When I talk to Jack the next day I tell him about Alex's phone call and he seems to understand but his anger hasn't vanished.
He feels Alex is letting down the fans by not really committing to this tour. And he tells me how uncomfortable he feels in the little time Alex and Lisa actually are around.

"...and it's not only me, the rest of the guys feel it too. It's like everything is forced, we make polite small talk with each other as if we're strangers. I hate it so much." He rants.

"..and he doesn't get to play the victim in this, he treats me like shit but I'm not going around crying about it, am I?" He continues and I can sense him getting angrier the more he talks about it but maybe it's a good thing to let him vent all his frustration and hopefully it will calm him down eventually.

"...but guess what, Phil says hi, he would have never thought he'd actually miss you..." Jack suddenly changes the topic chuckling.

I gladly join in but soon we have to end the call because my boss comes in asking for this stupid report that I still haven't finished!

Alex disturbs my sleep with another call again telling me that he still keeps his distance from Jack because he doesn't want Lisa to suspect anything.
I actually believe it's Lisa that tries to keep Alex away from everybody so that it's easier for her to manipulate him. But I have learnt that Alex always takes her side so I keep quiet and don't voice my suspicions.

But then he proceeds to confess how he keeps thinking about me and again I don't tell him that my memories of our affair have been resurfacing as well.

This routine goes on for the whole week, Jack calling me in the morning with the latest stories of the tour and complaining about his best friend and how the shows suck and Alex waisting my nights.

I am honestly worried about him. He doesn't seem to get any sleep at all and from what Jack tells me, Lisa and him still isolate themselves from the rest of the guys. This can't be good for his mental health but again it's beyond my control.

So I'm glad when Friday rolls around and this week comes to an end. I just hope that Lisa will leave tomorrow so that the guys can at least have the last week of tour to reconcile.

I talk to Jack in the morning and he tells me that they are in Seattle today and have a day off tomorrow. He seems to be in a good mood though, maybe because Lisa will be gone soon.
So we chatter mindlessly and flirt shamelessly until I have to go back to work.

I am relieved when five o' clock finally rolls around and I have survived the week and can go home.
I have nothing planned for the weekend other than to chill out and watch TV.

I didn't think I'd hear from Jack again today so I'm surprised when I get a call around midnight just as I'm about to go to bed.
"Jack? What's up baby, I didn't expect you to call again, I thought you would be out partying?"
I'm confused but am more than happy to talk to him.

"Hey Mickey," he nearly yells "I was wondering, what would you say if I'd come to see you, you know we have a day off tomorrow and I could take an early flight."

I'm perplexed for a second, "Honey, that would be awesome but do you really think it's a good idea? I mean it's a lot of time and money spent just to see me for a few hours and then you have to get back, I think we can make it another week without seeing each other, don't you?" I reason.

"Oops," he giggles.
"What?" I ask back irritated.
"Open your door" he chuckles.

I frown but get up from the couch to go and open my front door.
There is his lanky figure leaning in my door frame with his phone pressed to his ear and a huge grin on his face.
I want to tell him he's an idiot and unreasonable but I am too happy to see him so I just jump into his arms and kiss his face.

"Hey," he smiles holding me up by my thighs as I wrap my legs around him. "Happy to see me?"

"Very much so," I confess resting my head on his shoulder. "But honestly, why are you here?"

"Can't a man miss his girlfriend?" He feigns indignation but I give him a pointed look, "and maybe also because I was so sick having to watch Alex and Lisa's love fest all the time." He mumbles and I giggle and pull him in.

"How did you even do this?" I ask once I'm over the surprise.

"Oh you should have seen me, I literally threw my guitar at Mac the second 'Dear Maria' was over and jumped into the waiting Uber and had him race to the airport. They were already preparing the airplane for takeoff when I arrived but they still let me on board. Perks of being a rock star and frequent flyer." He beams.

We go straight to bed because Jack hadn't slept on the plane and is exhausted, we cuddle together and Jack doesn't even mind that Max snuggles into the sheets with us.

We have a lazy morning and a late breakfast where we plan our day together. We decide to drive out to the beach, have lunch somewhere and enjoy the nice weather. He has to fly back tonight as the band has a radio appearance the next morning.

When we're in the car he gets a call from a very grumpy Rian.
"Hey Baratwat, I just wanted to thank you, I will have a great day off! Zack went out taking photos, you pissed off to LA and Alex will spend the whole day with Lisa, because she finally leaves tonight. It's getting ridiculous, as if they will never see each other again, it's only a week for gods sake. So I will spend today with Brian who wants to go visit the EMP museum. So. Much. Fun." He growls dripping with sarcasm but Jack stays cool and just laughs about it.

"Sounds great Rian, have fun and tell me all about it when I come back from my day out at the ocean!" He giggles.

"Fuck you Jack!" Rian screams and ends the call.

When we comfortably sit in our deck chairs under the parasol with cocktails that we bought from the beach cafe Jack hums in delight. "Yes, that's the life of a rock star how I like it."

"Jack honestly, everybody can have a day out like that, you don't need to be a celebrity to sit in the sand and get drunk." I tease him.

"Uh. Uh." He tuts, "but we're doing it in style" he argues and clinks his martini glass with mine.

We slurp our drinks and look out on into the blue waters when he continues. "As soon as I come back from tour we will have to start planning, it'll be only one week til my birthday."

"Jeez, Jack, I don't think we need a whole week to plan a simple birthday party" I chuckle.
He sits upright in his chair his eyes wide with shock.

"What? Simple? I have you know, that Jack Barakat's birthday celebrations last at least three days. That's a tradition!" He falls back shaking his head, offended about my ignorance.

"Oh my god, Jack!" I giggle and slap his chest and he can't keep a straight face and hides his grin behind the glass.

"No but honestly, we have like a small get together with friends and family, whoever is able to come and then a massive party with, like everyone and whoever stays for the next day will be nursed back to life." He explains.

"Sounds like a hell of fun, " I mumble doubtful.

"It will be, don't worry," Jack pats my thigh and lets his big hand rest on my sun kissed skin.

"Will you invite Alex?" I ask tentatively.

He looks at me surprised for a second.
"Of course, he's my best friend." He answers with no hesitation.

Okay, so I only have to think of a present.

Oh my god, what do you get a spoiled rock star who already has everything he wants?

Notes

Not a very exciting but hopefully cute chapter for you! :)