Never Signing Off

  Record Label I'm waiting in the boardroom on the top floor of the label’s office. He told me he was negotiating his next album, but he never told me why. He planned to have me singing on the album, which required convincing his label that I could be added to his contract. It also meant that I'd have to sign off on some of the album concepts. I figure it meant I would be touring with him too. Not because I want to, but because it was going to be required. Jared took my shift at Reggie's so I wouldn't have to rush to get back on the plane. Reggie didn't seem to mind. He had told me last week that since Jared started coming around, business was booming. I noticed it without him having to say so. Jared started playing acoustic sets a few times a week. That brought in a whole new crowd. Then, when the word got out that Jared was a regular, other bands wanted to start playing. So, Reggie had to hire double the staff, buy double the liquor. But, he didn't hav...

  Book Tour “When were you going to tell me?” I ask sharply. I don't want to seem upset, but I am. “ I just didn't think you'd mind, since Hunter is here.” Crystal replies loosely, keeping her back to me. I watch as she's packing her suitcase. For a minute, I think about Kathleen watching me throwing things into a box in Hunter's bedroom. I chuckle to myself thinking about it. Fond memories. Of course, I'm not upset that Crystal is leaving. Not at all. I'm upset that she didn't tell me until the very last minute. She needs a ride to the airport two days from now. She didn't give me time to make arrangements at all. I have half the mind to tell her to call a damn taxi. I don't have to drive her everywhere, but I choose to. I choose to conquer my fear to make her life easier. Because I love her. When you love someone, you make sacrifices for them. But she didn't consider me when she decided to leave. She didn't. It didn't cros...

  A Memory I think it's been almost a month since Jared came to town. He's come and gone a few times, but always ends up coming back. I don't know if I'm the one he wants to spend time with, but I'm not complaining. I think, personally, he's just spanning the time until Frankie gets here. I think Jared wants to be here when he gets home. “ He told me about the upcoming tour. It's kicking off in April, I believe.” I announce, looking over at Jared. We're sitting in the living room with the fireplace crackling in the background. We were watching movies, but grew tired of staring at the screen. Now we're drinking wine and talking about life. “ I'd like to come to some of the shows, if I'd be welcome.” He hints. I laugh, nodding my head. “ I'm sure that can be arranged.” I offer. He's quiet for a minute, looking down at the couch. “ I'm sorry about the, well,” He pauses and I watch him bite the corner of his mouth. Th...

  Designated Driver Crystal has been making me drive everywhere. She knows how I feel about being in control of the wheel. I've got an almost uncontrollable urge to steer into oncoming traffic whenever I see a car driving in the other direction. She knows this, because I've told her this on many different occasions. In fact, I tell her this every time she tells me to get behind the wheel. But she says she trusts me. That she believes I wouldn't put her life in danger. She's probably right. But I still don't trust myself. I don't trust my reaction time either. But Charlie doesn't have a license anymore. He hasn't had a car in so long, he said he didn't see the point. He just let it expire. He has to take the test over, but can't find the time in his schedule. Jared won't drive for the same reasons as me. When he has control of the wheel, you can see him clench his fists around the rubber. His breathing races and his pulse picks up. He...

  Route We've both accepted that we are going to have to adjust to a new life. A life where no one is taking care of us. She got herself a job working alongside Charlie at a local publishing company. This has her thinking about writing a book. She wants it to be a story about her life. About the tours she's been on. About the people she's met. About me and Charlie, and finally setting up a home in Illinois. I encourage her out loud, but in my head, I'm rolling my eyes. All that says to me is she's going to put together an account of all the stories she's told other people, slap the word biography on it and put it on the shelves. Charlie is encouraging her every step of the way. Good for them. We've been here a month, but she's already settled in like it's been a lifetime. Me? I decided the waitress route was the best one. But it didn't last long. I wasn't cut out for taking orders and smiling like I care. I didn't get fired or...

  Starting Over It's funny how we lie to the people we love the most. Often under the veil of protecting them from the pain the truth would cause. But really, there's nothing noble about lying. It's selfish. Nothing less and nothing more. We're only trying to protect ourselves from the aftermath. They say the truth will set us free. I don't disagree, but I can see how the truth can be a trap, too. Honesty can be your salvation or your damnation. All depends what you're honest about. I found out that Crystal was the deciding factor in our move to Illinois. She told Frankie that she was born and raised here. He always believed I was raised here as well. I was raised all over the East coast before I was in my preteen years. I was born in Illinois, yes. My mother dragged me back to Illinois later on. But when I left with Luke, Illinois stopped being home. Home was the road. New York was second, but Illinois came in third for places I'd settle in. ...

 To celebrate his 5th birthday, enjoy this photo dump of pictures. They are in no particular order. P.S.; If you don't know already, the entire series has been completed and posted on Ao3 .