Chapter 23

                                    

                                          
Faith POV: 
Tim's seeing someone... I never thought that would kill me inside like it does, but it hurts more than I could've imagined. Byron apparently hooked him up with a friend of a friend, and they hit it off. They've been seeing each other publicly for about three months now. 
She's a singer-songwriter, newly divorced, and a couple years younger than him. She's on a roll in her career, and even joined his tour two months ago to spend more time together. She's gorgeous... Probably six foot, with long dark hair, tan skin, bright, white perfect smile. It doesn't feel fair... I feel like she just all around so much better, and after the wrongs he's done, why does he deserve that? Why does he deserve better than me, and I'm not allowed to find better than him? 
I wish they weren't so head over heels for each other. That would make it so much easier to blow off. They do duets on some nights, some more gushy and romantic than others. I try not to let myself watch them, but it's hard when it's all over the tabloids. 
Tim's passed all of his drug tests the last couple months, which means that he's allowed to see the girls again. Of course, this means that I'm forced to be exposed to LoveFest 2007. I'm taking them to his show tonight in Dallas for visitation. He's allowed to see them two days a week, but I have to be there, or at least nearby, to monitor it. That means traveling with the tour for the weekend, since he's traveling all week and the girls have their final week of school this week. 
"Is Dallas fun?" Audrey asks, sounding excited in the backseat. I smile at her, trying to ignore the pit in my stomach as we pull up to the bus lot. 
"Dallas is pretty cool." I reply, seeing him standing beside his RV, smiling as he talks to some of the guys from the band. I put the car in park and get out to grab the girls' bags. Tim hears a car door slam, turning toward the car, before rushing over. 
"Hey!" He says enthusiastically to the girls, as Maggie and Audrey both rush out to hug him. Gracie avoids it, walking back to help me with the luggage. 
"Thanks, baby." I say quietly to Gracie, listening to Audrey ramble on and on to Tim. We lug the bags back to where everyone else is gathered. I hand the luggage in my arms to Tim, before getting my keys out and heading back toward my car. 
"I thought you were going to Dallas?" Tim asks, addressing me directly for the first time today. I turn around and point back to my car. 
"I was going to drive there." I reply, watching him laugh, before motioning toward the fleet of busses behind him. 
"Why don't you ride with us on the bus, instead of driving ten hours on your own?" He suggests with a smile, making me a little uneasy. I cross my arms, quickly trying to figure out an excuse not to get on the bus. 
"I kind of need my car when I'm down there." I lie, watching him nod. 
"We can rent one once we're down there. I'll cover it. That'd be far cheaper than gas." He insists, leaving me without an excuse now. I sigh, hoping he'll sense my discomfort with the idea, but he doesn't seem to have a clue. 
"Come on, Momma!" Audrey says, dragging her bag behind her as she marches toward the bus. Maggie follows, giggling loudly. Gracie watches me, trying to decide which way she wants to go. 
"Fine." I cave, grabbing my suitcase out of the car. Tim takes it from me, sparing a smile, before dragging it toward his bus driver, who stows it under the bus, along with most of the girls' things. We get on the bus, which is a newer one than the last one I was on. It's massive, and almost like home. The girls all sit down on the couches, bouncing a little, while 'ooo' -ing and 'ahhh'-ing over the nice bus. Tim smiles at them, glancing over at me, and expecting to see the same. When he doesn't, his smile fades a little, before he motions back toward the bedroom. He starts toward there, before I cautiously follow behind him. He shuts the door behind us, making me feel a little sick to my stomach.