Keep on Keeping on BOOK ONE

Chapter 5

I looked at Brendon. He didn't seem concerned at the lack of Sarah. I frowned and drank the rest of my coffee.
"Erm Brendon, where's Sarah?"
"Gone." He simply said.
"Oh?" I quizzed.
"Yea, I was getting sick of the constant paranoia and accusations. I couldn't breathe." He explained. I nodded in understanding.
"Are you OK?" I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. Brendon looked at my hand. "Oh, sorry." And I withdrew my hand.
"Yea, I will be ok." Brendon said.
"How are you?"
"Hungover." I laughed, " and brokenhearted. So same as you really." I half smiled at Brendon.
Brendon smiled back and took hold of my hand. I didn't know what to do. This was a completely different Brendon. I had never seen this side of him before. Where was this Brendon hiding? Why do I get the asshole?
Brendon stood up and left the hotel room. I got dressed and turned my work phone and laptop on. My work phone blew up. Messages and voicemails from the label. I called them. My work day had officially started.

We had 2 more performances, then it was 1 more night in New York. The band was a little hungover from the previous evening. They all did a professional job.
As we went to get cabs back to the hotel, Brendon got in with me. I thought it was me and Nicole together. Brendon sat next to me.
"Hey." He said. "Would you like to go somewhere, instead of the hotel?"
"Like where?"
"Empire state?"
"Yes, please." I said, grinning. So off we went.
We both got out of the cab and looked up at the huge skyscraper. We went inside and headed towards the elevator.
As we ascended, it was just us in the elevator. Brendon cleared his throat.
"I-i just wanted to apologise." He said.
"For what?" I was going to make him say it.
"For being an asshole to you." Brendon held my hand for a few seconds.
"And?"
"And for sending that room service."
"Ok. Thank you for the apology." I said. Brendon nodded, and we reached the top.
We left the elevator and walked to the outside viewing deck. I gasped as I took in the view. I was speechless. Brendon chuckled at my reaction.
"Pretty spectacular, isn't it?" Brendon said. I just nodded, still unable to say anything. "Come on." Brendon placed a hand on the small of my back and guided me to the wall that encased the balcony. We stood up on the step.
"This is beautiful." I said. It was a clear summer day. I could see for miles.
We went and had some food and then walked around the city for a bit. It was lovely and certainly took my mind off my broken heart. We headed back to the hotel. Brendon walked me back to my hotel room.
"Thank you for this afternoon, Brendon. It helped."
"Thank you, Maddison. You helped today as well." Brendon hugged me, and I opened my hotel room.
"Do you want to come in for a chat?" I asked him. Brendon gave me a smile and a nod. We went in, and I turned the lamps on. I put some music on and sat in a chair. I pulled my sandals off and relaxed.
"Do you know why I was so awful to you, Maddison?" Brendon said, leaning forward.
"No, why?"
"It's because I like you, Maddison. I like you more than a friend." My jaw was open. I was not expecting a confession like that. Brendon put his hand over mine. "I know that nothing can happen between us, but I didn't want to not say anything."
"W-w-what am I meant to do with that information?" I ranted. I got up and started pacing. "Seriously, Brendon! What do I do now?" I was angry now. Pissed because he had told me something that I couldn't do anything about. I was frustrated. I was crying with frustration. Brendon tried to calm me and reason with me.
"Brendon, just go!!"
"Maddison, please!"
"Please, what?" I cried. "Just go!" I turned away from him. I wiped the tears away. I heard Brendon leave. I stripped off and climbed into bed. I cried myself to sleep.

Knocking on my door woke me up. I looked at the time, and it was early, really early. I got out of bed and put a robe on. I opened the door, and Brendon was standing there, and he was drunk.
"Maddie!!! I love you, " He slurred. He came into my hotel room. I closed the door. Brendon was swaying. I sighed at him and sat him on the bed. Brendon looked at me as if he wanted to kiss me. I took his shoes off and laid him down. "Maddie, come here!" He giggled. I made my way around the bed and got in. Brendon put an arm around my waist and pulled me towards him. He kissed my forehead and fell asleep. I was trying to fall back asleep, but I couldn't. I had so many thoughts and feelings about what Brendon revealed to me last night. All I could hear was soft snores.
I eventually drifted off until my alarm went off. Brendon groaned and put the pillow over his head.
"Stop!" I heard all muffled. I laughed and turned it off. I sighed and went to get up. Brendon still had his arm around my waist. I needed a shower and food. I was starving. I prised myself away from him and ordered room service and had my shower, with my Bluetooth speaker blasting out.

But I keep cruisin'
Can't stop, won't stop movin'
It's like I got this music in my mind
Sayin' it's gonna be alright

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (hoo-hoo-hoo)
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (hoo-hoo-hoo)

I sang along loudly because I love this song, and I knew it would piss Brendon off, him being hungover.
I stepped out and wrapped a towel around myself. I walked through to the bedroom and sorted my outfit out. Still singing.
Brendon had the pillow over his head,still. I moisturised then took my clothes into the bathroom to finish getting ready. Room service arrived and I poured some coffee for myself and Brendon. I nudged him and put the mug beside the bed. I then put my jeans on and ate.
I would be glad to get home.