Eddie didn't have to rehearse until after Loren. He had to meet with the stylist to choose clothes for the festival and press related events. Eddie didn't realize agree to fill in for Ed Sheeran, meant also filling in the interviews as well. Jake was all over this to help advertise his new album. Eddie wished he could have said no though. Eddie didn't feel like doing interviews right now.
"Hey, hey there Eddie." Sasha greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. "Hello Sasha. Are you doing styling today?"
"Yeah, your girl Gina couldn't get out here last minute. Jake asked me to step in for you."
"Paying you extra, right?"
"Double." Eddie smiled at that. "Good. You deserve it you, fashionista goddess." Sasha rolled her eyes and laughed. "Oh lord you haven't even been here for five minutes and you're already laying on the charm."
"Gotta charm the lady that makes you look good up on stage."
"Does that mean you're using me on the world tour too?" Sasha started to go through the rack of clothes. Eddie followed suit.
"I was hoping you'd be interested. Gina's not going to leave her babies and husband that long."
"Lucky for you I am so painfully single." Eddie laughed. "You and me both."
"Oh please. It's only a matter of time before you and Loren get back together." He grabbed a shirt and Sasha shook her head. "Not that. That would look horrible on you." She took it out of his hands. "I see the way you look at her still."
Sasha saw all, so there was no denying it how he still felt. "Doesn't matter Sasha. She's moved on."
"Excuse me?" She sounded truly confused, but still was going through the rack of clothes. "She's dating that Myles guy, isn't she?"
"Where'd you hear that?" She handed him a white button up. "Try this one on." He took off his current shirt and put on her option. "They're not dating?"
"Hell no. They're just friends." She eyed him up and down. "I like that. Wear that for interviews today. Try this on for the festival." He did as she said. "Seriously they're just friends?"
"They're practically brother and sister." She looked at him and smirked. "Now Myles and Tess. That's another story."
"The backup singer?" Eddie practically shouted in shock. "Mmmhmm. But you didn't hear any of that from me."
Eddie couldn't help, but to think of the night in Vegas. He had gone after Loren because she had forgotten her room key. That's when he saw her with Myles. Eddie had assumed the worse. His blood boiled even. He had to get out of there. Eddie remember heading down to the bar. It wasn't his best decision. He had already had a lot to drink that night and Eddie could turn mean when he drank too much. Memories started to flood back to him. He remembered Loren showing up. She wanted to talk, but he didn't give her a chance.
Four months ago, in Vegas…
"What are you talking about?"
He scoffed. "I'm talking about what a fool I've been. What a fool you've made me." He was slurring his words. Loren just needed to explain herself and things would get better. "Eddie please just listen-"
"I'm done listening to you and all your bullshit." He yelled loudly. Thank god only the bartender was near. "Eddie-"
"Forever and always, what a joke." His words hit Loren like a ton of bricks. "I've been wasting my time thinking you and I were meant to be." Eddie finally looked at her. "Did you ever care?"
"How could you ask me that? Of course, I care Eddie." What was he talking about, she thought? He laughed bitterly. "Cared enough to walk away."
"Eddie-" If she could just explain why, he'd understand.
"Then again it does run in the family." He spat hatefully. Loren's whole body went rigid. "What?"
"Walking out with no explanation." He took a sip of his drink. "Like father, like daughter."
A sudden flash of rage roared through her body. For once in a long time, Loren wasn't sad or depressed, she was pissed off. "Go to hell Eddie." She grabbed her keycard and stormed off. "Already there, babe."
Eddie felt sick to his stomach once again. What he said to her was unforgivable. To compare her to the man that caused so much pain in her life. How could he have done that too her? He made a silent promise to himself to never drink whiskey again. The argument they got into the next morning made more sense now. Damn he wished he had read her notebook. At the very least he wished he had it right now to read. The devastation in Loren's eyes haunted him.
"Are we done here?" Eddie asked abruptly. Sasha eyed him curiously. "Leaving me already?"
"I need to go find Loren." Sasha gave him a knowing grin. "Go get your girl."
Eddie was out the door before she even finished saying the last word. Eddie needed to find Loren. He needed to find her now.
Loren had been looking for Tess everywhere with no luck. George being her bodyguard and always nearby, he watched the whole thing unfold. He had helped Loren search for her. After no luck she decided to deal with Myles first. Loren headed back towards the stage area. With George right on her tail.
"I'm going to kill him." George bellowed. He was protective of Tess just as much as he was of Loren. "I got this one George."
Myles was finishing up his set. Loren was heading for the stage when she ran into a tall, strong figure. "Lor—whoa. Are you okay?" She looked up and saw Eddie looking down at her concerned. The awkwardness from this morning seemed to have vanished. "Sorry, Eddie I didn't see you."
"No worries." Eddie noticed how tense she was. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Eddie didn't buy it. "Do you have a minute to talk?"
"No, I don't." Eddie's stomach knotted. He needed to talk to her, but something about the way she was acting told him not to force the issue at the moment. "Actually, can you do me a favor?" He looked at her slightly surprised.
"Anything." He said with only pure sincerity. "Can you rehearse first? I am dealing with some band stuff." Eddie nodded. "Yeah of course. I'll go get it cleared with everyone. You handle your stuff." She gave him a sweet smile. "Thanks Eddie."
"Excuse me, but he just finished on stage Miss. Loren. May I kill him now?" Eddie looked at George astonished by his words.
"No. That's my job." Eddie's confused look turned towards Loren. She never got that riled up like that before. Especially when working. When she looked his way once more her sweet smile returned. "Thanks for the help Eddie. I'll see you for our duet practice." Eddie simply waved as he watched her head towards the stage.
"LT, LT—what did you think of our set?" Myles asked so innocently it infuriated her even more.
"Get off the stage." She folded her arms across her chest. "Excuse me?" He actually had the nerve to look surprised. "Get the fuck off the stage." She held her ground and although her words were harsh, she kept and even tone.
"Loren-" She shook her head. Not wanting to hear what he had to say. "That song was uncalled for and you know it."
"It's a part of the set Loren. I didn't know she was going to be here." Drew scoffed in the background. "Bro you added that song right before we started." Loren shook her head in anger. "After you saw Tess with me."
"Listen—"
"No, you listen." She pointed to him, practically shaking her finger. "I know you can be a jackass, but that was low even for you. That was a cowardly move you pulled up here."
"I'm not a coward. She was a fuck buddy that got to attached. That's not my fault." Loren wanted to deck him. Hell, at this point she was ready for Big George to deck him. But Loren refused to lose her cool in front of her crew and fellow singers.
"Get off my stage now." Her voice raised slightly.
"You're kicking us off? You're about to rehearse, you need us."
"They're staying." Myles looked back at Drew and Emmett, both stood there showing solidarity with Loren. They didn't realize why Myles added the song last minute. Now that they did, they were pissed as well. "Antonio is filling in for rehearsal today. I'm not going to let Tess feel uncomfortable out on stage with you."
"Tess is a big girl. She can handle herself." Loren's blood started to boil at his attitude. "Let me be clear right now. You need to figure out how to make things right with her or you're off my tour."
Myles's eyes widen. "You wouldn't do that." Loren took a step closer to him. "Watch me-"
"You can't force me to date someone Loren." Loren rolled her eyes. "You know that's not what I'm saying at all. If you don't want to date her, that's fine. Be a man though and tell her to her face. Make. Things. Right."
"So, it's your way or I'm out? Just like that?"
"Yes, just like that. Did you forget that your contract ends with me once this tour is over? I'm not going to lose a crew member and a friend for my world tour because you can't keep your dick in your pants."
"Pick and choosing your crew? That's not very professional of you." Loren scoffed at his words. "Says the man who changes his set last minute to break up with a girl." He opened his mouth to argue, but the fury in Loren's eyes changed his mind. "And you are lucky I am a professional or I'd be decking your ass right now." Myles was her friend, but it was as if she was looking at a complete stranger at that moment. "Figure it out or get your ass on the next plane back to L.A."
Loren walked off the stage without another word. Myles didn't dare say another word. She did hear the other two guys giving him grief for his actions as well. She walked straight to George who stood off to the side. "Make sure he leaves." George cracked his knuckles. "With pleasure." She pinned him with a look. "No hurting him." He was a jackass, but he was still one of her best friends.
"Damn." He muttered. Loren shook her head and walked towards Eddie. She had a feeling he watched things unfold on stage. "Stage is all yours. Thanks again for switching times." Before he could reply she took off after one of the crew members.
"Antonio just the man I was looking for. Go get ready. You're going to stand in during rehearsal."
"Really?" Loren smiled at the joy written on his face. "Really. You know my set, right?" He nodded vigorously. "Of course. I could perform it in my sleep."
"Good to hear and remember I'm going to need a replacement for the world tour. Do me proud and we'll talk about it being permanent."
"I will—I will. Thank you, Loren."
"I see you out there in a few." Loren was looking around for Tess when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and met familiar brown eyes.
"Everything okay?" Eddie asked.
"Just band member issues. Nothing I couldn't handle." She crossed her arms once again. Eddie nodded with a sly smile. "You did an amazing job. Total badass."
"Thanks Eddie." Loren actually blushed at his words. To this day she still loved getting his approval when it came to the business. He was about to say something when they heard the sound guy call his name. "That's my cue." He muttered reluctantly.
"You better get out there." He almost looked sad as they part ways. Loren shrugged away the thoughts. It didn't matter right now. She had Tess to find.
Loren looked all around and still had no luck finding Tess. There was one more spot to look. Her dressing room. Loren opened the door and found Tess sitting on the floor. With her knees pulled up to her chest. She could tell Tess had been crying. Loren's heart ache for her friend.
"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. Are you okay?" Loren slid down the wall and sat next to her friend. Tess nodded wiping away the tears in her eyes. "Sorry for running off like that. It was really unprofessional of me."
"Don't worry about it. I got it all covered."
"Oh, great my boss is having to cover for my meltdown." Loren grabbed her friends hand and gave it a squeeze. "First of all, right now I'm your friend not your boss. Second Myles is a prick." Tess busted out laughing at that last part. "Thanks Tate. You don't need to say that though. I know Myles is your friend too."
"He is, but I'm your friend too. What he did was a dick move. He is a coward." She meant every word too. She loved Myles, but it wasn't okay how he was treating Tess.
"I was actually falling for him. I feel so stupid."
"Do you want my honest opinion?" Tess sighed. "No, but give it to me anyway."
"I think he is falling for you too." Tess sneered and shook her head. "Did you hear that song?" Loren nodded. "I did. He's talking about Sarah."
"His ex?" Loren took a deep breath. "They didn't break up Tess. She died." Loren knew it wasn't her place to tell, but she had to explain things to Tess somehow. "I—I didn't know that."
"He doesn't talk about it much." Loren gave her friend's hand another squeeze. "I think he fell for you and felt guilty. Even wrote that song with some guilt."
"Last time we talked I told him he needed to decide if he was all in." It all made sense to Loren now. "I think he's afraid to love again. I'm not going to tell you what to do. You can write him off for what he did, and I wouldn't blame you at all."
"Or?" Tess bit her lip waiting for Loren's answer. "Or you can hear him out and maybe even talk to him."
"That's if he talks to me."
"I told him he's off the tour until he does."
"You can't do that Tate." Loren shook her head. "I can. What he did wasn't okay. He needs to make it right."
"God I feel so pathetic. My boss is making my friends with benefit apologize to me."
"No. He fucked up and needs to handle like a man. If he's okay with his actions, then I don't want him in my band. Friend or not he was being a jackass and that's not okay." Tess sighed in defeat. "Guys suck."
"They really do." They both laughed sadly. Loren got up and reached her hand out to help Tess stand up. "Come on, let's get back out there. Eddie and I switched rehearsal times and he should be almost"
"I don't know if I can-" Tess bit her lip and shook her head. "Don't worry, I have Antonio filling in for Myles."
"Thanks for having my back Tate." She gave Loren a small smile. Loren draped her arm over Tess's shoulders. "Always."
As the made their way to the stage once again they could hear Eddie performing his set. They made it to the side of the stage. Drew, Emmet and George were all standing near. Myles was nowhere in sight. Loren sighed in relief. She was done with the drama today.
"I don't recognize this song." Tess commented. Loren shrugged her shoulders. "Must be a new one of his." They both stood to the side and listened to the lyrics as he sang.
'One day you're gonna love again
Mess up and let somebody in
To every part of your whole world
You think it's unthinkable girl
But somebody's gonna break those walls
Somebody's gonna watch you fall
Gonna give it your all and I hope that I'm around
When you finally find out why you
Run away, run away from love
What the hell are you so scared of?
You walk away when you've had enough
Of trying, of trying
Girl there's always gonna be some pain
A little sunshine, a little rain
It doesn't mean it ain't worth it babe
I'm trying, I'm trying to get to you
To you
So tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
You can't look me in the eye
What am I supposed to do?
When you say we're through
Why do you?
Run away, run away from love
What the hell are you so scared of?
You walk away when you've had enough
Of trying, of trying
Girl there's always gonna be some pain
A little sunshine, a little rain
It doesn't mean it ain't worth it babe
I'm trying, I'm trying to get to you
To you
Somebody had to hurt you bad
For you to give up like that
Somebody had to break your heart in two
But that ain't me and you'
"Guys suck." Loren stated this time. Tess nodded in agreement. "They really do."
You guys asked for it and I actually delivered! It's amazing I know. Hope you guys liked this chapter. The focus is going back to Leddie like I promised.
The song is Get To You and when I heard it I thought of Loren. Listen to it sometime. It's an amazing song. So, why is she upset about the song? Well I'll explain it in my next chapter, but feel free to comment your guesses!
Please leave a review! I love you all and your reviews keep me writing! They make my day.
I love you all and will update my other story next. I have a week off in December, so hopefully sometime then. I love to relax when I have time off and write. Hope you all have amazing holidays coming up. Love you all.
