together we will be unbroken

I woke up in Ashley’s strong arms, and sigh. This is the definition of perfect. I look up at his peaceful, sleeping face. After my last year of college, I’ll be waking up to this every morning. He stirs, and opens his eyes. “Mornin’ beautiful.” I look around like he wasn’t talking to me. “oh stop.” He smiles, and rolls his eyes. Way lay there smiling for a bit. “So are you excited for the last show?”

“It's not the last show, we have warped, and Karang after this.” i reply.

“That’s true.” He nods. “I’m going to miss you while you’re in Boston again.”

“This time is shorter, it’s only for two months instead of three.” I tell him.

“That’s too long!” He whines.

“I know, I know. But we can call everyday, and if you think of it in weeks, it’s not as bad.”

“How? You would think that it would be worse.”

“No, because if you count down weeks, it somehow makes everything shorter.” I shrug.

“I can’t wait to bring you home to my apartment.” he smiles.

“And I can’t wait to see my new loft.” I grin.

“I can’t believe you’re having a whole loft full of musical instruments. That’s kickass.”

“I can’t believe I’m moving into an apartment with my rockstar boyfriend.” i grin.

“I’m so happy you said yes.” He kisses me gently, and my stomach flutters. “I love you Laci.”

“I love you too Cowboy.” I smile.

“Aw that’s so cute!” Ronnie exclaims. We sigh, and roll our eyes.

“Sound check!” John exclaims.

I put on my best Jack Black impression. “Let’s rock!”


The air was different today while we were setting up. Maybe it’s because we will be losing Dylan, but it’s a happy somber thing. i don’t know, it’s weird. I set up the light tree, and start taping down the cords. “I can’t believe that this is my last show.” Dylan sighs.

“I know, we’re really going to miss you.” i tell him.

“Andy put your pants on!” John exclaims.

“Make me!” Andy replies.

“They’re making me not want to leave.” He chokes.

“Oh Dyl,” I pull him into a hug, “You are going to go to school, and be amazing, and we will definitely keep in touch. you can’t shake us that easily.”

“Thanks Lace.” He smiles.

“No problem, no get to work.” i smile. He chuckles, and walks over to his sound board.

“Alright CC, you do your’s first!” I call in the direction of the dressing rooms. I hope he hears me.

“You’ll never catch me alive!” Andy yells. Please don’t run out on stage.

“Aw yeah, soundcheck with Tum!” CC exclaims, as he runs out of his dressing room.

“Just let me get my headset on.” I smile. CC starts banging on his drums, his head is going in a chaotic circle to keep the beat. I’m surprised He doesn’t give himself whiplash. I put on my headset, and listen to CC through here. It sounds good. He just needs to play a bit more.

“Tum! Test the music for my drum solo!” He yells, not stopping his drumming, or head movements. I look at DYlan, and he presses play on the track for the music that goes underneath CC’s drum solo. I love how it’s a different solo every night.

“Thanks for starting sound check.” John says through our headsets.

“No problem.” I reply. “Have you got him yet?”

“No. But will you please keep CC there? I don’t need to have two naked guys running around here.” I can hear him panting from all of the running.

“Yeah sure. Hey John, why don’t you have one of the bodyguards catch him?” I ask.

“That’s actually a really good idea. Hey Matt, help me catch Andy.” I John says.

“Ugh do I have to?” Matt asks. Matt is Andy’s body guard.

“He’s your responsibility.” John laughs.

CC dismounts his drumset, and makes his way toward me. “Hey CC, wanna have a jam sesh?” I ask.

“Yeah man!” He smiles.

“Okay, I’m going to use Jacky’s guitar, and I’m left handed so this is going to be a little rough.” I sling Jacky’s guitar over my shoulder, and plug in the patch cord. I give him a nod, and he starts a fast, heavy beat with the double bass pedal, and ride cymbal. I start out with a simple rhythm, and some arpeggios. I nod my head to keep time. God I wish I had my guitar with me. It’s on the bus, but I can’t trust CC not to run off , and join Andy.

I think of playing guitar this way like playing Violin. It’s the same hand, just in a different place. I start to play more complicated things. CC starts doing some crazy stuff, and ups the tempo about five clicks. Two can play that game. I begin sweep picking, and I push him up more. “Woo! Can you go faster Tummy?” CC exclaims.

“Let’s see shall we.” I flip the guitar so the neck is in my right hand instead, and I play upside down. Finger strumming time. I chuck the pick, and strum with my fingers. I make us go faster again.

“That the best you got?” CC changes the tempo some more, and I go right up with him. I drop down to the low E and A string, and play some stuff down there. I walk up to the platform that CC is on, and we have share some eyebrow gestures to try and mess the other person up. “You’re not going to beat me.”

“I’m sorry what? I couldn’t hear you over the sound of my upcoming victory.” I smirk. I start playing weird things with the A minor chord, because I can’t think of something to play.

“Just give up already!” CC cries.

“Not in my nature babe.” I grin. I can see the sweat pouring off of him. Geez.. He’s a freakin animal. CC plays a crazy fast fill, throws his sticks up in the air, and falls back out of his chair.

“I’m done!” I play a few more bars of crazy stuff, and then stop. He is breathing really hard, and his body is shiny from sweating so much. “You’re insane!” He pants.

“You too, oh my God how do you do that?” I smile.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“Hey are we going to do our sound check or what?” Jake asks.

“Yeah sure.” I jump down from the platform, place Jacky’s guitar in its place, and sit back at the sound board with Dylan. Jake starts playing perfect weapon.

“Where did you learn to play like that?” Dylan asks me.

“My Da, and hours of time spent in my room with a guitar.” I reply.

“I didn’t think that was humanly possible.” Dylan shakes his head in disbelief. I shrug, and listen to the sound of Jake.

After everyone does soundcheck, the guys head back to their dressing rooms, and I do a final light check before the doors open. The venue manager tells me that the doors will be opening in two minutes, so I plug in my Ipod, and play some music. I can’t believe that in three days i’ll be heading back to Boston for two months. I hope this time isn’t as bad as last time. Oh my God I’m moving in with Ashley!!!! EEEEEEPP!!!

My thought flick back to the first time I met him, and all of the guys really. I was so excited when they showed up at my apartment that day. It felt like a dream, and when Ashley and I kissed on the boardwalk, I was on cloud nine.

I watch the people crowd in. They are mostly teenagers, but hey so am I . I can see all of the excitement on their faces, i remember going to concerts, and the feeling that goes with it. “I can’t believe that we won’t have a show for three months.” Ronnie says from behind me.

“Actually it’s two and a half.” I smile.

“Okay two and a half months, and you’ll be gone, so I have no idea what I’m going to do.” He sighs.

“Oh I ‘m sure you can figure something out.” I smile.

“Well I suppose I could go clubbing every night, and get shitfaced drunk…”

“Ronald Radke if you do that I will fly out the instant I find out and kick your ass.” i threaten.

“Well at least you’ll be with me…” He says dramatically.

“I see what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work. You forget that I don’t ahve a guilt complex.” I smirk.

“You do, you just suppress it really well.” The place is packed right now. God I wish I was performing right now, but I’m happy for my friends, and if they’re happy, I am too.

“Alright, I think we are ready to start.” I say into the headset. The crew headsets are tuned so everyone in the production can hear them. Whereas the band in-ears can only pick up the person, one other mic, and us.

Ryan runs out, then Max, then Jacky, then ronnie. I start up the light show to “The Drug In Me Is you” and enjoy the show.

When FIR is done, the crew switches the amps, and drumsets. I do a quick placement check. When I get back to my spot, the guys are already waiting there. I can practically see the energy bouncing inside of them. “Two months without tummy? Oh I don’t think I can handle this.” CC cries.

“But you’ll be with me all summer, and you’re even staying in my house for Karang.” I smile. The feeling of this last show is better than the feeling of the last one. The last one was sad, and this one isn’t. Ashley pulls me to his side, and kisses my temple. Yep, way different than last time. I look over the stage one last time to make sure everything is where it should be. I come back, and give them the go ahead. They jump up, and run on stage in order. Ashley gives me a kiss before he goes out. They open with “Youth and Whiskey.” I nod my head along with the beat, and just enjoy the music. They all look like they are having the time of their lives out there.

A few more songs go by, and we come to CC’s drum solo. He’s doing kickass amazing, and an idea pops into my head. I click the talk button, and yell “More cowbell!” I see him smile, and he does some paradiddles,and ratamacues on the cowbell. He then unhooks it, holds it above his head, and imitates Will Ferrell. Everyone in the building dies. When he finishes, I bow down to him from the wings, and we continue the show.


They guys play some more songs, and then they come to the last one, “Fallen Angels”. Andy talks to the crowd, and then they start playing. “Scream. Shout. We are the fallen angels!” The crowd chants along. I look over at Dylan. He has a smile on his face, and a tear streaming down his face. I put my hand on his shoulder, and give him a small smile. He nods, and returns it. The guys finish the song, and the crowd goes wild.

After they finish their bows, Andy talks into the mic. “So tonight, we are saying goodbye to not only our sound technician, but our friend. Dylan's eyes go wide. “He’s going back to college for business, and man are we going to miss him.” He walks over to us, and brings Dylan out on stage. His face is the color of my hair. “Best of luck to you man, we’re going to miss you.” They share a bro hug, and everyone cheers. “And we couldn’t do any of this without our amazing crew, so all of you get out here.” He smiles. Everyone files out on stage, and I stay in place, because I’m not technically crew.

AShley shakes his head, and runs over to me. I try to get away, but he picks me up by my waist, and brings me out. “Oh no you don’t.” I roll my eyes and sigh. There is a chorus of “aw”s when I get out on stage. Ronnie grabs Andy’s mic. “And we couldn’t have done any of this with out this girl right here.” He puts his are around my shoulders. “She helped write our songs, she did some kick ass digital stuff on the album, she’s always been our go to person when something didn’t go right, she does our lights, she’s our manager, and now she’s going to take on the job of sound tch. SO please give this lovely lady a huge round of applause.” He presents me like Vanna White.

The crowd cheers like crazy. I’m suddenly airborne, and looking at Ashley’s beautiful face. “I love you my beautiful Irish Rose.”

“I love you oo Cowboy.” I grin. He smiles, and pulls me into the sweetest kiss we’ve ever shared, and for the first time in my life, I found where I belong.

Notes

So that's it! Thank you all so much for reading, commenting, subscribing, and voting. Really you guys are amazing, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here's the link to the sequel in case any of you haven't found it yet.