Two Minute Warning

Between the Miles

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The days on tour were becoming a blur, each one blurring into the next. Alessandra had always dreamed of being on stage, but the reality of touring, the exhaustion, and the growing distance between her and Joe was taking its toll. Despite the long hours of rehearsals, performances, and travel, Alessandra made sure to keep in touch with Joe. Texts, phone calls, and video chats became their lifeline. But there were times when the silence between them felt heavy, and the miles between them felt like an ocean.

Back in Cincinnati, Joe found himself immersed in football, training, and keeping up with his commitments. It was a familiar rhythm for him, but it was missing something, or rather, someone. The time spent away from Alessandra made him realize just how much he missed her, her presence, her laughter, the way she made him feel like the world was bigger than football.

Every time his phone buzzed, his heart skipped a beat, hoping it was her, even though they had a set time to talk each day. He found himself staring at the clock, counting down the hours until their conversation.

But despite the distance, Joe remained confident in their relationship. He knew they were strong, that they would get through the time apart. But there were moments when doubt crept in. Would the distance change things? Would it become too much for either of them?

Alessandra's tour with Madison Beer had been nothing short of a dream come true, but it was hard not to feel the weight of being away from home, away from everything that was familiar. The bright lights and screaming crowds were incredible, but when the show ended, she felt empty. Harlow was a constant support, always there to distract her and keep her laughing, but there were still nights when the silence was deafening, and all she wanted was to hear Joe's voice.

One night, after a show in Atlanta, Alessandra found herself walking down the hotel hallway, earbuds in, playing one of Joe's voicemails on repeat. Hearing his voice, even through the phone, made everything feel a little easier. But when she stopped to grab a snack from the vending machine, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her exhaustion was apparent, her makeup smudged, her hair wild, and she felt a pang of guilt. Was she losing touch with him? Was he missing her as much as she missed him?

It had been a few weeks since Joe had visited her, and the conversations had become shorter, more rushed. They both had their own worlds to navigate, but the constant pull between their careers and personal lives was beginning to strain their relationship. Their texts, though filled with affection, were starting to feel more like obligations. Joe knew something had to give.

One evening, after a show in Dallas, Alessandra found a quiet spot backstage to FaceTime Joe. The moment his face appeared on the screen, her heart lifted, but she noticed the tension in his eyes.

"Hey," she said softly, sitting down on a nearby couch. "How's everything?"

Joe rubbed the back of his neck. "It's good....but Alé, we need to talk."

Alessandra's stomach twisted. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know....I just feel like we're.....drifting, you know? I miss you. I miss us. And I know we're both busy, but I can't help but wonder if we're letting the distance get the best of us," Joe confessed, his voice thick with frustration.

Alessandra sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I feel it too. I miss you, Joe. But this tour....it's so much. And I can't even explain how much I want to be with you right now, but I also don't want to let this opportunity slip away."

"I get it," Joe said quickly, "I do. But I don't want to feel like we're just going through the motions. We need to figure this out, Alé. I don't want to lose us."

Alessandra's heart ached. "I don't want to lose us either, Joe. But I also don't know what the future holds. I can't just stop this, and I don't expect you to stop football either."

Joe paused, his face softening. "I'm not asking you to stop. I just want us to keep fighting for this. For us."

Alessandra smiled, feeling a small glimmer of hope. "Then let's do that. Let's keep fighting."

The next few weeks on tour were a blur of rehearsals, performances, and fleeting moments of connection with Joe. Their relationship had entered a new phase, one where they had to work harder to stay connected, but also one where they both knew they weren't willing to let go.

In the midst of it all, Alessandra poured herself into her music. Writing became her therapy, her way of processing the emotions swirling around her. She had been working on a new song titled Close to You, a reflection of the vulnerability she felt in her relationship with Joe and her own career.

While Alessandra was on stage in New York, Joe made the decision to fly out again, this time to surprise her during her performance. He couldn't stand the thought of her being so far away, so he found a way to sneak into the venue without her knowing. As she stepped onto the stage, his eyes locked onto hers, and her heart nearly stopped.

After the show, they met backstage, and Alessandra threw her arms around him.

"Joe, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

"I couldn't stay away," Joe replied, his voice low. "I know things are complicated, but I had to see you."

For that brief moment, the distance seemed to disappear.

As the final show of the tour approached, Alessandra found herself standing in the wings, watching Madison's performance from the side. Her phone buzzed with a message from Joe.

Joe: I can't wait to see you. I miss you more than you know.

Alessandra smiled, her heart warming. She had a lot to figure out, but for the first time in a long time, she knew she wasn't alone. Joe was out there, supporting her, and no matter where life took them next, they were in this together.

But there were still choices to make. Would she continue her music career while staying connected to Joe? Could they balance their two demanding worlds? Only time would tell.