Chapter one hundred and sixty six:
”Isaac? Isaac, baby.”
Isaac woke slowly to the sound of a voice he instantly recognized as Christy’s.
”Honey?” The voice was closer now, hovering over him.

He opened his eyes slowly with a groan and found himself reclined on the sofa. Christy had covered him with a spare blanket, even though he had insisted he didn’t need it.

“What time is it?” He groaned, still trying to shake the sleep from his voice.

“It’s three.” She replied, leaning on the back of the sofa. “You told me to wake you up at two thirty, but I checked the itinerary for today, and I figured you could use the extra half hour.”

He smiled. “Thanks, C.”

“You could probably sleep for another hour or so if you forfeit your shower…”
“That’s okay.” He chuckled. “I’d rather be tired than smell.”

He stretched, and pushed back the extra blanket, and sat up. “What were you doing?”

“Nothing, really.” She walked back into the small kitchenette and got two bottles of water from the fridge.

He glanced at the coffee table next to him, where her sketchbook was open to what she had been working on. He reached out and picked it up to examine it.

She handed him a bottle of water and sat down on the coffee table.

“Was this what you were working on?” He asked, studying the picture.

“Yeah.” She laughed. “I think you’re cute when you sleep.” She shrugged. “I still have to do some of the shading, and fix some lines, but I was bored, so I drew you.”

He smiled. “It’s really good already. You’re an amazing artist. You should become a professional. Do paintings and stuff.”

Christy laughed. “Yeah right. I’m definitely not good enough for that.”

“I think you are.”

She smiled.  “Come on, you’d better get in the shower and get down to the meet and greets.”
”Yeah,” He smiled, and stood. “What would I ever do without you?”

Christy suddenly moved toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight embrace.

His arms circled her waist lightly, slightly taken aback by her actions.

“Are you okay?” He asked gently, placing a hand flatly on the center of her back.

She slowly released him and smiled, looking down between them. He kept his arms firmly around her, incase he needed to talk her into answering.

“I’m fine,” She smiled. “Really. I just… I’m not going to see you for a couple of hours. I don’t even get to go to the venue, even though I’d really like to go. I just… I miss you having more free time to spend with me. Which really sucks because the tour has just begun…”

He smiled. “Well, maybe I can arrange for Jimmy to have the night off, and you can come with me. You’ll have to pretty much stay backstage, but you’ll be able to see the show. There’s always plenty of security backstage, so you’ll be okay.” He suggested. “It’s a crappy visual angle, but you’ll be able to hear well.”

Christy smiled broadly. “I would love that.”

“Alright, I’ll call Jimmy.” He smiled and gently kissed her forehead before releasing her.

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

Becky had gone with Christy to the concert, and stood backstage with her. It felt almost like a dream come true. Five years ago, she had only dreamt of standing on the side of the stage and seeing the only band that ever mattered to her live, right before her eyes.

After the show had ended, she waited patiently for Zac to use the venues shower, and when he emerged, smelling much better than he had going in, he suggested going out for a late night ice cream run.

“Here babe,” Zac’s voice abruptly interrupted her thoughts. He placed a banana split in front of her, and sat down across from her with his own.

Becky looked up at him in alarm. “They didn’t have anything smaller? I don’t think I can eat all of this.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you out.” He winked.

Becky rolled her eyes and laughed. “Right, I forgot I’m dating a bottomless pit.”

He leaned back and pat his stomach, “the pit wants what it wants.”

Becky laughed harder. “You’re adorable!”

“Yeah, but that’s why you love me, right?”

“Hmm… maybe.” She teased.

“Aww.” He laughed. “That was cruel.” He offered her a bite of his ice cream, by pushing a full spoon towards her.

She laughed. “No way!  Don’t even think I can finish mine, let alone yours!”

“Yeah, but you’re going to try right?”

“Of course.” She smiled.

“Good, I love a girl who can eat.”

Becky laughed.

 

After finishing their ice cream, with Zac helping Becky eat the remainder of hers, they decided to walk the few blocks back to their hotel. It was late and the streets were practically deserted, so they walked in peace in the warm night air.

Zac walked next to her, and took her hand in his, interlacing their fingers.

Becky smiled. “You’re so sticky! You’re like a big kid!”

“Aww!” He laughed.

She smiled and reached up, touching his face. “Even your face is sticky!”

“What?!” He feigned shock. “But you love me anyway, right?”

She smiled “Yeah.”

“Great! Then kiss me!”

“You’re sticky!” She protested.

He caught her around the waist, and dipped her backward dramatically, until she couldn’t escape.

He planted an overly loud and exaggerated kiss on her lips, then let her up. She stood in place laughing heartily as he walked ahead, smiling broadly.

Becky grinned mischievously, and took off running towards Zac. Before he could turn around to catch her running at him, she jumped on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips.

“Hey!” He cried in alarm, hoisting her into a proper piggy-back position.


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