Tragic Magic

Chapter Eighteen

The past few days have been quiet. Craig has been out with the band getting everything ready for their tour and I've been home alone most days. I haven't heard from Ronnie since we last talked at the studio and it feels really weird when he's not blowing up my phone.

I caught up with Brad and Belle a few days ago and they seem to be doing great. Both are not too fond of their new neighbor, but I'm honestly glad I'm not living there anymore. I still pay rent for Ronnie, though. I really should stop paying it and let him take over.

Tomorrow we leave for the tour and honestly, I'm terrified. I mean, it's exciting and all, but I don't know if I want to see this side of the band. Everyone is going to be on edge and I'm just going to be a distraction.

"Holy shit, I'm finally home!" I hear Craig in the foyer.

"Really? I thought you moved out," I shout back sarcastically, not moving from my spot on the couch in the main living room.

"It sure does feel like it," he drops his bags and meets me in the living room.

"Who is this stranger in my house?" I laugh and gesture him to sit down.

"I'm glad you're finally referring to it as your house now. Any news on Ronnie?" He scoops me up into his arms.

"Not since our last video shoot," I turn the TV off, "I think he's going to be more distant now."

"God, I thought he'd never go away. He's all anyone talks about anymore."

I give him a look, "you're the one who asked."

"I don't mean you, baby. All the guys talk about how he's working on such great music and his band is so great. It just get's to me, you know? I mean, if they love him so much why don't they just bring him back into the band."

"Because you're 200x better than he is," I say. "You're a better person than he is. He isn't fit for Escape The Fate anymore. You're the entire reason Escape The Fate is still alive."

"No wonder I'm so bummed, you never tell me things like this anymore," he laughs. "I miss talking to you, Juliet. I get home too late and leave too early, we never get to talk like this."

"We'll have a lot of time to catch up on the plane tomorrow," I kiss his cheek.

"Oh, and by the way, we're sharing the plane with another band. That's all I really know right now, but other than that band, it'll be just us," he says walking back into the foyer.

Another band? This is going to be one musical flight.

"Wait," I chase him to the door. "Where are you going now?"

"Jigsaw, the guys wanted to celebrate our last night before the tour." Jigsaw Bar and Diner is this place off of the main interstate that the guys absolutely adore.

"Darling, you know you have a drinking problem," I catch his wrist on his way out.

"Relax babe," he turns around and kisses me, "I'm fine. I'll be back in a few hours, okay? Would you mind packing some things up for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, that's fine," I say, a little disappointed.

"Thanks, Julie," he rushes out the door.

I know I shouldn't be upset about this, but I am. I miss Craig and I'm tired of all these late nights without him. Now I have to do most of the packing for tomorrow while he's out having fun. So that's exactly what I did for most of the night. I finished right before the guys got back and I was exhausted. Our flight leaves at 3:00 in the morning and it's already 11:00 p.m.