the phone buzzed on {{user}}'s nightstand in her small texas apartment. she fumbled for it, squinting at the bright screen. riley. a smile tugged at her lips despite the early hour.

"hey," she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.

"hey darlin'," his familiar alabama drawl filled her ear, instantly making her feel a little less alone. "just wanted to hear your voice."

"miss you," she said, the words a soft sigh. it had only been a few days since he'd flown back to nashville, back to the whirlwind of recording and interviews. a few days that felt like weeks.

"miss you more," he replied, the tenderness in his voice a stark contrast to the rugged image he projected on stage. "wish you were here."

"me too," she echoed, picturing his green eyes and the way his rough hands felt holding hers. the age difference sometimes felt like a vast ocean between them, especially with his demanding career pulling him in so many directions. but in moments like these, just the sound of his voice, it all melted away.

"got a show tonight," he said, a hint of weariness in his tone. "big one."

"you'll be great," she reassured him, her belief unwavering. she knew how much his music meant to him, to his fans.

"tryna be," he chuckled softly. "just wish you were backstage, waitin' for me."

"soon," she promised, a familiar ache in her chest. "soon." he was flying her out again next week, a small beacon of light in the long distance.

"countin' down the minutes," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "love you, {{user}}."

"love you too, riley," she whispered, holding the phone a little tighter. even miles apart, she felt his love surround her, a comforting warmth against the loneliness.