manage me, i'm a mess // a.g

31. "i don't need a babysitter."

~ALEX~  

"So," Vinny mumbled, completely drunk, as everyone downed a lucky shot of tequila two hours before the show. "Got your way with Erika, buddy. I'm proud o' ya."  

"Thanks man," I replied. But it still wasn't the same without her there.  

Flo was now spending every possible minute with Rian, Zack spent the whole time scoring busty blondes at each and every one of the clubs we frequented, and Jack and Freddie were as loved up as ever. That left me out, but it didn't matter. I was doing what Erika wanted me to do, and that in itself was enough to keep me going.  

She'd forgiven me, so that facilitated things. Hopefully by the time I saw her next, we'd be as close to normal as possible with not having seen each other for at least a month.  

"Alright, guys, you know the drill," Matt announced. "Go get changed and we'll head backstage for the next couple of hours."  

"Ay ay, cap'n!" Everyone said in unison. It had become sort of a tradition to reply that way to everything Matt told us to do.  

Rian and Zack seemed deep in conversation, so I took the opportunity to talk to Flo.  

"Hey," I said as I approached her.  

"How you feelin'?" She asked straightaway.  

"Peachy," I said, only somewhat meaning it. "How about you?"  

"Good, broke up with Dylan this morning..." She trailed off.  

"Flo, please don't tell me it was because of-"  

"No, I respect Rian and Cass' relationship. Even if I wanted to, I'd never be that important to him."  

"Honey, you already are," I nudged her playfully and picked up my pace so as to end that conversation there and then. I wasn't exactly in a socializing mood.  

I ended up being the first person to get backstage, so I went to mine and Jack's dressing room, changed into a Glamour Kills shirt and black skinnies, as well as a pair of Vans that Erika had given me.  

I sighed. "Erika..." I missed her lots already.  

"You called?" A very, very familiar voice said loudly from the couch. I ran out there and my entire band and crew was standing there, next to my girlfriend, staring at my reaction with huge smiles on their faces.  

"No fucking way," I grinned, running over to her, picking her up and spinning her around. 

"Okay, can you put me down now?" She said, laughing and squirming in my hands. I did as she said, kissing her in the process.  

"How did you-"  

"Dylan and I created a brilliant plot. Long story short, he's asleep in my ward right now."  

"Poor boy," Flo laughed.  

"How are you?" Rian asked her.  

"I'm peachy," she said, lifting up her bandaged wrist sarcastically. Flo smirked at me.  

"What?" Erika and I said in unison.  

"You two even use the same vocabulary. What's next, your toothbrush?"  

Everyone laughed. "I'd be lying if I said I'd never used his toothbrush," Erika replied.  

"How long can you stay for?" I asked as I sat down on the couch, and Erika assumed her position on my lap.  

"Until Dylan either gets caught or calls me in utter depression. That place does that to people."  

"Can't you just check yourself out?"