BRIAN POV ::

We had just finished up another set in Portland, Oregon. We had been on tour for about three weeks, and I was missing Brook like crazy. I called her as much as I could, to make sure she was okay, and to see how everything was going back home. She had told me that she was spending all her time with the girls, keeping themselves busy so time would go faster. She spends her nights at my house, curled up in the bed with Pinkly. I was walking back to the bus when Jimmy walked up next to me. “Hey man, about to go call Brook?” he asked. “Of course,” I chuckled, “I can’t wait to get back home man. I miss her so much. By the way Jim, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.” “What’s up dude?” he asked. “Well, I was going to see if Brook wanted to move in with me. It’s bound to happen anyway, she practically lives there anyway. And besides, while she’s in school we’ll be in the studio recording so it’s really the only way we’ll get to see each other.” I rambled. “Dude, calm down. Damn. It’s cool with me, if she’s cool with it. I figured it was bound to happen anyway.” he said, slapping me on the back. “But if you hurt her, we’ll be finding a new lead guitarist, because no one will be able to find your body.” he said seriously, and walked off toward Matt, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.

After I took a shower on the bus I climbed in my bunk, picking up the phone to call the one girl I loved more than life. “Hello?” she answered groggily. “Hey baby girl, you sleeping?” “Oh, no babe. I fell asleep on the couch with Pinkly. She’s the best when it comes to cuddling if you’re not here. How was the show?” she asked, “It was good, we had a good turnout today. How’s my girl?” “She’s good, I probably need to take her out to potty soon.” she said, chuckling. Man I missed that laugh. “Not her babe, I meant you.” I said, rolling my eyes, even though she couldn’t see. “I know I know, I’m hanging in there I guess. I’m going to register for my classes next week, and orientation is the week after that.” she explained. “Not much longer and you’ll be home.” she said and I smiled. “I know, I can’t wait. That reminds me, I talked to Jimmy today.” “About what babe?” “About you moving into my place. He said he was okay with it, and he figured it was bound to happen anyway.” I explained. “Oh Jim. He’s so smart.” she said sarcastically. Suddenly I heard a squeal and a crash “Brook? Baby? You okay?” I asked nervously. “Holy shit! Jesus Christ Leana you scared the fucking shit out of me!” she shouted on the other end of the phone. I could hear the girls laughing in the back ground. “Good grief, what in the hell is wrong with you three? Did you eat Jim’s pot brownies?” she asked, while I laughed at the one-sided conversation. “No, we didn’t. Thank you very much. We decided to come over here and get you out of the house. So come on, tell lover boy you’ll call him later, go take a shower, and change into something other than pajamas, because we’re going to dinner and bowling!” Leana said excitedly. “But can’t I just stay home? Pinkly and I were napping.” she whined. “No way, you’re coming with us.” Lily insisted. “Tell her Brian! Tell her she’s coming with us!” Lacey shouted. “Bri? Don’t make me go” Brook whined into the phone. “Oh baby, just go, you’ll have fun. And besides, the sooner today is over the sooner I’ll be home.” I said, encouraging her to go out with the girls. “Okay, fine.” she huffed. “Call me later baby girl, I love you.” “I love you too Bri.” she said. We disconnected and I closed my eyes, smiling to myself. “Whatcha smiling about, lover boy?” Johnny asked, walking past my bunk. “Shut up Short Shit. What are you doing anyway? Why aren’t you partying?” I asked him, climbing out of my bunk so I could talk to him. “Eh, I just didn’t feel like going today. I was gonna call Lace then play some video games.” he explained. “Well, you might have some luck talking to her, she was over at my place with the girls, trying to get Brook out of the house. I’m gonna go have a few drinks with the guys, I’ll see you later.” I said, walking off the bus.

I found Matt, Zack, and Jimmy at the beer tent, laughing with a few members of the other bands here. I walked up to them and grabbed a beer. “Hey Syn, you talk to your girl?” Matt asked, nodding in my direction. “Yeah, they’re all going to dinner and bowling tonight. Lacey, Lee, and Lil were all at my place trying to talk her into taking a shower.” I chuckled. “I’m ready to go home man, I miss Huntington.” Zack said with a sigh. “Just a few more weeks boys, then you’ll be home with your girls.” We drank a few more beers when a group of girls came up to us, swaying their hips and trying to look sexy “Oh good grief” I heard Zack mutter, which made me smile. A blonde came up to me. “Hi,” she said, “I’m Alexis.” “Brian.” I said, nodding my head. “I saw your band’s set, you’re a really amazing guitarist.” she said, getting closer to me. “Thank you, I appreciate that.” I said, mentally rolling my eyes. Girls at these gigs say the same things, just to try and get into a musician’s pants. “You want to get out of here? Maybe have some fun?” She asked. “You know, I don’t think my girlfriend would appreciate that very well, so no thanks.” I said politely. “Girlfriend? Bummer.” she pouted. “Oh well, your loss.” she said, slinking away. “No, I think not.” I said, shaking my head. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder and turned to look at Matt, who had his other arm wrapped around Val’s tiny waist. “Man, you’ve been rejecting them left and right. I’m proud of you Bri.” he said. “I told her I wasn’t gonna screw up, and I’m not. I’m not going to lose the girl of my dreams over some groupie.” I explained. “I’m gonna head back to the bus, I’ll catch you guys later.” I said, patting Matt’s back and walking off.

Once I got back to the bus Johnny was still playing video games. “Back so soon man?” he asked, pausing the game. “Yeah, turns out I wasn’t into it tonight either. I’m just ready to be home.” I said, sitting down next to him on the couch. He handed me his controller, and went to grab another. “Let’s kill some time.” he said, un-pausing the game. We played NFL Live for a few hours, until my phone started ringing. “That’s probably Brook.” I said, pulling it out of my pocket. “Hey baby girl” I said, answering the phone. “Hey babe.” “Did you have a good time with the girls?” I asked. “Oh yeah, we all sucked at bowling, which made it even more hilarious to watch. Lily wound up winning, how I’m not really sure. She granny bowled almost the entire time.” she laughed. “How was your night baby?” she asked me. “It was okay. I grabbed a few beers with the guys and spent the rest of the night on the bus playing video games with Johnny.” I said. “Brian, just because we’re together doesn’t mean you can’t go party. I don’t want you to hold back because of me. Live your life on tour, just remember you have a girlfriend.” she said softly. “That’s the thing B, I didn’t want to drink tonight. All I wanted to do was relax, so I did. There will be plenty of opportunities to get shit faced within the next couple of weeks, so I’m sure you’ll get a drunken phone call from me.” I said. “Okay babe, I’m just making sure. I don’t want you to resent me.” “Brook don’t be ridiculous, I could never resent you. Stop worrying so much.” We talked for about an hour, until we were both falling asleep on the phone. We said our ‘I love yous’ and goodnights and disconnected. Another day down, another day closer to holding my girl in my arms.