𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲
-𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝟓-

Stevie stood behind her microphone in the recording studio. "Seriously, the ballad? He's gonna think we're Andy fucking Williams!" Eddie argued.

She shook her head whilst they continued arguing, ignoring them. That's when Teddy Price strolled in. He sat down, looking at them through his sunglasses.

"We just, uh, we wanted to say thank you for this opportunity. We're the six and this is Silver Nail." Billy announced. Warren counted them in and Stevie tapped her foot to the beat gently.

Billy looked incredibly nervous. Stevie's heart was pounding against her chest but nevertheless, she sang like there was nobody watching.

After two songs, Teddy stopped them by raising a hand and dread filled Billy. "I've got one request." He stated. Billy nodded once, swallowing hard. Stevie wiped her hands onto her flared jeans and took a breath.

"You— what's your name?" He nodded to the blonde girl.

She exchanged a glance with Graham. "Stevie, Stevie Franklin." She said calmly.

"Can you play guitar?" He asked. Eddie and Graham looked at each other, ready to flip out because they were already playing guitar for the band. "I can play rhythm, yes sir." She nodded.

"Perfect. Look, so far i'm liking what i'm seeing but you're missing something." Teddy explained. "You need a Rhythm guitarist. So.. hand the girl a guitar will you?" He said to Billy.

Eddie was slightly annoyed. In fact, he was really annoyed. He had been kicked off doing rhythm when Chuck left because Billy believed having a bass guitarist was more important.

And now Stevie got to do it. She knew it must've stung for him to watch her get handed something so easily.

✯✯✯

𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐯 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰): What can I say? They knocked my fucking socks of (smiling) — oh, can I say fuck? (whispering)

𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧: After he got Stevie to play the guitar on the next song, you could tell that from then onwards it was only going to get better.

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧: She was amazing, dude. I remember thinking 'is there anything this girl can't do?'

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞: Did that piss Billy off that I got to play the rhythm guitar as well as singing? Abso-fucking-lutely.

𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞: I was also pissed. I wanted to be happy for her but it was hard, y'know?

✯✯✯

The moment the band got back into their van and started driving, they burst into laughter and excitement. "We did it!" Graham shouted as he got pulled into a hug by Eddie.

Stevie and Karen held each other, unable to stop smiling. "Jesus fucking christ!" Stevie covered her mouth.

✯✯✯

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦: Finally, we were on our way

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲: People think we played one song for Teddy Price and he gave us a deal (shaking his head) not true.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞: (looking into the camera) thank you Teddy Price.

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲: For months he put us through the wringer. But it was worth it.

✯✯✯

Stevie jumped into Grahams arms as they left the venue they had just performed at. He spun her around and laughed. "You killed it, Vie!" He said as it was her first gig playing the guitar as well as singing.

"Thank you!" She said cheerily, pecking his cheek with a kiss.

Eddie leaned against the wall with a cigarette between his lips. She walked to him and frowned when he didn't look at her. "Is everything okay?" She asked.

Eddie just nodded and tapped his cigarette, letting the ash fall.

Stevie looked around, fixing her hair when the breeze stopped. "Listen if this is about the guitar—"

"It's not." He snapped. "I'm fine, Stevie."

"You don't fucking sound fine to me," she said, tilting her head to try and meet his eyes but he just avoided her. "Stevie." He warned. "Eddie." She retorted.

"Stevie leave it," he began walking away to where Billy was. Stevie scoffed and grabbed his arm only for him to pull it away from her. "Fine!" She shouted, throwing her arms up into the air.

"It's happening.." Billy turned to them, "we're making an album!" He roared.

Their eyes lit up and they all ran to Teddy, wrapping their arms around him despite the fight he put up. "Be cool!" He begged.

✯✯✯

The ride back to the house was quite on Stevie's end. Eddie kept glancing at her every now and again. "We're stopping for gas— anyone want anything?" Warren asked.

"Could you get me some popcorn?" Stevie finally spoke up. Warren nodded and when nobody else made a request, he went to pump the gas.

"I'm going to stretch my legs," Karen sighed, yawning and getting out of the van. "Yeah.. same." Graham chimed in when realising the slight tension in the air.

Billy had already gotten out with Warren. Which left just Eddie and Stevie in the car. "Listen, Vie—" Eddie tried but she just continued to stare out of the window. "I didn't mean to be so harsh with you. It's just.. after being forced onto bass after playing rhythm it just stung a little, you know?"

She again said nothing.

"I'm sorry, Vie." Eddie apologised, staring at his knees.

Stevie sniffed and looked down. Eddie looked at her, wondering if he had made her cry. But he couldn't tell.

"Popcorn!" Warren shouted, launching the bag at the girl once he returned. She moved it from her lap and beside her feet and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Right let's get going," Billy instructed once the others got back into the van.

A few minutes after they began driving again, Eddie carefully moved to the back of the van where Stevie was sat, like always. He sat beside her and glanced at her for a moment. But, once again, she didn't look at him.

So he looked out the window, staring at the lights as they drove through the strip.

Then he felt a weight on his shoulder as Stevie placed her head there, moving closer to him. Eddie hesitated before wrapping an arm around her, leaning his chin on her head. Stevie closed her eyes, feeling tired.

Karen nudged Graham and nodded toward the pair. He stifled a laugh and earned a punch in the arm from Karen.

✯✯✯

𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧: They couldn't stay away from each other.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞: I don't know (thinking) Eddie just seemed different from the others (shrugging) I suppose we had grown close without even realising.

✯✯✯

"I put the man in the moon — I put the dial in the tone. I put the grease on the wheel, I put the sword in the stone!" Billy sang as Camila circled them, recording and snapping pictures whilst they sang in the studio.

"I lit the southern stars," Stevie joined in, hand around the mic, "I brought the heathens peace— then I ate the bird in the bush and someone called the police.."

She then went back to strumming on the guitar, moving her head to the beat.

"And I know you don't mean it, I know you don't mean it, I know you don't mean it cause you can't," Billy looked to Stevie, letting her go solo for a moment.

"Turn around and look me in the eyes!" She grinned, realising what he had done. "Turn around and look me in the eyes!" She couldn't wipe the smile from her face.

Karen looked at her proudly whilst she sang.

"Turn around, say it to my face!" Billy joined back in. "Turn around and say it to my face..."

During the break from the lyrics, Stevie moved around to the music, getting lost in playing her guitar. And the whole time, Eddie watched her. He watched the way her hips moved and suddenly it was like everything had started to go in slow motion. Finally snapping out of it, he looked back down to concentrate on playing.

✯✯✯

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲: Everything had gone so slowly and then suddenly it was just all happening so fast. We recorded our album in six days , had two weeks off and then it was time to hit the road.

✯✯✯

Stevie and Karen sat on the balcony together, laughing loudly whilst smoking a joint. "No- No you should've seen his face!" Stevie grabbed her arm. "He was livid!" She howled after explaining a past situation between herself and Graham when they had just started the band.

There was a light knock on the doorframe and they turned to see Camila with an excited grin on her face.

"I'm going to be a mom!" She flashed them a smile. "Oh my god!" Stevie jumped from her seat to hug the dark haired girl. "That's amazing Cami!" She exclaimed.

Karen joined in on the hug and when they finally pulled away, Camila sighed.

"Me and Billy are getting married.. tonight." She told them. Stevie choked on the smoke she had just inhaled from the joint and covered her mouth, raising a hand to apologise. "Tonight?"

"Yeah.. I mean, we just wanna get it done."

Stevie shrugged. "It's a party." She said.

✯✯✯

𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚: I think that's one of the things I loved most about Stevie. She was just so happy all the time (looking down) well at the start. And then everything else happened.. but me and Billy— we got married that night.

✯✯✯

"Guys come on— we gotta take a photo. Let's go, just.. come on, get in there. It's your wedding night!" Warren said excitedly. Camila chuckled and reached forward. "Your lens cap is on," she said, removing it from the camera.

And after counting down, Warren snapped the photo.

Stevie peered over his shoulder and frowned when the picture came out. "Warren you didn't even get their heads in it," she showed him.

✯✯✯

𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚: (holding it up) This is the only photo of us from our wedding.

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧: Mescaline (pointing at the camera) is a powerful drug.

✯✯✯

"It's a nice wedding right?" Camila asked Eddie who just watched her with slight disappointment in his eyes. "I mean I haven't been to many weddings but it kinda feels like a good wedding." She added.

"I'm really happy for you." Eddie said with a not-so-happy tone. Camila leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Oh- sorry. I'll see you in a second!" She departed from him.

Stevie had clocked onto the interaction whilst being stood with Graham and couldn't help but feel weird about the way Eddie had looked at Camila.

She swiped a drink from a table and approached Camila with a wide smile. "Oh, Stevie!" She grabbed her hand, starting to dance with her.

The pair spun each other around happily and just moved to the music. "I'm so glad you're here." Camila said. Stevie nodded. "I'm glad i'm here too," she agreed.

Eddie found himself staring at Stevie whilst she danced again. And his heart began beating quickly. "You wanna take a picture of her, man? It'll last longer." Warren teased. "What?" Eddie choked on his own saliva. Warren placed a hand on his shoulder. "I saw the way you just looked at her." He said in a teasing way.

"What are you talking about, man?" Eddie scoffed.

Warren hummed and stole Eddie's drink from his hand. Eddie just huffed when Warren walked off.

✯✯✯

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫: What do you remember about the tour?

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲: (hesitating) it was a long time ago.

𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚: I remember everything.

𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞, 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦, 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝
𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧: (sighing and looked anywhere but the camera)

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞: (swallowing hard) I remember that it was the worst and the best time of my life.

✯✯✯

The start of the tour went by smoothly. They were performing great every time. Whenever they could, they'd go to bars together. It was all good. Except Billy would disappear for hours on end and sometimes only return right before the shows.

Stevie stepped out of the shower in her motel room and wrapped a towel around her. As she walked out into the bedroom, she almost screamed when seeing Graham and Eddie sat on the bed throwing popcorn into each others mouths and trying to catch it.

"Jesus— what are you doing in here?!" She scolded.

They shot their gaze to her and their eyes widened when realising she was in a towel. They both, in unison, cupped a hand over their eyes in embarrassment.

Stevie didn't care about them seeing her in a towel. She cared that they were in her room and she hadn't known.

"Sorry, Vie— we were coming to ask you if you wanted to go to the store!" Graham spat out. She laughed and moved to the small closet. "Yeah.." She said.

Both boys hesitantly removed their hand and just looked at each other.

Stevie grabbed a pair of denim shorts and a colourful top to go with it. "I'll be out in five," she pointed a finger at them both.

"Dude," Eddie raised his eyebrows. Graham gave him a weird look. "God, come on man," he groaned, throwing his head back and hitting Eddie in the shoulder. Eddie laughed at him and shook his head.

After coming back out fully clothed, Stevie looked at herself in the mirror.

The phone rang. They all just looked at each other and Stevie rolled her eyes when realising they weren't going to answer it. "Hello?" She asked.

"Stevie, hey!" Camila's cheery voice came from the other end. "Is Billy there?" She asked. Stevie's heart dropped and she leaned against the wall.

"No.. i'm not sure where he is." She answered truthfully.

"Is everything okay, Stevie?" Camila asked with concern. "Camila, listen. I've gotta go the store with the boys but if I see him i'll tell him you called." She said before putting it down.

And after that, the three made their way over to the corner store for a while.

✯✯✯

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞: Somebody needed to tell her. And somebody needed to put Billy fucking Dunne in his place.

✯✯✯

"Someone needs to talk some sense into Billy," she said whilst looking at the snacks. "Why's that?" Graham asked. She scoffed. "Camila is pregnant and he's out sleeping with groupies every other night. I can't lie to her if she asks me about it guys, she's one of my closest friends."

Eddie shrugged. "It's his own fault if she finds out." He said. It was almost like he wanted Camila to find out.

"If neither you guys or Warren speak to him, I fucking will." She threatened. "And I won't be kind about it either."

"Trust me, we know." Eddie assured her.

✯✯✯

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞: When we returned home from the store.. (taking a breath) there Camila was.

✯✯✯

"Hey!" She waved, feeling relieved to see them after nobody answered the door. Stevie looked at the boys nervously and then to the van that was parked beside them. "What?"

The boys stuttered nervously and she began walking to the van despite Graham's attempts to stop her. "Just wait, wait. Listen to me—"

But she opened the door anyway and was met with the sight of Billy and two girls. She gasped and tears automatically welled in her eyes. "Shit," Billy got up from out of the van to try and catch her.

"You two been covering for him this whole time? Yeah?" Camila asked Eddie and Graham, "Fuck you," she shoved Eddie backward, "fuck you!" She did it again.

Eddie looked away guiltily as she did so and Stevie grabbed his arm.

"Cami— What the fuck did you guys do?" Billy hissed at them.

"I should've told her." Stevie whispers, still holding onto the back of Eddie's arm. "I knew and I didn't tell her." She stared at the motel. "You're not to blame, Vie." Graham reassured her. "No but I could've told her!" She raised her voice, getting slightly upset.

"Hey, stop." Eddie turned to her as she began pacing. "Stop, stop." He repeated, grabbing her by the arms and keeping her in place. "This is nobody's fault but Billy's, alright?" He said to her.

"No but I could've warned her."

"Stevie stop." Eddie said seriously. Graham looked away from the pair and ran a hand through his hair. "You aren't the bad guy here."

✯✯✯

𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞: (referring to Camila) I mean, it broke my heart what he did to her. Some people just don't know how lucky they are.

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲: I thought i'd be able to handle it, get it out of my system.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦: My brother was always great at lying to himself.

✯✯✯

Stevie watched Billy with careful eyes as he sang on stage lazily. She shared a look with both Graham and Karen. She looked to Eddie who was stood nearest to where the microphones had been plugged in and she nodded toward them.

He got the message and slipped his foot toward it, pulling out the plug that powered Billy's mic.

"Turn around and say it to my face!" Stevie sang over him. Despite not having a microphone, she could still hear him. Her heart was beating like mad but she spotted Teddy in the wings and he just nodded at her.

Billy soon realised that the people could only hear his guitar and not his voice. He was moving like a mad man with the guitar whilst Stevie finished the last few lyrics.

"Thank you, San Diego!" She called out.

She and the rest of the band walked off despite the boo's they received. "You're a dick, Billy." She muttered to him in passing.

Billy drunkenly followed her off stage and threw his arms in the air. "You cut me off!" He exclaimed, "you turned my fucking mic off! Who do you.. who do you think you are?" He slurred.

She spun around to meet his face and looked up at him. "Somebody who cares about the reputation we hold." She pressed a finger into his chest. "Get yourself fucking together," she grabbed his face, shoving it backward.

"Hey!" He roared at her, grabbing her upper arm.

Stevie hissed in pain at his tight grip and pulled away from him, holding her arm.

"Stop." Teddy intervened before any of the others could. Billy's eyes widened. "You fucking called him?" He asked Graham. "Billy, I didn't. I swear."

"It's good to see you too." Teddy joked.

Stevie stood glaring at her bandmate and shook her head, taking a few steps back and picking up a bottle of whiskey that Billy had left backstage. She unscrewed the lid and took a big mouthful of it.

The rest of them walked away from Billy and Teddy. Karen had placed a hand on Stevie's back and ushered her away.

"I hate him." She hissed.

"Hey man." Billy greeted Teddy. "What are you doing here?"

"I was coming to check on you but plans have changed. Camila's had the baby, Billy." He said. "It's a little girl. Let's go meet your daughter."

The band watched as Billy got into Teddy's car. "See you in Seattle." Teddy said to them. And they all just stared at Billy with disbelief.

Eddie walked behind Stevie and picked up on her shift in mood.

✯✯✯

𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞: Billy needed to stop. He needed to stop laying hands on her.

✯✯✯

After getting home that night, Stevie sat alone in her bedroom whilst the rest of the group stayed downstairs. She gripped Billy's whiskey bottle in hand and was consuming it quickly which wasn't like her at all.

But she was so incredibly pissed of at him.

After a while, she heard what she assumed to be a few of them coming up to bed and she stood up to go and put on a record. Which one, she didn't know.

"Vie, you awake?" Warren asked, pushing the door open. He saw her holding onto the edge of her bed whilst pinching the bridge of her nose. "Have you been drinking?" He asked.

She waved him away but he didn't move. "You need to stop, girl." He took the bottle from her hand and she glared at him. "Give me that." Stevie muttered, trying to grab it from his hand.

"You've had enough." Warren told her.

She rolled her eyes and closed them for a second. "I feel— I feel like i'm going to be sick." She had wide eyes and pushed past him to rush into the bathroom.

Stevie dropped to her knees and hunched over the toilet, bringing up everything she had consumed that day.

Warren winced and tried to help her but she pushed him away gently. "I want Eddie," she said so quietly he hardly heard her.

"Eddie!" He shouted and she groaned at the volume of his voice.

Eddie made his way to the bathroom and furrowed his brows. "She wants you, man." Warren swapped places with him and left the bathroom.

Eddie kneeled beside her and held her hair back. "What've you done, Vie?" He asked with a soft laugh. She mumbled a few things that he couldn't understand.

"I don't feel well, Eddie." She groaned, holding her head.

"Maybe this will teach you not to drink so much." He sighed, helping her to her feet. Eddie helped her walk back to her room and get into bed, ensuring she stayed laying on her side.

"I'll be in my room if you need me, alright?" He asked.

She hummed and closed her eyes. Eddie hovered at the door for a moment before flicking the light off.

✯✯✯

𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞: That was only the beginning.

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