Chapter 25: Hayes
Lynn Hayes' POV:
I head backstage before the people even start to show up for the concert. I wander around until Hunter spots me and takes me to where everyone else is. Nova runs up and gives me a big hug, "I think I love her more than you Hunter." she jokes.
"Yeah I bet you do," He mutters as I hug her, "I missed ya girly."
I let go of her and she walks to Hunter, ""Hey I was joking, I'm Marrying you for a reason."
He looks down and smiles, "I know."
"Because I love youuuuuu." She giggles and hugs him, kissing his cheek, "andddd I got lipstick on you."
"Oh Nova, now I am marked."
"Yep," she giggles.
"Y'all are just too cute," I say pinching Hunt's cheek.
"Haha sucks for you," Nova says and starts pinching the other cheek causing him to wince.
"Okay okay both of you stop before I have to call for backup."
"You and what army?" Nova asks with a chuckle.
Hunter grabs his phone typing something as Nova and I pinch his cheeks.
Josh Dunn walks up, "What are you doing to him?" I catch the pretty boy, Patrick, walk up but stay quiet.
Nova let's go and puts up her fist, "I can take Stump down easily, Josh might be a little harder but I can do it."
"Whoa, I am not hitting a girl!" Patrick says putting up his hands in surrender and I drop my hand.
"Just back away from Hunter slowly."
"Fuck off Josh," Nova says grabbing Hunter.
I watch as Josh and Patrick pry Nova off of Hunter before Josh tosses her over his shoulder. Patrick moves in close to me and jumps when I pinch his ass.
Nova starts hitting Josh's back and Hunter motions for him to put her down as she shouts, "Josh if you don't put me down I will fuck up your face so bad!" Josh sets her down and she punches his chest, "I hope you fall off stage."
Josh laughs, "I'm the drummer, I am never near the edge."
"Fuck You whatever." Nova snaps.
"Alright we have to go help set the stage for MCR." Josh says and starts to walk off with the cutie.
"Yeah you go to that." Nova mutters.
"That reminds me I perform tonight I have to go get ready," He kisses her cheek. "Can you watch out for Grandma?"
Nova nods and Hunt runs off, "Are y'all okay?"
"Yeah I guess," she answers.
I take a seat and pat beside me, "Have a seat and tell Grammy what's wrong."
"I'm just kinda pissed off at him." She admits sitting down beside me.
"Why is that sweetheart?" I ask and pat her knee.
"Because he called stupid security when I was joking and he let me be very uncomfortable and just stood their laughing. Like fuck you!"
"Oh honey.. he seems like he is not himself lately.. hasn't been since he got here probably.. I don't know why dear but he changes when he is in Louisiana."
She huffs and crosses her arms, "I noticed."
"I think this place holds horrible memories. There are some good ones but his parents always forced him into things and expected him to do them.. I am surprised he took up music after all of that... I didn't think he would start back after he quit when his grandfather died.. Thank you Nova. You changed him, now to just get him away."
She smiles a bit and nods, "We're going back to California in a few days, that should fix him."
"Oh definitely sweetheart."
She sighs, "I wonder how much time I have to sneak in a few beers before his set is done.."
"Does he not let you drink?" I sigh and pat her leg, "Go ahead and grab one."
"No..he just doesn't like it."
"Well grab one you deserve it after all of this stress." I respond and she grabs a beer from one of the coolers in various places backstage. I look up and watch Hunter take the stage with a guitar I bought him when he turned 16. Nova starts chugging her beer and then a second, "Slow down honey he is just taking the stage now.
She burps and takes another swig as I watch my grandson work the stage and the crowd. I have never been so proud.
Gerard's POV:
I was sitting finishing a sketch of Batman while Taylor Swift watches, "I am finally finished!"
"Good lord Gee, that is amazing."
I smile, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She responds and I turn back to my sketch.
"So Taylor?"
"Yeah?"
"Uh how was your interview?"
She sighs and sits down on the floor with her back against the wall, "I hated it. I mean, it was fine at first...but…"
"But?" I ask turning to face her after setting down my pencil.
"But I let it slip about me almost leaving the tour, the got asked why and said personal reasons. Only to get asked about any conflicts on tour and Dylan had to answer because all I could think about was that fight you and Frankie had."
"Taylor you know that's not your fault right?"
She nods, "I know but it's awkward."
"We all get in fights Taylor."
"I meant it was awkward that I was asked about the fights."
"Oh," I say and she nods, "Well I am sorry about the bad interview."
"No worries, it could have been worse."
We both nod knowing that it certainly could have been worse.
Halsey's POV:
I sent Isaac a text to meet me on the stage 5 minutes ago, I brought a cooler full of my soda's and sat down. "Hey you dyed your hair," I hear his voice come from behind me.
"Yeah," I smile as he walks around.
"It looks good."
"Thank you" I smile. I hold out a bottle of what I was drinking "want one?"
"What is it?" he asks before immediately trying to take one.
"Black Raspberry soda, it's good" I smile.
He shrugs, "Okay, I guess I will try some then." I hand him a bottle before I take a sip of my own. He opens his bottle and takes a sip as I smile, "It's good."
"Cheers!" I say with a giggle and bump my bottle against his.
He smiles and laughs as I finish my soda and he soon finishes his own, "Can I take you somewhere?"
"Of course."
"Follow me."
Hunter's POV:
It has been a few days since the interview and my mother still won't talk to me so I asked Taylor to meet me by my bus. I pace back and forth until she comes up, "What's up Hayes?"
"Some things came up, and I need your help..."
"What came up? Why do you need my help?"
"My parents, they don't want anything to do to me because of this tour.. I need help convincing them.." I start.
"And you think Momma and Daddy Hayes will believe you if I'm there?" She questions.
"I don't know." I sit down and sigh. "I am out of ideas.. and you are respected in the country community... I just don't know.."
She sighs and sits beside me, "I'll talk to your parents, but you should also have them get to know the guys too."
"I tried, Frank and Gee, they ended up making my mother faint. and got chased out of the party by a priest." I sigh.
"See, that's where you messed up. You only bring Frank OR Gee... Not both."
"Look She met Frank once by himself and she hated him..." I sigh, "She thinks that Nova and I are a mistake because.. she thinks I was high or drunk our entire relationship since I have been touring with rock bands... and the interview.. my mom saw and thought we were sexually involved..."
"Clearly I need to have a come to Jesus meeting with Momma Hayes. Because (A) most of the bands formed a band to Stop substance abuse, (B) Elvis was the KING of rock and your mom listens to him, and (c) You and Nova agreed to WAIT until things were settled to do THAT."
"My sister and brother-in-law think I should leave it alone.. They think she holds me back with my music.."
"She does. But I still need to have a come to Jesus meeting with her."
"Really?" I ask, even though Taylor and I look out for each other I was expecting a no.
"Yes. Now take me to meet your mother."
I run in the bus and grab the keys before coming back out, "It's a long ride."
"I don't mind." she shrugs.
I unlock the door of my truck and hold it open for her and she gets in, "Uh thanks for this Taylor."
She smiles once I am in the drive seat, "I am glad to help."
I drive the nearly 2 hour trip to my family home while we talk or listen to music. She looks out the window once we get a bit closer and drive through my hometown. Before I know it I am pulling into the long driveway of my parent's home. "Nice place," she remarks getting out.
"Yeah i spent the money from my first few songs to buy it and restore it for them."
She smiles, "You're a good kid Hunter."
I sigh, "I guess but my sister is still the favorite."
She easily knocks on the door with no nervousness, "Not to Grandma Hayes."
I bite my lip as my mother answers the door, "yes may i help.. oh Hunter."
"Hello Mrs. Hayes." Taylor speaks up drawing my mother's attention from me.
"Are you Taylor Swift?" She covers her heart and opens the door more. "Please do come in."
"O-okay," Taylor glances back at me and I nod motioning for her to go in and I follow behind her.
"Did you want something to drink Miss Swift?" She leads her to sit in the living room where my dad is nowhere to be seen.
"No thank you. I actually would like to talk to you about Hunter and our friends on tour."
My mother comes in and takes a seat while I sit on the sofa. "You are on tour with all of them?"
"Of course! I couldn't pass it up, touring with the greatest rock musicians of my generation!"
"Rock bands are just so crazy, what is a perfect lady doing with that riff-raff!"
"For one, that "riff-raff" are some of my greatest friends. Two, yeah they are crazy but that's what makes them so much fun!"
"There are gay men.." She leans in and whispers. "Frank and Jared. Then obviously there was smoking involved."
"It's Frank and Gerard. And no smoking was involved. Most of the bands were formed to help each other break bad habits."
"So what do they do then? depression or pills? or Drinking?"
"NOTHING. They haven't done that in YEARS. They are good boys Mrs. Hayes, just give them the chance Hunter has."
"Hunter has made a lot of bad decisions like that girl. I have no idea what has happened to all the lessons when he was little. He is just a disappointment and I refuse to trust 2 gays and their friends."
"Then you don't trust me. Let's go, Hunter. You were right…" She stands up. "Oh, just so you know, Nova is the BEST thing that happened to Hunter on this tour." She pulls me out the door.
I hurry back to the truck and start it and Taylor hops in, "I'm Sorry Hunter."
I shake my head as I drive down the driveway, "No I should have known.. It was a lost cause."
"I tried, She's just too stubborn."
I nod, "Believe me I know.."
"Let's get back to the buses." Taylor says as I drive through town.
"When we get back I am gonna just take some time to stay in my bus and just get over this."
"Did you tell Nova?"
"About us coming out here.. yeah she was pissed about it.."
"Great...just what I need. An angry fiancé."
I sigh, "I will talk with her.. as soon as we get back."
She smiles a bit, "Good boy."
She starts yawning when we were halfway home so when we pull up I cut the engine. "Thanks again now get some rest Swift."
"No problem. Just remind me NOT to send a wedding invite to your mom." *She laughs walking towards her bus. "SEE YA ROUND HAYES!"
I wave, "Later."