CHAPTER FIFTEEN / tis the damn season.
AND I WONDER ABOUT THE ONLY SOUL WHO CAN TELL WHICH SMILES I'M FAKING. AND THE HEART I KNOW I'M BREAKING IS MY OWN, TO LEAVE THE WARMEST BED I'VE EVER KNOWN.
Eddie Roundtree knew that this tour was going to be different from the rest and he couldn't help but be thankful for the fact that he had fully prepared for the fact. Rehearsals were nothing more than a disaster, both before and after Daisy had made her return. The before might've been easier, if Eddie was being perfectly honest because at least he didn't have to constantly deal with standing on the sidelines as Daisy and Billy were at each other's throats and it was a question as to who would snap and strangle the other─ Eddie had his money on Daisy. At least before, they could get through their set list without any issues outside of Ruby messing up the lyrics to their songs but none of them could be too mad over the fact considering she didn't have to step up and help them, a fill in lead singer was better than none at all.
But Daisy's return wasn't the relief that everyone had assumed it would be and Eddie had lost track with the number of times he had returned home tired and just wanting the entire thing to be over and done with. Yet there was the silver lining underneath it all, something he held onto whenever Odette ran her fingers through his hair as his head rested in her lap, listening to her talk about anything and everything as a means of distracting him from whatever occurred during the day. His heart growing warm at the smile that painted her face when she finally got him to laugh at something she had said, the words "there he is" being said before she'd kiss him.
He didn't think he'd have that.
Their breakup had almost shattered his heart into pieces. Had him scrambling to pick up the pieces as he wondered what went wrong. There had been a time in which he was constantly blaming himself for what had happened regardless of how many times Romeo had assured him that Odette was blinded by grief that she finally broke, and Eddie had been directly in the line of fire. Yet it was only when Odette had taken his hand and said all that she could to reassure him that he did nothing wrong.
The guilt had slowly become silent within his mind, to only be replaced by a constant ache in his heart of having her be there but still out of reach; that no matter how much he loved her, she might never be his once more. Eddie understood that she still needed time, but there were still moments in which Eddie had to remind himself that he couldn't reach for her hand or wrap himself around her as he kissed her. But he took comfort in the fact that he wasn't the only one, hearing Warren once said "you two are the worst friends I've ever seen" before going on about the number of times he had seen the both of them had done something that was anything but just friendly. Yet despite the flicker of hope that instilled within his heart, he began to consider the promise she had asked of him.
Only Eddie had learned very quickly that it wasn't going to be easy. Not when he was constantly comparing the women he went out with to Odette. It wasn't until she was fast asleep in his bed, legs entangled with his own and hands resting on the plains of his back that he realised he could never get over Odette Summers no matter how hard he would try. But he was willing to have her in any way that he could because Eddie didn't think he could live without her, remembering how much he hated being on tour and not seeing her, something that became worse when she had gone to New York, that despite not being hers, he missed talking to her.
But then she had looked him in the eye and said all the words he never thought he'd hear her say, and the love he had for her since Billy and Camila's wedding had awoken and hit him full force. He felt like his heart was whole once more.
He almost didn't want to leave. Eddie knew that it was fucking stupid, especially when Odette would showcase her excitement where the tour was concerned, grabbing him by the collar and begin joking about the fact that her boyfriend was going to be breaking girl's hearts across the country, and it was never once said with jealousy, but more in a way that implied he was someone they could look at, but not touch. But it didn't mean that he wasn't going to miss her, and he knew she felt the same, she hadn't said it, but he saw the way that her eyes looked sad whenever it was brought up.
Odette finally did admit the fact as they stood in front of the buses, arms wrapped around each other that Eddie didn't want to let go.
"You know, maybe we should've just stayed in bed," she said, fingers fiddling with the hair at the nape of his neck.
Eddie laughed. "Might I remind you that you were the one to force me out."
She rolled her eyes. "Well, now I regret it. Is it too late to go back and just keep you?"
"You could always come with me."
It had been something he had voiced the closer that the tour approached. Eddie knew that no one would mind─ maybe Billy would but his opinion wouldn't matter in this situation─ and considering Daisy's husband was tagging along, Odette wouldn't have been an issue. Yet he also wasn't surprised when she had said no, said that she wasn't designed for living on the road for however long, but also that she was planning on working on a collection in Eddie's absence. Something that she had been extremely tight lipped about but said that he would be the first to see it once he came home.
Odette kissed him gently. "Hun, I love you, but I would hate it in two days, I love my ivory tower too much."
"More than me?"
"I love you both equally."
"I hate to interrupt, but are you two lovebirds done? Because you're not the only one who wants their promised Odette hug before we leave," Warren called out. Both Eddie and Odette looking over to find him with his hands on his hips with Karen standing beside him.
Odette laughed as she pulled away from Eddie and latched onto Warren, smacking a kiss onto his cheek as he lifted her off the ground. Eddie couldn't help but watch fondly as they spoke, their words quiet and between the two of them, but with the stern look on her face that Eddie was convinced was one that only Warren was on the receiving end of. When that look was there, he always found himself wondering what sprung it on. Only when he saw Warren look over to where Ruby stood, did he understand.
When they had found out that Ruby Tuesday was to be their opening act, it had been something that had mixed reactions. While himself, Graham and Karen had no issues with the decision, Billy had listened to only one song and said that her sound didn't match theirs and couldn't understand why, Karen had jumped to the woman's defense, but it was shut down under the promise that Ruby would alter her sound if it was that much of an issue and regardless as to whether or not everyone agreed with the matter, she had done just that. But when it came to Warren, he ended up lying face down on Eddie and Odette's couch once more as he spoke about how he was now going on tour with the very woman that he had finally managed to get over during his time in Mexico. And ultimately had led to Eddie agreeing to playing Warren's wingman while on tour as a means of keeping his sights away from Ruby.
By the time Odette stood in front of him once more, she pulled him in close, holding onto him tightly that it was clear she didn't want to let go.
"Remember, you can call me whenever," she reminded him. With her hands on his cheeks, he felt like putty in her hands, prepared to be molded to however she wanted. "I don't care what fucking time it is, I will answer regardless, unless I'm not home but you know."
Eddie grinned at her before pulling her in for a kiss, savoring the feeling of her lips on his. "I love you."
She smiled. "I love you too." And then her hands were on his shoulders, pushing him backwards. "Now get on that fucking bus before it leaves without you."
He scoffed. "Like they would."
"You want to test that theory?" Karen asked from where she stood at the door of the bus.
He looked at Odette one more time, memorising the details of her before he boarded the bus. Part of him felt guilty for not looking back, but he knew if he were to do so, it would only make it harder to leave.
It took one city for Eddie to fall into a routine, whether it was intentional or not, it ended up happening. He felt like a puppet on a string as he stood on stage during sound check, playing the music that Billy wanted them to play, constantly being reminded of the sound that could've been, trying to fight the urge to slip up. And when the lights finally hit them and the crowds began to chant their name, he endured a high that he had never felt before, one that he had dreamed of since he was a teenager playing in Graham's garage, the feeling of finally making it hit Eddie on the first night.
Yet the after parties was when the adrenaline slowly came crashing down, he redirected any flirtations to Warren who was more than happy to accept. There were some who were incapable of understanding that they were barking up the wrong tree. Sometimes they gave up, other times he got frustrated that he'd make his way to his hotel room, regardless of the time and end up calling Odette just to hear her voice. Most of the time he felt guilty when he'd hear her tired voice over the phone and constant yawns that would escape her, but her simply telling him that she enjoyed falling asleep to the sound of his voice, and he couldn't find it within himself to care.
Eddie thought that when Camila met them for one of their show, that perhaps Odette would come crashing through the door in a flurry with a grin on her face. He tried not to feel disappointed; he knew that Odette was busy, he listened to her go on about her newest project without actually telling him what it was, that she was slowly beginning to worry that perhaps it was too much given how much she was fussing over it, much to the point that she was making the mistake of multitasking as they talked and Eddie had lost track of how many times Odette cursed under her breath at something she had done.
Eddie tried not to let it show that he couldn't stand being away from her for as long as it currently was. He was well aware that Warren knew, he had been the one that had been there in the aftermath of their breakup that Warren had grown accustomed to knowing the signs of it all, and therefore the two of them get drunk─ or in Warren's case both drunk and high. But the night before their show, he didn't. He didn't even bother sticking around for too long, growing bored of the conversation going on around him. If he had to listen to Nicky talk about his family's wealth one more time, he was going to strangle the guy with a phone cord as Warren held him down.
Stepping outside, he pulled his cigarettes from his pocket and allowed one to dangle from his lips as he lit it. Eddie couldn't help but mourn for the loss of her presence, couldn't stop himself from looking out at the city landscape in front of him and knowing that Odette would adore the sight, her eyes lighting up as she took in every detail.
The door opening pulled him out of his thoughts, taking a drag as he turned to see Camila had stepped out for some air, or maybe just a break from Billy which he couldn't blame her for.
If Eddie was being honest, he still didn't understand how Billy and Camila's relationship was still standing. He had seen firsthand how Billy had promised to be better and for a while, he had been, but being with Odette, you learn some things that maybe you shouldn't and that was that the string that tied Camila and Billy was slowly beginning to fray. Constant questions of the underlying message of Please that was further brought forth after Odette had discovered that Billy had lied to Camila about who had written it and had been one of the many reasons as to why Camila had found comfort in a stranger for one night. Ever since the first tour, Eddie had always believed that Camila deserved someone better, and that feeling had yet to die.
Camila was almost startled upon seeing him, but it quickly shifted into a small smile. "You know, I did ask if she wanted to come with me, tried very hard to convince her."
He didn't bother hiding the smile that appeared. "She's a stubborn woman that one. She's still convinced my name is short for Edgar."
"Maybe it's time to pull out the birth certificate."
Eddie shook his head. "Nah, I couldn't break her heart by confirming the truth." He then stubbed out his cigarette. "You and the husband seem pretty cozy."
"We're in a better place now, I think we just needed him being away from the studio for a break, you know?" She admitted, no hint of doubt to be seen. He hoped that it stayed that way.
He nodded before knocking against the railing as he stood up straight. "If you'll excuse me, I have a girlfriend to call."
"Tell her I said hi."
"You'll be seeing her in a few days, you can tell her yourself," he said in a joking manner, and the sound of Camila's laughter was the last thing he heard before stepping back inside.
It was easy enough to slip away from the party when there was no one there paying attention. He could see Daisy sticking close to Nicky that made him question if it was the other way around, lately, it was hard to talk to her without Nicky hovering in a way that was clear he was trying to eavesdrop. It was something that Eddie knew was constantly bothering Odette to the point where she barely spoke to Daisy, wanting to know more about what had happened in Greece that had caused Ivy to completely shut down upon her return and grow tense at any mention of Daisy. Eddie had tried only once, he hadn't done so with the intention of fishing for answers, but it didn't mean he wasn't going to try if the opportunity presented itself, only Nicky had swooped in like a goddamn vulture and had joined in the conversation, much to Eddie's annoyance.
Warren was noticeably absent from the party, nowhere near Billy, Graham and Karen, and by the time Eddie had left the room, he heard Warren before he saw him.
"So just leave."
"I can't Warren, I signed a contract with him, I owe him two albums before I can consider doing that," Ruby replied.
By the time he reached the door to his room, the conversation was barely audible, only hearing Ruby say, "if I do, will you be there?"
He tried not to think about it as he quietly shut the door behind him as means to not alert the two of them of his accidental eavesdropping─ and it very much was accidental because even though he couldn't see them, they weren't talking quietly. But he pushed it aside, knowing that regardless, it wasn't his business. His body moving on autopilot as he sat on the bed and dialled Odette's number from heart.
"I was hoping you'd call," Odette greeted, Eddie being able to easily tell she was smiling.
"Were you also waiting by the phone in anticipation?"
She scoffed. "The audacity. . . It's purely coincidence since I was worried about waking Romeo up."
Eddie couldn't help but frown. "Everything okay back home?"
Her sigh was enough to tell him that it wasn't. "You're sure you want to know? It'll completely ruin the entire mood─"
"Odette."
"Okay fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." Odette then sighed once more. "People have started questioning the company that Romeo keeps, wondering if Hollywood's golden boy is as straight cut as everyone assumes he is. His agent has been up his ass about being seen with women who isn't his sister, but he's been shooting the idea down any time it's mentioned."
"Shit. . ." He said, running a hand over his face. "What's James saying?"
"He wants Romeo to do and therefore it's been causing some problems and Romeo has been crashing here. It's worse because Ivy agrees with James and it's a goddamn shitshow over here because of it and it's why I'm home and not with you right now. Which I hate that I'm not there because I fucking miss you─"
"Princess, it's okay, and I miss you too, if that makes you feel better."
"It does not, but I appreciate the effort." There was shuffling on her end as if she was making herself comfortable. "How are things on your end? Break any girls' hearts lately?"
He laughed as he indulged her in telling her stories from tour. Most of them had involved Warren, from him being high enough that he had mistaken a racoon for a cat and got upset when he wasn't allowed to pet it, from the time that he attempted to climb the tour bus and ended up falling on top of Eddie not even halfway through his attempt. Eddie held onto Odette's laughter, it becoming contagious that Edide's own laughter grew whenever Odette would scold herself for being too loud since not only was Romeo staying with her, but she had offered to babysit Julia while Camila was away, so she knew that she had to be careful as to not wake her up.
The phone only was hung up after Eddie came to the realisation that Odette had fallen asleep.
By the time they're back on the bus the next day, there was something different. Ruby was far more talkative with everyone and while she still stuck to sleeping in Billy's bus, whatever had happened between her and Warren had caused her to be more open in a way that she wasn't before. Fuck, even Eddie found himself wrapped up in talking with her about music and coming to learn that the way her music sounded on tour was the first time she was in love with the music that accommodated her lyrics. He had questioned the matter further, expecting her to shut down, but when she admitted that her manager wanted to portray her as this country princess and was what she was stuck as.
"Your manager sounds like a dick," Eddie had said to her.
Ruby sighed. "You have no idea. . . Got angry at me once for having a one-minute-long conversation with Warren once. . . Warned me against certain distractions."
Eyebrows raised, he stared at her. "Is that why─?"
"Yeah. . ."
It was clear that she wanted to say more, but given she was promptly called over for soundcheck. The conversation had left him with more of an understanding towards Ruby, and feeling bad for her situation which was clearly anything but a good one. Eddie couldn't help but wonder if Warren was aware, but the more he saw the two interact, it was easy to figure out that he did know more than Eddie himself did.
But Ruby wasn't the only one that was different. The weirdness that once surrounded Daisy and Billy was back. Eddie tried not to think about how Billy had started brawling with Nicky in a way that was almost unprompted to anyone outside of the two men and Daisy. But at the same time, considering Eddie too, wanted to punch Nicky in the face, for once, he was on Billy's side without needing any context on the matter. But after Daisy had publicly told Nicky to leave as they argued in the hallway of the hotel, he along with Graham and Warren stepping in to ensure things didn't get violent, it was as if a switch had been flipped with it came to Daisy and Billy.
There was part of him that wanted to be suspicious, but that would require thinking about Billy which was its own effort. So, he didn't, nor did Eddie complain about there was no longer any hostility that filled the air because it was better than wanting to bash his head against a wall anytime an argument broke out between Daisy and Billy.
The subject was completely thrown out of his mind as their performance on Saturday Night Live began to approach.
As they entered the backstage of the SNL studio, her back was turned to them as she spoke with her brother, arms waving about in various gestures in a way that was common with Odette Summers. It was Romeo that first saw them, a subtle acknowledging smile on his face before he turned back to his older sister, not giving away their presence.
And Eddie was thankful for the fact when he came up behind with, wrapping his arms around her and laughing as she shrieked in surprise. Turning around, her face was full of anger before it turned into a softer expression, one that Eddie was used to being on the receiving end of. Their lips crashed together, all that Eddie had been yearning for in the months that they had been parted.
"Hi," Odette said, foreheads pressed together and matching grins on their faces, her hands were on his waist while his cupped her face.
"That's all you've got for me?" He joked, earning an eye roll in response.
"You'll just have to wait till later to really know how much I've missed you," she said, pushing him away with a wink. "Now you have a performance to get ready for."
"Will you be watching?"
"Why else would I be here? To support my brother who's hosting?"
"Yes."
"Yeah, okay you're right, but I am also here for you and my friends."
And he could only continue smiling at her. "I've missed you, princess."
"I've missed you too, now go before you get yelled at. We have time later."
Eddie couldn't help but kiss her once more before he headed off to the dressing rooms, but it wasn't long until he found himself with her once more, her back pressed against his chest, her hands reach for his as she wrapped them around her and held onto him. They don't say anything, especially not with Romeo performing in front of them─ while Eddie had seen his movies, it was something completely different to witness it live and in person. Finally understanding why despite everything, Romeo refused to give up his acting career when it was clear he was born for it.
When it was time for the band to take the stage, he pressed a kiss to her forehead─ didn't dare do so on the lips because Eddie knew that she'd stop him and remind him that it was the one way ticket to getting lip stick on his face and considering Ivy stood with them, he wasn't going to risk her wrath over the fact.
Despite the lights hitting them, from the stage, he could still see Odette watching on with a proud grin on her face and her arm holding onto Ivy's.
For the first time in a long time, Eddie felt nervous. Not due to the cameras or the fact that they were live on television, but rather that for the first time it was the first time since McNasty's that Odette was seeing them perform. While he knew that he had nothing to prove, especially not to her, he still felt like he needed to.
"It's a great pleasure to be able to introduce my favourite band and my closest friends, Daisy Jones and The Six," Romeo introduced, gesturing to them with an overdramatic flourish before leaving the stage to join Ivy and Odette.
Eddie's nerves died down the moment they start playing, focusing on playing. But it didn't mean his eyes weren't constantly on Odette when he was looking up. The happiness that filled his body was one that he hadn't felt in a long time, not since they were in McNasty's, with Eddie trying his fucking hardest to impress Odette, bitterness lodged in the back of his throat at knowing it would have been easier if he wasn't playing the bass. But those attempts ended up being useless in a way that she always was, had been since the first time she had met him. Seeing her standing with Romeo and Ivy, Eddie knew this would be his favourite performance.
The high continued to grow as Odette had grabbed his hand and dragged him away from the after party, pushing him up against the wall and pressing her lips to his. With his hands on her waist, he squeezed her gently as she arched into her, and Eddie wished that she wasn't wearing a dress so that he could feel her skin underneath his palms. Tangling her fingers, she pulled him closer despite the space between them being non-existent.
They finally parted in need of air, but it didn't last long before Eddie was drawn back in; needing her more than he needed air.
"Easy there, tiger," Odette said, placing her thumb on his lips.
"You started it."
"Yeah, because I haven't seen you in months and you looked really fucking good on stage." Her hands moved down his body to the collar of his suit jacket, thumbs rubbing against the velvet material. "Especially good for a fucking couch."
He laughed, shaking his head. "You could come up with your own material."
"Isn't there a saying, what's mine, is yours?"
"I'll remember that next time you get mad at me for stealing your chocolate."
Odette rolled her eyes fondly, before grabbing his hand once more. "Come on, you have lip stick on your face," she told him before dragging him into one of the dresssing rooms.
By the time they were at the party, despite their attempt at looking like they hadn't snuck off to make out, all their friends were aware of the fact. Warren wiggling his eyebrows as Eddie grabbed a drink and Romeo making a quiet yet audible comment about how Odette couldn't wait until they were at the hotel; a comment that earned him a whack to the back of the head by his older sister.
Odette rolled her eyes. "Don't like act we weren't almost late to the airport because a certain someone couldn't let you go for a single weekend. Not seeing my boyfriend since December is very different from that."
Romeo scoffed. "We were on time, it's not my fault you were insistent on being too early."
"Oh my god, Ro, you're meant to be early to airports, makes it less stressful."
"Ivy, please back me up here," Romeo said, bringing everyone's attention to the mentioned woman.
Ivy's attention, however, was on Daisy, a mournful look on her face that disappeared with one blink. "Odette's right," she replied.
Romeo sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "My own girlfriend has betrayed me."
"Girlfriend?!" Eddie exclaimed, a little too loudly given the number of people who looked in their direction.
"You didn't tell him?" Ivy asked Odette.
"I was going to in a less public place," she replied.
Ivy nodded. "For the sake of Romeo's image, we've decided to publicly date."
"Far better than being set up with some random actress who isn't aware of my situation," Romeo continued.
Had Eddie not also been aware, he would've understood nothing that they had said.
"That and there's no chance of me feeling for him for however long this will go on for─ Is that Ruby Tuesday?" Ivy suddenly switched subject, slapping Eddie's arm from beside her and wasting no time in casually heading over to the singer. The sight was a humorous one considering in all the time that he had known her, she had always been calm and collected, never once had he seen her get excited over something that wasn't related to fashion.
It even left Odette laughing. "She's been listening to her a lot lately."
"Somehow it's worse than Odette listening to Aurora constantly while you've been─" Odette kicked Romeo underneath the table. "And that's my cue to talk to Warren."
Once he was gone, Odette shifted closer to Eddie, lacing her fingers with his.
"You been missing me that much, princess?" His tone of voice was teasing, but the lingering sadness in her eyes. Eddie reached forward and placed her hair behind her ear, causing her to sigh.
"I thought it was going to be easier, but I've been counting down the days until Pittsburgh because it meant seeing you," Odette admitted. "When Romeo told me about tonight, that Daisy Jones and the Six were musical guests, he barely had to ask before I was packing my bags weeks in advance."
He cupped her cheek, wanting nothing more than to reassure her. Tell her that she wasn't alone in feeling that way, that to him, constant phone calls weren't enough, not when he hadn't kicked the habit of reaching for her during the night, only to remember he was sleeping alone.
But he didn't.
Not when Teddy collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.
Eddie told them that they didn't have to stick around, no one would blame them for heading to the hotel, but they end up in the waiting room despite his words. Ivy had quickly fallen asleep with her head on Odette's shoulder, while Odette herself had Eddie's jacket wrapped around her shoulders and his hand in her lap as she held it with one hand while the other drew flowers on his arm to keep her distracted─ Eddie not questioning where the pen had come from. Even Ruby was present, sitting close to Warren as they talked quietly together. Romeo on the other hand, had gone from pacing holes in the ground to disappearing completely without saying anything.
"He's probably gone to call James," Odette whispered to him. "Ever since Lucy. . ." She trailed off, looking concerningly at the doorway Romeo had gone through when he had left. She didn't have to keep going for Eddie to understand. Eddie didn't say anything, instead running his fingers through her hair.
Time continued ticking on. Daisy and Billy left to another part of the hospital. Ruby had gone to get some food for everyone, and Eddie took it as an opportunity to ensure that Odette ate something, not wanting her to slip into old habits she had long gotten passed. A doctor eventually came in to explain that Teddy was fine, it was just waiting until he woke up and even with the news, no one left. Even when Simone Jackson had come bursting through the doors, accidentally waking up Ivy who managed to beat Daisy in greeting her friend, and the three of them going off somewhere to talk, Romeo was still absent.
Looking at Odette, seeing her blink away sleep, Eddie said, "I'll go and find him." And she simply nodded.
He shot Karen an appreciative nod when she took Eddie's seat next to Odette.
Eddie was thankful that he knew Romeo well enough to know that during times of extreme stress, he would hide away somewhere to smoke, a habit that he kept hidden from Ivy who had a strong disliking to the habit. Finding him outside doing just that.
Romeo didn't look up as he approached, instead wordlessly handing him the cigarette carton as an offering that Eddie took, lighting his own up.
"You don't have to stick around," Eddie said.
Romeo shook his head. "I might not know Teddy, but I'll feel guilty if I'm sitting in a hotel room. I also can't sit in that waiting room." He ran a hand over his face. "This is probably the worst timing, but since we have a morning flight, I don't know when I can do this other than now." Reaching into his pocket, Romeo handed a box to Eddie, he didn't have to open it to know what was inside. "I'm not claiming she's said anything, but it's clear with how you two that are it'll happen sooner or later."
Stubbing out his cigarette, Eddie finally opened it, unsurprised by what sat inside.
"It was Lucy's," Romeo admitted. "It was something that she always wanted Odette to have, knowing that I wouldn't have any need for it. And this isn't me saying it needs to be done now, but I wanted you to have it now so it's there for when you're ready. And I'm more than happy to keep it hidden if you're worried about her finding it or losing it on tour."
Eddie laughed as he shut the box. "I might actually take you up on that offer," he said, handing it back and watching Romeo put it back in his pocket for safe keeping. Yet despite so, Eddie being aware of its existence weighed heavy on his mind.
Romeo then nudged his shoulder, stubbing out his own cigarette before standing up. "We should probably head back in before Odette sends out a second search party."
He shook his head as he too stood up, following alongside Romeo as they returned to the waiting room. "That's if she hasn't fallen asleep already." Eddie then placed his hand on Romeo's shoulder. "Thank you, by the way."
"I feel like I should be thanking you considering how happy you've made my sister," Romeo admitted.
And at his words, Eddie pulled Romeo into a hug, clapping his hand against his back.
When they finally returned to the waiting room, Romeo appeared more relaxed than before, as if a moment of distraction was enough to ensure that to happen. They had been wrong in assuming that Odette had fallen asleep because when Eddie returned to her side─ Romeo sitting at Ivy's─ it was clear to him that she wouldn't until she saw that her brother was okay.
And when she had, Odette wrapped her arms around him and placed her head on her chest as Eddie tried his hardest to pull her in close despite the arms of the chairs they were sitting on making it difficult. When her breathing evened out as she allowed herself to finally sleep, he thought back to the box sitting in Romeo's pocket, knowing exactly what to do with it without much thought.
That alone was a little terrifying, but as he looked down at her, fast asleep on his chest, it wasn't really. It felt right.
AUTHOR'S NOTE 🎸 / well, this is probably a surprise, which, i said this was going to be, no hints that eddie's chapter was going to come, just a gif letting you all know that it's here. and it is!! this is basically a tradition with all my fics to have a chapter in the love interest's pov, and considering i wanted to write the tour but knew it was going to be very hard with odette not being involved in the tour, this is how i've done it. this is a chapter i've been very excited for for so long but also goddamn terrified because there's a little voice in the back of my head worried that eddie is out of character, which i feel like is impossible considering the show did flesh him out but not enough that there's really no right or wrong way or writing him, just personal preferences.
🎸 doing eddie's pov also meant ruby and warren development on the side which admittedly does make me sad i have no plans on bringing back their fic because they're so sweet together while daisy and ivy are more heartbreaking. also let me know if what's going on between daisy and ivy is too vague/confusing because i will write a myself note to expand on it next chapter in a way that makes it clearer as it's an easy inclusion. like to me i get it, but also, i am writing it so of course i do.
🎸 i will also admit that the reason why there's no interviews this chapter despite it being plausible was that i was very much zoned in on writing it that i forgot to include any. i could've added some in, but i did realise this far too late that i didn't want to ruin this chapter by throwing some in. so, i am very sorry about that, next chapter though will make up for the fact.
🎸 but have this deleted moment that was just an important scene since it's a canon scene and therefore felt no need to add since it didn't add anything. but during the bus scene when eddie and warren find out about graham and karen sleeping together, and they ask if graham is gay, saying, "it's fine if you are," eddie added on, "we know gay people, we're cool with it," with warren nodding because they both know about james and romeo (for eddie, ivy is also included) (and know if the term queer was used as an identity earlier than '84, it would've been used to including odette since she's pansexual).
🎸 next chapter is good old pittsburgh, which i have a lot planned out for, it's not funny, a lot of it has been hinted at since chapter 13, so i'm fucking excited. it's also the last chapter before the epilogue which,,,, holy shit??? this is nearly over???? it feels unreal.
🎸 but anyways, i hope you all enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to vote/comment your thoughts.