I shouldn't have come here.
It was a stupid idea. I woke up alone in our bed and I just missed him. I called Mike too early in the morning and told him to book me a flight.
We never join each other on tour. I don't remember if we talked about it and agreed or if it's just the way it always was.
Reason was secondary as I rushed around our house repacking my tour bag. I would just fly to St. Louis, he has a hotel night, and I would fly back the next day. Quick in and out. And he will be home in 6 days and we can go back to normal.
I'm the romantic here. I know it. I was going to surprise him. Show up backstage, wait for him to see me, and smile. In my head, it was perfect and I definitely cast myself as the hero.
This was a mistake.
"Brendon ROSCOE!"
Screams. Running. I need to hide. There's nowhere to hide. Just me and the building wall behind me.
Deep breath. Fans. Second nature. I'm good at this. I can do this.
"Yes, it's me" I smile.
Cue the chorus of "oh my god".
I step away from the wall and move closer to the growing circle of kids. Find her towards the middle. "Therese, right? Come here". Winning smile. Million dollar smile.
She looks shocked and then tears? She's crying. Sobbing. Poor girl. I'm just a guy. Just a guy with a few records. I pull her to me and envelop her in a huge hug.
I look down at her "I heard what you said. You are my favorite". I rub her back. She has to stop crying. I want to talk to her.
Angry pushes towards me but I put up my hand to hold her back. She's a jerk. She can wait.
"Oh, honey. Don't cry." I whisper to her. Therese pulls back and wipes her eyes.
Words start flying out of her mouth at rapid speed "Oh my god, I love you so much, that song, oh my god that SONG, I just love you, can you sign my arm, please, oh my god Brendon Roscoe is hugging me!"
"Of course and I love you too" I wink at her as I put the sharpie to her arm.
Too many kids. I sign my name over and over again. Pictures. Pose. Smile. Pose. Smile.
The venue door opens behind me. "Mr. Roscoe" and an arm pulls me into the venue. I wave at the kids as the door closes.
Security knows I'm here. Did Mike tell them? Does he recognize me? Does Ryan know? This is supposed to be a surprise.
"Mr. Roscoe. This way to the backstage"
That doesn't answer any of my questions.
The big security guard starts walking towards a hallway and I follow him. With every step the thrill of the fans turns into the horror of what Angry said.
I hate that kid. She is definitely making up stories. There is no Josh. She just made it up to sound cool.
I take a deep breath and laugh. She's nuts. I'm fine. I'll keep to my plan, hang out backstage until Ryan sees me. This is going to be great. He will be so surprised. I'm the best boyfriend ever.
