Best of friends

New beginning

After much sorting and decision-making, I basically let Eddie be the main photographer of the business. My brother Michael would run the business side of things. I did the wedding show, then I packed for a tour. I was meeting up with Panic in Miami, Florida. All my flights were charged to a business account I now had. It would be the same with any room service I ordered. So, I had an expenses credit card with an unlimited limit. I didn't take the piss with it, though I used it strictly for work things. I needed some new lenses for my camera and memory cards, so I charged those because they were for me to use on a working capacity.
I landed in Miami, and Dan and Mike were picking me up. They explained that Sarah had more or less grounded Brendon after Atlanta. He wasn't allowed to socialise with anyone but her. Apart from when it was sound check or show time. When they travelled on the bus, he had to sit with her and if they spoke to him, it had to be work related. I let out a puff of air as I listened.
We drove along and blasted music. Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift came on, and we sang that bridge so loudly.

I'm drunk in the back of the car
And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
Said, "I'm fine, " but it wasn't true
I don't wanna keep secrets just to keep you
And I snuck in through the garden gate
Every night that summer just to seal my fate (oh)
And I screamed for whatever it's worth
"I love you, " ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?
He looks up, grinning like a devil

It finished just as we pulled up to the tour bus. We laughed as we got out of the car. The guys helped me with my bags onto the bus. Nicole hugged me hello.
"Where's B?" I asked. Nicole wouldn't answer me. "Nic?" I had my hands on my hips.
"Sarah's got him in their room and won't let him out."
"WHAT?"I said. I was furious. I heard a door open, and Sarah came out. Brendon followed. He looked at me but didn't speak. I smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Which bunks mine?"
"This one." Nicole said. "It's opposite mine." We both squealed like a coupleof 12 year olds.
"Sleepovers!" We said in unison.
"I will get the cookie dough!" I said.
"Trashy magazines and scary movies!" Dan said in a girly voice.
"Candy and chips!" Mike said.
"Does this mean no alcohol?" I asked.
"FUCK NO!!" Nicole said. "We need to go to Target! We need sleepover supplies!"
I put my hands on my hips in a superhero pose and said "Away to Target we go! I call shotgun!"
"Aww man!" Mike said. As we left the bus I heard Brendon chuckling. I heard a slap and then silence. I shook my head and got into the car. I told the guys what I heard as we drove to the nearest Target. Dan was using the satnav.
We found a Target and got what we needed. We even got some scary dvds to watch. Friday 13th, nightmare on elm street. Totally old school. I got a few things I would need I got myself a nice going out dress and shoes. I forgot to pack one. Nicole had mentioned that we do get to go out sometimes.
Once we had got what we needed we went back to the tour bus.
"How did the wedding show go?" Nicole asked as we boarded the bus. Sarah and Brendon were sat in silence.
"It was fantastic Nic. The dresses, and the prices! Here, I still have them on a memory card." I went into my case and put it into the camera and bluetoothed it to the TV. I showed the pictures I had taken. I even mentioned some of the stories I had been told. One of the models had leukaemia and was getting married this month.
She was terminal, unfortunately.
I told them that one dress I photographed was 25000 dollars.
Mike let out a low whistle. Brendon was listening and I know he really wanted to add input into our conversation, but Sarah wouldn't let him. I tried to include them both.
"Sarah this would have been ideal for you. Ideas for yours and Brens wedding." I said. Sarah just ignored me. I shrugged. It didn't go unnoticed by Brendon either.
There was no show tonight. I was happy about that. Nicole said that we weren't far from the beach.
"For real?" I was so excited. I live in a desert so I never see the ocean unless I visit Brendon in LA.

After lunch we all got changed into beach wear. I wore a blue one piece. I put a sarong on and flip flops. My sunglasses were perched on my head as I packed my beach bag. I asked Mike if he would cream my back. We asked Sarah and Brendon along and surprisingly they said yes. Or rather Sarah did and Brendon followed.
We all walked to the beach. Mike held my hand as we chatted away. I could feel Brendons eyes burning into me. The beach was busy but not packed. It was a weekday, so people were either at school or work. We picked a spot and set up camp. I put my towel down and took my sarong off. I let my toes sink into the warm soft sand. The boys and Nic went to the ocean. I popped my earpods in and read my book. Sabrina Carpenter was singing in my ears. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Brendon alone. I took an earpod out.
"Hey B." I smiled.
"Hi. I am so glad you agreed to take the job Rob." Brendon sat next to me on the sand.
"Me too." I nudged him and he laughed. I missed that adorable noise. "Where's Sarah?" I asked.
"Bathroom." He replied a look of panic flickered across his face.
"Ah ok." I nodded. I offered him a drink of water and he accepted. We chatted. Neither of us noticed Sarah return. I got up to go in the ocean and Brendon got up to join me. Sarah coughed and shook her head. He looked at her and his face fell. I smiled and offered my hand to Brendon. He took it and we ran to the ocean. Dan Mike and Nicole were having a great time. So we joined in. I pushed Mike over and then Nic pushed Brendon over. We were both laughing so hard we had to sit on the sand for a moment.
The 2 guys made their way over to us. We couldn't even run right now. We were slung over shoulders and flung into the sea. We both screamed then laughed.
What a fantastic time at the beach.