It was two days before the show in New York and for the last 5 days Erica has been able to do nothing but worry about what Leon might do. She had found out that it was his younger cousin that he was coming to the show with and she had meet & greet tickets. This meant that he would be in the same room as Mike. That isn’t going to go down well. It’s not going to go down at all, if Mike has anything to do with it. He keeps mentioning things about a restraining order but Erica isn’t convinced it can work. She doesn’t even know if you can get one against someone that lives in another country. She appreciated the help that Mike was giving her but it was getting on her nerves a bit.

Mike and Erica were currently the only ones on the bus, the rest of the gang had gone out for lunch before the show tonight but they would be back soon.

“Erica please, just at least speak to someone about what you can do. Even it’s just for when he visits America. That way you don’t have to be constantly worrying about him coming near you.” He pleaded. Mike was worried about Erica; he loved her and just wanted to protect her as much as he could. It hurt him to see how hurt she was. It hurt him to see how scared she gets. It hurts him to know what she went through.

“Mike, how many more times do I have to tell you to drop it? Seriously, a piece of paper isn’t going to work. Besides he lives in another country, he doesn’t even visit America enough for something to be done about it. Please, just leave it. I’m not going to be at the meet & greet so it’s not like he can get me.” Her voice had become slightly raised. She hated that she was beginning to shout, she really hoped that their first fight would not be over Leon. But sure enough, it was about to be.

“No, that’s not the point E. He showed up at your work and made you out to be the one in the wrong. I want you to do something about it. Look how much it’s getting you down. You can’t live your life in constant fear of him. I’m just trying to help, let me fucking help you” Mike had become frustrated and his voice had become raised too. They both heard the bus door open, close and the voices of the rest of the band but they continued with their debate. Nobody bothered them either.

“JUST FUCKING DROP IT MICHAEL. I’M NOT GOING TO DRAG THIS WHOLE THING OUT. I DON’T NEED TO TURN THIS INTO MORE THAN IT ALREADY IS. I’VE BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS PERFECTLY FINE. I CAN HANDLE IT. I CAN HANDLE HIM. JUST FUCKNIG LEAVE IT ALONE BECAUSE YOU’RE REALLY BEGINNING TO PISS ME OFF GOING ON AND ON ABOUT IT!!” Erica practically screamed at him. He sunk further into his seat not knowing what to say. He went to say something but Erica stood up, really pissed off at this point, and walked out of the back lounge. As she made her way to the front she picked up a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels and downed most of the contents. She punched a cupboard and stormed off the bus, not saying a word to anyone and no one saying a word to her.

Once outside the bus Erica finished off the whiskey and threw the empty bottle on the floor in anger. She moved to the back end of the bus and pulled out a joint, she slid to the ground and began to cry.

Soon after Jaime appeared and wrapped his arms around Erica. Calming her down by rubbing her back and telling her everything was going to be okay. She knew that wasn’t the case. Leon would get into the show. Mike would more than likely go for him and then shit will spiral out of control.

“What happened? You two NEVER fight.” It was true, in the 6 months that Erica and Mike had been together they have only ever had one argument and that was the one that just took place. They were the perfect couple, until now, because that piece of scum wants to make Erica’s life a living hell.

“Leon. Everything is about Leon. Mike wants me to get a restraining order because he keeps showing up and harassing me but I can’t do that. I don’t want to do that. Not because I don’t want Leon to get what he deserves but because I want to leave that part of me behind. I wanted to leave it back in England and it’s here. He’s here, and he’s ruining my relationship. I hated shouting at Mike, I bet he hates me. It’s just, I don’t think he realises how much I want to ignore it. I don’t want to drag it on; I want it to be done with.” She was still sobbing lightly into Jaime’s chest when they both heard a cough. They looked up to see Mike stood there with apologetic eyes.

“I’ll leave you guys to it, call me if you need me” Jaime said. He gave Erica a hug and a kiss on the cheek before getting up. He patted Mike on the back lightly before getting back on the bus.

“I don’t hate you, I could NEVER hate you” Mike insisted as he took over Jaime and comforted Erica. “I’m sorry I keep going on about, I just get worried, I hate myself for making you upset. I truly am sorry, please forgive me” Mike’s voice was calming and remorseful at the same time. Erica couldn’t stay mad at him.

“Of course I forgive you. I’m sorry too. I’m sorry that I got mad and that I let him come between us. But please, I really don’t want to have to carry this whole thing on. Can we just like ban him from the show and that be it?” She searched his eyes trying to understand what he was thinking about.

“Don’t be sorry, I deserved it. I think banning him from the show is a great idea” Mike half smiled and kissed Erica. “I love you E, so fucking much” He whispered against her lips with a smile. “I love you more” Erica replied and kissed him again. “Until the end of time” They both said at the same time before letting a giggle escape both of their mouths. They sat outside finishing the joint that Erica had earlier lit since they still had an hour or so until sound check.