estranged;

Eh, I dunno. I prefer the pub to still serve minors so that way the ones around here don’t annoy me to go buy ‘em stuff. Though most of them go to Brooklyn now anyways, but still. 

Mine’s really just as crappy. You first. 

Hah, well... Damn. I was really hoping you’d take the reins on this one. Um... anyway...

Yeah, yeah. Sometimes it’s that situation of right person, wrong time, you know? I felt that way for a brief moment after Colbie and I stopped talking. I don’t know. It was weird with us. You know we always had a funky dynamic, but neither of us ever really pulled the trigger. Agh, well, regardless of the circumstances, I’m thrilled you’re back, man. Feels more like home with your crazy ass around. 

-

I’m still rooting for you and Colbie, B-T-W.

When you up and leave us and don’t even bother replying to my social media messages you don’t get the choice to not talk about it, baby. If you don’t want to talk about it now, so be it, but I want to know soon. I missed you. We all did so much. Your sister has grown leaps and bounds since you’ve gone. Mm, you should see if Gage would do an episode of the show and play your music? Still a bit of nepotism, but not as much I suppose. 

Aughh, ma... Don’t try to guilt trip me please. 

Hey! Falling in and out and in and out of love is my thing, bro. 

Aha, I always feel hungover for months after I leave Vegas. There’s good people out there though, great food, great women. What brought you home?

Yeah, Colbie told me you’re shaking up with a blonde girl. Meanwhile, we never thought you’d ever get over Devon.

Oh, how exciting! I always miss out on the fun stuff because I want to stay home with the girls. I want them to have a consistent home-life, you know? If Travis and I are both gone at once I’m just worried they’ll get too shaken up. Geez, I’m a Mama Bear over here, huh? Life is surely way different than it used to be! And oh, thank you! You need to meet them. They’re literally my entire heart and soul. And they’re growing so fast! It makes me sad. 

Sorta sucks we all had to grow up. 

Espresso it is then. 

How you been, man? I feel like it’s been forever. Wait until you see how big Sailor and Lily are.

Two shots, please. 

Is that right? Mm, perhaps it’s working. You know, Trav and I have been talking about bringing more excitement into the bedroom…

Yeah, he’s so talented it blows my mind. What were you doing at a film festival?

My little band has a song featured in a film and we wanted to see it. And we got a little bit of press ‘cause of it. It was really exciting. Everyone watched me freak out over Travis. My bandmates call him my boyfriend now. I facetimed him a few weeks back. Your girls are beautiful, by the way.

Nuh-uh. Have this cup of tea and these vitamins and at least begin telling me what’s going on. You can tell me the rest later if it’s too much for now.

Well, I guess we start at the beginning? You know how I wanted to prove to everyone my band could make it without like... the nepotism of having Eli’s record label? Not that I think he’d ever offer us a deal, but... Anyway. That’s not the point. We’ve been touring for the last few years and we’ve got a small, dedicated fan base. And I met someone and... God. Ma, I don’t wanna talk about this.

Aha that’s a good question, man! I ask myself it on the daily, seriously, ask Travis. Her name’s Britton. She’s…she’s literally like my dream woman. I’m really lucky, but hey, what about you? You settled down with anyone yet?

Uh, I did. I thought she was the love of my life, but we broke up. So... I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll ever actually settle down. If it wasn’t her, it won’t be anyone, I think. 

Of course. They still have those amazing, extra crispy chicken wings and also still serve alcohol to minors, so, it’s just like you left it. 

It’s like I never left, really. Both of those things were great as a kid. Unfortunately, my brain is fully developed so I think the latter is awful now. Good for today’s teens though... I think. I don’t know, I just got out of weekend county jail so maybe not. Anyway, let’s go. 

Take all the time you need, man. It’s good to see you again. You want some coffee?

Please. My head is absolutely killing. Just black is fine. And not of that wimpy shit Gi was always making. 

Wait, oh my gosh! Hey! Your hairs so different from the last time I saw you, AJ! Travis is going to be happy you’re home. Where’ve you been?

It’s the curls, Millie. The ladies can’t resist me with ‘em.

Well, sorry to be impatient but it’s been months. I was so freaking worried! Are you hungry? We can get lunch and talk. I’ve got shtuff to tell you too. 

I have a shit ton to tell you too.