The Only Exception.

THREE.

Jack walks out of his bathroom, fresh from the shower. And noticed that he has a text message from Andrew.

"Band meeting. Meet me at the studio ASAP"

He then quickly put his clothes and his shoes on and fixed his hair before storming off his house.

After about an hour and a half of driving from New Jersey to New York, he finally arrived at the studio. He got out of his car and briskly made his way inside.

He entered the room and found Andrew sitting by the piano.

"Hi Jack." Andrew greeted.

"Hi. Where's Nate?" he replied noticing Nate is not there.

"I have no idea. He's not answering any of my calls." he replied with a shrug.

Just then an idea popped to Jack's head. He looked at Andrew.

"I think I know where he is."

+++

Nate walks in a local pub and made his way to the bar and sat on one of the stools.

"Well, well, well. Nate Ruess. Aren't you a little early today." said Blake, the bartender, as soon as he spotted Nate.

Nate smiled. "Things got pretty shitty early today."

Blake chuckled. As he poured whisky into a glass. "Your usual." he said, sliding the glass to Nate.

"Thanks Blake." Nate replied with a smile. Before taking a sip.

He took his phone from his pocket and saw a million of messages and missed calls from both Andrew and Jack. He sighed and just placed his phone on the table.

Two hours and almost a bottle of whisky later, Nate started feeling a bit dizzy.

+++

Jack and Andrew walked in the bar. On a mission to find Nate.

"How we'll we find him?" asked Andrew looking at the pub full of people.

"Just look for the drunk and depressed." replied Jack.

Andrew nodded and started looking around. And then finally spotted Nate, he tapped Jack's shoulder.

"That's him" he said pointing at Nate's location. Jack nodded and they started making their way to him.

"Oh hey guys!!" greeted Nate, seeing his bandmates.

"Uh we're supposed to have a band meeting at the studio. Remember?" said Andrew

Nate smiled. "Nice to see you too Andrew."

"How long have you been here?" asked Jack.

"I'm not really sure. 2, 3 hours? I dont know. You know, time flies when you're having fun." replied Nate, before bursting out into laughter. "Get it? fun?!" he said still laughing at his own joke.

"Look Nate, I know you are broken hearted. And I get it, but you better start fixing yourself. Especially that we'll be touring again in a month" said Jack.

"Shhh... shut up Jack. I like this song" said Nate when he heard the song The Teenage Runaways by Band of Misfits playing in the bar.

"God you are drunk. How many glasses did you finished?" asked Andrew.

Nate shrugged. "I lost count after my third."

Both Andrew and Jack rolled their eyes.

"He's just a glass away from finishing the whole bottle" said Blake.

"A bottle of whisky. In a span of 2 hours. And you're alone. No wonder you're this drunk." said Jack in disbelief. Nate just smiled.

"You've got to stop this Nate. This is bad for your health. Didn't you just woke up with a hangover this morning. What you're doing is bad for you." said Andrew worriedly.

"Noooo. There are studies saying drinking a little alcohol everyday is good for you. Healthy even." Nate protested.

"But you haven't really having "little" lately haven't you." argued Andrew.

Nate looked at Andrew. "Bull Shit" he cursed. Andrew shook his head.

"But you know what's REALLY bad for your health? Do you really wanna know??" said Nate looking at both Jack and Andrew.

"Love"

"Love is bad for you kids! Never ever trust anyone with your heart. Cause they'll just play with it, then leave it broken on the dirt afterwards. Then you'll be left to pick up the pieces all alone." said Nate, breaking down into tears.

Jack and Andrew just stood there, not quite sure how to react.

Nate started chuckling and shaking his head. "But don't worry. I'm fine. I'm doing just fine being alone."

"I swear. I will never. EVER. EVER. EVER. Love again" he screamed. Making quite a scene.

"Alright. That's it. You are going home." said Andrew finally having enough. Andrew pulled Nate towards him and hooked Nate's arm around his neck.

Nate tried fighting back, but it was useless, Andrew's too big and he's too drunk to win a fight.

Jack watched as Andrew helped Nate out the pub. He sighed and shook his head. He got his wallet out of his pocket and pulled out a bunch of cash.

"Here's for his bill" he said to Blake before placing the money on the counter. Blake nodded.

"Man, Nate is really heart broken isn't he." said Blake.

Jack looked at him and nodded in agreement. "Sadly, he is"

"Well I wish him all the best. Hope he'd get better soon" said Blake.

Jack smiled then nodded.

"Me too."

+++

He walked out of the bar and saw Nate resting on a wall. Vomiting. Andrew was standing behind him.

"Watch over him. I'll go get the car" said Andrew before leaving them alone.

"Argh! I hate vomiting!!" Nate complained. Jack chuckled.

"Well its the body's way of telling you, you had a little too much whisky."

Nate chuckled and shook his head.

"I'm sorry Rachel broke your heart." Jack said.

Nate looke at him, "Rachel?" he repeated as he sat on the curb.

"How is she? How's Rachel Jack?" he asked.

"She's fine. She's doing just fine."

"I heard she dating again."

"Yeah. She is. Some dude named Calvin. I think." Jack replied.

Nate closed his eyes and just nodded.

"Good for her." he said resting his head on his knees.

"Jack" Nate called out.

"Yeah."

"Did she really loved me?" he asked, before slowly passing out.

Jack slowly shook his head, "I don't know Nate. But she should have."

After what seemed forever, the car finally arrived. Andrew stepped out of the vehicle and helped Jack put Nate on the backseat. And they drove Nate back to his apartment.