Page 5 of Chronicles of a Rockin' Mess

Lark

When my alarm goes off, I’m confused, because I feel like it’s Groundhog Day. Almost every night of this tour, Coop has taken me out to get drunk. He’s calling it Coop and Lark’s Epic European Pub Crawl. And it has been epic. Coop’s antics have kept me from thinking too much about Lincoln, which is a good thing.

I honestly am beginning to have a hard time deciphering one city from the next. It takes me the better part of two minutes to remember this is not London now but Rome. We have one more stop, Barcelona, and then back home to prep for the final leg of the tour in Asia.

I roll out of bed, down a water, and shower. There’s a knock at my door which surprises me. I’m not expecting anyone. I open it and find a very disheveled Lincoln.

“Where the fuck were you last night?” he grumbles, pushing past me into my room.

“Please, by all means, do come in and make yourself at home,” I mumble, shutting the door behind him.

“Well?” he asks again as he sits down on a chair.

“I went out with Coop. Is that OK?” I snarl. Lincoln has been a royal pain in the ass on this entire tour. He’s had a different woman in every city. Gwen and I have spent the whole time covering up for him and dealing with the women. Some have been fine with a night of fun with Lincoln, but others spend one night with him and suddenly have visions of matrimony.

And to make matters worse, Lincoln has been riding my ass about having fun with Coop. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Lincoln was jealous that I’ve been hanging out with someone else, but I know better.

“Well, today I need you with me,” he states.

“Oh?” I ask, cocking my head to one side.

“Yeah, you’re going to play tour guide,” he announces.

“Me?”

“Yeah, you,” he says again.

“Lincoln, I don’t know anything about Rome. Hold on, I’ll get you a tour guide,” I say as I hold up a finger and pick up the hotel phone to call the concierge. Lincoln stands and places his hand over mine.

“Please, just help me navigate the city. Just you and me,” he says. “We haven’t hung out at all, come on.”

I look at him, and he grins. “It’ll be fun,” he adds as he plasters on his famous panty-dropping smile. Damn him, it’s my kryptonite. He knows I can’t turn him down when he uses it.

“Define fun,” I ask as I raise an eyebrow.

He grabs my hand. “Come on,” he urges. “Our flight to Barcelona isn’t until late tonight. We have all day to play.”

I roll my eyes. He waits while I shower, and then I follow him out into the city. Three hours later, we are semi-lost while looking for the Spanish Steps.

“I think it’s east of here,” I say as I study the map on my phone.

“Let’s just walk,” he suggests. I shrug and follow him. If I’m being honest with myself, I’d follow this man into a burning building. And right now, I’m enjoying my view of his fine ass. I’m also feeling like I’ve burned three days’ worth of calories.

I’m fairly certain…strike that…one hundred percent certain because my Fitbit says so…that we walked ten miles today. My feet kill, and I really just want to grab a quick shower before we leave in about two hours.

A few minutes later, and we are in a park. I trudge behind Lincoln as he walks over to a ledge, and I stare out at the city. I can see the Vatican from here. He leans against the ledge, and I lean on the wall too. We just stare in silence for a long time.

“It’s really a beautiful view,” I finally say, wishing a photo would do it justice.

“It is,” he agrees. I turn to see him looking at me. “Thanks for hanging out today.”

“Sure. It was…fun,”

He laughs. “You say that like I’m a chore to be with.” He almost seems hurt, almost.

“Well, come on now. You have been…challenging lately.” I turn and look at his profile as he glances out at the city. He really does have the perfect profile. Everything about him is…perfect. Well, everything except his behavior as of late.

“Sorry,” he mumbles.

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