Page 37 of Madness

I run a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up. "So what, I shouldn't even fucking try? Just stick to groupies and one-night stands forever?"

"That's not what I'm saying," Brad says calmly. "I'm saying you need to be prepared. Set expectations. Communicate. And most importantly, don't let it affect the band."

I nod slowly, knowing he's right. "Any tips from the Brad Chambers guide to long-distance relationships?"

He chuckles. "Schedule regular calls, no matter how busy things get. Be honest about the temptations on the road, but reassure her, too. And maybe... write her songs. Not just sad, missing-you songs, but ones that make her feel like she's there with you."

I smile, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

Brad claps me on the shoulder. "Anytime. Now, let's see if we can turn this love-struck rambling of yours into an actual song, yeah?"

The rehearsal space buzzes with pre-tour energy. Emmett's tapping out a restless beat on his practice pad, Stefan's fiddling with his guitar pedals, and Brad's warming up his voice in the corner. But I'm only half-listening as Ian, our manager, goes over the tour itinerary.

"So, we'll kick off in San Diego, then head up the coast," Ian's saying, his British accent thick as his finger traces the route on a map. "We've got two nights in San Francisco, then it's on to Portland..."

My pen moves across my notebook, but it's not tour dates I'm jotting down. It's more lyrics, fragments of another melody that's been haunting me for days.

Her smile like a sunrise, breaking through the dark

A beacon of hope, igniting a spark

In a world of chaos, I’m safe in her arms

In a sea of doubt, she's my calm

"Dakota? You with us, man?"

I snap back to attention, realizing everyone's looking at me. "Yeah, sorry. Just, uh, working on some lyrics."

Brad raises an eyebrow. "Another new song?"

I nod, feeling a flush creep up my neck. "Maybe. It's still pretty fucking rough."

Ian clears his throat, looking mildly annoyed. "As I was saying, we've got a string of Midwest dates after Chicago. It's going to be a grueling schedule, so I need everyone focused."

I nod, trying to concentrate. But my mind keeps drifting back to Lauren. To her laugh, her resilience, the way her eyes light up when she talks about her dreams.

She's a symphony in a world of noise

A melody that brings me joy

With every note, every line

She makes this broken heart of mine

Feel alive, feel alive

"Alright, let's run through the setlist," Brad says, breaking me out of my reverie. "Dakota, you good to start with 'Midnight Mirage'?"

I nod, setting aside my notebook and picking up my bass. As we launch into the song, I try to focus on the music, on the rhythm, and the interplay with my bandmates. But even as my fingers find the familiar notes, part of me is still with Lauren.

Three months. Three months on the road, away from her, from the connection we've been building. It feels like a fucking eternity.

As we finish the song, Stefan gives me a knowing look. "So, this new song... it wouldn't happen to be about a certain waitress, would it?"

I feel my cheeks heat up. "Maybe."

Emmett grins. "Man, you've got it bad."

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