Aimlessly, I walked the city streets trying to sort out how to find a replacement guitar player and break the news to my dearest mates. I came across a corner bar and walked inside. As I sat down on a stool near the end of the counter, the bartender approached me. "What can I get ya?" he asked.

"Beer and a shot of whiskey—make it a double."

He walked away and quickly returned with my drinks. Being early afternoon, the place was all but empty. "Cheers mate," I said before throwing back the shot and then taking a swig of beer.

Pulling the phone out of my pocket, I thumbed through my contacts, hoping to find my replacement. I was almost at the end of the alphabet when I came upon someone who might work. "Jimmy Tu," I mutter to myself, as I opened a text.

Me: Jimmy, how ya going? Wondering if you would be interested in playing with Tia Sympathy. Big tour of NZ and AUS coming up next month and I'm looking for a replacement.

I ordered another shot and watch the Rugby game on the telly. After several drinks, my phone began to vibrate on the bar. It was Jimmy Tu.

Jimmy: Are you kidding? Hell yes, I'll jump at the chance if the offer still stands.

With a sigh of relief, my shoulders slumped and my posture softened. I didn't realize how stressed out this whole thing was making me until I had a glimpse of a real out. All I wanted to do was go home to my wife and live a quiet life.

Me: Need to talk to the band about it. Have a gig tonight in Wellington. I'll be in touch soon. Thanks, mate.

Reaching into my wallet, I grabbed some money and paid the bartender, making sure to leave him a generous tip. The chill smacked my face, as I walked outside and headed back to the hotel. Man, I had my fingers and toes crossed that this would all work out.

* * *

I got back to the hotel around four in the afternoon and decided to take a nap. We had to be at the venue at six for the soundcheck and then we had a meet and greet with fans.

When I opened the door to my hotel room, the band were waiting for me.

"Where have you been? I've been texting you all afternoon," Tia said with a hint of anger in her voice.

"I was taking a walk," I replied, as I kicked off my shoes.

Mick who was standing right next to me, leaned in and muttered, "Smells like you've been drinking to me."

"Yeah, well now I'm going to bed." I began undressing in front of them.

"No, you aren't. Hank got us an interview with the local paper. We have to head over to the venue at five, not six."

"Christ Tia, do you always jump when Butler tells you?"

She stomped over within six inches of my face. Her eyes glaring into me. Then she shook her head in disgust. "You've been drinking." She turned to Pax and said, "Will you make him a cup of coffee so we can sober him up?"

"I'm on it," Pax agreed, most likely to avoid Tia's wrath.

"I'm not drunk, Tia, just a little buzzed."

Grabbing me by the hand, Tia dragged me into the bathroom. She pulled the curtain aside and turned on the shower. "Boxers off and get in now."

"Yes, Mum," I deadpanned.

"In ten minutes, I want you dressed and drinking coffee. The taxi will be here in thirty minutes."

"And if I'm not ready?" I challenged.

"I'll take you over my knee and spank you," she seethed.

"Ooh, is that a promise?" I asked raising in my most sultry voice.

With a huff, she turned and left the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

* * *

Wrapping the white cotton towel around my waist, I opened the bathroom door. Steam billowed into the bedroom. Pax and Mick were sitting at the round table near the window. Tia was nowhere in sight. "Is the coast clear?" I whispered.

Mick and Pax laughed in unison. "Boy you've got her angry," Pax said as he walked over to hand me a hot cup of coffee.

I took a sip and then set it on the bedside table. Next, I dropped my towel and headed for the closet to pick out a pair of pants and a shirt. "I'm tired of being told what to do at the last minute. We're a band. We should be making these decisions together. Aren't you fellows ticked off?"

"It does seem that Butler favors Tia. I'll grant you that."

"I'd like to be involved in the decisions," Pax agreed. "Yet, this whole thing has been like a speed train. Sometimes it's nice to just have someone tell me what to do and where to be. As long as I can make a living from music, I can deal with that trade-off."

"I can't," I sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"What are you saying?" Mick asked.

Just then, Tia entered the room. "It's time to go."

Mick and Pax didn't move a muscle. They weren't listening to Tia. Their eyes were focused on me. "Tonight, after the show, we'll have a band meeting."

"About what?" Tia asked.

"We'll talk about it later," I replied. "We have an interview to conduct."

Tia opened the door and motioned for us to leave the room.

* * *

I was nice to the press, signed autographs for the fans, and played my heart out for the crowd. I guess in part to apologize to Tia for being a pain in the ass and hoping it would soften the blow when we sat down for our band meeting.

That night's gig was wild. Tia was pissed at me and she poured that energy into the show. I gave it right back because I wasn't happy with how she was leading the band and making decisions on her own. The audience was eating it up.

After the concert, we were sitting in the dressing room, drinking beers. I was about to start the meeting when my phone beep alerting me to a text. Deciding to ignore it, I took a deep breath and began, "I wanted to call a band meeting to discuss…" I didn't even get out a complete sentence when my phone began to ring. This time I looked at the screen. It was Alicia. She never called right after a show, she waited for me to call her. With a sinking feeling in my gut, I answered the call. "Alicia, what's wrong?"

"Hunter, it's your dad. He's had a heart attack."

The wind got knocked out of me and my knees became weak. Leaning back against the wall for support I asked, "Is he alive?"

"Yes, he's in the ICU at Mount Maunganui Hospital. Your mom didn't want me to interrupt the tour, but I knew you'd never forgive yourself is something happened and you weren't with him."

"You did the right thing. I'm catching the first flight out. Are you in Auckland?"

"No, when your mom called me this afternoon, I left work early and drove out here."

With the dreadful news, I couldn't help but smile at my sweet girl. "I love you. Thank you for being there for her when I couldn't."

"Of course, but what about the tour?"

"I have an idea. I'll fill you when I get there."

"Be safe, Hunter. I love you."

"What's going on mate?" Pax asked with concern.

It took a few moments for me to wrap my head around what was happening. My dad was the fittest, happiest bloke I knew. What on earth could have caused this and why did this have to happen to him? Tia called my name and it snapped me out of my thoughts. "My dad is in the hospital. He's had a heart attack."

"Ah shit," Mick muttered. "Is he okay?"

"I don't know. I have to go to him," I replied, searching the room for my jacket.

"You can't just leave in the middle of the tour," Tia blurted out.

"Tia, cut the guy some slack," Pax jumped to my defense.

I ignored their banter and called Jimmy Tu. Thankfully, he picked up. "Hey Jimmy, can you be in Wellington tomorrow night to take over for me?"

"Seriously man, I'm so in."

"Brilliant, I'll give Tia your number and you she can give you all the details. Thanks so much. I owe you. My dad is in the hospital. I'll ring you later when I can talk."

"Sorry Hunter, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you."

My three bandmates stood dumbstruck as I ended the call. "I'm leaving tonight. Jimmy Tu will fill in until I know what I'm doing." I reached for a pad of paper and pen that was sitting on the dressing table and jotted down his info. Handing it to Tia I said, "Here's Jimmy's number. Get him the details for tomorrow's gig. He's my fill in."

"Hunter, why did you call the band meeting in the first place?" Mick inquired.

Running my fingers through my hair, I let out a long sigh. "I don't want to go on an extended tour with Lorde. I'm pretty upset you, Tia. You didn't have the courtesy to talk to us before you accepted. I don't have time to go into this now, I've got to get home. Jimmy's a good guitar player and he can sing. You're not breaking the contract with Butler, I am. If he wants to kick me out of the band, then so be it."

Before they could utter another word, I left the room. I wanted to hire a car, but it was a six and a half hour drive in the dead of night. Winding New Zealand roads and lack of street lights weren’t the right driving conditions for my current state of mind. Instead, I decided to grab a taxi and head for the airport to get the first flight out.