Okay

                                    

                                          
Chester had given up his seat on the plane for Anna to sit next to Mike, and it had killed Mike to watch Chester's slim hand reach hesitantly for Brad's during takeoff, though his heart softened when Brad simply squeezed Chester's fingers as they took flight. The flight passed quickly and quietly, most of the band absorbed in their own music or reading material. 
                          
Mike had stared at the same page in his book for the almost two hours they were in the air, trying to compose what he wanted to say to Anna when they got to the hotel. His stomach hurt but he was determined to "rip the band aid off," as Joe had said last night. The first step in this new life was getting Anna to understand that he was still the same person he'd always been, at least he thought he was. It's not like I woke up one day and just decided to leave my family for no reason. Well... I don't think she's going to understand my reasons. It's not going to matter to her what the reasons are... she's going to hate me. God, this is just the worst.
                          
He blew out a long breath without realizing it, and Anna looked at him, exasperated. "You okay?"
                          
"Yeah, why?" he asked.
                          
"You've been sighing every five minutes or so the whole flight," Anna replied, looking away and out the window. "You only do that when you've got stuff on your mind." 
                          
Mike glanced across the aisle at the side of Chester's face, at Chester's hand still linked in Brad's, and forced out, "we're having dinner tonight. Just you and me." Anna turned away from the window and caught Mike's eye as he turned back to her. She looks scared. She knows. She knows where this is going. He reached for her hand but she made no move to hold his. Covering the top of her small hand with his own, he repeated the only thing he could think to say. "It's going to be okay."
                          
**********
                          
"What do you think they're talking about? Do you think he's told her yet? Do you think they're fighting? What if he can't tell her again? What then?" Chester was fidgeting in his seat, his plate virtually untouched, his stomach in knots. Everyone else had finished their dinner, and Chester had taken maybe two bites. It was impossible for him to eat, not knowing what was happening with Mike and Anna.
                          
Rob was thankful they'd taken Chester away from the hotel for the evening, he was sure that they would have needed to restrain him if he'd been in the same building as Mike. "Jesus, Chester, you need to relax. He's talking to her. He promised you. You believe him, don't you?"
                          
"Yes! Well... mostly... " Chester whined miserably. It was torture to not know what was happening, to not be able to encourage Mike when his resolve faltered. He was terrified that Mike wouldn't be able to see it through, to end things with Anna, to commit to being his, fully and without any hesitation. Even though he'd been calm and put together on the outside the past several days, the facade was crumbling as Chester waited with the band for Mike to close the door on his past. 
                          
"I think he knows how much he's fucked up," Brad started. "I believe him, Chester, when he says he's going to tell her the truth. You are going to have to calm down and let it happen. You can't help him right now."
                          
Chester let out another frustrated sound, a cross between a growl and a sigh. Scratching his head, he looked around the table and said, "you guys have to get me out of here. Let's go play mini golf or go bowling or something. I can't just sit here."
                          
Instantly, Joe was on his phone. "There's an indoor blacklight mini-golf around the corner. We could probably get away with that. Pull those hats low, guys, and Chester keep your arms covered. C'mon... I'll let the driver know."
                          
Dave rubbed his hands together with a smile. "I'm so gonna kick some ass tonight!"
                          
Chester checked his phone one more time before pocketing it. No missed calls, no texts. If he didn't hear from Mike soon, he'd be trying to convince the guys to take him to a bar next. Sighing, he followed the rest of his bandmates out of the restaurant, mentally preparing to beat Dave at his favorite game.