Dreams Can Come True

48. Georg

With a fearful heart, Tom and I entered the studio. After all, we didn't know how Georg would react. Either he knew nothing about the photo and everything was fine, or he was in a rage ready to kill Tom.
Gustav and Georg were deeply engrossed in conversation, taking them a moment to realize we had arrived. Their attention was eventually drawn to us, and Gustav greeted us with a friendly smile. "Good morning," his voice sounded genuine.
I forced a smile back, but my nerves were jangling. My gaze lingered on Georg, trying to gauge his expression. Would he be angry? Disappointed? I couldn't tell.
Georg took a few steps toward us, his smile still intact. "Ah, here you are," he greeted us jovially. My heart skipped a beat. This was the moment of truth.
"Did you have fun with Andreas at Club Pulse?" Georg asked Tom, his eyes curious on him. Tom seemed to hesitate for a moment, his eyes searching mine for a fraction of a second before answering. "Yes," it finally came out of his mouth, albeit with some hesitation.
Beside me, I felt Gustav's presence, his tension almost palpable. I held my breath as Georg continued. He clapped Tom jovially on the shoulder. "Valerie told me everything," he said, and I held my breath until he continued. "Thanks for keeping an eye out. She really appreciates you inviting her to the VIP area and fending off that creep she was with." My heart leaped with relief. It seemed that Georg had no idea what had happened with Valerie and the potential trouble that could arise from it. Tom was in the clear, at least for now. My tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and I felt a lump in my throat dissipate. Maybe it wasn't as bad as we had feared.

Stef walked into the studio, his presence bringing a surge of energy. "Did you guys have a nice day off?" he asked, his voice enthusiastic as he looked at each of us in turn. A collective nod from all of us confirmed his question. But now it was time to refocus on Tour preparations. The atmosphere in the studio suddenly changed, as if a switch had been flipped. The cheerful conversations and relaxed demeanor gave way to focused determination. We all knew what was at stake. The Tour was our moment to shine, to bring our music to life for our fans around the world. There was no room for distraction or doubt. It was time to give it our all. Without hesitation, we began tuning our instruments, going over the notes of our songs again, and perfecting the arrangements. Every note, every chord, every rhythm was played and evaluated with precision. The intensity in the studio was palpable as we lost ourselves in the music. For a moment, we forgot about the problems and worries that had preoccupied us earlier. Only the music mattered, only the moment.

As we sat outside during the break, I felt the cool breeze brushing against my face, a welcome distraction from the tension still lingering in the studio. While Georg and Tom were busy with Stef, I took a moment with Gustav. The sun rays warmed my skin, creating a peaceful atmosphere. I took a deep drag of my cigarette and let the smoke escape slowly as I took in the surroundings. Gustav's voice broke the silence. "I was really shocked when I saw that photo of Tom and Valerie appear on the internet," he said, his words laden with concern. His face twisted slightly as he pulled out his phone and showed me the photo in question. On the screen, I saw Tom, his expression slightly blurred by alcohol, with Valerie standing behind him, her face a picture of innocence. The details of the photo were sharp. I could almost feel the look in Tom's eyes, the mix of confusion and maybe even guilt. Valerie seemed at ease, her smiling eyes and relaxed posture giving no indication of what might have happened. "Is that her?" I asked, my eyes fixed on Valerie. Gustav nodded slowly. "Yeah, Georg has good taste," he replied, a slight grin playing on his lips. "I was really worried that Tom might have misbehaved," Gustav continued, taking another drag of his cigarette. I felt a wave of empathy wash over me. The idea that Tom had gotten himself into trouble again worried me. "I think he's learned his lesson after Elise," I whispered, my voice almost broken by memories of that difficult time. Gustav nodded understandingly, but the concerns were still evident in his eyes. "I hope so," he sighed finally, his gaze fixed on the ground as he contemplated what might come. The silence between us was filled with the soft whisper of the wind and the rhythmic sound of our breathing.

At that moment, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket, a sudden interruption of the tranquil atmosphere I was sharing with Gustav. I pulled out the device and saw Julie's name flashing on the screen. A smile spread across my face as I extinguished my cigarette and turned to Gustav. "Sorry, I need to take this," I apologized to him, making my way inside to a quieter spot in the hallway. Away from the hustle and bustle and prying eyes, I brought the phone to my ear and answered. "Hey Julie," I greeted her, my voice full of warmth and genuine joy. "Glad you called back. Do you have a few minutes for me?" My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for her response, curious about what she had to say.