Leo had a bad time all evening. He couldn’t even fake having a good time with his friends. Around the same time Sabrina fell asleep, he was on his way out of town. As he drove, he turned on the radio.
“And my mind's gone half crazy cause I can't leave you alone (oh can't
get you out of my system)
And I'm wondering if it's worth me holding on (holding on)
Said my mind's gone half crazy cause I can't leave you alone (can't get you
out of my system)
And I'm wondering if it's worth me holding on”
Leo recognized the tune as halfcrazy, by Musiq. Elton had the CD. Leo sighed
and turned up the volume. He drove for three hours until he reached his parents
old ranch house. He silently let himself in and found his old bedroom. It was
almost 3am when he climbed into bed.
Leo awoke to the smell of breakfast cooking. He walked downstairs and smiled at his mother. She had her back to him, but knew he was there. She turned down the volume on her stereo. “Morning Sweetheart. I’m making your favorite, stuffed French toast. Sit down, it’s almost ready.” “Thanks Mom.” As she turned and smiled, her golden hair shone in the sun. At 51, Rebecca St James was just as vibrant as she was when Leo was born. She embraced her son and planted a kiss on his forehead. “What’s troubling you, Leonardo?”
Rebecca listened with a sensitive ear. Her son had always been the type to fall hard and fast, but something about this Sabrina really enchanted him. With his good looks he could go after any woman he wanted, but he only pursued the ones who touched his mind and heart. Rebecca had always been proud of her son for that and she told him so. Leo kissed her cheek and started washing their dishes. He realized then that they’d been listening to the same CD for the last hour and a half. “Mom, what is this?” “Oh, a young singer I saw on Oprah.” Leo’s blood froze when Rebecca showed him the CD case. “Isn’t he great? His name is Josh Groban.”
Josh shielded his eyes from the sunlight streaming through his bedroom window. He took some Advil for his headache and called Sabrina. She didn’t pick up, so he left a message. “Bri, I’m not gonna make it for breakfast. I forgot that I have a production meeting. Can you make it to the studio for lunch?”
The meeting went by in a big blur. Josh and the Team finalized the recording and mixing dates and did some tentative tour planning. The meeting was just wrapping up when David’s receptionist poked his head in. “Excuse me, Josh, Sabrina’s here.” “Thanks Kevin. We’re just about done.”
Sabrina sat nervously outside of David’s office. The door opened, but Josh was not among the people who went through it. Sabrina forced a smile when she saw Ellie, Josh’s stage manager. Ellie was a nice person and a great stage manager, but Sabrina knew she had a crush on Josh and something about that fact turned her green. “Hi Sabrina. Josh will be right out. Would you like to see the finalized song list for the new CD?” She put the sheet in front of Sabrina’s face. “What happened to the cover of ‘In Your Eyes’?” “It got cut, didn’t Josh tell you?”
“Bri!” Josh ran out of David’s office, hugged and kissed her. Sabrina noticed the look of jealousy on Ellie’s face. Josh took Sabrina’s hand and let her into an empty room. Josh held her face in his hands and kissed her, long and deep. Sabrina caressed his cheek. “What’s happening to us, Josh?” “What do you mean?” She held up the song list Ellie had given her and watched his face fall. “I meant to tell you sooner. I’m sorry you didn’t hear it from me first.” “What happened? I thought this meant as much to you as it did to me.” “It does, it’s just that David, Brian and the others have a specific idea of what the album should sound like and ‘In Your Eyes’ would take it in the opposite direction.” “I don’t care what they think. That song was supposed to be about us.” Josh looked at her helplessly. “I’m sorry Bri, but it’s out of my hands now.”
“Josh, I’m sorry. I’ve no right to be mad at you after what
I’ve done.” “What is it?” Sabrina sat down and covered
her face with her hands. Josh knelt in front of her. “Baby, what is it?
Tell me.” “Remember when I told you about Leo, my study partner?”
“Yeah.” “We kissed last night.” “Oh.” “It
was an accident, I didn’t mean for it to happen.” “Did he?”
“I don’t know, but you’re the one I love, Josh, that hasn’t
changed; but our relationship has.” “No it hasn’t. These things
happen sometimes.” Sabrina shook her head sadly. “You don’t
understand.” “You just said you don’t want to be with him.”
“Yes, but I’m not sure if I can be with you either.” Josh
was floored. He sat down and waited for her to continue. “Josh, this has
been a lot harder than I thought. When I moved here, I didn’t realize
I’d barely see you. I know this is your dream and you have to give 120
per cent, but I can’t be with someone who puts me on the back burner.”
“But we’re going to the cabin next week. We’ll have a four
day weekend.” “That won’t make up for the time we lost and
it won’t tide me over until you have time for me again. We’re trapped
in this cycle where I fell neglected, you do something to sweep me off my feet
and go back to your busy schedule, leaving me alone until next time. I don’t
want to do this anymore, I can’t.” “But I love you.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek. “I love you too, but it’s not
enough.” “I’ll change. I’ll make sure I have more time
off.” “Josh, this is your life and you love it. I can’t ask
you to compromise your career, it’s too much of who you are.” “So,
that’s it, you get to decide that we’re over? I have no say in this!?”
“I’m sorry. I hope we can at least…” “Don’t
you dare ask me to be your friend. I’ve loved you for over a year, you
can’t just…” His voice broke as he struggled to remain composed.
“Goodbye Bri.” He turned and left, slamming the door behind him.
