You are the sky over my head
You are my calm
Amidst the chaos

I opened my eyes and swept them over my bedroom. It was nine a.m., but the thick curtains blocked the light. Somehow, I managed to sleep, although it took me a while to give in to my exhaustion.

What happened between Ava and me didn't help my case. As if she sensed I was thinking about her, she pressed herself to me even more in her sleep. She was warm and soft and seemed to belong in my arms. After I saw her respond to my touch the way she did, with passion and abandon,  and she lay on my chest, I thought that some people were like two pieces of a puzzle. They just fitted. Beautifully. 

There was no need to pretend or force things with the right person. Everything happened naturally and seamlessly. It surely was that way between the two of us. 

Being with Ava was easy. Maybe it was because of having so much in common. Perhaps it was because of Ava's personality. She had one, and I loved that. 

Waking up with her next to me was another thing I adored. I pressed a kiss to the top of Ava's head and thought about the lazy morning we would spend together. First, breakfast in bed and a conversation, and then, if I was lucky, more of what happened last night — more of our kisses and more of her.

I closed my eyes and relaxed. I could have fallen asleep again, hadn't it been for the annoying sound of my intercom.

I waited, hoping that it was a mistake, but the intercom buzzed again and then once more.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath as I got up, careful not to disturb Ava's sleep, and grabbed my T-shirt and some sweats from the armchair by the bed. 

I left the bedroom, closed the door behind me, and got dressed on the go as I padded to the front door. 

A single glance at the camera made me groan. 

"Why today?" I whispered into the air of my condo as I punched the button to let my uninvited guests in and pressed my forehead to the wall in the hallway, listening in for the telltale signs of the elevator arriving at my floor.

As soon as it did, I opened my apartment door wide and waited patiently next to it.

Cayden stepped out of the machine first, followed by Andre and my bandmates. 

Andre was holding takeout coffees. A brown paper bag was in Jason's hand. All I thought was that I'd rather have breakfast with Ava as I planned.

"Good morning, Jim," said Cayden. "How are you feeling?"

"Morning. I'm okay. To what do I owe the surprise?"

"We know what happened," Jay said. 

"And we're sorry to intrude, man, but we have to discuss stuff and Cay said it couldn't wait," added Nick. "In our defense, we did text you earlier."

I sighed, stepping aside. "Come on in." 

Figuring that the matter was delicate, I led my visitors to the library. Everyone sat down on the comfortable gray couch I had in the middle of the room. I leaned against one of the bookshelves and looked at Cayden. "What's going on?"

"We know you got roofied," our producer said. "Andre and I took matters into our own hands. We've been to the club and talked to the manager."

"And?"

"And the cameras are out of order."

"Are you for real right now?"

Both Cay and Andre nodded, looking at me with an apology in their eyes. Then, Andre started to speak.

"I think there's more to that incident, Jim. It seems suspicious that their cameras haven't been working for the last month or so. Jay said he went to that club last month for the first time."

I frowned. "Wait, are you saying they are lying?"

"Not necessarily, but it's weird. What business takes such risks? There could have been more incidents or typical drunken bar fights. It's a high-end club, but still."

"That being said," Cayden butted in, "you need to do the tests to determine what drugs they used."

"I know," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "And I will, but right now, my girl is sleeping in my bed. I had plans, Cay. I'm not gonna drop it all and run to the hospital."

"Your girl?" asked Jay. Both his tone and his expression were incredulous.

"My girl."

Nick and Fin said nothing. Finlay was frowning as he studied his clasped hands.

"Fin," I said.

The guy lifted his eyes off his lap and looked at me. "Yeah?"

"When you...when you came back after taking that call, did you see anyone next to me?"

"There were people, Jim, but I couldn't single anyone out. You weren't talking to anyone. You were alone, but you looked off."

"What about you, Jay?" I asked Jason.

He shook his head. "I was dancing."

"And I left," said Nick. "I feel like shit about it now, but I had to help a friend and left after talking on the phone."

"It's okay," I said. "We're adults. I don't need babysitters. This situation is ridiculous."

Cayden and Andre exchanged a look that made me suspicious. "Is anything else going on?" I asked.

My producer was the one to speak. "Yes, Jim. We discussed the incident and came to the conclusion that we have to minimize risks. What happened to you shouldn't be taken lightly. You were drugged and put in a vulnerable position. Hence, we think it's time to think about having a security detail."

I laughed. "I don't think so."

The lack of amusement on everyone's faces made me focus my gaze on Cayden and Andre. When I saw no reaction from them, I looked at my bandmates.

"What is this shit? Do you agree with that? I'm not a fucking diva."

"Jim…" Andre said, his voice low.

"Jim what? Do you know what it means to have a random dude with you all the time? I hardly have privacy as it is, and you're gonna take away the little freedom I have?"

"I worked with bands," said my newly assigned band manager. "Having someone take care of your safety doesn't mean being a diva. It's common in the industry. Besides, it's better to be safe than sorry. We know nothing about the person who put drugs in your drink. It can be a crazy stalker. Next time, it can be a knife or a gun. You can't underestimate—"

"Whoa. Stop right there and look at me," I said to Andre. "I'm an ordinary guy if you haven't noticed. Leave that shit for others."

"Maybe he's right, Jim," said Jay. 

Stunned, I swung my head around and gave my bandmate a hard stare. "Are you kidding? We've been making music together for a while. You fucking know me, Jay. I hate attention, and this will draw it to me even more."

"What if Andre is right? What if someone is crazy enough to go after you or those you love? Hell, Jim, you know the normal ship has sailed for the four of us. We can deny it, but we're not the same guys who played at bars. We're famous, man."

Cay handed me a cup of coffee and a muffin. "Eat something, boy. Eat and think clearly."

I bit off a chunk of the muffin and chewed. Then, I gulped down the now lukewarm coffee.

"I'm not hungry anymore. And my answer is the same. No. Fucking. Way."

"None of us likes it," Nick spoke for the first time. "But what if they do something like that again, Jim? You're saying you have a girl. What if they harm her? Does she even know what happened to you?"

"She does, but…" 

"But what?"

"She's clueless, okay? She doesn't know who I am."

Cayden whistled and then sighed so deeply it was impossible not to hear it. "Is it serious?"

"It is."

"I don't get it. Everyone knows who Rebellious Hearts are."

"Not everyone, and she was abroad. It's my private life. Fucking private. And it has to remain this way. I will tell her when I tell her, but you will keep quiet until I do."

"This is messed up," said Jay.

"It's his right."

My stunned eyes landed on Finlay. He wasn't looking at me. In fact, he wasn't looking at anything other than his hands. 

"We're in the spotlight all the time, and it's exhausting. Not everyone enjoys it. I love music, but I don't like all the hoopla.  If Jim wants to handle his private matters the way he wants, it's his right. We have to respect that," my bandmate said.

"We do," said Cayden. "Let's leave the girl out of it. Our priority is to know who, what, and why. Tell your sweetheart you have to go and do the tests, Jim. She will understand."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, resting my half-eaten muffin on the coffee table. "Wait for me here."

Having walked out of the library, I inhaled and exhaled several times to calm myself down before facing Ava. I was too riled up and angry. 

My irritation ebbed when I let myself into my bedroom and saw Ava hugging my pillow. I sat next to her on the bed and put my palm on her slightly flushed cheek. 

Ava's eyes opened. "Hey, Jimmy. How are you feeling?"

Jimmy.

Many people called me that, but it felt way more special when she did.

"I'm okay," I said. "Listen, I hate doing it, but my friends are here. They came to check on me and insist on going to the hospital with me."

"Of course. You have to do it. I'll get dressed and—"

Ava sat up in bed, but I didn't let her move, wrapping my arms around her instead. "No. You don't have to go anywhere. It's a little after ten a.m. I will do those tests, and then we'll spend all day together. I know you don't have to work today. You can read, write, take a bath, watch some TV. If you need clothes, just tell me what you need, and I will buy it. I'm sorry. It's not how it's supposed to be after last night. I hate leaving you here alone, but I need you to stay and wait for me."

"Okay," Ava whispered, kissing my cheek. Then, her lips moved to my neck, and I tightened my hold on her, caressing her back and hating that I had to leave.

I cupped Ava's face between my palms and pecked her lips. "I won't be long, okay?"

Ava nodded and got under the comforter, watching me as I left her in my bed and walked out of the room.

***

Everyone waited for me while I did the tests at Harris Memorial. The lab would have the results in a short while. 

I paced the length of the familiar hallway. When Kennedy was here, we learned the layout of the hospital by heart. It was where I met Ava. I couldn't hate the place for that reason alone.

With my hands in the pockets of my coat and my eyes fixed on my feet, I made a couple of steps.

"Hello there, Rockstar."

I smiled, looking up at Doctor Morris. "Sir. You know it's Jim for you."

"How have you been?" Doctor Morris put his hand on my shoulder and studied my face. "Wait, are you sick?"

Shaking my head, I answered, "Got roofied."

The man whistled. "A fan? What happened to asking for an autograph?"

"Fuck if I know, Sir. I was at a club; someone put some shit in my drink. I woke up at my bandmate's, confused and as high as a kite. Luckily, my girl took my sorry ass home and stayed with me."

"Your girl, huh?" Alan Morris winked at me. "Let's have a cup of coffee. I want to know more."

I fought back a grin when I saw Doctor Morris walk up to a big, green vending machine in the waiting area and get some coffee for both of us. The Cute Little Thing did the same when we met.

Handing me a cup, the doc nodded toward a row of plastic chairs. We sat side by side.

"So, the most famous bachelor isn't available anymore?" the guy joked.

I took a sip of the java and smiled as I answered, "He's not."

"She must be special."

"Very. It's recent, but I'm into her. She's my calm amidst the chaos if that makes sense."

"It does, Jim. You deserve it."

"I don't know if I do. My life is a fucking circus. Now my manager and my producer are talking about hiring a damn bodyguard as if I were a diva. I hate it."

"I can't blame them," Doctor Morris said. "They surely worry, and those substances can't be taken lightly. Not all people are good, Jim, and being who you are puts you at risk."

"I hate this."

The doc squeezed my shoulder. "I know you do. By the way, what did the lab say?"

"They told me to wait."

Reaching into the pocket of his lab coat, the doctor pulled out his phone and put it to his ear.

"Nora, this is Alan. Are the results of Jim O'Brien ready?"

Judging by the silence that followed, they were. Doctor Morris listened intently. "Thank you. Bring the papers here, please," he said and hung up.

"So?" I prompted, intrigued by the doc's frown.

Doctor Morris sighed. "You drank quite a cocktail, Jim. And judging by the ingredients, the person knew what they were doing. Maybe hiring someone to watch your back isn't a crazy idea, after all."