Don't Tell Me Twice: Chapter One

Buck Miller looked into the cheering crowd and remembered how much work it had taken her to get there. Buck had spent years writing her own songs and performing on the streets before a record label had picked her up, and when they finally did, she had seen all her dreams come true. Buck finally had gotten to move out of the cheap flat that she shared with her five roommates and into a two-bedroom house in the suburbs. Her bicycle was replaced with a Harley, and the loving embrace of her girlfriend, Olive, replaced her days on her own.

Buck looked over at Olive and smiled. The other woman’s hair blew in the breeze as she played lead guitar. Olive didn’t look back, but Buck knew how she felt. The other woman had been there when the band was nothing, and throughout the years, it had only been Buck, Olive, the second guitarist, Spike, and Jemma, the drummer. The group had stuck together through all the chaos that it took to get famous, and mostly, the three women were Buck’s family.

Buck looked out into the crowd and belted out the lyrics to “In Your Eyes”. The song was one that she had written for Olive when they first met, so she always had a special place in her heart for it. Buck could feel the adrenaline flow through her body as the words flowed from her mouth. The feelings that she got from performing were unexplainable. She had always known what she wanted to do, and every performance confirmed it. Buck heard the signal from the guitars that the song was ending and wrapped it up on a pleasant note. The crowd was still cheering and calling for another encore, but she knew that they were on a time schedule. Their tour bus was supposed to be in the next city by tomorrow, and she couldn’t waste any time.

Buck called to her audience, bidding them goodnight and thanking them for their attendance. She blew a kiss into the crowd, and the band exited the stage. Buck smiled as she headed to the tour bus, letting security guide her every step. It had been an impressive performance, and the group had worked hard to make sure that every note was on point.

The group made it to the tour bus, and Buck followed Olive to the bunks. Nights like these made her want to embrace her loved one and make love all night. “Another fantastic show,” Buck smiled as Olive packed away her guitar.

“Yes, it was,” Olive replied, forcing a smile.

“What’s wrong?” Buck asked, noticing the lack of enthusiasm in her partner.

“We need to talk, Buck,” Olive said, sitting down on the lower bunk.

Spike and Jemma walked through the privacy curtain at that point, and Buck waved them away. “Sorry,” the two squeaked, noticing the intense looks on both Buck and Olive’s faces.

“It’s okay,” Buck replied as they walked away. “Just give us a moment.” Buck waited for privacy, and when she heard the television turn on in the living area, she knew they were alone. “What’s going on?” She asked Olive. She knew it couldn’t be good by the look on the other woman’s face.

Olive took her hand and looked her in the eyes, tears welling in hers as she did. “Buck, I need to break up with you,” Olive said.

“What?” Buck exclaimed. “Why?” She could feel her throat swell and her voice become shaky. She hadn’t expected to hear those words from Olive, ever.

“I’m not in love with you anymore,” Olive replied. “There’s someone else.”

“What?” Buck inquired. Her mind was racing, and her heart was thumping hard in her chest.

“I’m in love with Viola Young,” Olive replied. “I didn’t want it to happen. It just did.”

“The drummer from Two Hearts?” Buck inquired. She knew that band well. In the past, they had created bad press involving her band, and they had always been a strong competition.

“Yes,” Olive said. “I’m leaving the band tomorrow. I was planning on talking to Jemma and Spike tonight, but I wanted to talk to you first.”

“What about the tour?” Buck asked, grasping at straws. Surely, Olive wouldn’t leave in the middle of a tour.

“Find someone else,” Olive said. “I will perform with Two Hearts.”

“How can you leave us high and dry?” Buck questioned angrily.

“You’ll figure it out, Buck,” Olive said, getting up and touching her on the shoulder. “You always find a way.”