The Second Tour of 44West

ch. 11 - opening night

Rion

~ Tour Date One - Portland ~

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I smiled as I watched the lights dim from backstage and the roar of the crowd pick up. It was 7pm, which meant it was time for the first opener to head on stage, and that would be Hailee. Since she was becoming such a huge movie star, the crowd went absolutely insane when she walked out which made me beam with pride at her as she performed.

When we first met, 44West was only a few years into our bandhood and Hailee was just starting out dabbling with music. She had great ideas, and an even better voice, but she needed help with the audience. 44West and I connected her to all of the people we knew, and watched as she bloomed into a full recording artist. We even helped each other write some of our songs which was always a good time.

44West even offered for her to join our band at one point, but she told us she wanted to get more serious about acting, and wouldn't be able to give the band the full attention it deserved. We, of course, understood, and supported her through whatever she decided to do.

We were all so damn proud of her.

Hailee and I had a situationship for about six months, three years ago. It was fun, and the sex was great, but we ultimately decided that it needed to end. We had become such good friends before that, so adding the physical stuff just ended up feeling weird for the both of us. Once it was over, nothing was awkward, thank God. And we still go to each other's shows and the band and I always watch whatever movie or tv-show she pops up in.

All-in-all, it's been a great friendship.

She finished up after thirty minutes and ran off, immediately into my waiting arms as I laughed and spun her around.

"That was incredible, Hailz! I'm so proud of you!" I yelled as I lowered her back to the floor, keeping the smile on my face as I saw how happy she looked.

"You really think so? God, I think I blacked out." She replied as she tried to catch her breath, my hands on her shoulders to steady her.

"It was amazing. I promise. You looked like you were having the time of your life!"

"I was! It's been so long since I've performed like that and it made me realize how much I missed it." She said, looking at me for a moment before throwing her arms around my neck and laughing, pulling me into a hug. As my head rested on her shoulder, I was met by two piercing green eyes. She was staring, so I stared back, until Hailee pulled away out of the hug. "Thank you for asking me to come with you guys, Rion. This is amazing."

"Of course," I started, bringing my attention back to hers and trying not to think about the way I was just looked at. There were so many emotions swirling in the depths of those eyes, but I couldn't put my finger on what any of them were. "You're practically family now. You deserve it."

She smiled again as she pulled away completely and went to get changed into more comfortable clothes. I watched as the stagehands took away the instruments from Hailee's set and started setting up for Milo Greene. Looking around to see if they were ready, I found the three of them talking animatedly amongst themselves. Walking over, I started smiling as I could literally feel Robbie's excitement. He was bouncing on his toes and shaking his hands out, talking loudly with his two band mates.

"How are we feeling guys?" I asked, pulling their attention to me as I approached the group.

"Oh, man." Robbie started, completely unable to stay still. "We're so excited. Thank you so much, Rion."

"This is all you guys! You're going to kill it." I said, reassuring him as he and Graham strapped their guitars to their chest.

"Thanks!" He replied as Elizabeth walked over. Robbie leaned down to place a kiss on her lips, and I pushed down the uneasy feeling in my stomach as I watched it happen.