“Quit hitting yourself, you dumb slut,” she said childishly.
Jasper was talking. “This is a song I wrote recently about a girl I know. I hope you all like it. Brand new just for you guys.” His accent softened when he talked to his fans. He was back to his laid back sexy Australian self. Women in the audience swoon.
She covers up her body with baggy clothes
I think she’s beautiful but I don’t think she knows
Her heart is bigger than anyone around
She’ll cheer you up when you’re feeling down
Was he singing about her? It couldn’t be. She’d assumed the song would be about Autumn. The two girls continued to fight with each other when a police officer finally showed up. Tara jumped on his back and started to claw at Autumn from there, there was no doubt she was getting arrested.
Hailey didn’t care anymore, and she made her way toward the stage. A girl pushed her. She realized she’d gone all the way to the front and was blocking the seats in the front. She moved over to the aisle never taking her gaze off Jasper.
Let down your guard, little baby
Show the world your beauty and your soul
Let down your guard, little baby
Don’t let the world take its toll
On your gracious heart.
He looked at her then, and their eyes met. He was singing directly to her. Any thoughts of not having feelings for a client went out of her mind. They were there, she was melting, and he was singing about her.
She listened to him croon and swayed to the song. Her song. It was beautiful and unexpected. Her eyes were watering. When the song was over, he smiled at her. It was the old smile he’d given her when they were in the park. She was in so much trouble.
“I hope you all liked it!” Jasper shouted and threw up a hand.
They were only on for two songs. Hailey couldn’t believe he’d picked that one to sing. The audience cheered and screamed for another one. They had built in time for another song if the audience wanted one. They were playing for free so they couldn’t do a whole concert set. He launched into Fall Into Me. It was obvious to see the shift in passion from her song to the one he hated singing. The audience ate it up and sang right along with every word.
“We’ve been the Weeds, I’m Jasper and they’re Dustin and Liam! Thank you, everyone!”
The host rushed out and handed a piece of paper to Japer. “We’ll play another, but first security needs to proceed to the female bathrooms for an incident.”
The band launched into Stony Brook, a song about the street Dustin grew up on and Hailey remembered the fight. The girls had to be bloody by now. She walked back toward them in time to see both of them being led out in cuffs right into the crowd of paparazzi waiting outside the venue. It was a nightmare.
There was no way to cover this up. They were arrested in front of a ton of witnesses and a lot of them had their phones out. Even though they weren’t her clients, she still felt protective of Autumn in a strange way and this was going to be a media shit storm.
Chapter Three
Inside the venue, they were setting up for dinner, but outside Jasper was dealing with drama instead of eating some delicious crab legs. He was especially disappointed about the crab legs.
Tara and Autumn ended up being detained in the security tent outside the venue and weren’t taken to the police station. Both girls sat draped in what looked like fire blankets, as if the police thought they were too risqué to be in the tent. Both wore a scowl as they looked at the opposite walls in front of the bench they had been forced upon.
“What possessed you to do this?” Jasper was speaking to Autumn as the concerned boyfriend, but he cringed as he sounded more like a scolding father. “I expect this from Tara, but not from you. Especially after our little talk the other night.”
Jasper was also very aware Hailey was in the room and he couldn’t help but wonder what she’d thought of his song. The other two hadn’t heard it; at least he didn’t think they had. Tara sat like some regal figure on the edge of the bench, her nose turned up in the air. Autumn sat with shoulders slumped and looked up at him apologetically. Tara simply ignored him, smoothing her hair down.
“I think you both need to just go home and sleep this off,” Jasper said. He caught the hurt look in Autumn’s eyes, but she was better than this. He knew Tara had a way of starting things.
“You’re the one who brought her here,” Tara said, pointing to Autumn. The look on her face was equivalent to that of someone who stepped in dog shit.
“You’re the one who stalked me into the bathroom.” Autumn gave her an equally disgusted look.
“Okay, I don’t care who did what to who, you two need to leave. There are two cars waiting to take you home. Autumn, Carl is going to take you back to my place. Call Matthew and tell him what happened.”
“Oh, he knows,” Hailey said.
Jasper had a moment where the tendrils of jealousy grasped onto his mind and he wondered how Matthew knew. Had Hailey texted him? Did they text? Was he over earlier before she’d gotten to the event?
“Yes, I do. I’m working on spinning this.” Matthew came walking up and smiled at Hailey.
Jasper clenched his fists into tight balls without realizing it.
“I don’t see how you can possibly spin this, buddy,” Hailey said. “I’ll be impressed if you pull it off.” She patted him on the back.
So now she was touching him, Jasper thought. Then he chastised himself for having such ridiculous thoughts. It was none of his business who she touched. Turning to Hailey, Jasper gestured to the two girls. “Will you take Tara to the car in the back? It’s an Uber. I don’t want to chance getting photographed with her for any reason.”
Jasper noticed the hurt in Tara’s eyes. He couldn’t worry about her feelings; she was out to destroy him. She’d given up any hope for his sympathy when she’d posted the pictures.
“Okay I will, but be careful with Autumn. She’s off balance from the alcohol and the fight. I’m pretty sure she already showed everything she has to the cellphones in the venue, but just in case, let’s keep her ass out of view.”
“I can cover my own ass,” Autumn whined, but stood and immediately sat back down as if dizzy.
Jasper smiled. Hailey was being serious, but it was funny the way she was talking.
Tara came up to him and leaned into his ear. “Drop the reality bitch, or I release the sex tape.”
Jasper’s eyes widened, and he broke out in a nervous sweat. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me,” Tara said.
She walked behind Hailey who turned and gave him a questioning look. He shrugged hoping Tara was bluffing.
After the girls were in their cars, he met Hailey outside the venue.
“I just don’t understand why we can’t go one night without some kind of drama,” Hailey said.
Jasper had to agree with her; it wasn’t cool. His stomach growled.
Dustin came out and high fived him. Their manager was in Australia working with another group he wanted to get off the ground. He’d bothered to text a good luck beforehand, but that was it. After he’d listened to some of Jasper’s new stuff, he was confident they could easily sell another album.
Jasper and Dustin were pleased they might not have to do anymore sell-out sounds that repeated the same words over and over again. Liam was pleased more money would be coming in.
“The new song went off great, Jasper, I think we’ve got another hit.” Dustin clapped him hard on the back and winked at Hailey.
He didn’t want to talk about the song with her. Admittedly, he’d been so nervous about releasing it that he’d been cold to her on the phone. Then he had to drink to get the courage he needed to perform it. He was sending her some serious mixed signals, and he needed to stop since they couldn’t be together, anyway. It was time for him to focus on Autumn and getting her back to good girl status. That was what he wanted to do, wasn’t it? Hailey let her mouth tip up sli
ghtly and he couldn’t help but think about how beautiful she truly was.
“Hailey, do you want to go grab something to eat.” he asked without thinking about it.
“You know they have all you can eat seafood inside, right?” Hailey smiled and pointed to the people lined up at the tables just inside the door.
“Yes, but I don’t feel like waiting in line anymore, no matter how much I want those crab legs.” He licked his lips, certain he could smell them, then led her to the street. His set was done, and he wanted to get away from the chaos after the girls had ruined the evening.
“Are you sure, you look kind of like a lost puppy every time you talk about crab legs?”
“I know this awesome spot right around the corner. They have the best late night breakfast.” With Carl driving Autumn, they’d have to take a taxi.
Jasper hoped she wasn’t going to be mad he took charge and forced her into a cab. Force was the wrong word, strongly encouraged her into the cab while she protested.
“I don’t often eat breakfast for dinner, but this seems like a good idea.”
“Yes, I always do.” Jasper realized he was staring into her eyes so he turned to look out the window.
The restaurant was really just a greasy spoon, but he’d always had a great time when he went. It didn’t matter if it was by himself or a late night with the band. Jasper led her to a table in the back where they’d be secluded.
“What can I get ya’ll to drink?” A small pink haired waitress stood next to their table looking bored and chewing her gum, noisily opening her mouth with each snap.
“Coke,” they both said at the same time.
“K,” she said simply and walked away.
“So, Dustin and Missy are getting along?” Hailey asked.
“Well, they are talking,” Jasper said, remembering a fight he’d overheard the other night about a name for their daughter. A strange name she wanted to call her after food or the river, it was something not normal, but he couldn’t remember it now.
“I wonder if she is having a boy or girl,” Hailey said thoughtfully.
“It’s a girl,” Jasper said without even thinking. He looked up with wide eyes. “You can’t say anything, they want to reveal it or something like that.”
“Wow, making plans? They are getting along. No wonder I haven’t heard from her in a while.”
“What are you having?”
“I’m thinking scrambled eggs with spinach. I really want the pancake stack and bacon but I’m watching my figure,” she said the last part with a high voice and a hand draped across her forehead like an old timey starlet.
“You don’t need to lose weight, Little Bird, you’re perfect.” He meant it; she shouldn’t be down on herself even if she was trying to make it a joke.
She looked startled and stumbled over his words at his bluntness. “What, what are you going to have?”
“Well I was kind of thinking that I wanted the French toast and maybe some scrambled eggs. But then again I was looking at the dinner menu and I haven’t had meatloaf in a really long time.”
“I thought you brought me here for breakfast!” She threw her straw wrapper at him.
His heart clenched a little at her smile.
***
Hailey was still living off the high of Jasper telling her she was perfect. Not only that but he’d called her Little Bird. She hadn’t heard the pet name in so long and hadn’t realized how much she missed it. She wasn’t sure where the cold attitude he’d had was now. She decided not to question it.
He was smirking at her. It was the first time she’d seen him relax since the fight and she was glad. She found herself smiling back.
“What are you smiling about? Do I have something on my face?” Jasper wiped his hand down his face dramatically.
“No. Just good to see you smile after your girl drama.”
Jasper cringed. “Yes, those two together and Tara with her threats.”
“Threats?” Hailey’s interest piqued. Tara had mentioned a tape when she was yelling at Autumn. She was hoping it wasn’t the kind of tape she thought it was.
“The usual. I’ll ruin you, you’re going to pay, the normal stuff. Hey, the waitress is back!”
Jasper seemed very eager to change the subject, which made Hailey feel like he wasn’t telling her something.
After they ordered, Hailey pushed him a little to see if he’d talk. “Man, what a night. Between Autumn and her inability to hold her liquor and Tara physically fighting her.”
“Yeah, I get it. I know I don’t make your life easy. I honestly want to say that I’m sorry about everything you’re dealing with for your job.”
Jasper looked down at the table. Hailey thought she saw some red in his cheeks.
“That’s an understatement.” she said under her breath. It slipped out, but with the loud breath Jasper exhaled, he’d heard her.
“Other than tonight how was your week?” Jasper asked.
Hailey thought back on her week with Kaira. There was actually a lot she could tell him. Instead she ended up blurting out, “Why did you write that song about me?”
“You inspire me. You not only inspired that song, but you also inspire me to do better. I see how hard you work for other people. I like how compassionate you are. I miss hanging out with you.”
Hailey huffed. “You are just saying that because you think that’s what I want to hear.” As she said the words, she knew they didn’t make sense.
Jasper reached across the table and lifted her face. “I’m telling you the truth, Little Bird. Why can’t you see what I see? You’re always thinking badly of yourself.”
There it was, the nickname again. He was touching her. This was getting out of control.
“Why do you care about Autumn?” It wasn’t the question she wanted to ask. It was one she wanted an answer to.
He paused; almost sadly, he said. “She’s beautiful, exciting, and totally carefree. Sometimes she is a little much but there’s never a dull moment.”
Hailey heard enough. He was really into Autumn. Some part of her had hoped it was a ruse. Something he was doing to clean up his image, not that Autumn turned out to be the wholesome flower they thought she was. Now she knew. She found herself looking out the window as he continued to talk. The song was for her, but his heart was not.
Chapter Four
She didn’t care. Jasper had poured his heart out to her in his writing. He’d told her how he felt about her and how she inspired him, and she’d gone right to Autumn. With a pang, he realized she didn’t care about him the way he hoped she might. It was okay. He’d made the decision to give Autumn a chance, but she was going to have to curb her drinking.
He’d make an effort not to order his regular Jack and Coke when they were out to discourage her from drinking all the time. Autumn was trying too hard most of the time. It was hard to be around someone like that.
“Thank you for dinner, Jasper, but it is really getting late and I should be getting home. I have so much work to do. I’m going to have to call Jemma too, I overheard a chick saying she was sending her video of the fight.”
“Of course they are. Do you want me to drop you off back at the venue to get your car? Carl should be ready to come back and get us.” Jasper asked.
“No, Kaira actually dropped me off tonight so I can call myself an Uber.”
“I don’t think so. Why spend that extra money when I can just drop you off?”
“Jasper think about it. The cameras are going to be following your car. How is it going to look getting dropped off this late at night? I already have enough work with rumors. The last thing I need is for someone to say we are sleeping together.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Jasper didn’t try to hide his disappointment.
“No really. It’s not that big a deal. Plus, I’m writing off this dinner as a business meeting, anyway,” Hailey said trying to lighten the mood.
Jasper did not laugh or try to joke back
with her. He waited with her until the Uber arrived and opened the door for her. “Take care of her,” he told the young driver.
***
The Uber driver wasn’t going fast enough. Hailey was anxious to be home.
Hey just wanted to check on you to see how your meeting went and the charity event. Peter was texting Hailey. He was shaping up to be a great coworker. It was nice of him to check in on her events.
She didn’t really want to talk work, but she owed him a text back.
Meeting was good, Kaira is concerned about making children fat. The event ended in a catfight, tired tonight. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.
Hailey was ready to get into her apartment and into her pajamas. Once she made it in, she kicked off her shoes and unzipped the dress letting it fall to the floor. She fumbled through her apartment cursing when she ran into the couch. It was important to remember to leave one light on when she was going to be late, she told herself.
She walked over to the massive amount of clothes she let pile up after taking them from the dryer and pulled out a pair of pajamas. They were her favorite oversized pair. They were for comfort and she loved them. She let her hair down and made some hot chocolate. She had been tense from the events of the night, even throughout the dinner with Jasper, and was finally starting to relax.
Hailey wasn’t ready to go to bed just yet. She wanted to check her emails to make sure she didn’t miss anything important. There was the usual spam and a few love letters girls hoped she’d pass on to Liam, Dustin, or Jasper. She didn’t even know how they got her email address. Some fan girls were relentless. After about an hour of replying to people who wanted to book Kaira for their company or event, she rubbed her eyes. Having a client so high in demand was great, but choosing which opportunities to take was difficult.
She had laid down and brought the covers up to her neck when someone started banging on her door. Alarmed, she searched around for a weapon finally deciding on a heavy book on her nightstand. She slowly moved to the door and looked through the peephole. The book was above her head so she could crash it down on someone if they busted through the door. She was surprised to see it was Jasper and opened the door ready to yell. He raced past her and walked right into her living room.
Managed 4 (Managed #4) Page 3
