Strings

Passing Time

Weeks passed, and All Time Low was almost finished up with their Western part of the tour. The fan meet-and-greets went by slowly, and the after parties stopped meaning anything to Alex but another opportunity to have a free drink. Rian and Cassadee got engaged somewhere along the line, Zack kept to himself, and Jack was drunk more and more often which just made Alex feel more and more guilty about everything. But all those feelings disappeared when he'd talk to Riley, texting her while she was at work, calling her in between appearances, facetiming her after every show and during every long bus ride.

"You think you could be my date to the wedding?" He asked on the way up north to their last show before he got to go back to Colorado.

"Sure, but have they even set a date?" She sat the phone on the counter and started unloading groceries, restocking the kitchen. He noticed her hair flowing almost passed her waist, and when she turned there were bags forming under her green eyes.

"They haven't yet, but it doesn't really matter because you're still going to be my date. Hey, when was the last time you slept?"

She faced the camera again, her eyebrows crinkled. "Last night, why?"

"When was the last time you got more than two hours of sleep?"

"A couple days ago I got three, and last month I broke records when I managed four and a half." Riley just laughed. "It's really not a big deal. I just picked up a few extra jobs because the coffee shop isn't enough to support Jordyn's Jif addiction." She leaned on her arms on the counter. "So, when do you think you'll be back?"

"One show in Texas and I'm going to fly back. The guys are headed back to Maryland to take a break and let Cassadee make wedding plans, get ready to start the Eastern part of the tour. I'll be there for about five days, then I have to go help set up. So I'll be there by Sunday at the latest."

"Yay!" She laughed. "I found something the other day while I was cleaning the apartment."

"Oh really? And what was that?" He asked. Maybe it was his jacket; he'd forgotten that after he spent the night.

"I'm keeping your jacket, just so you know. But I found... This." She waved a piece of woven black material in front of the phone.

"My beanie! Damn Andrews, how did you end up with the important things in my life?"

"No clue, but you can have this one back. I have my own," She pointed to her head.

"Love it." He reached over to his bunk. "But unfortunately, the stylist decided I couldn't go without a beanie for the western part of this tour, so she got me a gray one. Let me tell you I'm really happy you have my black one." Alex picked up the phone and went to the mini-fridge to grab a soda. Riley got one, too, and they toasted. "To seeing you again."

"To seeing you again."