Limelight Love Story

25. Toronto

Every day started blending together in Tim's mind. Without an 11AM alarm on his phone, he would have no idea what time it was, but the second that alarm chimed, he felt lighter even before he dialed.

"Good morning, husband," Lucy answered the phone exhaustedly.

"Morning, gorgeous. Are you okay?"

"No. I'm trapped in a hotel room, because of this damn media storm, and I don't have you for entertainment," she pouted.

"So that's what I am? Your entertainment?" His face cracked with a hint of a smirk.

"Of course. Actually, I-"

"Damn, hold that thought, baby. I'll try to call you later. Long practice today. I gotta get back to the guys. Bye, wife."

"Okay, bye hus-," the call ended before she could finish the word. It was the part of the season when practices got longer, games were more intense, and the time between games and practices was shrinking, so getting Tim on the phone for more than a few seconds had become a rarity since Lucy started touring Canada, and she hated it. Everything moved so much slower without Tim at her side putting the entire universe into overdrive. She savored the tea he ordered to be delivered to her room partially because it was a way to miss him less, but mostly because at least she had something to do.

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ ⚭ ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Tim's zombie-like shuffle into his hotel room was all he could manage after another brutal practice before another game in another city. He showered and got ready for bed then did a few jumping jacks to stay awake long enough to call his wife. He sat at the edge of the mattress to dial her.

"You've reached the husband hotline," Tamara answered the phone.

"Hey, is Lucy still on stage?" He sighed.

"She's got three songs left including her encore. The crowd's been going wild for all of her new songs. All of her encore songs have been from the new album."

"Well, they are some of her best."

"Not that you're biased," she responded sarcastically.

"I like all of her music, but my favorites happen to be about me. Except for 'Possibility'."

"A song that's now permanently in the set list for you."

His chest warmed. "I love my wife."

"So you've said in every postgame interview lately. I studied Public Relations in school, but who needs a college degree when you know the real secret to handling the press?"

"It's a gift," he smiled. "So, be honest, how's she doing?"

"You've barely spoken in the last two weeks because of your busy schedules. Take a guess."

He dropped back onto his bed and shut his eyes tightly as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, I'm miserable, too. Hearing her voice would help. Can you put the phone on speaker, so I can listen to the end of the concert?"

"Sure," Tamara replied and put the phone on speakerphone before placing it close to a speaker so that Tim could listen to Lucy sing. The second the concert was over, she held it out for Lucy to take. "Your husband is on the phone."

"He is?" Lucy asked excitedly and lunged for her device. "Hi, husband," she said. She waited a beat, but no response. "Babe?" Still nothing. "Tim?" Just to be certain, she plugged one of her ears and held her phone flush against the other, and that was when she heard him snoring. "I love you," Lucy whispered before hanging up. "He fell asleep," she reported to Tamara. "How did he sound?"