Do Me a Favour - Alex Turner

14. Good Terms

The day flew by in a blur of activity and unexpected harmony. For the first time since the tour began, Alex and I were on good terms. It felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. Whenever we crossed paths, we exchanged smiles, and there was an unspoken understanding that we were starting fresh.

At the venue, I busied myself with final checks for the last show in Detroit, trying to ensure everything was in place. As I walked through the halls, I felt a lightness I hadn't experienced in days. Alex was nearby, helping with sound equipment, and every so often, our eyes would meet, and we'd share a brief, genuine smile.

Nick, ever the observant one, was quick to notice the change. As we were setting up the backstage area, he sidled up to me, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

"So, what's with all the smiles today?" he asked, nudging me playfully.

I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on, Lana. You and Alex are practically beaming at each other. Did I miss something?"

Heat crept up my cheeks as I tried to find the right words. "We just... talked things out. Cleared the air."

Nick raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my vague explanation. "Is that all? Because it looks like you two are best friends now."

I couldn't help but laugh at his exaggerated tone. "We're not best friends. But we're not at each other's throats anymore, and that's progress."

Nick chuckled, giving me a knowing look. "Sure, progress. Well, whatever you want to call it, it's nice to see you both not wanting to kill each other."

As the day wore on, the atmosphere remained light. During the soundcheck, Alex was his usual self, but there was a noticeable difference in his demeanor. He seemed happier, more relaxed. It was contagious, and soon everyone was feeding off the positive energy.

By the time the show started, I found myself at the side of the stage, watching with a sense of pride. The band was on fire, and the crowd was loving every second of it. Alex's performance was electric, and there were moments when he'd glance over at me, a spark of something I couldn't quite place in his eyes.

After the show, we all gathered backstage, buzzing from the successful night. Nick, Matt, Jamie, and Alex were all in high spirits, their excitement infectious. We decided to head out to a local pub to celebrate our last night in Detroit.

As we walked into the pub, Nick couldn't resist another tease. "Alright, Lana, what's your secret? How did you manage to turn Alex from grumpy to happy in one day?"

I shook my head, laughing. "I guess he just needed someone to talk to. And maybe a little bit of perspective."

Alex, who had been standing nearby, overheard the conversation and smirked. "Or maybe I just realized it's easier to be nice to Lana than to keep being a jerk."

I shot him a playful glare. "Wow, what a revelation."

*

As the night wore on, we fell into easy conversation. Nick and Jamie were recounting funny tour stories, each one more outrageous than the last. I found myself genuinely laughing, the sound feeling foreign after the past few tense days.

At one point, Alex slid into the seat next to me, a relaxed smile on his face. "You enjoying yourself?" he asked, his tone light.

"Yeah, I am," I admitted, surprised at how true it was. "It's nice to see everyone in such good spirits."

Alex nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "It's been a good night. It's... nice not to have that tension between us."

I glanced at him, noting the sincerity in his eyes. "It is. I'm glad we talked."