It was my last full day in Florida with the guys. I wanted nothing more than to spend the whole day in the hotel room with Austin, forgetting the world around us. But that was impossible. So I got up, dressed, and made my way down to the lobby.

The quiet sound of a piano filled my ears as the elevator doors opened into the white, drab space. I smiled realizing it was Austin’s lanky, tattooed form that was bent over the baby grand in the corner. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders and placing a kiss on his cheek, I murmured, “I didn’t know you could play…”

“I can’t really. I only know a few things.” He said smiling up at me. “Plus! I’ve got the fingers for it!” He wiggled them in my face making me giggle as I slid down next to him.

“Keep playing.” I urged.

He went right back to the melody he had been playing before and I smiled recognizing what could be done with it.

“Once, upon a time, a few mistakes ago…”

Looking at me with a smile, Austin caught on and kept going letting me sing.

“I knew you were trouble when you walked in, so shame on me know-ow flew me to places I’d never been…”

Both of us were smiling and Austin started harmonizing on the chorus with me. We finished the song and I let out a giggle looking at Austin.

“I hope you guys don’t mind…” We both looked up to see Lionel, the guitar tech, standing in front of us. “I was just filming stuff for the tour video and that was amazing!”

“Thanks…” I said suddenly feeling self-conscious.

“I might have to just upload this on its own,” he laughed coming over to play back the footage to Austin.

“Rae, do you see this?” Austin questioned excitedly.

“Hey!” We all looked up to see Alan and Phil walking towards us in their bathing suits. “Meet us at the pool.”

“Alright, man.” Austin called after them as Lionel followed them with the camera in hand.

Austin stood, reaching out for my hand. “My lady…”
Feeling a real smile slink onto my face I placed my hand in his and let him help me up. We made our way back up to our room.

We changed into bathing suits and spent the day by the pool with guys. I found my mind was at ease for the most part. It was as if the warm Florida sun had seeped into my skin and cleared me of all my demons.

But as my plane touched the tarmac at LAX, I realized how close Austin was to Boston and the anxiety was pounding through every cell in my body before I even got off the plane. I was thankful that I had become good at hiding it from others.

“Hey doll!” Hannah said smiling as she hugged me in the baggage claim. “How was Florida?”

“It was good.” I said trying to sound as normal as possible.

“You okay, Rae?” She asked reading something I was trying desperately to push deep down inside of me.

“Yeah, I’m just exhausted, long flight.” I said brushing her off and formulating a plan to get my hands on oxies later that night.