It's Been A Long Time... [Desperate Measures Sequel]

Eleven.

If there was an award for best gentleman it would definitely go to AJ. He honestly treated me right all the time and this made me feel special but also a little queasy. Getting back from our night out I was a little gutted that our night had to end, I tried the key to my hotel room but it was locked, I looked at AJ and sighed. "She's not going to let me in is she?"

He shook his head, "Knowing Becky like I do she's probably fast asleep now. I wouldn't wake her, not if she's in a bad mood."

"I wish I could help her," I said with a sad tinge in my voice. "So you gonna let me stay with you for the night?"

AJ raised an eyebrow, "People already talk enough as it is." He rubbed the back of his neck "Besides you have met my room mate right?" He let out a laugh, "Maybe you could ask the guys if you could kip on their floor?"

I nodded as we walked to Luke and Karl's room which they had disappeared to as soon as we got back. AJ knocked before the door was opened by Luke who was wearing silk pyjama's. I couldn't help but snort as I ran my hand on his shoulder, "Oh jesus, it's actually silk." I giggled. "I  thought-"

"Back off you!" He slapped my hand away before he let us into the room before returning to his bed under the blankets. "What can we do for you?"

Karl sat up in his bed and looked up from his phone, "There is no after party. We are all married Tasha."

"That's a damn shame," I groaned as I sat on the end of Karl's bed and then laid back so I was laying on his legs. "You know I could convince you if I wanted to."

I watched as Karl looked up at AJ who was smirking. "Take her away." Karl said to AJ as he pulled his legs out from under me. 

"Christ," I jumped up to my feet and rolled my eyes. "I'm joking Karl. I prefer Luke."

AJ nudged me before he raised an eyebrow at me. "Basically," AJ started to speak as he looked towards the guys, "Could you let Tasha sleep on the floor here tonight? Becky's locked up for the night."

Luke nodded, "Sure. There is spare bedding in the cupboard."

"I'll sort it out," Karl said as he hopped out his bed, "You take my bed T."

I shook my head, "Stay in bed Karl. I can sleep on the floor, I'm young, my body can take it."

"It's not about that," Karl smiled at me. "It's not right to see a young lady sleeping on the floor when there is a bed you can take."

I looked at AJ, "He's such a sweetie."

"I won't have that language in here though," Karl told me as he grabbed some spare bedding and placed it on the floor. "I'm a married man don't tell my wife that I let you sleep in my bed."

<3

Travelling was a bore, mainly because I had no-one to car share with. Probably for the best with my lousy singing voice, I'd belted out many of the greatest 80's rock ballads followed by cheesy 90's tunes, most of them at the top of my voice. I dropped the rental car off before heading to the airport. I decided that after the hour drive it would be easier to get a plane to the next show instead of the 12 hour drive. The drive may have been cheaper had I not have been travelling alone, this was cheaper for me and easier. At least on the plane I'd have some company. 

I checked in with an hour to spare before the plane took off. I was more than happy to lounge in the airport lounge watching the planes land and take off all whilst leaning my head on my bag laying on the chairs. I pulled my phone from my jeans pocket and checked for calls and texts, Becky had text to say sorry that she was in a bad mood and she'd talk to me at the hotel. I had a text from AJ who was asking me if I wanted him to pick me up any food for the hotel and a final text from Dean who was told me to send him my hotel room number on arrival. 

I groaned as I placed my phone back into my pocket and looked up at the ceiling. I should probably check in with my brother at some point, I hadn't seen him for ages. I should probably ring my mum and dad at some point as well, they hadn't seen or heard from me for a long time. I missed them so much, I just knew I needed to be here. Getting on the right track was all about being in America, being away from that dreadful country called England. 

"Excuse me," I heard a little voice. I looked towards the direction and at a little girl who was about 9 years old. She was an adorable little thing, "You're Tasha right?" She asked me, her voice quiet and her whole demeanour shy. 

I smiled at me, "That's me and what's your name?" I asked her as I sat up and smiled at her noticing that her mother was standing a few paces back giving her space to do her own thing. 

"My name is Retta." She sat next to me quickly. 

"That's a pretty name," I told her as I looked at her making herself at home next to me. She really was a sweet child, a cute little girl. "What can I do for you?"

"Can I please have a photo taken with you?" She asked me as she blushed. 

"Of course you can," I said as I looked up at her mother who was readying the camera and watching on in awe of her little girl. I smiled as her mother nodded and then the flash went off indicating that the photo had been taken before the little girl jumped to her feet. 

"Thank you," she gushed as she looked at me. "Thank you so much." She then ran off, her mum thanking me before she followed after her daughter. 

Sometimes it's the little things you do for the fans that count, just taking time out and having a photo and a small chat with them is a big thing. I should know, I was once in their position and watched from the sidelines. 

My thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing, I rolled my eyes as I reached into the pocket to retrieve my phone. On the screen was my mum's name, I quickly answered with a cheery voice. "Hey, mum!"

"Tasha is that you?" She asked. She sounded older every time I spoke to her. 

"Yes mum, it's me."

I heard her sigh and confirm to my dad that she was talking to me. "Darling, I haven't heard from you for ages."

"I was just thinking about you actually."

"Oh," she sounded surprised. "Well my dear I was phoning just to check in with you. I need to see you at some point. Are you coming home at some point?"

I opened my mouth to speak but gulping. "It's best I stay out here in the states mum." I felt bad as soon as I said it. "I'm just not ready to come back to the UK."

"I understand sweetie." She said to me in her usual cheery voice before her voice changed when she next spoke. "Your cousin Mary, she's just had a baby."

"Oh," I was a little confused. "I didn't know she had a boyfriend, I have absolutely no idea she was pregnant."

My mum fell silent for a second, "Twins actually."

"Give her my love." I said to my mum in my kind voice before I took a deep breath. "I have to go mum. I am just about to board my plane." It was a lie, but I couldn't talk on the phone no longer. 

"Take care baby." She told me before she hung up. 

I placed my phone on the chair next to me before I let out a sigh. Hearing news like that always got me down, knowing that it would never be me. My cousin Mary was a lucky one, life was all about being happy, having a family and doing all the exciting things you had done as a child with your own children. Around me people changed, grew up and had babies, I grew up and remained childless. 

It was a depressing thought, something I had to live with never the less.