•Calum

"Okay, I'd kiss Meryl Streep, marry Jack Black, and kill Lil Wayne," Cassidy answered, stretching her legs out and placing her feet on the top of my dashboard. "What about Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and Will Smith?"

I rubbed my hand against my chin as I kept a firm grip on the steering wheel with the other. My jaw clenched as I thought over her question. We've been playing this game for like twenty minutes now, and although I was apprehensive at first, it was actually quite entertaining.

"This is hard, Cass. Because like coming from a financial standpoint, Justin's definitely the man. But like I would marry Will Smith in a heartbeat, you know? And then Selena, just damn," I mumbled, making Cassidy giggle as I felt her gaze on me from the passenger side. "Alright, I'm going to kiss Selena, marry Will Smith, and unfortunately kill Justin."

"Give me another one," She pleaded as we pulled up to a red light, and I finally got a chance to look over at her. She looked beautiful as usual, but she was in such a good mood today that it made her glow even more than usual, and it radiated off on me as well.

I placed my palm on her thigh, giving it a small squeeze. A grin spread across my face. "Okay: Ashton, Michael and Luke."

She slapped me in the arm gently as a boisterous laugh escaped her mouth. "Calum! I can't do that!"

I shrugged. "Come on, just answer it. This might affect our entire relationship though so you better choose carefully, baby."

"I hate you so much," She replied, curling her knees up to her chest as she thought the question over. Obviously this was just a game and I wasn't going to take it seriously, but I was still slightly curious on her opinions on my best friends. "Um, I'm going to kiss Michael, marry Ashton, and kill Luke. And that's just because if I said kiss or marry for Luke I'm positive you would accuse me of having feelings for him which is not true at all."

I smiled as I slowly pressed down on the gas pedal, continuing our route back to Los Angeles. "You're going to kiss your best friend's boyfriend though? Where is the loyalty?" I teased.

She hit me gently again, making me laugh even harder. "Calum, it's just a game! I'm not actually going to kiss Michael!"

"Damn right you're not," I ordered.

The mere thought of her kissing anyone but me made jealousy sweep through my veins. I've never been so protective over anyone before, but Cassidy was different. I didn't want there to ever come a day where she loved someone more than me, because I sure as hell wouldn't be capable of loving anyone else.

Cassidy turned the volume up on the radio, obnoxiously singing along to the song that was currently blaring through the speakers. When I sneaked a glimpse at her, she was dancing like an idiot as well, which made me chuckle. I joined her in the intentional bad singing, letting myself just enjoy life without any worries.

I loved how much fun we always had together.

When the song finally ended, Cassidy slumped back down in her seat, letting her head fall back against the leather headrest. She sighed in content. "Calum?"

"Yeah, babe?" I hummed as I returned my attention to the road to make a left turn through an intersection.

"I really love you," Cassidy told me, her voice sounding velvety and laced with sheer admiration.

My lips automatically curved up into a smile as my heart pounded against my chest. I never wanted to lose this feeling of being in love. I was so damn happy. "I really love you too."

•*•*•

I gulped down another chug of water before sinking into a chair to rest. After Cassidy and I got home I had to run over to rehearsals to prepare for the upcoming tour, and after a few run-throughs of the set list I was already feeling exhausted.

Michael sat down next to me, his guitar still on his lap where it curved right over his skinny-jean covered thighs. "How was San Diego?"

"Really fun," I admitted as memories from our little trip together flooded through my brain. "Did you and Bree hang out recently?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "No way. I haven't seen her since the after party. I'm trying to distance myself from her so it will make the break-up a little easier."

"Break up?" I repeated, my bushy eyebrows furring together in confusion.

Michael had a nonchalant expression covering his face. He shrugged his shoulders in response, placing his fingers back onto the strings. "Well yeah. We're going on tour. I can't have a girlfriend."

I let my mouth hang open. Michael had become so much happier with Bree and she had really kept him in check lately. "But, you- you're just going to dump her? Even though you really like her?"

Michael stared at me as if I was speaking another language. "Calum, what don't you understand? We're going on tour. We'll be in a different city every night. There is no time for any girl, no matter how much I like them," He explained, his words mirroring Ashton's previous advice. "Besides, whenever one of us tries to have a girlfriend on tour it never works out. We have more fun as just guys with no stupid girl drama."

"I mean, yeah I get that but isn't the drama worth it if you're in love?" I questioned in a hopeful manner.

"Dude, if you're actually in love I'm sue you'll just get back together after the tour is over. But you have to be single on tour. That way you can hook up with as many hot girls as you want without cheating on anyone," Michael insisted.

I wanted to cry. This wasn't what I wanted to hear. I wanted him to tell me that Cassidy and I would be able to work everything out even if I was travelling and would have little time to talk to her.

"Maybe I don't want to hook up," I stated stubbornly, crossing my arms over my chest.

Michael blinked a few times. "Are you feeling alright?"

I felt my jaw clench with anger. "I'm fine, Michael! I'm in love with Cassidy. I don't want another girl, especially some girl I barely know for just a one night stand. I'm sorry you haven't been able to find someone worth settling down for, but I have! Stop being such a jerk about this!"

He threw his hands up in defense. "Calm down, Cal. If you want to stay together with Cassidy and risk the possibility of cheating or losing interest in each other since you never talk then go right ahead. But don't come crying to me when we all go out to party and you have to stay on the bus listening to her complain about something over the phone," Michael said in a serious manner, as if this was a piece of golden advice. "Plus, break ups make really good songs."

I stood up to my feet immediately. I wasn't necessarily mad at Michael, I was just mad at being placed into this situation. I didn't want to be without my girl, but I also didn't want to miss out on my favorite parts of touring. I was completely torn in between my career and my relationship, and now my friends are getting involved in the mess as well.

"You ready to go through the set again?" Luke questioned as I went to pick up my bass so I could get lost in the music and forget about any of the pressure pushing down on me.

"Are you breaking up with Hannah?" I blurted out, completely disregarding his previous question and not covering up my pissed-off attitude.

"Already did."

I looked at him in complete astonishment. "What?"

"Well, we're taking a break until after the tour is over. I can't have a girlfriend while on the road. I'll just end up hating my life," Luke explained in a much lighter tone than Michael had previously spoken to me with.

I felt my fingers begin to shake. "Well, shit."

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author's note: this is so short im so sorry i just wanted to get a quick update up for you guys for being awesome i love you guys

i dont really have much to say which is weird cause i feel like i always write long paragraphs in here

um alright since you guys know i love dumb jokes someone sent me this joke that i need to share bc its so funny: "how do you make holy water? you boil the hell out of it"

okay i love you guys so so so much i am dedicating this chapter to all of you thanks for reading this and sending me so many sweet messages i love you lots sugarplums