Chapter Text
There was a two week break in between the two legs of their spring tour. Afterwards, they would be heading down the East Coast and around the South. The band was gaining traction, their fan base growing with every concert, every festival they played. When Tyler took in the crowds every show, he saw more and more fans, signs and those singing with him. Their merchandise booth was also having troubles keeping up. They nearly underestimated how much shirts and CD’s they’d sell. They would have to work hard the next two weeks to get more merch made for the next leg.
Tyler, Josh, Mark and Tony were all laying on the bed in the back of the van, which was level with the top of the last seat and over their luggage. Tyler looked out of the window as the exit sign passed. He, as well as the rest of his friends, yelled in excitement. Both Tyler and Josh were happy to be back in their hometown. The drive was long awaited and very restless between everyone in the small van.
It wasn’t long before they pulled up to their apartment. Chris, Tyler and Mark’s longtime roommate and former band member, stood outside to great them.
Everyone quickly got out of the van and stretched, smiles and the feeling of finally being home setting in.
“Tyler,” Chris greeted with a tight hug and said over his shoulder, “Hey Josh, how’s it going?”
“Not bad, man. Still in the band, shocking, I know!” Josh joked, accepting the hug from the older man.
“Hey,” Tyler warned, pulling some luggage out from the back of the van. “I’m still undecided.”
Chris laughed deeply and nudged Josh. “Dunno, man. It may be the hair. It’s getting a bit faded at the ends and your roots are showing. That’s why I was kicked out,” Chris pointed to his receding hair. “Tyler couldn’t stand this old geezer on stage with a young whipper-snapper.”
Tyler laughed at the joke. Everyone knew the real reason Chris left the band. He had a child on the way, just got engaged and felt he had to be more responsible.
“Yup. I’m sick of that pastel pink, Josh. It’s not very punk-rock.” Tyler looked around the van door at the two and tossed Josh his backpack. Josh caught it easily with a laugh.
“Well fine,” Josh quipped back, “I was thinking of an image over-haul for the next leg. It’ll go well with your floral shirt. I was thinking of a purple and matching flower crown. My sister blogs about them all the time, it’s apparently all the rage with our younger crowd.”
Mark laughed, appearing from the other side of the van with his arms full of bedding. “Hey Chris! You ready for the big day?”
“Yeah,” Chris replied, taking the bedding from Mark. “Kat’s been stressing about it since I proposed really, but this last week has been killer. The smallest details have to be just right. It’s a mess when she and her mom are in the room.”
“Ugh,” Mark sympathized. “I dread that time. It’s probably worth it, yeah, but the work involved…”
Josh laughed, walking towards the house with his own armful. “Says the man who edited that last video for, what? Three days?”
“That’s different!” Mark defended.
“You didn’t sleep!” Tyler interjected, opening the door for everyone.
Christ Salih was getting married in two days. Those days passed quickly. Tyler got reacquainted with his bed and took the longest shower in the history of human existence, according to Mark. It was much needed as showers and adequate sleeping space was not guaranteed when traveling in a van and playing a show in a different city nearly every night.
Tyler had visited with his family, who gave him an overabundance of hugs and he heard, for the thousandth time, just how dangerous it was to climb the stages he did.
But that morning, Mark and Tyler got dressed in suits that made them burst into Frank Sinatra tunes to calm the nerves of their friend.
“I’m not afraid to marry her,” Chris nervously twisted his hands. “It’s just that, I dunno. I never thought this day would actually happen.”
“You’ll do great,” Tyler comforted, still dancing with Mark who hummed a slow song. “She makes you a better man, right?”
Chris nodded.
The ceremony was beautiful. The reception took place in a rustic hall. Lit by net lights and lanterns, it was definitely breathtaking.
“I’d like to give a toast,” Chris suddenly said, stood beside the DJ booth near the dance floor. “But first, thank you all for celebrating this amazing day with me and Kat. Before we get to all the fun stuff, because I know you want to get up here and dance Aunt Marge,” Chris smiled and nodded to an older woman who laughed along with some of their family. “I just want to say thank you to my awesome roommate who were never there. If it weren’t for your crazy ideas, determination and your urge to travel the country, I would have never gotten her number. So, I toast to you guys.”
Tyler and Mark laughed and raised their glasses. The music kicked up and Tyler found himself on the dance floor. He was having the time of his life. It felt nice to celebrate with old friends and enjoy the company.
The party was in full swing. Tyler was in the middle of the dance floor with Mark and Chris when he caught sight of a woman with the most radiant smile. She was dancing with the bride, a laugh on her lips.
A few songs later, Tyler headed to the bar to refill his drink. As he waited, he turned back to watch those dancing. Another slow song started up and his eyes fell upon the woman he spotted earlier. She was dancing with a groomsman, the lights sparkling in her eyes. Tyler’s heart sank with the thought of this beautiful blonde being taken.
Of course she would be, he thought. She’s way out of my league.
The bartender gave him his drink. He sipped it and scanned the dance floor for sight of the stunning blonde. His eyes landed on her as she pulled away from her dance partner. Another woman took her place, kissed the groomsman before turning to his previous dancer with a smile. The blonde smiled warmly and hugged her before turning away towards the bar. Tyler’s heart leapt. She wasn’t taken and she was headed right to him.
Tyler straightened up as she approached. This was his shot. Don’t lose your cool, Tyler, you got this.
Out of the dance floor lights Tyler realized she was absolutely stunning. Her makeup was immaculate, even after dancing song after song, and she had this radiant glow about her that drew him in. Her hair was slightly out of place in the sexiest way, Tyler couldn’t help but think. The dress she wore complemented her slim figure in a very alluring fashion.
She ordered a soda and Tyler’s heart skipped a beat at the melodic voice that fell from her lips. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak. He faltered, his palms sweaty, his nerves high and just stared at her.
She noticed and turned towards him. He closed his mouth quickly, trying to get his brain to work again. She had deep icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce right through to his soul. She took him in slowly, sipping her new drink.
He said the first thing that came to mind. “Did you fall from heaven?” He cringed at the way his voice cracked.
She raised an eyebrow at him. The song changed to a faster paced pop tune. Tyler looked down at his drink, mentally kicking himself, then went to properly introduce himself to his clearly unimpressed interest, but was interrupted when the bride came rushing over. She grabbed ahold of the blonde’s upper arm, excitement all over her face.
“Sorry Tyler but Jenna has to come dance right now!” Kat turned to Jenna and said, “This is our song, remember? Junior year of high school?”
Jenna laughed as if she remembered an embarrassing moment she’d hoped would never be brought up. She was pulled back onto the dance floor without as much of a glance back towards him. He stood there, shocked.
For the rest of the night, he was preoccupied with the thought of Jenna and how unimpressed she was. Part of him figured he’d blew his shot. He didn’t get her number or even properly introduce himself. Instead, he said the lamest line in history, probably one she’d heard a million times (though part of him hoped she never had, hoped he was the only one to hit on her). Not only that, but his voice cracked as if he was twelve. So not cool.
The other part of him was hung up on just how unimpressed she was. She clearly didn’t recognize him and she clearly didn’t give him a second thought. It scared him in the most wonderful way. The band was gaining a lot of traction and attention recently, thus anyone he encountered only seemed interested in him because of that.
But she… Jenna didn’t seem to even know.