Hide Your Heart

The Phone Call

While Tommy took a shower, his phone started ringing. Paul knew by the ringtone it was Jaime. He was tempted to answer but didn't. 

"WHOA WE'RE HALF WAY THERE----" sang Gene as he put his earbuds in. "WHOA OOOOO LIVIN'----OW!" 

Paul looked up as Gene stopped, seeing the open suitcase on top of the bassist. He started laughing. 

Tommy came out and sat back down. Picking up his phone, he frowned at the three missed calls and one very long text message. "Better call him back." 

Paul dozed off about half way through Music of The Night until Gene's phone started beeping. Eric was watching cartoons on his. 

In the other seat, Tommy had his phone against his ear talking to Jaime. "Yes. No. Okay. I guess so.....Jaime, let me talk!" he finally snapped.

Paul restarted his song and wound up singing along. He was promptly smacked on the head by Gene as he passed to the front. "Ow. Ass." He sang louder.

Tommy finally hung up, tossed his phone into his duffle bag and dug a fifth of vodka out of his carry on. "I don't wanna hear anything." He said, looking at Paul.

"Is that wise? We're almost there and you know how Gene is." said Eric. 

"I don't give a rat's behind about Gene's damned opinion." snapped Tommy.

"Look, you're still in the band as of this moment, Thayer!" "Put the booze back and suck up your crappy love life problems!" Gene snarled in Tommy's face. "I can put you out!"

"DO IT!!!" "NO, ON SECOND THOUGHT THIS WILL BE THE LAST SHOW I DO!" shouted back Tommy. He slapped Gene without thinking.                                                                                                              His eyes grew wide as he saw the handprint on Gene's face.

"Tom, come back with me." said Eric quietly. "Gene, calm down and sit with Paul."

Tommy followed Eric quietly as Paul diffused Gene's temper. He got Gene to promise he wouldn't put Tommy out. "Fine, but I still owe him one."

In the back, Eric got Tommy to promise he wouldn't leave. "Look, I know you would rather be somewhere else but here,  but being with Jaime isn't the best answer right now either."

"Eric, have you ever dealt with a broken heart?"

"Honestly, no. I usually fuck them and move on to the next one. Maybe you should try it." 

"I'm not a one-night-stand kinda guy." 

"Yeah, he's not a band whore like some of us." put in Paul as he looked at Gene and Eric.

"You too Eisen." shot back Gene.

"Stuff it,  Witz."

"Well, I think I should deal with it on my own." said Tommy. "Gene, I'm sorry."

"Okay."

The rest of the ride went smoothly.