FOUR

TYLER

I duck behind the sofa just as I hear Delilah asking loudly if anyone has seen her phone. It was just sitting on the table earlier, all lonely and unguarded, and I had an idea. I had to try. I couldn’t help myself. It’s almost been a year. I miss her and I’ve never wasted time missing any girl before.

Tess sounded so happy on the phone. She couldn’t stop talking. My ball of sunshine, until she realized it was me calling her instead of Delilah. Then she couldn’t get off the phone fast enough.

She can’t still be angry with me after all this time, can she? I mean we were never even official. Technically I did nothing wrong. What’s the big deal if I hang out with groupies? It wasn’t cheating. We were friends with benefits. We never discussed specifics. There were no rules that I was aware of.

She knows how I feel about labels. I’ve never had an actual “girlfriend.” Don’t misunderstand me, I’ve had plenty of girls. Just none that I’ve asked to be mine. The only one to ever get that close, that I’d even considered having more with, was Tess. But now she’s gone. I chased her away.

I try texting her instead, but it’s clear she’s ignoring this number too. At least now I know where she is living. That’s something I can work with. I wonder if we have a show in London anytime soon. Maybe I’ll just stop by. Surprise her. Send her flowers. I know for a fact Delilah knows exactly where Tess is hiding, not that she would tell me. Traitor. Maybe if I got her tipsy, loose lips and all that.

I stealthily slip out of my hiding place and flop onto the couch right before Delilah comes bursting into the room. “Oh look, here’s your phone.” That wasn’t suspicious at all. Delilah looks around and eyes me skeptically.

“Where was it?” She asks taking it from my hand.

“Ugh I dunno just right over there.” I wave my hand around not pointing at anywhere in particular. “So I was wondering when our next show in London is?” I ask trying my best to seem mildly interested, while running my hand through my messy hair.

Liam, Noah and Delilah’s heads all snap in my direction instantly. I think they are on to me. Maybe I am not as smooth as I thought. I need a cover story. “Do you all have something against London? I saw a haunted pub crawl on twitch that I wanted to check out…” maybe that will throw them off my scent.

Liam frowns plopping onto a bean bag chair beside me and cracking open a beer. “A haunted pub crawl??” He narrows his eyes, “I don’t believe you. You’re terrified of ghosts. What’s really going on?” He takes a gulp before wrapping his arms around Delilah and pulling her onto his lap. They are still as wrapped up in each other as ever. I’m happy for them but sometimes being around them makes me feel even lonelier.

“Can’t I be excited for a tour date?”

Noah snorts, “You haven’t been excited for a gig since we got our new manager.”

“Huh. That’s an oddly specific detail for you to remember.”

“Is it? Tell me why you are really asking about London?” Noah strums a few strings absentmindedly on his bass tuning it up for later.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

He shrugs then exchanges a look with the others.

“I didn’t call Tessa with Dels phone if that’s what you’re implying.” Delilah frantically opens up her messages and begins cursing me under her breath.

“Damn it Tyler. If she blocked me because of you….” She starts scolding me and stops when she sees the painful expression I’m barely masking these days.

“So she did block me! I knew it. You know I’ve been messaging her every day for ten months. Ten months and not once has she messaged me back.”

None of them can even look me in the eye.

“Is it so wrong that I tried to contact the only girl I’ve ever actually cared about?” I ask flopping into a bean bag chair dramatically. “Is that a crime?”

“It is when she doesn’t want to talk to you.” Delilah huffs. “Liam I need your phone. She’s blocked me. I have to explain what Tyler did and apologize for leaving my phone unguarded.”

“She’s my best friend too! It’s been almost a year.” I argue back. “I freaking miss her.” I fold my arms defensively across my chest barely holding back the tears. I’m full on pouting now. Maybe they’ll pity me and tell me her address. I jut my bottom lip out further. It’s worth a try. It always works on my mom.

“Do you really though? I saw that red head leave your room this morning.” My eyes snap to Delilah’s. “Tessa is trying to move on. You should let her. It’s not like you’re going to change your playboy ways.”

Delilah scrunches her face up at me like I’m disgusting. I feel disgusting. I feel hopeless. Empty. Hollow. But her judgy voice makes me angry.

“So what then? I’m not allowed to talk to Tess, but I can’t fool around with anyone else either? Thats bullshit. I can’t wait around forever Delilah. What if she never comes back? My junk might fall off from blue balls or something.”

Lilah snorts, “If you keep it up it may fall off from something else.” She mumbles then sits down next to me. “Look, she may actually believe that you miss her if she doesn’t see you in the tabloids with a different girl every single day.”

“I do actually miss her.” I reply, my voice barely over a whisper. “I haven’t stopped thinking about her since she left and believe me, I’ve tried. Why do you think I mess around with all those girls anyway?” I have to distract myself somehow. Tess left a gaping hole in my chest and nothing else seems to fill it. No matter how hard I try.

They look between each other and Noah speaks next. “We’re in London for three days next month. We were planning to meet up with her some while we are there.” He shakes his head like this is somehow painful for him too. Asshole. “Look she may not agree to see you. She may not even agree to see us after this shit you pulled. She made us promise not to even mention your name when we talk to her.”

I can’t even look at them. I feel so dejected. I'm such a shitty friend that she doesn’t even want to hear my name? I’ve known her since preschool. We’ve had our fair share of disagreements over the years but she has never gone this long without forgiving me. It’s like she’s really cut me out of her life for good this time.

There’s a knock at our door and our new manager Lisa comes sashaying into the trailer. Even though Lisa is super enthusiastic about her job, she’s not as good as Tessa was. No one will ever fill her shoes. She’s also a bit handsy.

“Am I interrupting anything?” Lisa asks batting her lashes quickly.

“Nah, we were just discussing the London shows that are coming up. Perfect timing though. I need you to schedule me in some time off to catch up with an old friend while we are there.” I say as Lisa steps up beside me wrapping her manicured hand around my bicep and squeezing possessively. Like I said she’s handsy.

“Oh, what kind of friend? I’d love to meet him. We should schedule a dinner date together. You can introduce me.” Lisa giggles and leans in a bit too close to be considered professional. Her perfume is thick and flowery, overwhelming me and not in a good way. It makes me miss Tess even more. It's been so long since I've seen her.

“It’s actually a female friend and I’d rather fly solo on this one. Thanks for the offer though.” I say trying to be polite while stepping back to put more space between us. If there’s one rule I do follow, it’s keeping my hands off of the staff. What’s the saying? Don’t shit where you eat….

“A female? Really? Well you’ve never asked for extra time to meet a friend before. I’m not sure that I’m okay with that.” Lisa waves her hands about dramatically as we all stare at her confused. “I mean, she could be some kind of crazed stalker. How well do you know this person? I’ve never even heard you mention her before. I’d really prefer to come with you. So I can keep an eye on her. Have you told her about us?” Lisa is talking a mile a minute and every word from her mouth just keeps getting worse.

“Us?” I question. “There’s not really much for me to tell her. You’re our tour manager. Other than that… There is no “us”.

I’m not trying to be a dick but what the hell is going on with Lisa? I’ve never given her any kind of indication that I’m even the tiniest bit interested in her. Because I’m not and I have to work with her on a daily basis. I keep my work life squarely away from my sex life. Well except for Tessa. She was in my life before all of this rockstar business though. She’s the exception.

Lisa huffs and narrows her eyes at me.

“Wow I’m sorry, but I have to cut in here. This is totally unacceptable behavior. Lisa you know there’s a strict no fraternization policy while on tour. Please don’t make me regret hiring you.” Delilah chimes in and thank God she does because what the fuck was that.

“I know, but there’s a difference between fraternization and a relationship. I just thought that we shouldn’t hide what’s between us a minute longer. We're forever. I know you feel the same way Tyler. You can stop pretending. They all know about us now.” Lisa lays it on thick wrapping her arms around me like a python as I try unsuccessfully to pry her off.

“What the hell. I’m not pretending anything. Can you stop squeezing me woman? Jeez how much do you work out? You’re going to break something. I’m not going to be able to play tonight!” Liam motions for security to help and they are finally able to remove her from me.

“I’m sorry Lisa, but this is not going to work out.” Liam steps in front of Delilah. “We will mail your last paycheck to you. It’s time for you to go.”

Lisa glances between us all and makes a dive for my chest, ripping off my shirt and some chest hair in the process before bolting to the door. “I’m taking this with me then! I’ll see you soon Tyler!” She screams cackling hysterically as she runs down the wet pavement.

I look at my friends in disbelief. “How am I supposed to move on from Tessa with these kind of crazies running about? I mean did you all see that? She seemed normal an hour ago.”

Noah chuckles, “An hour ago she didn’t think you were interested in a girl. Love makes chicks crazy.”

“That’s not love. Whatever that was, I want no part in it.” I shake my head in disbelief. Delilah pats me on the back and I watch her type out an apology message to Tessa. Two months and I get my girl back. Until then I just have to prove that I’m worth it.