It was raining the day of the concert, but it didn't seem to faze any of the fans as the amphitheater filled once again from the floor up for the opening concert in Rome. Butterflies danced in my stomach as I watched Tommy lug his bags sullenly through the private rooms back behind the stage. I could hear screaming, cheers, and whistles as Tommy looked up at me with a grin.
"Looks like I'm not the only one that loves you." Tommy said with a smile as I shrugged my shoulders and grinned right back at him. A hand settled carefully on my arm as Spied grabbed excitedly at his guitar and turned toward the back of the stage.
"Of course not. She's one of a kind, our girl." Spied said with a wink before rushing forward to the other members of SME. Tommy watched him walk off with an unreadable expression on his face before turning back to me with a quirked brow.
"Don't forget what I told you. Keep your eyes and ears open, alright?" He said tenderly before laying his bag down and opening his arms up to me. I ran into them while trying desperately not to cry as I looked down at his packed bag. I was not going to let him see how much I was going to miss him. Something told me that Tommy tended to get scared off by over-emotional displays. He hugged me a little tighter than usual before releasing me, and I reveled in the small demonstration of his affection
"Don't have too much fun back home." I said teasingly as I caught sight of Giselle walking in our general direction. Groaning inwardly, I smiled politely as she came shoulder to shoulder with Tommy. Running a finger along the collar of his shirt, she grinned at him as she tilted her head to one side causing her shirt to reveal a little too much cleavage.
"Leaving Europe so soon? You haven't even had enough time to sample all of the countries finest delicacies." She said winningly before glancing at me with a quirked brow. Staring first at Giselle and then back at me, Tommy brushed Giselle off of himself before leaning over to get something out of his bag. I watched with wide eyes as he shrugged modestly before handing me a wrapped package. I just stared at it as he turned back to Giselle.
"I've sampled enough to know that your country lacks one major ingredient." Tommy said haughtily as Giselle shrugged.
"Oh and what's that?" She asked prettily as Tommy sneered in her direction.
"Spice." He answered easily before grabbing my elbow gently and leading me to the side of the room, placing his hand over mine to keep me from opening the package.
"Wait till after the show." He said in a whisper as I looked from him back down to the crumpled brown paper. A gift when it wasn't even my birthday. Just the thought made my heart fall to pieces because the gesture itself ensured that Tommy was taking my heart back with him to Toronto. Shaking it, I grinned up at him devilishly.
"I don't even get a hint?" I asked with a seductive fluttering of my eyelashes as Tom laughed and waved a finger naughtily in my direction.
"Don't even try that, my little minx. We don't have enough time for what your expression implies." He said disappointedly as I patted the pocket where I kept my cell phone safely buttoned in.
"Don't forget to call." I said with a brave grin as Tommy nodded solemnly.
"Every day." He promised as I watched him walk toward the door before I suddenly remembered something.
"Wait!" I called as my voice quivered in the crowded room. "Stay for the first song, would you?" I asked suddenly as inspiration hit. He nodded as he settled back against the wall patiently. Watching as Darius motioned for us to take the stage, I glanced back one more time to make sure he was still there. SME took their places on the platform as I walked up to the microphone, stopping to whisper something to SME as I sauntered by. I adjusted the straps of my guitar before leaning in close to the microphone.
"This is for someone very special to me. I just hope this person knows how much." I said loudly as I started to strum my guitar and sing.
Needing in the dark
When love throws forth it spark
To rid me of my fear
In arms that draw me near.
I cringe in want
Melting in desire
As I wait all consumed
For my world to catch on fire.
He knows me there
For I am the girl
That breathes his air
That makes up his world
And all I want to do
Is ask him to take me there
And leave me
Eyes like oceans
That draws me into him
If asked for help
I refuse to learn to swim
Warmth engulfs me
As I share my soul
Leaving behind an empty shell
A gaping hole
For when he walks away
Or whenever we're apart
I watch in utter dismay
As he takes away my heart
And all I want to do
Is ask him to take me there
And leave me.
I finished hauntingly before glancing over my shoulder as I stroked the last chords from the strings of my guitar. Tom smiled at me brilliantly before mouthing, "I'll be watching over you." And I stared at him in puzzlement as the crowd screamed and cheered, wondering what he could possibly mean by the obscure comment. Oh, if only I knew what was to come! I blinked slowly as the door opened, and when my eyelids lifted back up, he was gone. I struggled to get through the rest of the show, performing two encores before the audience began to disperse for the night. I literally shoved my way into my dressing room before slamming the door shut behind me and locking it with a resounding 'click.' Grabbing the package Tommy had given me, I tore into it before sitting back absolutely stunned. No way! Inside, folded neatly almost like an offering was Tommy's black leather jacket and Iwas holdingit closely to my nose breathing in his scent when I noticed a lump inside one of the pockets. I reached in nervously pulling out a small steel object that, once I realized what it was, made me sit down heavily on a nearby couch. Tom had given me the ultimate token of affection for inside that pocket was a spare key to his viper. I started to grin in wide expectation until I saw a folded sheet of paper on the floor. Picking it up, I laughed as I read it.
"This doesn't mean you ever get to drive." It said as I clutched the key lovingly. The bastard.
Author's footnote: Alright folks, it's time to kick off the tour. I may make a few vague references to a few things that happen to Jude over the next three months (probably a chapter or two devoted to SME hijinks and Patsy, Jude, and Jamie moments as well as aJude/Tommy phone call or two) But mostly going to jump straight into the big Darius prank. So expect very meaty, emotional, and hilarious chapters to come tomorrow. Please let me know what you think so far, and if you have any suggestions, don't fear throwing them my way. You reviewers are great. Lots of love to ya. R&R.
