Page 125 of Finding Storm

Pen’s voice fills my car, “What’s up, chica?”

At the sound of her voice, I burst out crying.

“Stevie?” She sounds worried.

“God. Sorry, Pen. I’m just …” I sniffle, wiping my face with my sleeve. “Storm’s leaving. He’s going home. I’m being stupid. I know I am. I knew this was coming. I just … it hurts, Pen. More than I expected.”

“Where are you?”

“In my car.”

“I’m at home. I’ll be waiting with alcohol. What level of alcohol are we talking here—beer, wine, or vodka?”

“Tequila.”

“Tequila.” Pause. “Okay. But I’m out of lemons. I’ll go to the store. It’ll take me two minutes.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll go. I’ve got a couple of stops to make first before I come over.”

There are some cigarette butts that need picking up from the roadside. Tossed there by a rock star in a Maserati.

Sounds like there’s a joke in there somewhere. Something about my heart getting tossed out of his car too.

Or maybe that isn’t a joke.

Maybe it’s just the truth.

It’s close to two hours ago since Stevie practically ran out of here. I’ve been kicking around the room, unsure of what to do.

I wanted to go after her, but what would I have said? Don’t leave. I know I’m leaving soon. But don’t leave.

Basically, there was fuck all I could say, so I had to let her go.

So, I’m here, sitting, listening to music, like I always do when I feel like this …

Sad. Upset. Hurt. Confused.

All of the above and more.

I’m trying to figure out what to do.

But there aren’t many options …

I stay here. But that means, I leave the band, leave the guys. And I just can’t do that.

I leave and ask Stevie to do long-distance. Which is shit and I’d hate it.

I ask her to come to LA with me … which doesn’t feel fair. She has a life and family here, and I’d be asking her to leave that for me.

Basically, whichever way I go, I’m screwed.

Guns N’ Roses have just started singing “Don’t Cry” when a knock comes on the door. It’s not a quiet knock. It’s determined.

Stevie.

I’m off that bed and pulling open the door a second later.

“Stevie, I—”