The Second Tour of 44West

ch. 15 - admit it

Rion

~ After Concert - Saint Paul, MN  ~

--

It had been about two weeks of the same shit with Elizabeth. We had played in a variety of cities and I kept up with my teasing antics, but it was starting to mess with my head.

I grabbed the last of my things that I would need for the next few nights out of the bus. I couldn't stay here anymore and watch Elizabeth pretend that she was in love with Robbie just for the sake of her relationship.

Physically, I didn't want to be further from her. I craved being in her presence, but that wasn't a good thing. At the end of the day, she was going to marry the saltine cracker of a man that was Robbie, and I couldn't be around, letting my heart feel things just to have it all ripped away.

Again.

Unfortunately, there still wasn't room for me on any of the other buses, and I couldn't explain to someone else why I would need to switch places with them without outing Elizabeth.

Did I agree with what she was doing? Choosing to hide a huge part of herself and her past? No. Absolutely not. But, it wasn't my place to make that decision for her. She pretended not to know me in front of Robbie when we first met for a reason. And, even though I think it's a stupid reason, it's valid to her and that's what matters.

I still care about her. Deeply. I would never do anything to purposely hurt her.

But, I need to think of myself as well. And, right now, the best thing for me to do is distance myself for a few days. So, while Elizabeth and Robbie and the rest of the bands would be following the original plan and riding the buses, I talked Montoya into pulling some strings for me and letting me fly to Chicago.

Chicago marked the halfway point of our second North American tour, and we would be there for three nights in a row and get to sleep on actual beds in a nice, nearby hotel which I was very excited about. Montoya, the saint he is, got my reservation moved up two days so I would have time to myself before everyone else got there.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I made my way to the front of the bus and practically ran into Robbie.

"Woah!" He said as his hand flew to the side to catch himself, almost whacking Elizabeth in the face as she was standing right behind him. "Where are you going?"

"I'm flying to Chicago." I said as I paused, not able to get around him just yet as he was standing in the doorway of the bus.

"Why?"

"Because I need some time to myself. I'll meet you guys there."

"Damn, lucky!" He said with a jealous groan. "I wish I could fly and have some alone time."

I tilted my head at his reaction and gave him a confused look. "Don't you want this one-on-one time with Elizabeth?"

"Oh, I mean yeah, sure. But I would switch places with you in a heartbeat. We're together all the time. I'd be nice to be alone, you know what I'm saying?"

"For sure." I mumbled, glancing behind him at Elizabeth who was staring off to the side, jaw clenched as she heard everything he just said.

"Anyways," He said, patting his hand on my shoulder. "Have a nice time! I'm going to bed." Then he ran up the rest of the steps and disappeared into the back of the bus.

"See ya." I said, still looking at Elizabeth and trying my best to read her mind, but coming up with nothing.

We both stood completely still, me watching her, her watching everything except for me. I glanced up to see Montoya talking to the driver of the car he hired to take me to the airport, and knew I was running out of time.