Page 36 of Chronicles of a Rockin' Mess

She holds up her middle finger and turns to leave. I grab her arm. She stops but doesn’t turn around.

“Lark,” I start, “I…” I pause because I really want to admit my feelings for her, but this moment feels all wrong. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

“Fine,” she says as I release her, and she leaves my suite.

I take a cold shower and try to stop thinking about Lark. My mind is focused on her as I go through the motions of breakfast, the sound check, a late lunch, and a meet and greet with fans from a local radio station.

Lark is there the whole time. She’s wearing a tank top and shorts, exposing her long legs and breasts, and I find it hard to focus. Multiple times Gwen asks me what’s wrong. I manage to chalk it up to the long day.

I hate doing it, but I send Lark on an errand as we start our pre-concert ritual. I need to focus, and I can’t do it with her near me. I know I need to get a plan together and soon. I have to tell her, and with each passing day, I know we are getting closer to finishing this tour, and her leaving to go back to New Orleans.

Lark

“Wait, you have to go where?” Coop asks as I head out to go find Lincoln a very specific type of cough drop. He claims his throat is dry, and he needs this immediately.

“I think there’s a pharmacy or natural food market nearby that likely carries them,” I reply as I tap a search into my phone.

“We still gonna go out later?”

“Yeah, sure,” I reply as I find a store down the street. “Text me deets.”

Coop salutes me, and I head out in search of said cough drops. Three stores later, I finally come across the ones he wants.

I groan as I realize they are well into their set by the time I return. I place the cough drops on the chair in Lincoln’s dressing room and make my way to the side of the stage to watch the band.

My phone buzzes with a text from Coop.

Coop: I need an hour after the show to help break down and then I can meet you here

The text has an address. I search for it and find it a five-minute walk. My phone buzzes again, and I look down. This time I smile.

Hank: What’s up, my lady?

Me: Hi! How are you? I miss you all!

Hank: Miss you too, darlin’

Me: You are still planning on coming to the festival next week, right?

Hank: Wouldn’t miss it (or you)

Me: Yay!

Hank: Mimi says hi

Me: Tell her hello for me. I need to call her and catch up.

Hank: You talk to your family?

I groan. I’m not very close with them, and Hank knows this. I should do better though.

Me: I will

Hank: You better

Me: Aye, aye, Captain

Hank: (winking smiley face)

---