A Rock & Roll Romance

Eighty One

"I like the black one.." Meg said with a sad smile. She was trying to be positive but she felt incredibly guilty she was not there in person to support her boyfriend. Johnny had FaceTimed from his hotel suite in Palm Springs to ask her opinion on his wardrobe choice for the opening dinner of the festival.
"Ok great that's the one I'll go with.. how are you?" He asked sensing she wasn't happy.
"I'm ok.. I got a lot done today, it's amazing how much work one can get done when one's boyfriend is out of town." She giggled.
"Well that's why I pay you the big bucks." He smirked with a wink.
"What are your plans for tonight?" He asked.
"Nothing really, Travis is taking Poppy to that gig, and I'm gonna work on some more writing."
"Nice, I can't wait to read your latest ramble."
"Johnny.. you're just being nice."
"No I'm not, I love your writing. You should get published."
"We'll see. What time do you have to leave?"
"My car arrived about 30 minutes ago.."
"Johnny!!" The woman giggled
"You're so bad..." she added.
"I seem to recall you loving how naughty I can be."
"So not the time.." she smirked spotting Sean in the background.
"Get going, call me when you get in?" She said sweetly.
"It might be late doll, these things do drag on."
"I don't care I'll wait up for you." She said with a smile. He smiled sincerely back before saying
"Ok I love you."
"Love you more.. go smash it babe."

Meg hung up the phone and felt deflated. This is what she wanted wasn't it? To stay at home, incognito? She couldn't get the words her sister had said out her head a fortnight ago. "Relationships are about compromising, you would do anything for him right?" Meg closed her eyes and stopped the tears falling. Grabbing her glass of wine, she had a large gulp sighing loudly. What a mess. She thought to herself.

It was way gone midnight and Meg was tucked up in bed, watching Netflix, her mind had been going round and round thinking about her predicament. It had began to affect her everyday life, she couldn't function with the guilt of feeling like she had let Johnny down in someway by bailing. The Friends episodes played constantly in the background and somehow she had almost worked her way through an entire season by the time her phone rang.

"Hey!!" She said so happy that he had called.
"Well hello my darling." His smooth voice greeted her.
"How was it?" She asked.
"Good, usual, networking, mingling, a few drinks. At least the food was half decent."
"Well that's good." She said encouragingly.
"How was your evening?"
"Good.. I demolished three candy bars, and half a bottle of wine." She giggled.
"Wow that's some accomplishment. I'm secretly proud of you."
"You should be, that might even be a record." Meg giggled.
"Seriously though. Are you missing me?" Johnny asked. She could hear him inhale, he clearly was smoking as always.
"Of course. My bed is far too big for just one."
"Well keep it warm I'll be home before you know it"
"I know." She smiled sadly. A little mini devil sat on her shoulder whispered it doesn't have to be like this.
"It's getting late.. get some rest doll and I'll call you tomorrow ok? I'm gonna have to take an ambian they've got me doing press all day before the big red carpet tomorrow night..."
"Ok sleep well Johnny. I'm so proud of you."
"I love you darling."
"I love you too babe. Sweet dreams."

They hung up, and Meg sighed throwing her head back against the headboard. She wished she had an ambian, she knew sleep would not come to her even if she tried, the large knot of guilt and sadness sat in the pit of her stomach would ensure of that.

After what was an extremely restless night. Meg was up and doing a home work out by 6:45am just to pass the time. After showering, and dressing she headed back downstairs and made a coffee in one of many Infinitum Nihil thermos cups that Johnny had left at the house, leaving a brief note for her sister she jumped in the car and headed out. She drove the familiar 35 minute drive, until she parked up and headed to where she wanted to get to. Luckily at 8:30 in the morning it was fairly quiet and seemed fairly deserted.

Poppy awoke and eventually made her way downstairs, the joys of working from home meant she usually spent most of the day in bed with Travis checking her emails occasionally. She spotted the hand written note and smirked, she knew her sister well and knew that Meg had to deal with this in her own way. She was stubborn and wouldn't be told, Poppy knew things would work out in the end, they had to. Soon she felt arms snake around her middle as she made the coffee. "Are we alone?" He whispered against her ear, and she giggled in response turning to kiss him passionately.

Quite a few hours later, Poppy and Travis had managed to dress in loungewear and were in the sitting room. The latter had his legs up on the coffee table and was watching a sports channel whilst Poppy had her laptop in her lap and was half paying attention to an email when she heard her sister arrive home. "Hey!! You're back!" Poppy called out. "Yeah I'm home..." Meg said as she rushed up the stairs. Poppy looked at Travis and shrugged, they had both mutually agreed to leave Meg to her own devices and not get involved in the drama that was her life currently.

Around 45 minutes later, Travis was whispering rather naughty things into Poppy's ear when they heard a few bangs, it sounded like something was being thrown down the stairs as they sat up, Poppy placed her laptop on the coffee table as they heard Meg and relaxed slightly. "Meg?" Poppy questioned too lazy to move from the couch. Meg looked flustered but extremely glamorous as she arrived in the living room doorway. Her hair was in a perfect blow dry and her make up immaculate, yet she was dressed in black sweats and a Hollywood Vampires band tee. Poppy's mouth opened but shut as Meg said rather quickly "You remember the security codes right? And you know how to lock the garage? I'll be on my cell if you need me, failing that I'm sure Travis can contact Sean... wish me luck!!" She called out as she headed to the front door. "Luck?? Where are you going??" Poppy questioned and stood rushing into the foyer spotting a dress bag and a large suit case by the front door, Meg was placing a large handbag over her shoulder. "I'm going to Palm Springs and supporting my man, if my man will still have me that is...." And with that the front door slammed shut behind her.