When I finally look back at my brother, hurt is written all over his face. But he needs to deal with this, and I won't hold his hand to do it. I turn and go gather my stuff to take a shower. Once in the bathroom, I send a text off to Dallas.
Me: So, I just talked with my brother. Now it's your turn. You free later?
Then, I hop in the shower and let the hot water soothe my muscles in my neck and shoulders. When the water starts to turn cold, I smile and get out. Landon deserves two more weeks of cold showers for all this, so I don't even feel guilty.
I check my phone and nothing from Dallas. I get dressed, taking my time to do my hair and put on a little bit of makeup and still nothing from Dallas.
Me: You don't get to ignore me. I will track you down.
I grab my stuff and go to the arena we’ll be singing at tomorrow. Tony drove us all night to get here. It’s weird falling asleep in one place and waking up in another, but that’s the life on the road.
As I walk into the backstage area, it takes me a minute to get my bearings. I've been here with the guys a few years ago and not much has changed. I check the dressing rooms and nothing. Finding one of the security guys, he tells me Dallas was here earlier this morning and left.
So, I text Ivy.
Me: Any idea where Dallas is? He and I need to talk.
Ivy: No. I haven't seen him all morning. Did you talk to Landon?
Me: Yes, we talked. I don't know how productive it was, because I wasn't ready to forgive him, but we talked.
Ivy: I asked Dom. He said last he knew Dallas was talking to some of the band guys, but that was an hour ago.
Me: Damn, he's good at this avoiding me thing. He isn't even answering my texts.
Ivy: You feelingokay? I haven't seen you drink like that before.
Me: Yeah. Landon force fed me, and I've been drinking water. I will be fine.
Ivy: Well, my offer stands, if you want to join us!
Me: Thanks. I guess, I'm just going to go nap in the bus. He has to come back at some point.
Disappointed, I head back to the bus. I thought we had made progress yesterday, but if he's going to go back to avoiding me, then I guess not. By the time I get back to the bus Landon is gone, thank God for small favors, so I sit on the couch and go through my emails, when Dallas finally texts.
Dallas: Sorry, I was dealing with a fight between a few band members. I hate playing referee.
Me: Fun.
Dallas: I swear I wasn't ignoring you.
Me: It's fine.
Dallas: No, it's not. Let me make it up to you. I was told about an amazing taco place a few blocks from here. Meet me for lunch in an hour?
Damnit. I love tacos, and he knows it.
Me: Fine, see you then, but so help me, if you stand me up...
Dallas: I. Will. Be. There.
He sends me the restaurant info, and I see it's within walking distance, and there’s a mini shopping mall on the way, so I decide to go walk around there, as I wait for him.
We are in Jacksonville, Florida getting ready to do our Florida loop, before hitting the Gulf Coast states. So of course, everything here is beach related.
I pick up some beautiful glass floats that will go great in my bathroom, and a beautiful starfish wall decor piece that’s on driftwood with some saying. My bathroom is beach themed with blues, so it will fit right in.
Afterward, I make my way down to the restaurant and find Dallas at a back table already waiting for me.
"You’re early," I say, as I sit down.
"Didn't want you to think I wasn't coming." He smiles and nods towards my bags. "What have you got there?"
"There was a super cute little shopping area on the way here, so I just picked up a few decorations." I smile.
"Beach stuff for your bathroom?" He asks.
"You know me so well."
He smirks, because it's the truth. I'm pretty sure he even knows me better than Landon does. Mostly because, he pays more attention.
"So, best tacos in the area?" I ask.
"Yep, all the locals say we have to try this place, so I figure it's a good place to grab lunch and talk away from everyone."
The server comes over, a guy thankfully, and takes our drink and food order, before we get a chance to talk again.
"So, let's rip off the Band-Aid. If you’re going to chew me out, just get it over with, so I can eat my tacos and still have time to meet up with Ivy and Dom and be the pathetic third wheel." I say.
If this is another talk like I had with my brother this morning, I’d like to get it behind us.
He cocks his head to the side. "Your talk with Landon didn't go well?"
"You can say that. He basically expects blind trust in him, but he won't give it in return. I love him, but I can't wait for him to go on his trip, when we get home. I need space from him."
"If I had known Landon was avoiding you, I would have been right by your side. I really thought you two were working things out." His voice is sincere, but all it does is make me want to cry, and I won't
