A/N: Yay! Thank you so much for all the reviews! Crazylady789, mnmgal, BearyFunny66, JCI, Fantasylover101, FadingIntoYou, Ida-cullen, KK161990, anonymous, and Mackenzie Neal, you guys are the best! I think that's the most reviews for a single chapter this fic has gotten!
I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I'm very, very excited for the coming chapters and I hope you all are too! Our lovebirds are in for some very exciting stuff, hehe.
So, let's see if we can tie and/or break the 10 reviews we got last chapter!
Chapter 25
"Becca, relax," Payson says sharply as her younger sister crashes through the front door of the Keeler house. Kim is following silently, letting Payson take control until she asks for help. Becca hasn't stopped freaking out since they left the Rock.
"How can I relax? I walked into the office and you were practically having sex with our coach!" Becca shrieks. Payson rolls her eyes. Becca has never been overly dramatic, she's more level headed like Payson, but she's having a melt down over what she saw.
"Sasha and I were nowhere near having sex. We were kissing," Payson reminds her. Becca throws her hands in the air.
"Oh, that makes it so much better. He's like…OLD!" Payson sees her mother smiling, trying to hold in laughter and Payson shakes her head.
"Thanks for the support, mom," Payson says, her voice lacking the sting that would actually chastise her mom. "Becca, he is not old. Older, sure, but not old. And it's not really any of your business."
"It isn't? He's my coach too. Or have you forgotten that?" Becca snaps. Payson immediately feels bad. She's never thought about how her relationship could affect Becca; it would be easy for her and Sasha to disappear after the Olympics if the media scrutiny was too much, but Becca would be stuck at the Rock with everyone hounding her for information.
"I'm sorry, Becca," Payson apologizes. "That's part of why we didn't tell you that Sasha and I are together, we didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
"I can't ever look at Sasha the same way, you know that right? Every time I look at him, I'm going to see you two kissing," Becca says, spitting the last word like it tastes bad in her mouth. Payson grimaces.
"How many times can I say I'm sorry, Becca? I understand you're uncomfortable, and we won't flaunt it in front of you, but Sasha and I are in love and we're not going to stop seeing each other just because you aren't used to it yet. You'll get there," Payson promises. Becca snorts, like she isn't so sure.
"How long has this been going on?" Becca asks.
"A little over six months," Payson says. Becca's face loses its color.
"Half a year? You guys have been sneaking around for half a year?" Becca's voice rises to the point that it's painful to hear. Payson cringes.
"Becca, stop. I'm not going to argue about this with you. I'm sorry you're uncomfortable and I'll do what I can to help you be comfortable, but Sasha and I are in it for the long haul, so get used to it," Payson says with finality. She turns her back on Becca because it's the only way to end the conversation and takes a seat at the island with her mom. They still need to talk about sponsorships and representation. MJ has called Payson every day for two weeks, since the day after Payson's birthday, hounding her about whether or not she's talked to her parents.
"Mom, we need to talk," Payson says. Kim looks up, panicked.
"Please don't tell me you're pregnant," Kim says, and Payson can tell she's only half joking. She smiles to relieve her mom and shakes her head.
"No, I'm not pregnant. MJ's been calling me for the last couple of weeks. Her firm is very, very interested in representing me, and they say they're getting calls daily about sponsorship deals," Payson explains. "I know you have your concerns, but I'd like to do it."
"What about college, Pay?" Kim asks, sighing. Payson nods to show she's listening.
"I know that's your main concern, but mom there's no way I'm going to go from the Olympics to college gymnastics. I would hate it, so that scholarship avenue isn't an option anyway. And if I get an agent and take sponsorship deals then I can create a special college fund where I put a percentage of everything I earn. If MJ is being truthful about the potential deals, I'll have enough money to go to any college I want before the Olympics even start, plus extra," Payson says. Kim studies her for a long moment.
"This is really something you want to do? You know that you'll basically be their employee, right? And that just as quickly as the money comes, it can dry up even faster if you do something they don't like," Kim explains. Payson knows she's talking about what could happen if her relationship with Sasha gets out. Payson nods.
"I know. And that's why I won't make any big purchases unless I need to. Everything will go straight into either my savings account or my college fund," Payson promises. She can see the wheels turning in Kim's head.
"Are you sure all that money won't overwhelm you? That the commitments you'll have to your sponsors won't overwhelm you? They're going to expect public appearances and photo shoots, and magazine articles. You hate the press, Pay, and it's only going to get worse if you do this," Kim says. Then she sighs. "But you're an adult, and I'm going to let you make this decision."
"Thank you, Mom. I really appreciate it," Payson says. She hugs her mother and then gets up, heading for her room.
"Pay?" Kim says, stopping her. Payson turns around, MJ's number halfway dialed.
"Yeah?"
"Just…don't forget that you're still a teenager, okay? Have some teenage fun once in a while," Kim begs. Payson smiles.
"I'm going to a concert at UC Boulder tonight, does that count?" Payson asks. Kim laughs, nodding.
"That counts."
#
After Payson's talk with her mother, she wanders down the hall to Becca's room. Her door is closed firmly, and Payson suspects that Becca doesn't really want any visitors, but they need to hash it out so she knocks on the door and waits.
It opens just a tiny crack and Payson can see Becca's eyes as she peeks through.
"What?" Becca snaps.
"Can we talk?" Becca opens the door all the way and stomps back to her bed. Payson sits down next to her, playing with the fringe on a decorative pillow.
"I'm sorry, Becca," Payson says, looking her sister in the eyes. Becca frowns.
"Why didn't you tell me Payson? I feel like I'm the last to know," Becca responds. Payson knows then that Becca's anger isn't because it's Sasha, but because she's hurt Payson didn't tell her. Payson reaches forward for Becca's hand.
"I promise you, you aren't the last to know, but we should have told you as soon as mom and dad found out," Payson says. Becca studies her for a moment and then takes a deep breath, releasing it slowly.
"You love him?" Becca asks.
"I do."
"And he loves you?"
"He does."
"Then I'm happy for you. Just…don't hide that kind of stuff from me, okay? I'm your sister, Pay, I've got your back." Payson smiles, leaning forward to hug Becca.
"Pinky swear."
#
"Are you excited to see Damon?" Kaylie asks, linking her arm through Emily's and Payson's as they walk from the parking lot towards the auditorium at UC Boulder. They shiver against the chilly November air, huddling closer together as they walk. Lauren trudges along beside them, teetering in her sky high heels. All the girls look adorable, but Kaylie, Emily, and Payson are dressed rather casually compared to Lauren, who's wearing a sparkly mini dress and heavy, dark make up. The other three are in jeans and pretty winter tops, and most importantly flats, because they know they'll be on their feet for hours.
"I am. Skype just isn't cutting it," Emily says, her smile telling everyone exactly how happy she is.
"Hey, is Heather meeting us?" Payson asks Kaylie. The brunette nods.
"Yeah, she said she'd find us inside. Her Winterfest meeting ran late," Kaylie explains.
They hurry inside and Emily leads them backstage, following Damon's instructions. They find his dressing room, a door with a whiteboard that reads "Damon Young" and Emily knocks. After a moment, Damon opens the door. His smile is bigger than Payson has ever seen from him and he sweeps Emily into his arms and kissing her deeply. He picks her up and swings her around before setting her down and pulling back to greet her friends.
"Hey guys," Damon says. He opens the door to his dressing room wider and ushers them inside.
"Wow, check you out," Lauren says, whistling in appreciation. His dressing room is full of flowers, a cheese tray, and guitars. He's got ice water and Champaign on a tray and a couch, plus a vanity and a clothing rack.
"I do okay," Damon says with a shrug. The girls take a seat on the couch, watching as Damon puts the finishing touches on his performance look. He's wearing tight black jeans and a sapphire colored button up shirt. "Do you guys want to listen from backstage, or on the floor?"
"Floor!" They chorus.
There's a knock on the door and a guy pokes his head in. He's got headphones and a mic around his neck, and he's holding a clipboard.
"Mr. Young, we're ready for you," he says. Damon nods, leaning down to kiss Emily one more time.
"For luck," he whispers, even though they all hear it. Then he straightens. "Can you show these girls to the floor? And make sure they get whatever they want, they're my special guests."
"Of course, Mr. Young."
The guy takes them to the floor, getting them seats at the very front of the space. When they music starts, the surprisingly large crowd goes crazy, screaming as Damon appears onstage. The energy is contagious and soon all the girls, including Heather who managed to spot them and push her way through the crowd, are jumping and screaming, singing along when they know the words.
As the set winds down, so does the tempo of each song. Before the last song, Damon takes a breath and slings his guitar over his back.
"You guys have been great tonight, and it's been wonderful to be home in Boulder. This last song is for someone very special, my girl Emily. I love you, Em, and it's because of you that I'm here today." Payson looks at Emily, who has tears tracking down her cheeks. She puts her arm around Emily's shoulders and leans in so she'll be heard.
"He's a keeper, Em. Don't ever let him go," Payson says. Emily smiles at her.
"I don't plan on it."
When the concert is over, the girls go back to Damon's dressing room. He comes in and changes into fresh clothes, chatting with them about the show.
"I have to put in appearance at a campus bar down the street. It's technically 21 and up, but I can get you guys in, if you want to come," Damon offers. The girls agree and the group heads off to the bar.
"So you're Damon Young," Heather muses as the walk. Damon laughs softly, his arm around Emily's waist. They haven't stopped touching each other since Damon walked off stage, and it makes Payson smile. They remind her of her and Sasha, only able to be open with their relationship.
"Yeah. And you're Heather. How'd you get mixed up with these crazy gymnasts?" Damon asks.
"How do any of us?" Heather responds.
When they arrive at the bar, there's a large group of people outside the door, but Damon heads to the back, apparently following instructions from the bar owner. True to his word, Damon gets them inside without incident.
Immediately, Payson recognizes it as the same bar where she picked up a drunken Sasha during their "dark period" as she likes to call it. Pushing inside, they're led to a reserved table and given a free round of drinks. The girls all look to Payson, who only shrugs.
"Do what you want," she says, giving them permission. "Just don't expect me to cover for you tomorrow."
There's a commotion across the bar and some shouting. A fight has broken out, and Payson and the others strain to watch the show. Payson catches a flash of unruly blonde hair and then one of the fighters turns his face in her direction. Liam.
"Oh my God!" Payson cries. Kaylie and Heather recognize him too, and the three girls push through the crowd.
"Girls, wait!" Damon calls out. They don't listen to him, hurrying forward. The security guards are breaking up the fight, but Liam is swaying on his feet, looking wasted.
"Liam!" Payson says sharply when she reaches him. He looks up at her with glassy eyes. A security guard has him by the arm, ready to throw him out.
"Payson!" He says happily. He reaches out to hug her, pulling her in tight with his one free arm. She grunts and fights the urge to vomit at how he reeks of tequila.
"Come on, buddy," the security guard says, yanking on Liam's arm. Payson looks up at him.
"Are you going throw him out?" Payson asks. The security guard nods.
"Wait, look I know him. Can he come sit with us while I call someone to come get him, so that I can keep an eye on him?" Payson begs. The security guard nods reluctantly.
"But if he causes any more trouble I'll hand you both over to the police," the guard says. Payson nods, slipping an arm around Liam's waist and helping him to their table. Kaylie ducks to his other side and together they get him to a seat. One of his eyes is rapidly swelling, and a bruise is forming on his jaw. Payson quickly texts Sasha and he promises to be there as soon as he can.
"Who the hell is this guy?" Lauren asks. Payson debates how to answer for a moment before deciding on an abbreviated version of the truth.
"A friend of Sasha's. He's dropped by the Rock a few times," Payson says.
"Why didn't you just let the security guy toss him out? He's like thirty, hanging out in a college bar. It's creepy," Lauren insists. Payson rolls her eyes.
"And you're seventeen, hanging out in a college bar, which is also creepy," Kaylie snaps. Payson sighs, shaking her head.
"Guys, come on. Sasha's going to be here in a minute and if he finds out Emily and Lauren are here, we're going to get in big trouble. Kaylie can help me get him outside and I'll take whatever punishment Sasha sees fit to give, then we'll enjoy the rest of our night and pretend this didn't happen," Payson suggests. Liam snickers when she talks about punishment and she elbows him, hard.
"Ow, Payson," he whines. Payson motions to Kaylie to help her and the two girls struggle to get Liam outside.
"Sasha's going to love punishing you," Liam muses, giggling, as Payson props him up against the bar's outside wall to wait for Sasha. She checks her watch, he should show up any second. Kaylie raises her eyebrows.
"I so don't want to know," she says.
"He's just being drunk," Payson explains. Sasha's truck finally pulls up to the curb and he gets out, not even bothering to turn off the engine.
"Hey love," he says, leaning in to quickly kiss Payson. She's just barely started to kiss him back when he pulls away and reaches for Liam.
"Do I even want to know what the two of you are doing here?" He asks Payson and Kaylie as he loads Liam into the passenger seat.
"You don't," Payson promises. Shutting the door, Sasha turns back to Payson, looking at her in the way that always makes her spine tingle. There's heat in his eyes, and Payson is sure if they didn't have an audience, she'd be pressed up against the wall.
"Be careful girls," he says. "Call me later."
"I will. Love you."
"Love you too, Iubito."
#
Monday morning, just a few days after Damon's concert, Payson and Sasha are sitting in MJ's office, waiting to discuss representation. After talking with her parents, the Keeler family agreed that Sasha should go with Payson to the initial meeting, since he'd been through all of it before and neither MJ nor her colleagues seemed too surprised that Payson's coach had accompanied her to the meeting.
"Nicolai came to my first agent meeting," Sasha explains, whispering as he and Payson sit in two chairs next to each other, waiting for MJ to come back from wherever in the office she went.
"This isn't too awkward for you, is it?" Payson asks. Sasha shakes his head.
"I dealt with my anger towards MJ a long time ago. It's fine, love."
The door behind them opens and MJ walks in, followed by a young man who can't be more than twenty five. He's attractive, built like a baseball player.
"Payson Keeler, this is James Ridley. He's just joined our agency and we're trying to build his client base. If you're open to it, we'd like to start that client base with you," MJ explains. Sasha sits up straight in his seat, ready to protest, but Payson lays a hand on his arm and he stills. She doesn't miss the tension in his face.
"No offense Mr. Ridley, but I'd really rather prefer an agent with more experience. I don't mean to sound self-important, but I'm not a small name athlete you can start out slowly with. I'm a World Champion on my way to the Olympics, and I've got a lot of press coverage. MJ, you never mentioned this," Payson points out. MJ nods, sitting in her chair and motioning for James to do the same.
"I understand your concerns, Payson, and that's why James and I would be working together to represent you. He would officially be your agent, but I'll be helping him learn the ropes and broker deals." Payson looks at Sasha, giving him the go-ahead.
"Payson is an elite level gymnast, she needs an agent who understands the pressures and expectations put to a professional athlete. Mr. Ridley is a best a Division I college athlete, not that that's not commendable," Sasha says. "MJ will be Payson's agent or she'll go to another agency."
MJ looks to Payson, her eyes asking if she'll make good on Sasha's threat.
"I have no problem with you using my career to teach Mr. Ridley the ropes, but you will be my agent MJ. Or no deal." Payson sneaks a glance at Sasha while MJ looks at James and sees that he's totally hot for her. He loves it when she's commanding like that. She winks, promising him later.
"Okay, it's a deal."
"Great," Payson says lightly. She stands up and shakes MJ's hand. "Bring me the contract whenever and we can get started."
"Payson," MJ says, stopping her and Sasha halfway out the door. "You're not going to hide from the press like your coach did, right? If a sponsor asks you to be part of an ad campaign, or there's a public appearance or photo shoot to be had, you'll be there?"
"Sure, MJ. As long as it doesn't cut too far into my training."