by Ryan, Rachel
We will also be having some down time in Dallas, we have four scheduled days off before leaving and Ava has asked me if I would like to go with her to Georgetown. She's going to rent a car and drive out there to visit her grandparents. She hasn't met them before, so she wanted me there for a bit of support, I think she's worried they won't like her or some shit. I know they will love her. She hasn't really shared a lot with me about her family. She told me about her parents dying when she was younger and how she was raised by her Grandma, but she never really went deep into details and I didn't want to seem insensitive by asking for more info.
***
It's three hours until our first show in Dallas and we are all hanging out on the band bus. Ava, Tori and Emma are with us and we are waiting on the arrival of Jo. She is going to come and have a drink with us all and then watch our show with the other girls. I'm sitting at the table beside Ava reading an article about us in some trash magazine with Luke across from us drinking a beer when there is a knock on the door. Hunter goes to open the door and Jo climbs up onto the bus. Looking at her now, she hasn't really changed that much. Her blond hair used to flow in soft waves to her lower back, but now sits just above her shoulders in a shaggy style bob. She also dresses very differently now, I notice as I take in her outfit of black loose capri pants, tight, white wrap top and high heeled black strappy sandals. She used to live in blue jeans and t-shirts, so it is very strange to see her actually dressed like a girl. My eyes meet her bright blue ones and she flashes me a huge grin as I stand up to greet her. I grip her in a tight hug lifting her up off the floor as she squeals at me to put her down. Brody gets up off the couch and makes his way to us pushing me to the side so he can give Jo a hug that's just as big as mine. The boys each take turns hugging her and I glance over at Ava who is still sitting at the table. I stroll over to her and grab her hand, not sure of what look I'm seeing on her pretty face. Her mouth is open like she is surprised and her eyebrows are drawn together in confusion.
"What's wrong, Baby?"
She glances over at Jo then back at me "Who's that?"
Looking back over my shoulder I tell her "That's our friend Jo."
Ava's eyes widen and she stares at me for a second "That's Jo? I um…I thought Jo was a boy."
Laughing I grab hold of her hand and kiss the back of it. "I'm sure I told you she was a girl."
Shaking her head, Ava whispers "No, you said you were meeting up with your friend Jo, from school, who wanted to join your band……"
I chuckle again "Yeah, she did. But she sings like a fucking screeching cat."
"Hey, I heard that, Stone." I turn to see Jo standing behind me looking at Ava with a strange smile on her face that doesn't quite meet her eyes. "Who's this?"
Pulling Ava to my side and wrapping my arm around her shoulder I say proudly "This is Ava Flores, my girlfriend."
Ava
Girlfriend?
Where did that come from? We haven't spoken about that, so much for taking it slow. I'm Jeremy Stone's girlfriend; I'm going to be keeping that out of my reports though. I don't need to have the attention on me. Staring at the blonde in front of me I try to push down the feeling that I shouldn't trust anything this girl says. I don't know what it is, but there's just… something. I'm not going to be the jealous girlfriend but there is just something about her.
"Hi, Jo it's nice to finally meet you. Jeremy has been really excited to catch up with you. He has told me so much about you." But he left out one very important piece of information I think to myself.
"I can't really say the same, but Jeremy doesn't always tell me about all of his women."
Just then Jeremy looks between us.
"We better go. We need to get ready."
Grabbing my hand Jeremy drags me off the bus. The walk into the arena via the back door is busy with the old friends catching up. I walk in silence listening to them relive their past. I really enjoy hearing about the bands past I may have to get some stories from Jo to use in the next article. The band goes to the dressing room to get ready while I make my way to the side of the stage where I normally sit. I left Jo, Em and Tori all in the dressing room to do their jobs and for Jo to catch up with the guys. Em and Tori have made a thing of coming to join me on the side of the stage to keep me company when the guys are performing. They've become great friends in such a short time and I know that friendship will continue when the tour is over.
"So Ava how long have you and Jeremy been together?"
Jo interrupts me from listening to the guys start their intro. Looking over my shoulder I see her giving me what seems like a genuine smile. Maybe my first impression of her was a little off.
"A few weeks I suppose, I'm actually a reporter for Treble Magazine. The bands label organized for me to go on tour with them and document their rise to fame. I guess…well Jeremy and I sort of hit it off."
"Have you hooked up with Coops or something he has been giving you odd looks all night?"
What? Where did that come from? Why does she feel that it's any of her business? Plastering a fake smile on my face I turn back to the band and answer over my shoulder. "No, We are just really good mates. He helped me get my apartment when I first arrived in L.A and has been amazing since we've been on tour."
Hoping to end the conversation I start recording the show so it can be uploaded to the website. That seems to do the trick and she starts talking to Tori about a fashion school she wants to go to. Watching the band perform has become one of my favorite moments. Luke and Hunter explode with so much energy that even I feel it. Jeremy becomes the flirty egotistical bad boy, that really deep down he's not. And Brody well he beams from ear to ear, performing is his high. It brings out the life in his eyes. As the song finishes Jeremy speaks to the crowd. Apparently this show is going to be different and Brody is going to sing the next song. This has never happened. Starting to record again I watch Brody move up to the center of the stage. Hunter and Luke start off the intro to Escape and a few seconds later Brody closes his eyes and starts singing. His voice is calm and slow but it's tantalizing. I'm completely drawn to him and I can't tear my eyes away from him. I'm lost in his words listening to every heart felt word.
"I need to escape, I can't take anymore
I'm not the same boy I was before."
That line gets me every time I hear this song and I wonder what went on in his life to write such a gut wrenching song.
Closing my eyes I keep my phone pointed on Brody, my heart shatters every time I hear this song but it's even worse listening to him sing it. I feel every ounce of pain he has, I know just from this song that he has a deep past. All I want is to hug him, hold him and be there for him. The song finishes and I still have my eyes closed. Finally I take the chance of opening my eyes and I see both Jeremy and Brody looking at me. Their faces have changed into happy Rock star looks again but I feel really low after that. My emotions overwhelm me and I can't stay here anymore. Turning around with my head lowered I walk past the girls.
"Ava, are you okay sweetie you look a bit pale?"
"I'm fine Em I just need some water."
Emma looks at me and her face softens. "I need one too." turning to Tori and Jo she mumbles a see you soon.
Standing in the dressing room Emma looks at me.
"You're not fine what's going on?"
"I have no bloody clue. Every time I hear that song it breaks my heart but hearing Brody sing it I just want to vomit, scream and cry all at once. The pain and emotion in that song just grabs me, every time."
"It's a deep song I know, I don't know what happened in his life but I think it was bad. Speaking of Brody what's going on with you two?"
"We aren't really talking, since the night Jeremy and I had sex."
"Why?"
"We kind of had a huge fight. He was acting like a jerk and pretty much compared me to the groupie whores. We haven't even been running together since that night."
"What caused the argument?"
; "Because he thinks I'm better than a fuck in a dressing room with a guy I 'barely know'." Using air quotes I emphasis my point.
"He really cares about you, Ava, we all do. None of us want to see you get hurt. I think Brody is just taking it a bit more serious than the rest of us."
"I just can't understand why?"
"I have no idea. And by the way, when did you become Jeremy Stone's girlfriend?"
"Umm, tonight apparently. What do you think of Jo?"
"She seems nice."
"Yeah I don't know, there is something about her."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I just got the strangest feeling deep down that she isn't completely trustworthy."
Emma gives me a small grin "Do you think it's because she's a good friend of your boyfriends?"
"No not that. I don't know. I don't want to judge on first impressions, but… I just don't know.
***
The band rushes off the stage and Jeremy picks me up off my feet swinging me around in a hug.
"Dundee, were we not great?"
Hearing a scoff behind me I hear Jo laugh "Dundee?"
Jeremy looks over my shoulder to her "Yeah, Ava is Australian and it pushes her little buttons when I say it."
Breaking into the conversation I smile at Jeremy and give him a kiss "Jer, you guys are always amazing." Placing my hand on Brody's arm I look around them "Where did the idea to let Brody sing come from?" Jeremy looks across to Jo and smiles.
"Jo did and the fans ate it up. They loved it. We may have to do it more often. Jo you are a star."
Chapter 18
Brody
I can't take my eyes off Ava tonight. I know she's Jeremy's girl and their relationship is apparently now official, but this girl is just amazing. Ever since Hunter and I realized the true extent of my feelings, I haven't been able to stop thinking about her. When we performed 'Escape' I found my eyes drifting to her throughout the song and it touched my soul to see the raw emotion written on her beautiful face as she stood in the wings of the stage listening to me sing. I forgot about the thousands of other people in the room and felt like I was pouring my heart out to Ava, showing her the real me. The real me that I constantly try to hide. Ava has seen small glimpses of me and my life but she is still unaware of the emotional baggage, the trust issues, the insecurities, the terrible memories.
I wrote 'Escape' at a time when I was struggling to cope with the pain of losing someone very close to me. It was my way of getting it all out. Most people talk to a shrink when they can't handle life, I write songs.
Pushing these thoughts to the back of my mind I try to concentrate on what Luke is talking about. After the show we decided to go out and celebrate with our old friend Jo at one of the many dance clubs in Dallas. We are in a secluded area in the VIP section and we are just all catching up and reminiscing. Looking across the table my eyes find Ava's staring straight at me. She quickly looks away, but as I watch her, her eyes drift back to mine. Jeremy is sitting beside her, but his body is turned and leaning toward Jo on his other side. They are deep in conversation about something, so Jeremy doesn't notice when Ava gets up and heads toward the stairs. I look around our large group and no one else seems to notice Ava walking away, so I stand and follow her down the stairs. Catching up to her just as she reaches the front entrance, I spin her around to face me and ask
"Where are you going?"
She looks down at the floor, softly stating "I have a headache, I need some air."
My protective side makes an appearance again and I follow her out the door. I silently walk beside her as she continues down the street. After a few minutes of silent walking she sits down on a sidewalk bench. I watch her as she begins to rub her temples gently with her fingers.
Sitting down beside her, I place my hand on her shoulder. "Ava, are you okay?"
She glances at my hand on her shoulder and seems uncomfortable, so I move it. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just the start of a migraine, I think." She smiles and stares down at the ground. "So, how did it feel to sing your song tonight?"
"It was actually pretty cool. I don't have a great voice like Jeremy, but it was cool being the center of attention for a change."
"You definitely had my attention. Brody, that song is so beautiful. It tugs on my heartstrings every time I hear it. But tonight, when you sang it, I felt it deep down in my soul. You have a great story telling voice, and with those lyrics…wow."
Listening to her talk about me in such a way kind of makes me feel embarrassed, but also makes me feel so fucking good. To have this beautiful, amazing girl giving me these compliments makes me feel…special. I study her pretty face as she stares at me. A few unruly strands have escaped her messy bun, and as I raise my hand to tuck them behind her ear, my fingers brush her cheek. Feeling the warmth from her cheek I stretch my hand across her forehead.
"Ava, you're burning up." She touches a hand to her forehead as I stand and pull her up to her feet "Come on, let's get you home. You must be coming down with the flu or something." Wrapping my arm around her I guide her back in the direction of the club.
"I have had a slight cough and now that I think about it, my bodies been aching a little bit."
Trying not to mentally picture said body parts, I remind her "Plus the headache."
Reaching the club, I drop my arm from around her shoulder and follow her upstairs. Jeremy only notices Ava's return when she taps him on the shoulder. "Jer, I'm not feeling well. Do you mind if we go back to the bus?"
Jeremy stands up and wraps his arms around Ava "Sure, Baby, whatever you want. We have a big day tomorrow, so we should get a good night's sleep anyway."
Ava looks confused "What's happening tomorrow?"
"Don't you remember I have that big charity lunch that my mother organized in Fort Worth? I told you about it a couple days ago."
"Oh…It must have slipped my mind." Or he just forgot to tell her, which I'll put my money on.
Grabbing my jacket from my chair, I coax the others "Come on let's go."
***
Early the next morning as I'm pouring myself a glass of juice, Jeremy climbs up on the bus and plonks down into one of the arm chairs with a slight frown on his face.
"Shit, man. What am I going to do? I need to leave in a couple of hours for Fort Worth, but Ava still isn't feeling well. I went out and got her some pills this morning, but she is still running a high temp and she said her body is aching. She must have the flu. I can't take her to this gala now. But if I go, I can't keep an eye on her."
"Hey, you can't miss it. You go and I'll check on Ava for you throughout the day. If she gets worse, I'll just give you a call."
Jeremy walks up and gives me one of those man hugs "Thanks, dude. I'll go and let her know. I'll probably take Jo with me instead, she heard about Ava not feeling well and offered to be my plus one."
Shaking my head I mutter "I bet she did." Jeremy must not have heard me though as he climbs down off the bus.
Jeremy has no idea, but Jo has had a major crush on him since we were kids, and judging by the way she's been watching him and Ava together, I'm pretty sure that is still the case. Jeremy always thought there was something going on between me and o, but every time he caught us huddled and whispering, we were talking about him. She was always scared of revealing her true feelings to him as she was scared of rejection. And who could blame her? I knew firsthand what rejection could be like. I had been rejected by my own parents for most of my life, with them choosing drugs over their own child. It is not the best feeling in the world. I always encouraged Jo to tell him how she was feeling because life's too short to spend your time wondering about what could have happened if you'd only just had the courage. That's some strong advice that I should probably take on myself.
***
Two hours later I watch as Jeremy and Jo pull out of the lot in the sports car that Jeremy had hired for the day. I make my way over to Ava's bus and climb up the steps. Tori and Emma are out shop
ping today for new outfits for our shows, so Ava is alone on the bus. Scanning the area at the front, I hear a cough coming from the back room. I knock on the door and a soft voice calls "Come in."
"Hey, Ava. How are you feeling?" She shrugs her shoulders and pats the bed beside her motioning for me to sit down. Sitting down beside her legs, I lean forward and press my hand to her forehead. "You still feel too hot."
"I'm okay. My body is still aching and my chest hurts, but I'll be fine."
"How long have you had the chest pain?" I'm beginning to get a little worried, if she's suffering from fever and chest pain, there may be an infection.
"Only since this morning." She starts coughing again and I can see her wincing from the pain.
"Ava, I think you should see a Doctor." She's shaking her head no, but I'm not backing down. "I think you may have a chest infection. I'm not taking no for an answer."
Half an hour later the limo pulls into the emergency bay of one the hospitals in Dallas. Helping Ava out of the car I lead her through the doors and to reception. A young nurse gives us some paperwork to fill out and we sit and wait for a Doctor to see us. While we are waiting we chat about the show last night and Ava tells me about some of the articles she has written and the videos she sent through to the magazine to post on their website.
She looks over at me "The fans are going to love the video of your performance of 'Escape' last night. How old were you when you wrote that song?"
I take a few seconds to answer, I always tense up when journalists ask about that song. But this is Ava, I can trust her. "I was seventeen."
She shakes her head in disbelief "Wow, they are some powerful lyrics for a seventeen year old. I know it's none of my business but did something happen in your life to inspire such emotional words?"