Total pages in book: 196
Estimated words: 180438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 902(@200wpm)___ 722(@250wpm)___ 601(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 180438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 902(@200wpm)___ 722(@250wpm)___ 601(@300wpm)
I still have no idea why that one little gesture has always been so poignant for me. Maybe because there was nothing sexual about it, there was no give and take, just him offering comfort in what I found to be a most sublime way. To others, it might not seem like much, but it always gave me butterflies, and this time was no different.
Then my nerves went on the rampage when he filled me in on what the phone call was about. “A joint concert? In the next week or so? How?” I laughed it off because it sounded preposterous. Things like this usually take months to put into play, but one look at his face told me that he was not joking.
“You’re serious!”
“If you agree, and only if you agree, then The Sanders group will handle all the details.”“But what about the show? I still have a few days left. I haven’t been in the studio in a while, haven’t practiced.” I was starting to panic, but I wasn’t sure if it was at the thought of facing the world so soon or at the idea of a rushed concert.
“Calm down, baby; first, I think the plan is to do it after you wrap this season. And remember, this is only if you agree all the way. Though, if you want my opinion, I think we should do it.” Had I not been looking at him, I would’ve missed the look in his eyes. There was something there that seemed a bit off.
“What is it you’re not telling me?” He got a bit fidgety, and that only put me on high alert. I always know when Ryder’s hiding something from me. Then again, I hadn’t known anything leading up to his ill-fated wedding so maybe my radar isn’t as good as I thought.
“Nothing’s the matter. I’m just trying to think of how we can do this on such short notice without putting any strain on you.”“Do you want to do it?”“Yes, I do. In fact, I think it’s the perfect solution. After the press conference, I’m sure the whole world will be watching; what better way to show them once and for all that we’re back together and stronger than ever?”
That sounded very good, but I think he’s forgetting the backlash from the public if things like this aren’t handled well. I know better than anyone how fickle the audience can be. One minute, you’re their darling, and the next, they’re burning you at the stake.
I’ve always preferred to keep my personal life as private as I can manage, and with everything else that’s going on, I’m sure this will do nothing more than dredge up things from the past that I’d rather not have to deal with again.
If it were up to me, the two of us would just carry on the rest of our lives without interference, but I knew that would never be because of who we are. Before I could answer, either way, my phone rang. It was my mother, no doubt, calling to chew me out about the press conference.
***
*Janie*
“I don’t think you’re allowed to leave the house.”“What?” I stopped at the open door and looked back over my shoulder at Jessica, who seemed to appear out of the shadows. She pointed at that stupid contract or whatever it was in her hands with a stupid smile on her face.
“Fuck off, I can do whatever I want, who the hell do you think you are?”“Fine, but you won’t be let back in if you walk out that door.”“Says who? This is my….”“Uh-uh-uh! You keep forgetting; it says right here that I’m in charge, and you’re not allowed to leave without permission. Of course, you can choose to leave, but I have to hold up my end of the bargain and report it. I actually like living here.”
She’s just doing this shit to get on my nerves. “Why does it matter to you or that little bitch where I go?”“I don’t think she’d appreciate you calling her that.”“I actually don’t care.” The voice coming through the wall startled us both, and we both looked around to see where it was coming from.
“Oh, you did it already.” Jessica talked to the air, “Cool, now I don’t have to babysit this twit.” She turned and headed back to wherever she came from, leaving me standing there feeling icky.”Did what already?”
“I told Jessica that the house was going to be wired for video and sound.”“Nobody asked me.”“Nobody needs to. By the way, where are you going?”“That’s none of your business.” I started to leave, but her next words stopped me in my tracks.
“The locks will be changed by the time you return. If you try breaking in, I’ll have you arrested, and of course, it will be on the front page of every newspaper by morning.”“Who’s putting you up to this?” There was no way a kid could think like this, and even though she hadn’t seen this person, she was sure it was a kid by her voice.