Cole had mentioned Jose Suarez a few times but it had always been with a respect and reverence reserved for Sierra Nevada IPA and Papa John’s cheesesticks. In other words, for Cole at least, Jose walked on water.
So it was a surprise to hear that from Maysie.
“Why do you think that?” I asked picking apart my loaded nachos.
“He’s always off talking to Cole and Cole’s being different, I guess. I mean he’s still an obnoxious prick but he’s pulling away some. The other guys are feeling it too. Jordan is ready to lose it.”
“Jordan is always ready to lose it on Cole though,” I interrupted.
Maysie shook her head. “No, this is nearing blood bath levels. It’s exhausting trying to keep him from knocking Cole’s head off.”
I bristled a bit, feeling unusually protective over the one person who most likely didn’t need or deserve it.
“Well Jordan’s always been less than patient when it comes to Cole. Maybe you need to remind him to worry about his own bullshit before he goes and starts in on someone else,” I snipped, making Gracie’s eyes widened.
Maysie narrowed her eyes. “Since when are you defending Cole?”
“I’m not. I’m just pointing out that Jordan is anything but perfect. Do we need to talk about Olivia?” I asked, wishing instantly I hadn’t gone there. I had mentioned she who shall not be named! I was entering bitch slap territory.
Maysie recoiled as if I had hit her.
“Viv, seriously. What the hell?” Gracie reprimanded and I instantly felt bad.
“Sorry, Mays. Forget I said that. It sucks you’re getting pulled into boy drama,” I said quickly, trying to remedy my bad case of jerk mouth.
Maysie still seemed prickly but appeared to accept my apology. “Yeah, it does suck. I’m actually thinking of coming back to Bakersville for a while. So I can plan the wedding and get my head together,” she said, causing Gracie and I to gape at her.
“What?” we both asked at the same time.
Maysie shrugged. “I’m just not sure if this tour is the place for me to be. It’s just so draining.”
“You’d leave Jordan? For weeks, maybe even months at a time? I find that hard to believe. You two are joined at the genitals,” I countered.
Maysie rolled her eyes.
“He’d understand. I need to figure out what I’m going to do with my life outside of being his fiancé. I can’t follow him around on the road forever. Or however long this ride lasts. It seemed so romantic when I threw everything in to go with the guys on tour. But here we are over a year later and even though there have been breaks and times when we’re not doing the band thing, it’s taken over every facet of my life. I can’t even plan my wedding because of all the craziness going on. I don’t resent it, but I’m getting tired of it.”
I couldn’t have been more shocked then if she had told me she had decided to start a one-woman circus act involving chickens and flame-throwers.
“Wow, Mays. . .just. . .wow,” was all I could say.
“So, do you have space for another roomie?” Maysie asked sadly, giving us a half-hearted smile.
“Of course we do,” Gracie said as I opened my mouth to say, “Not really.”
But that would have been a shitty thing to say. Not to mention completely unsupportive. But I was just thinking of all the extra mess and estrogen fueled drama.
My drama was enough for our two-bedroom apartment.
“Thanks guys. It probably won’t be for a few weeks. I have to talk to Jordan about it first. I know it’s the right thing for me. I know he’s struggling with everything with the band and making me happy at the same time. I just want him to be able to focus on himself for a little while. He’ll understand, right?” she asked. Why the hell was she asking us?
But I knew she just needed the reassurance. I patted her back in an affectionate gesture. “Of course he will, Mays. Jordan loves you. You guys are solid.”