“Why won’t it last?”
“Because he lives on his family ranch he won’t leave, and I do this,” I say, motioning around the bus.
“If you want something bad enough, you figure out how to make it work. Have you told him you want it to work?”
“Not really. I don’t want him to give up anything for me.”
“Then tell him that. Tell him you want to work this shit out.” He stares at me for a long time as I scowl into space trying to envision what my life could be with Beau. “You’ll never find out if you don’t try.” He pulls his headphones back on and begins strumming his guitar again.
He’s right. I need to find the guts to tell Beau how I feel. That I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with him, and I’m not willing to give up on us.
I don’t know if he feels the same way I do. I might be nothing more than some one-time deal. I don’t think he would be calling me a month later if I were. That doesn’t mean he wants to go to the extraordinary effort it’s going to take to continue, though.
I don’t have to do this alone. There are two men in Texas who will have my back. Travis only wants what will make Beau happy. If I make his brother happy, then I know he’ll help. Picking back up my phone, I press his number in my address book.
“What’s up, sunshine?” he answers. “I’m walking to class, so it’ll have to be quick.”
“Can you get Beau to the show in Dallas?”
“I can try.”
“Can you try really, really hard. I need him to be there, Travis,” I plead.
“Then I’ll get him there.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll have tickets at the hold counter for all three of you.”
“Sounds good. Gotta go. Ciao.” The line goes dead. Now, I just need the song to be ready in time. I tap on Luke’s knee with my foot. He pulls his headphones back off and looks over at me.
“Can we work on the new song?” I ask.
“What do you think I’ve been doing nonstop since I saw it? I can’t get it out of my head. I think I’m humming it in my sleep now.”
“That’s how it started in the first place. I met Beau, and this tune started nagging my mind.” I pull my guitar onto my lap. You can usually find most of our instruments sitting around the bus at any time. “Ready? I’ll start, and you join in with what you’re thinking.” I begin the melody, and Luke jumps in on his guitar filling in the sound.
Somewhere down the bus, I hear a bass start up. It sounds odd until Kenny plugs it into the amp sitting in the living area. I guess I’m not the only one who has become obsessed with the song. Kip soon drags the small keyboard he practices on to the couch next to me.
We’re doing pretty good when Chris shows up. He uses some electronic pad things in place of his drum set. It’s not quite the same, but it gets the job done. We start and stop to tweak some chord or word until Robin appears.
An hour later, we have something that I think will be our first hit off the next album. Who knows, maybe it will even be our first real breakout hit. Robin declares it will, though she is the posterchild for enthusiasm.
What’s important is what the label will think. And what Beau will think. I’m nervous to think about singing it to him in front of everyone. But, if that’s not a declaration of my need to be with him, I don’t know what is.
The next couple of weeks seem to drag on forever. I get a small break, but between Beau’s cows having their babies and my schedule, we don’t get to see each other.
We don’t even have time for that sexy video call I’m desperate for. I’m out every evening pitching the next album to anyone who will listen, and he’s in bed early.
At least when the break is over, I know we only have a few more weeks, and then I’m done until we head into the studio. All in all, it’s been a great tour. We’ve sold out several of the venues, and the reception of the fans has been amazing.
I’m finishing up one of the good ones right now as a matter of fact. I’ve just signed the last poster when Robin turns in the door.
“Do you want to change here or on the bus?” she asks.
“Can I just have a few minutes to regroup? I promise I’ll be out in ten. Just a chance at a little silence.”
“Sure,” she answers. “I’ll be down the hall. Take your time. I’ll have the guys head outside.”
“Thanks, Robin.” I slump down on a couch and kick off my boots. Picking up my phone, I video call Beau. I just want to see his face for a few minutes before moving on. We have a long drive overnight.
