling it over, “yea, don’t want to be stuck here if Crosby doesn’t come back.”
“Woo! The party continues!” Jack shouted.

After situating at the front desk with the credit card Nash gave me; we were off, I’d met even more people and it was becoming difficult to keep track.
Finding a quiet corner, I shot Avery a text while I chatted with Alex, the bus traveling to the venue.
“So where are you from?” Alex wondered, his arms folding in front of him on the table top.
“I’m assuming somewhere in California, but I can’t quite remember.” I mumbled thinking back.
“What do you mean?” He mused in confusion, those thick brows ruffling.
“Oh right, I was a foster kid, I was orphaned straight out of the womb.” I explained, creating a popping sound with my lips.
“Shit, I’m sorry,” Alex frowned finding himself in an awkward area.
“Don’t fret, it’s cool. I’ve made my peace with the fact, and accept it because it’s made me who I am and I can’t do a thing about it.” Giving him a gentle smile, he relaxed visibly.
“How’d you meet Crosby?” He changed the subject promptly.
“High school, I was living with the Brookes at the time, we were both misfits with an eagerness to cause trouble so we became fast friends. Eventually we were inseparable, then he was moving in with his brother and wanted me to move in too. Thought his brothers would make a better family than strangers that put up with me because they picked the wrong kid.” As I went on, Alex had leaned forward with interest glinting in his brown doe eyes. I couldn’t help but giggle as he smiled, that scruff accentuating those perfect lips.
“I bet you’ve experienced more in life than I have.” He chimed thinking through all the possibilities.
“Oh I doubt that, maybe more sad events, but you’ve got more years under your belt and you’re a rockstar.”
“I’m no rockstar, but I’ll agree to the years thing.” He laughed, Jack gracing us with his presence.
“Have you talked to Avery?” He beckoned impatiently, plopping down in the booth.
“I texted her and told her she should join us at the venue, why? Does someone have a crush?” I mused happily as the blush formed on the grown man’s face.
Alex’s laughter filled the back of the bus when he saw his best friends face, “That’s a huge ‘yes’.”
We shared a laugh together at Jack’s expense, his pout childish and adorable.

Notes