I can’t live without you,
Set my goals around you,
Takes a little extra time,
But it all works out.
You’re a shining ember,
I’ll be shining armor…
It had been a mere 48 hours since I had gone out to purchase the new Gavin CD and I was already head over heels. My nights were full of his melodies wrapped around me as I feel asleep, and as I woke up the next morning to start the day, it was Gavin shouting above the hum of my blow dryer. Today was one of those days, where you take time to yourself, run a few errands in the comfort of your favorite sweat pants and a matching fitted tee. I took a break between errands for a light salad for lunch and then a pampering hour at the salon to remove and replace my acrylics.
“Thanks Lola” I smiled, handing her a generous tip and strutting out the door. Making my way back to my car I opted for a Tina-night-in. I drove home, making sure I took in the extra time to check out the scenery, even though it was the same thing every day, I tried my best to take in what I could without letting life slip by too fast.
I lived with a roommate in a tiny apartment that wasn’t enough space to share, but I dealt. Putting my car in park I grabbed some bags and walked up the steps to the complex. I’ve never really been the girl to go to the gym to work on my abs, or tone my arms, and taking the stairs was all the work out I thought I needed. After all, I was three flights up, mildly short of breath, and satisfied with that daily dose.
My lips curled upward as I unlocked the door, remembering that Becca was out of town. This meant a full night to myself, with Gavin blaring in the background. Tossing my purse in front of my dresser and flinging my bags onto my bed I grabbed my favorite bottle of nail polish, the soft pink called Make Men Blush, off the vanity. My toes were in desperate need of a fresh coat, and if there was one thing I hated more than obnoxious gum chewers, it was not having my toes painted.
After settling in with a fudgy bar already in my system, I grabbed the mini remote and clicked on the small stereo in my room, huddled up on the floor in front of my bed, and began to apply the first coat. The sweet melody of Gavin’s soulful voice rang through my ears as I nodded my head, chuckling to myself thinking about the ridiculous names O.P.I gave their polishes. Make Men Blush was by far my favorite, the subtle pink setting off the perfect contrast to my almost-tan feet, giving it the extra oomph of faux bronze color I desperately wanted. But of course, there was only one man I wanted to make blush, and that was Paul Kevin Jonas the second, my favorite boyfriend.
I was a pro when it came to hearing the soft vibration of a cell phone thanks to a broken ringer a few years back and no money to replace it. So even over the heinous sound of my voice trying to mimic the tune of the song that was a bar too loud, I could hear my phone vibrating. Shooting my gaze towards the purse lying limp in front of my dresser I quickly finished my second coat and shimmied over. The flashing light indicated that Brit was calling and my mood quirked up.
“Hey, Brit!” I shouted into the phone over the loud music. I reached over to grab the remote and turned the stereo down a few notches before continuing. “What’s up?”
Brit was like my younger sister, especially since both of us were dating rock stars; we spent a lot of time together on the road during the summer. It had been a while since I had last talked to her, and I assumed her phone call had something to do with the love triangle she was currently tangled in.
“Tina, there’s…been an…an accident.” I heard her mumble into the phone. My first thought was to panic, even though I should have taken into consideration that she had to calm her nerves to prevent my outrageous response, my heart was beating faster than I could handle.
“What? Who was it? Is everyone alright?” I quickly asked, my questions flying through the phone without a moment for breath.
“Joe,” she paused, and I could hear the soft whimper in her voice telling me that she was about to break down. “And Kevin. He said that he’s fine, but Tina…I don’t believe him. He said Joe’s in bad shape, but he really didn’t elaborate. I-I don’t know if you want to fly back here, but I thought you should at least know what’s going on. But, we’re almost at the hospital, so I need to go.”
The next move I made was directly towards my laptop waiting idly on my desk. My fingers were wild at work looking for the next flight out of here to where she would be waiting.
“Alright Brit. I’m looking for a flight right now…I’ll get there as soon as possible. Call me if you find out anything.” I shot into the phone before ending the call and booking the flight. My heart was swelling and it took everything I had to hold back the tears, trying to collect what few items I needed and making sure I had the correct forms of ID before hailing a cab to escort me to the airport.
I was in no condition to drive, and besides, a cab driver could get me there in half the amount of time it would take my granny driving. Hair still thrown up and my sweats still hugging my body I jumped in and directed the driver to have us to the airport before I could blink. And he did just that. Giving him an extra generous tip, I flew out of the door, my carryon in hand and pushed my way through security. Luckily it had only taken a short amount of time and when I finally reached my gate, the flight was halfway through boarding. In just a few hours I’d be on the ground, running to the only constant I had in my life. Settling in and buckling myself into the aisle seat, I threw my head back and prayed to God that he would be okay.
