What If I Can't Forget You?

{13}

Alex's POV

Jaime left the room, obviously fuming. Tony and Mike started small talk with Ian, trying hard to cover up the awkwardness.

Honestly, I felt a twinge of twisted satisfaction when I saw Jaime getting angry, but that slowly turned into guilt. He was really, truly hurt. Knowing Jaime like I did, I knew that he almost always covered up his feelings. But this time, it seemed like he didn't even try. It was almost like he liked me.

But that can't be true. He would have made a move, he would have acted on those feelings. He just wants me now that he can't have me. Classic.

I was starting to get angry now. If Jaime can't handle seeing me with someone else, he's weak. He had more than enough time to figure himself out and tell me how he felt. I looked at Ian, the way his perfect features lit up when he started talking about guitar with Tony. I really, really liked him. There's no way Jaime can mess that up.

The boys talked for a long time, and I ended up on the couch. It was getting late, and I had a pretty damn long day. Soon enough, I drifted off, and was sleeping like a rock.

Jaime's POV

Vic left quietly after a while, stating softly that he was going to load up the busses. I stayed behind for a few minutes. When I finally came out, it was well after midnight. I walked back down the hall to the stage.

When I entered, Tony, Mike, and Ian were gone. Probably helping load the bus right now. I knew I should go and assist the stage crew with all the equipment, but I just didn't want to face them again tonight. I slowly mustered up the courage to go to the busses. I had to get there sometime, anyway. As I turned to leave, I saw a girl silently curled up on the couch, her dark hair covering her face. But I knew those long legs, that ebony hair, that small frame.

Alex was nestled there on the couch, fast asleep. How could Ian leave her behind? I would have stayed with her, stroking her hair to gently wake her. I would have carried her sleepy self all the way to the bus. He left her behind. How could he leave her behind? Ian was a joke, and if he thought he deserved her, he was a complete idiot.

I looked at her, miserable. I wanted her so badly. I knelt at her side, gently sweeping the hair on her face behind her ear. I picked her up, cradling her, and she stirred softly.

"Shh, shh." I whispered. She wrapped her arms around my neck, still mostly asleep. She didn't open her eyes, but rested her head on my shoulder.

I carried her all the way back to the parking garage, and on to the sleeper bus. I put her in my bunk, pulling the covers over her. Tony, Mike, Claire, and Vic didn't speak to me, thank God. I flopped on the couch, exhausted, and the bus pulled out of the parking garage, followed by the crew bus, and the equipment truck. I fell asleep slowly there, calmed by the colorful neon lights of the city we were leaving behind.

•••

Phoenix wasn't far; only about six hours from Vegas. We ended up departing around one in the morning. I woke to beams of golden light from the Arizona sun streaming through the bus blinds. It was quiet. The digital clock on the wall read 9:20. I sat up, my head throbbing, and swung my legs off the couch. I was sore, and thankful for the day off we were graced with today.

I peered out the window, and we were parked on the street beside our hotel. The crew bus and equipment truck were at the venue, I was sure. I got up, and quietly peered into the other bunks. It looked like I was the first one up.

Claire was tangled on top of Vic, and they were both fast asleep. Tony slept in the fetal position, facing the wall, and Mike slept on his stomach, snoring into his pillow. Alex was just where I left her, peacefully curled up under my blanket. I silently wished I could lie there next to her, to feel her head rest on my chest as she slept.

Okay, maybe that was a little creepy. I turned and climbed down the stairs to the sidewalk beside the hotel. I opened the side compartment that held our suitcases, and pulled mine out. Our awesome manager Michele tied each of our room keys to our bags each time we moved cities, so we never had to worry about checking in.

I rolled my suitcase behind me, and headed around the corner towards the entrance. I pulled the key card from its sleeve, and headed up the elevators. Our block of rooms was on the top floor, out of the way from regular residents. We usually got corner rooms away from the regularly occupied rooms, so that fans didn't accidentally discover our location.

I unlocked my room and slung my suitcase on the bed. It was a nice hotel; the room was well-decorated and accented with modern touch. I opened the blinds, and the warm sun spilling over the room relaxed me.

I decided that since I didn't shower last night after the sweaty show, I had better do it this morning. I stripped, putting my clothes in a laundry bag. I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower to heat up. I quickly washed. I tied my towel around my waist, and used another to rub my hair dry.

I put on cargo shorts and a black tee shirt. I hated wearing my hair natural, but I didn't feel like straightening it. (Yes, I straighten my hair.) I put on my sunglasses and headed back down to the lobby, where sleepy-eyed Vic and Claire waited.

"Jaime-Time!" Vic called at me. I cracked a stupid grin as I approached. His eyes asked the question, 'Are you doing okay today?' I subtly nodded. Today was going to be better.

I heard a familiar laugh echo across the room, and I turned to see Alex enter the lobby in hysterics. I smiled to see her like that, so happy and carefree. But then I saw Ian behind her. He followed behind, laughing too. They slung their arms over each other's shoulders and continued to laugh as they approached us.

I clenched my teeth, trying hard to keep a smile on my face.

"Hey, guys!" Vic fake-smiled as he greeted them. "What's funny?"

They looked at each other, and started laughing again. The lobby doors swung open forcefully, and they quickly turned and sprinted for the elevators. Tony stormed in, a bright green turtle painted in his hair.

"IF THIS DOES NOT WASH OUT, YOU BOTH ARE SO FUCKING DEAD." He spotted them and chased them up the stairs.

Claire and Vic laughed at our friends racing by. I fake-smirked, but all I wanted was to be Ian. All I wanted was to be with Alex, to make her laugh. Like I used to.

"Well, who else is ready to see Phoenix?", asked Vic.