Rye

I don't wait to see what Tinsley is going to do, without thought I go after Launi. I burst through the front doors just in time to see Sean tuck Launi into the SUV seconds before it pulls away from the curb. Fuck. My phone begins going crazy in my pocket. Security is telling me they are sending another car and to stay where I am. My mom is calling also, but I can't bring myself to answer. I need a minute. I have no idea what to do. I signed up for the spotlight and fame, Launi did not.

By the time the car pulls up out front, I know what I need to do. The SUV races towards the hotel, the driver not daring to say a word as we wind through the city streets. I check Launi's room first, but I find it empty, the hotel staff already cleaning it. My room is the same, our luggage was packed this morning so we could go directly to the airport after the interview. I take a chance anyway, running to her father's room to try and catch hm before he leaves for the airport. I'm too late once again.

Defeated, I return to the car. "Sorry sir, we had just missed them. I tried to tell you," the driver says.

"It's ok," I tell him. "Just get me to the airport."'

"Yes, Sir," he tells me.

I pull my phone from my pocket and try to message Launi, but it's still undelivered. I send a message to my mom telling her I'll call her tonight from Vegas and explain everything. I try not to read into her not responding.

Tinsley: We'll fix this

Me: Sorry I left you

Tinsley: It's ok. That was awful.

Tinsley: I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but any press is good press. I'll figure this out. Go get your girl.

The airport is crowded, but I bypass it all and am waved through straight on the tarmac to a private hanger. The plane is waiting, and I'm both anxious and relieved to know the entire band and Launi will be on this flight. Ready or not, it's time to come clean and face the music even if that means I'm out of the band.

I'm expecting some sort of intervention as I climb aboard, but instead the inside of the plane looks strikingly similar to the tour bus after a performance. Everyone is drunk even though it's still morning. The plane is small, so it's notable that Launi isn't on here and her father is gone too. I almost turn around and leave, but Jack waves me over and pats the seat beside him. Jack is an honest man, married to his wife and proud of his children.

"Dangerous game you've been playing," he says.

"I know," I tell him.

"Justin is in the bathroom with our flight attendant. He hasn't mentioned the clip, I don't think he knows," he says.

"How is that possible if you know," I ask him. The band is tight as brothers. Word usually travels fast.

"That's news I think you should deliver. My wife sent it to me just now," he says, patting my knee.

"Ok," I tell him.

"You know," he says, his gaze out the window, "there was a time your father was madly in love with your mother. I remember it," he turns to smile at me, but there's sadness in his eyes. He doesn't have to say another word; the message is clear. Love wasn't enough on the road for my father, and he probably worries I'll be the same way. Jack is part of a very small minority in this community, and it wasn't an easy road for him.

The announcement chimes overhead in the small cabin letting us know we will be departing and need to take our seats. I move to an open row, hoping when Launi boards she will take the seat next to me. I buckle my seatbelt, head on a swivel for who will appear first, Launi or her father.

When the door to the plane is shut, I let security know we are missing one.

"She's already gone," he tells me.

"Gone?" I question. My hands reaching for my seatbelt.

"Keep it buckled. We're about to take off," I'm told. The engines fire up and I realize I'm stuck on this plane whether I want to be here or not.

"We can't just leave her," I say over the loud engines.

"We have a team member with her," he tells me.

Of course. Let me guess, Sean. This day couldn't get any worse.

The door to the small lavatory opens, quickly informing me that it could actually get a lot worse. Justin makes his way down the aisle, looking sweaty and tired. I look to Jack to see if he's going to be a witness to this tough conversation, but he's on the phone facetiming with one of his kids. I glance around the rest of the small plane, taking in what my future will look like if I continue this lifestyle. What are the chances I'll be like Jack? They aren't in my favor for sure. I watch as Justin takes the seat in front of mine.

I lean forward, increasing the chance my voice will carry over the engines. "We need to talk," I say to Justin. His head turns in my direction, and I can see the exhaustion from this tour all over his face. He looks terrible. His skin has a grey tinge and he's covered in sweat.

"No, we don't," he says coldly. "Not yet."

From his tone I know he's either seen the clip or heard about it. "I'm sorry," I say, suddenly resorting back to the little boy who used to find himself in trouble and on the receiving end of many lectures from the man in the seat in front of me. Shame floods my system and I clear my throat so I can apologize again, this time with an explanation.

"I knew you were like your father," he says. The words landing like blows to my face. Somehow his confirmation of that fear kills me. On some level, a part of my soul dies, and I can only acknowledge his words with a tight nod he can't see from his position.

The flight attendant serves him a whiskey, and he swirls it around in his glass before throwing it back. "I'd be really proud of you kid, if it she wasn't my daughter."

I don't say anything because the lump in my throat is strangling me. All the reasons I want to give him for how it's all played out so far get stuck behind this blockage. I swallow strongly, trying hard to clear it, but with no success.

"Sir," I finally manage.

Justin laughs, "Don't do that. I'm not a sir to you," he says adamantly.

"Ok," I agree.

"We are flying into Vegas, Rye," he says flatly. "We have a show tomorrow night."

I don't try to talk anymore; this conversation is clearly one-sided. I understand.

Justin turns his head slightly, allowing me to see the profile of his face. "You'll need to make a big decision. It's her or the band."

In my mind I had known it could come to this. He doesn't realize it's so much deeper than choosing her or the band because he's never really understood the mess my dad left my mother with. Choosing Launi means watching my mom suffer. Choosing the band means losing Launi forever.

The plane begins to taxi down the runway. This time he turns all the way around to look me in the eyes. "Your dad had the same decision all those years ago. He made the right choice and I'm sure you will too. See you on stage tomorrow night, kid. You're more like your father than you're willing to admit."