When I woke it was around noon and I had no idea where we were. Kate had just walked to the back of the bus to let me know we were in Detroit, and the guys were getting us checked into a hotel. My eyes were swollen and red from crying last night, so I put on my biggest and darkest sunglasses in an attempt to hide my swollen eyes. I walked out into the sun and found Annie standing by our old white van hoisting her bag over her shoulder. “Well, Princess, how was your night on a real tour bus?” She asked pushing her sunglasses down her nose so she could glare at me over the top of the rims. I shrugged and ran my fingers through my tangled hair, “Would have been great if I didn’t have to cry myself to sleep.” She cocked her head to the side and asked, “You need to vent?” I frowned and shook my head no before explaining, “I don’t want to talk about it until after I talk to Lex.” She nodded and gave me a sympathetic look. “Well, whenever you want to vent I’m here.” I gave her a weak smile and asked, “Have you seen Lex?” She smiled and replied, “Joves, I know you got to see how real bands tour, and I'm sure you forgot how Belladonna tours, but let me remind you. I spent the night crammed in a van with his feet practically covering my face. Yes, I’ve seen him. He’s in the lobby right now.” While waiting for Lex to come back outside I walked back over to the tour bus to collect my things. I had just stepped off of the bus when Lex approached me. I could sense he was sort of walking on egg shells, so I broke the ice. “I kinda blew things up last night,” I started “but don’t get me wrong, I am really upset about this. I just wish you would have told me the truth, Lex.” “I’m sorry Jovie, I really am. Seriously, I’m so fucking embarrassed about the whole thing. I was so stupid and I shouldn’t have even been with Lydia at all and I didn’t want you to think I was still like that. I’m just really embarrassed about the whole situation.” I took his hand and said, “We really do need to sit down and talk, but in front of everyone probably isn’t the best place.” He nodded and squeezed my hand, and a moment later we were greeted by Zac. He seemed pleased that Lex and I seemed to be on good terms. After we finished checking in Natalie wanted to take the kids swimming. Taylor, Isaac, Zac, Kate, Annie, Me and Lex all decided it would be are refreshing to take a dip also. We all ran up to our room to change. Before we left the room Annie called Topher to let him know that we were all heading to the pool. When we got down to the pool Isaac, Zac and Kate were already there. After about ten minutes Ezra came running in with his swimmies on and Taylor jogging to keep up with him. Natalie walked behind them holding Penelope who was dressed in a tiny pink ruffled bikini. Taylor tossed their towels on a lounge chair and picked Ezra up, carrying him over to the shallow end. He slowly entered the water holding Ezra who shrieked with delight as soon as his feet touched the water. Zac swam into the shallow end close to Ezra, encouraging Ezra to swim to him. Taylor slowly let go of Ezra as he started splashing and trying to swim toward Zac. His head dipped under water for a second before Zac grabbed him and swung him around in the water slowly. Ezra obviously loved being in the water, and took to it without any hesitation. Natalie and Penelope followed Taylor. Natalie entered the water slower than Taylor and lightly splashed Ellie’s feet to get her used to the water. At first Ellie whined a little, but then got used to it. I swam over to Natalie and cooed over Penelope. “Wanna hold her, she apparently likes you,” Natalie said handing the laughing baby to me. I held her as she splashed water and laughed. Annie joined me and we both looked at Penelope in awe. “Don’t get any ideas” I heard Lex say from behind me. I turned around pouted my bottom lip. “But look how cute she is! I want one, Lex.” Zac heard our conversation and made his way over, and playfully tossed Ezra at Lex. Lex caught him and looked like a deer in headlights. Ezra laughed and splashed as Lex held him out in front of him with stiff arms. Lex didn’t have much experience with children, and it was obvious with his awkward movements. “Just be careful, we don’t need anymore shotgun weddings,” Zac warned. “Any more?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. Zac nodded in the direction of Taylor and Natalie, “When I say ‘Shotgun’, you say ‘Wedding.’ ‘Shotgun’, ‘Wedding’, ‘Shotgun’, ‘Wedding’” he chanted before receiving an evil eye from Natalie. “I’m not good with kids,” Lex said handing Ezra to Taylor who just laughed. I played with Penelope for a little while longer before Kate took over. After an hour or so, I decided to get out of the pool. Natalie agreed that it was probably time the kids got out too. Kate exited the pool still holding Penelope and wrapped a towel around herself and the baby. Zac swam out to the edge and lifted Ezra up holding him out to Natalie who wrapped him in a towel.
I was up in the room switching through channels when Lex's phone rang. He was in the bathroom, so I answered it for him. After looking at the caller ID I answered, “Hey, Zac.” “Jovie?” “Yep. Lex is in the bathroom,” I explained. “Oh, okay. We’re heading out for dinner and wanted to know if you guys and the rest of the band want to go with us. Kate wants to get a headcount.” “Sure, hang on,” I said covering the receiver with my hand. I asked Annie, who watching TV with me if she and Lex wanted to go. I uncovered the receiver and said, “Hang on, Zac. Can I call you back? Annie’s gotta call Topher; he’s with the rest of the band.” “Yeah, that’s cool. Just let me know,” he said before hanging up. I walked over and pounded on the bathroom door. “Lex! We’re going to dinner with the Hansons,” I shouted over the flushing toilet. Once Annie got a hold of Topher, Lex called Zac back. “Hey man. Me Jovie and Annie are gunna come. The rest of the guys are in the other room playing video games.” He paused, allowing Zac to talk. “Alright, cool we’ll be over in like 5 minutes. See ya.”
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