Page 81 of The First Time
Chapter Twelve
Kit
Between Violet riding with us and Mal being more controlling than usual, the first few weeks of the tour are a headache. I'm happy for Ethan and Violet when they finally get back together officially, but I'm more happy for Piper. She's getting her surrogate big sister back.
She needs that.
And I need her happy.
The rest of the tour is different. Piper and I text all day and talk all night. My nights alone in my hotel room aren't lonely anymore. I don't miss the company of my bandmates. When I'm talking to her, I don't miss anything about partying—not drinking, or drugs, or casual sex, or laughing with my friends.
This is exactly where I want to be.
Our late night conversations are intimate. She tells me about her plan to start auditioning this summer. I tell her about all sorts of ugly shit that happened in the past. The way she listens without judgment really makes me believe that shit belongs in the past.
That somebody will love me one day.
But that person can't be Piper.
This still can't happen.
I should pull back. I should talk to her less. I should encourage her to start dating guys from school.
I should certainly stop fucking myself thinking about her every night.
But I can't stand the thought of her with anyone else.
I can't stand the thought of my life without her in it.
* * *
I practically floatoff the stage. The last show of a tour is always bitter sweet, but this one takes the cake on sweet.
The crowd's screams flow to our spot backstage.
"Fuck, that was amazing." Ethan's eyes get lovesick. "How many days till I fly back to New York?"
"Still two." Joel plays irritated but his smile shows through. "Never thought anybody could be so annoying miserable and happy."
"Ethan's the annoying one?" Mal raises a brow.
"Excuse me?" Joel plays offended. He looks to me and calls me by the nickname Violet gave me. "Rhythmic One, back me up. Ethan's more annoying than I am."
"Tossing a coin won't break this tie." Ethan looks to Mal. "Admit that show was amazing."
Mal smiles. "It was good."
"Good? All I get is good?" Ethan shakes his head.
Mal chuckles. "It was great. You were great."
Ethan beams.
"You're not supposed to admit that." Piper moves out from behind a roadie. She winks at Mal then she slides her arms around Ethan. "Your ego is already so big, Ethan."
Ethan laughs. "It's not ego if I am as amazing as I think I am."
"See what I mean?" She looks to Mal then Joel then me. "He's awful."
