Looking Back From L.A. Read Online Free Page A

sure it was protected while we were all out of town.
    Getting the chance to go home and see family was the only thing that had kept us going through the last few shows. Lack of a decent night’s sleep and constant travelling had been taking its toll on all of us. I finished up helping unloading the truck, and then said my goodbyes to Diamond and the guys. I gave Becky and Johnny D a hug each and made my way over to my car that was parked in the lot outside the storage unit.
    Making only a quick stop at my apartment to grab a shower, needing to wash the road off me, and to pack a bag of clothes. There was another bag in my closet full of presents for my family which was loaded into the trunk of my car with care; within two hours, I was on the road to Texas. Every time I made this trip, Terri told me I was insane to drive for an entire day rather than hop a flight which lasted less than four hours. I’d lost count since I’d moved to L.A of how many times I’d had to explain that I loved driving long distances. It gave me some much needed alone time, during which I could think and assess anything and everything.
    For the entire journey this time around, I was distracted by a pair of amazing legs, green eyes that reminded me of a lake not far from my parent’s home, and a British accent I could listen scream my name for hours on end. I hadn’t had the chance to say goodbye to her; we’d checked out early to get on the road to the next town for the last two shows of the tour. While I waited outside, having a smoke, one of her friends came out, still in her bedclothes— any other time I would have been tempted, but all we did was exchange pleasantries. As Callaghan called out to me to get going, I quickly asked her to explain to Charlotte why I’d left without seeing her. It was strange, I didn’t owe her any kind of explanation, but I felt she deserved one.
    With her promise resonating in my ears, I climbed into the SUV and distanced myself from the rest of the guys by putting my ear buds in and drowning out their chatter with some music. Even though I had her cell number in my own, I knew I’d never dial it, and I’d never see her again. Feeling like shit, I realized that the entire encounter needed to remain as it was; hopefully, she’d look back on it, and me, fondly.
    By the time I arrived at Mom and Dad’s place, I was exhausted. Mom met me on the drive and escorted me straight into my childhood bedroom, bypassing Dad, Terri, her fiancée, and my younger sister Sophie so I could crash. When I emerged almost fourteen hours later, the house was quiet so I headed into the kitchen to make some coffee. Mom, bless her heart, had already prepped the machine; all I had to do was flick it on. While the smell of the Gods filled the room, I sat on one of the stools at the counter and flicked through Dad’s newspaper.
    As I poured my second cup of coffee, Mom, Dad, and Terri walked in, their arms laden with bags of groceries.
    “You should have woken me to help.” I took a bag off my mom and began unloading it, putting the groceries away out of habit.
    “You needed sleep honey.” She told me, kissing my cheek. “You can help now... after you shower.” I laughed at her crinkled nose.
    “Yes ma’am.” Draining my now cold coffee, I planted a kiss on her cheek and walked out of the kitchen.
    “Son.” Dad called out as I walked up the stairs. “When you’re dressed, we’re under orders to go and pick up some fresh firewood and the tree.
    “Sure thing. Give me a half hour.” I jogged up the rest of the stairs and into my room. As promised, I was showered, dressed, and back downstairs within thirty minutes, and found Dad waiting in the kitchen where Mom, Terri, and Sophie were starting the food preparation. There were still six days until Christmas, but as we often had upwards of fifteen people, a regimented routine spearheaded by my mother was necessary. I’d missed Thanksgiving thanks to the tour, so I was