Chapter 18 - Chapter 17

"That was probably the most humiliating thing I have ever experienced!" Cassie remarked. After Andrew's announcement; Paul and the others thought that it'd be a good idea to head on back to the Plaza Hotel before anymore chaos ensued. "You know; I wouldn't be surprised Andrew was planning this ever since we ran into Roxie this morning at the Early Morning Show." she grumbled.

"Well on the bright side; at least we have more time with Roxie." Landon said.

"Dude; really?" Calvin rebuked.

"What? I would think that was what we all wanted since this morning at the TV studio." Landon retorted.

"Yeah, well that was before we found out about Roxie dating Kyle and the bloody fact that is joining us on tour!" Cassie remarked.

"Look, I get that it's shocking that you guys are going on tour with Roxie and also the fact that we have found out that there is a possible chance that Roxie and Kyle are dating each other, but we've got other issues here." Garrett informed them.

"Garrett's right; you lot aren't the only ones freaking out about the news. I can only imagine what is going through Nathan's mind right now. The poor guy is probably just as shocked let alone depressed with all of this news." Annie said.

"Eh; knowing Nathan, he probably has pushed all of that behind him or drinking his problems away." Paul stated.

Meanwhile Nathan was in his own hotel room staring out the window; looking at New York's night life. Since leaving Angelo's; Nathan was pretty silent on the ride back to the hotel. Nathan felt that he needed some space to clear his mind so it was no surprise to Paul and the others that Nathan would lock himself up in his hotel room. However; Nathan felt in his heart that he needed to talk to someone about the recent events that happened that night at Angelo's. So Nathan took out his cell phone and dialed the number of the only person who could help him in his problems.

"Welcome to The Smouldering Hog; this is Hank."

"Hey Uncle Hank! It's Nathan." Nathan said.

"Nathan, my boy! Well this is a surprise. How's tour? Are Annie and Tom ok?"

"They're fine; tour is tour. I, on the other hand; well things aren't so great personally," Nathan sighed. Nathan then explained to Uncle Hank everything that had happened that day from Nathan's serenade to Roxie at the Early Morning Show to Andrew's announcement at Angelo's. "Honestly Uncle Hank; I don't know what to do! A part of me wants to drink all my problems away like I did in the past, but then there's another part of me that wants to fight for what I have with Roxie." he sighed.

"It seems to me you got yourself in a major dilemma. Honestly Nathan I don't know what to tell you. Personally I think you should sleep on it tonight and if you still feel torn then I think you should contact Roxie and the two of you talk and try to solve this issue together. I know it's probably not the most ideal advice you want, but if you want your relationship with Roxie to last; you need to have this conversation with her." Uncle Hank stated.

"I know; I just hope Roxie doesn't push me away again. I wish you and Auntie Lizzie were here and have seen my performance to Roxie. Just being near Roxie again brought back so many memories," Nathan said. "Anyway Uncle Hank, thanks for the advice. The lads and I have a busy schedule tomorrow and Lexie wants us to get to bed early. Send my love to Auntie Lizzie. Alright I will; bye." he said. Nathan then ended the conversation with Uncle Hank and went to his text messages. Nathan then scrolled down to the last text conversation he had with Roxie. It had been a long time since Nathan had sent a text to Roxie; so it was no surprise that Nathan was a bit hesitant to even type up what he wanted to say to her.

"For Christ's sake Nathan; just bloody do it already." Nathan mumbled to himself. Nathan then quickly texted Roxie inviting her to grab some lunch the following day after he and the boys were done with their early morning press promotions for the new album. Once Nathan had sent the text message to Roxie; he turned off his cell phone and put it to charge for the next day. Nathan then changed into his pajamas and got himself ready for bed.

"God; I hope this works." Nathan said as he laid down to go to sleep. What Nathan didn't know was on the other side of the city, in a brown house in Upper Manhattan; Roxie was feeling the exact same way.

Early the next morning; Nathan and his band mates, along with Annie, Tom, Garrett, Cassie and Lexie were wide awake and ready for another day of promoting. Since the surprising events that happened the night before; the group was still uneasy and unsure of how to respond about the recent addition of Roxie joining Fifth Avenue Square and Cassie on their US press tour. For all they knew, and from what Lexie had told them in the hotel lobby that morning; the announcement was an unexpected surprise, but overall a great addition since it had been quite some time since the group had hung out with Roxie. As for Nathan, however; he was feeling a bit more optimistic.

After the group was done with most of the morning's schedule; Nathan had received a response back from Roxie saying that she would love to have lunch with him and sent Nathan the address of the cafe she had in mind to have their conversation. At first, Nathan didn't want to tell the others about his lunch date with Roxie. Nathan had a feeling Paul and the others were getting concerned about his well being since Roxie's dinner party at Angelo's. Since waking up this morning; Nathan tried to keep his anxiety down by playing it off like it was any normal day on tour. However, as Nathan was about to leave to the cafe; he was caught off guard by both Annie and Tom.

"Oi; you look like you're in a rush to be somewhere." Tom pointed out.

"I'm just going out to get some fresh air. It's not like I'm going to go get drunk at some bar at 11am." Nathan remarked.

"True; but you're one of those people who considers a 'stroll in the park' one of the most boring activities to have ever been created." Annie stated.

"Look; if it makes you feel any better, I'm just going out to grab some lunch with Roxie at some cafe near Times Square." Nathan admitted.

"And you thought it'd be smart to not say anything to anyone?! Nathan, do you have any idea how this might look for you, Paul and the others!" Annie shrieked.

"What? All Nathan and Roxie are going to do is just talk. It's not like they're going on a date or anything." Tom mentioned.

"That still doesn't give a justified reason for Nathan to not say anything to his band mates, Garrett or Lexie about this. If Nathan goes out and say some paparazzi decide to take some photos of both Nathan and Roxie at the cafe; people are going to assume that the promotional tour was some excuse to get Nathan and Roxie back together." Annie explained.

"Look; yes, what I'm doing sounds a bit reckless but we have to remember that we're not the only ones being affected by Andrew's announcement at Angelo's. Roxie is probably taking this just as hard so I'm being a good friend and make sure she's feeling ok about the current situation that we're all in right now," Nathan stated. "Annie; if it makes you feel any better, if the paparazzi happen to take some photos of both me and Roxie, I'll explain everything on my social media accounts." he added as he comforted his cousin.

"Fine, but make sure you're back here before dinner. I don't want Lexie or the others to get any ideas about your so called adventure with Roxie." Annie replied. Nathan then hugged his cousin and kissed her on her head as a promise to be careful on his date with Roxie. Nathan then grabbed his cell phone and wallet and walked out of his hotel room to the elevator for his afternoon with the one girl he had hoped would be waiting for him at a local cafe near Times Square.