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As the tour is coming to a close, I have mixed feelings about what lies ahead. I’m excited to dive headfirst and devote all of my time to working on this album, but also it’s hard to picture not waking up every morning and getting to be around Walker. Our relationship, while it feels like we’ve established a solid foundation, will undoubtedly be tested as he heads off with the band for their next set of shows and I head back to L.A.
But that’s a problem for future me. Another problem for future me?
The hole my phone is currently burning in my pocket, a text from Beth I’ve left unanswered since it came through bright and early. I’ve pushed it to the back of my mind, but I know I can’t avoid it forever.
Ruth’s baptism is coming up in just under two weeks, right before our last show of the tour. I talked to Vik and there are no conflicts I have that would keep me from attending, and the show schedule falls with a little break in between, so I can’t even use that as an excuse since we’ll be in the area for an extra day.
Beth’s message this morning was to the point, asking if I knew if I could come yet because she was making dinner reservations for the family the night before, and sent through a photo of the announcement card she sent out to family and friends with the details of the baptism itself.
A feeling of dread has slowly been trying to creep its way up and over my body, smothering me like a second, suffocating skin, but I push it down, crushing it with distractions of the song in front of me and the promise of being tangled up in Walker’s arms tonight.
“How are the lyrics coming?” Boone asks, pausing the track and leaning back on the couch, popcorn bowl balanced on his lap.
“Good. I’ll be ready to record a demo as soon as I’m back home.”
“That’s great.” He nods enthusiastically. “This is going to be good; I can feel it.”
My smile comes easily because I actually feel it too.
“Do you two want to take a lunch break?” Naomi calls from the front of the bus. Boone’s up and moving so quickly I’m shocked he didn’t send popcorn flying everywhere.
Guess we’re taking a break.
I make my way down the narrow walkway and am greeted by a bowl of bright green lettuce, grilled chicken, chickpeas, loads of veggies, and a creamy green dressing. My mouth instantly waters.
“That looks amazing,” I give Naomi’s shoulder an appreciative squeeze as I pass her and settle in at their small booth. Boone already has his mouth full, letting out a satisfied moan.
“Are you still thinking of writing a cookbook?” I ask her, remembering her mentioning it awhile back.
She nods her head, stabbing a piece of chicken with her fork and cutting it into an appropriately sized piece, unlike Boone who just shovels it in. “I’ve been working on recipes while we’ve been on the road, but it’s hard to truly test them out with a sad excuse for a kitchen like this.” She gestures behind her at the small, single hot plate and air fryer she was scolded at by the bus company for bringing on board.
“Our place in Vegas is going to have a five-star kitchen.” Boone leans over and kisses Naomi’s temple. “Only the best for you.”
Naomi shoots him a grateful smile, blush staining her cheeks.
“Well, I can’t cook for shit, but you best believe I will be buying every copy I can find,” I tell her.
“I’ll come over and walk you through them. After all, you need to be needing to learn how to cook for two,” she says with a sly grin.
“Fair enough,” I agree. “But Walker will probably be doing most of the cooking when he’s back. He says he’s pretty good.”
“Is he?”
“I guess I’ll find out.” I laugh, picturing him cooking for me. The way he’d hunch over the counter like his does his kit, deftly handling knives, chopping food with the same precision he handles his drumsticks. A sense of comfort washes over me at the image, the two of us creating a home after all of this is over, doing things normal couples do.
“I’m glad Carter decided to stay,” Naomi says.
I nod my head in agreement. “Me too. I would’ve hated to watch her leave with that asshole. I don’t know if I could’ve done it.”
After the blowout with Daniel, she followed him but came back to the buses after the show, asking if the offer still stood for her to stay on. Boone welcomed her in with open arms and she’s been with us flying solo with taking all of our videos and pictures. It’s a lot for one person, but she’s great at what she does and has seemed so much lighter since Daniel left.
She’s been pretty tight-lipped about what their conversation was like since she came back, and I haven’t wanted to push her. But I’m just glad she’s away from that fucker.
“I think the guys are planning to ask her to join them at their summer shows, shooting content for them at the different festivals,” Boone says around a mouthful of food.
My brow rises in surprise, Walker having not said anything about it. But I’m happy for her. I’m hoping to keep in touch with her once we wrap in a couple weeks, and if she’s at the festivals shooting for them, I’ll likely see her for the ones I can make it out to.
“Good, she deserves it.”
