“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck,” muttered Gabe as he sat behind the wheel of his car. He was running late for his girlfriend’s birthday. She was going to kill him. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, shit,"
“Where is he, Atalaya? He was meant to be here an hour ago!” Erin was stressing. “Since the band took off, he’s been late for everything, forgetting when we were going to meet up, and concentrating more on the band than on me!”
“He’ll be here soon, don’t worry. I’m sure he just got held up with something,” Atalaya tried to convince her friend, not even convincing herself.
Atalaya went to find Alex. Surely he would know what happened to Gabe.
“Suarez!” she yelled across the room.
“What? What did I do? Stop yelling at me!” he cowered in fear.
“Where the hell is Saporta?”
“What’s with the last names?”
“What’s with Gabe being an hour late?”
“Last time I saw him he was at the studio, he was finishing some vocals. He said he’d be done soon though. He should be here… soon…” Alex trailed off.
Atalaya glared at him.
“You are absolutely no help.” She stormed off. Alex shrugged and resumed his conversation with Sally.
Atalaya spotted Nate talking to Vicky-T and Kelly.
“Nate!”
“Hey, it’s Atalaya!” cried Nate cheerfully.
“Where’s Gabe?”
“You mean he’s not here yet?”
“Of course he’s not here yet! Gabe’s always late!”
“That’s a bit of a generalization, Atalaya,” said Vicky-T.
“When was the last time Gabe was on time?”
Vicky-T, Kelly and Nate all looked at each other. To be quite honest, none of them could remember.
“Point proven,” admitted Vicky. Atalaya left to go find Ryland. Maybe he had an idea.
“Atalaya!” she heard Ryland’s voice call her.
“I was looking for you. Where’s Gabe?”
“He was at the studio, and he started writing some lyrics, and completely lost track of time, and now he’s stuck in traffic. He just called me. He said he’d be here in a few minutes though.”
“Good. I’m going to kick his ass when he gets here. Erin’s really upset.”
“Where is she, anyway?” Ryland scanned the room. Neither of them could see any sign of Erin.
Erin stood out the front of the club, the air cold on her body as she was only wearing a short cocktail dress. Tears streamed down her face.
How could Gabe have done this to her? Her 25th birthday, and he can’t even be there on time. All his band mates had managed, all her friends had managed, but not the one person that she really wanted there. He was probably sitting in his studio, with his Sidekick, making a business deal.
She shivered as a cold breeze passed by.
“Want a jacket?” a kind voice offered. She looked up to see Gabe.
He had a look on his face, that “I-know-I’ve-screwed-up-please-forgive-me-again” face. It was all too familiar to her. The number of times she’d been left waiting for him to arrive for lunch or dinner, stayed up late at her apartment waiting for him, he would always give her that face. And she would always give in.
Not this time.
“No, thanks, I’m fine,” she turned her back to him and started heading back towards the club and the room they has hired full of people who actually cared about her.
“Erin, babe, I’m sorry,” he pleaded, touching her arm gently. “I was recording, and then I started writing, I got sidetracked and I didn’t realise what time it was. Then there was traffic and I couldn’t get here, I’m sorry.”
“No, Gabe. Not this time. The band always seems to come first for you now. Do you even care about me?” Her words cut deep into Gabe.
“Of course I care about you! I love you! Erin, listen-” he took her hand.
“No, Gabe, you listen. I’m sick of you screwing up time and time again, and then thinking you can just sweet talk your way into forgiveness. That’s not how a relationship works.” She ripped her hand out of his, turned and walked into the club.
“Fuck,” said Gabe.
Erin walked into the room, people all around her, music blasting from the DJ’s little set-up in the corner. She held back her tears, she wouldn’t cry, not tonight.
“Erin!” Ryland called her name. She spun around and saw him running towards her. “What happened?” he hugged her.
“Gabe,” she said simply. She stood in the middle of the dancefloor, Ryland’s arms around her, and she gave in and started sobbing on his shoulder. The song that was playing finished, and before a new one could start, a voice came over the microphone.
“Um, everyone, can I please have your attention for a minute?” Erin didn’t look up. Clearly, Gabe had been waiting for her to look at him, as he hesitated for a moment.
“Um, hi. You probably all know me, but I’m Gabe, Erin’s boyfriend. Uhh…” Gabe was lost for words. This was rare.
“Look, I screwed up tonight. I was late… again. And I feel terrible, because I’ve made Erin upset, and it’s her birthday, and she deserves better. But the reason I was late is because I was working on some lyrics, and, uh… they’re not really finished yet, but… I’ll have a go. Erin… I’m sorry.” She looked up and met his eyes. He looked so sincere, he actually meant this apology.
“I’m not one for love songs,
The way I’m living makes you feel like giving up,
But you don’t,
And I want everything for you
But disappointment
‘casue you’ve been left behind
And the world has its shine,
I would drop it on a dime for you…
And whatever it takes,
I’m gonna make my way home,
We can turn our backs on the past,
And start over…”
As he continued singing, Erin started crying again. Tears of happiness. He had written this song for her, about how he had left her for tour, about how he’d disappointed her, but Erin thought it was the sweetest song she had ever heard.
"Not long ago,
I gave up hope,
But you came along,
You gave me something I could hold onto
And I want you
More than you could ever know…”
When he finished, Erin barely hesitated a moment before running onstage and hugging him.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, “I swear I’ll always be there for you from now on. I love you,”
“I love you too,” she whispered back, “more than you could ever know.”
