Hey everybody, here's the newest update. I'm hoping people will start reviewing or I'm gonna cut the story. It's no fun writing for just yourself. So please Read and Review. Thanks!
Tommy hurried into the coffee shop. He was ten minutes late meeting Sadie for lunch and he was actually looking forward to seeing her. Lately life had gotten a little to complicated and he needed a distraction. And Sadie was definitely a distraction. Would she cause him to change his ways and settle down, no. Did he think they would ever amount to anything real serious, no. But did he think they could have some fun while they were together, yes. Besides, his heart already belonged to somebody else, he just couldn't let the girl know that.
"Tommy," Sadie said waving at him from her seat by the window.
He smiled and made his way over to her chosen table. "Hey babe," he said leaning down to kiss her cheek. They'd been hanging out or well, now dating for almost two weeks. They haven't done the whole first date yet but he was thinking about it.
"So, how goes it at G Major?" Sadie asked after he got settled.
"Good, real good," Tommy said after he ordered his lunch. "Jude's album is officially done and we sent it off. So that's a huge relief and gives me more free time."
"That's good," Sadie said smiling. Secretly she hoped that she would get some of that free time. She'd been impatiently waiting for a phone call from him asking for an actual date. He had yet to even call her ever since their first hang out, as she liked to call them.
"How's your life going? School, family, everything?" Tommy asked after a couple moments.
"Good, schools fine. Well, my family life is the same. Dad's wrapped up with Yvette and barely acknowledges my existence anymore." Sadie took a drink, gathering her thoughts. "And Jude, well, Jude's being her normal emotional teenage angst self. She won't talk to me, ever since I moved out, she's gotten worse. I think I made a mistake in not telling her when I first found out about Dad and Yvette."
"You two haven't talked," Tommy said genuinely shocked.
"Nope, I've tried but Jude's not exactly on speaking terms with me or dad," Sadie admitted.
"She'll get over it," Tommy said even though he doubted what he was saying. Jude was a really emotional person and her dad really hurt her. And he didn't know the whole situation between them but he was sure there was more to it then Sadie was admitting.
"Hopefully," Sadie said softly. She really did miss Jude. They hadn't exactly been close these past couple years but she was her sister.
Tommy watched as Sadie's eyes became less animated and more sad looking. He was surprised to see how much she actually did care about Jude. Jude had always made it sound like Sadie was self-centered and rude. But Tommy didn't see that. He actually respected Sadie. "I think it was good that you didn't tell her about your dad. It wasn't your news to share. Stuart should have come clean."
"Yeah well, that's like asking a dog to tell you where he buried his bone. Never gonna happen," Sadie said making Tommy laugh. "But can we change the subject because this is too depressing for the short hour we get to hang out today."
"Sure," he said but was interrupted by their food. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
"What are your plans for the summer?"
Tommy finished chewing more as a delaying tactic than manners. He had a thought of where this was going and he didn't know the answer yet. "Why?"
"Well, I was just wondering if you were going on tour with Jude," Sadie said curiously. She wanted him to say no and that his work was done with Jude now that her album was done but she had a feeling he was going to shoot that thought down.
"Honestly, I don't know," Tommy said. "Do I want to, yes. But because I'm her producer and I want to watch her on her first tour. But then a part of me wants to just back off and let her experience her first tour without me."
"I could tell you what I think you should do," Sadie said pushing her plate away. "But I'd just end up looking like I'm jealous and I don't think that would be very flattering."
"You don't think I should go," Tommy said not at all surprised.
"Only because of Jude's feelings toward you." When Tommy just stared at her she hurried to add. "Come on, you have to know she likes you. She moons over you all the time and all her songs are about you. And I'm sure you haven't given her a reason for her little crush but it's there and it's real. I think a cooling off period is in order and separating for her tour would be a good way."
"And what should I do while she's on tour?" Tommy asked realizing that she'd rehearsed this.
"I was thinking you might like to see Europe with me," Sadie said going for it. Maybe he'd think she was pushy and asking for something too soon. But she wasn't looking forward to spending the summer alone in foreign countries and she was really enjoying getting to know Tommy. "I know this is really sudden and we haven't even had a first date yet but I'm not asking for you to be my boyfriend. I just don't want to vacation alone and I was enjoying your company." She waited but when he still stared at her she got embarrassed. "Okay, never mind then."
"Sadie," Tommy said wrapping one of her hands in his. "I would love to go with you. But…I might have to go on tour with Jude. It hasn't been decided yet she hasn't made up her mind on which tour she's going on."
"Which tour," Sadie said confused.
"Yeah, Shay wants her to go on tour with him," Tommy said getting angry all over again.
"Wow," Sadie said genuinely surprised. "She'd be stupid not to go." When Tommy glared at her she rolled her eyes. "Don't think of it as Jude hooking back up with Shay. Think of it as a career move. It'd be a great step towards a multi-platinum CD. And it would probably put some of those rumors to rest. I can only see the good."
Tommy was quiet processing everything she had just said. "Do you honestly think it would be a good move for Jude?"
"Yes," Sadie said honestly. There were other reasons, private ones that she wasn't ready to share. She didn't want to come off like a jealous girl but if Jude went on tour with Shay, maybe Tommy would go with her. She changed the subject then, wanting to talk about anything other than Jude. He already spent so much time with her, he didn't need to think about her when he was with her.
Jude sat inside Georgia's office with Darius and Shay. You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. Darius had already laid his offer out on the table. He would accept Jude as Shay's opening act, not as an equal. It would be Shay's tour, she could basically come along for the ride. She would have her own bus, which would be shared with her band SME and her own dressing room at each venue. She could do up to five songs, if she thought she was capable. No costume changes, just her out on the stage singing five songs.
"What makes you think I'd want to do costume changes? And who in the hell said anything about costumes anyway?" Jude finally asked ticked off. She saw Shay hiding a smile behind his hand and actually felt herself smiling back. Wow, maybe she was really over everything.
"Most artists, change their clothes for different songs," Darius explained slowly.
"Darius, I'm not a moron, but I am not wearing any costumes. I wear what I want," Jude said standing up. "If you think for one second I will go out onstage and put on this big act then you really don't know me. I sing, damn good if you ask me. That's all the audience is going to care about."
"Fine," Darius said. "Moving on, if there are any songs she needs help with then we'll need the tracks on CD so we can play them over the sound system."
"Oh hell no," Jude said beyond ticked off. She was pissed now. "I have not and will not ever be accused of lip singing. I can perform every one of my songs or I won't perform them. And I might choose to do different songs at each venue. That's between my band and I. But never bring up lip singing again or these negotiations are already over."
"Get a handle on your artist Georgia," Darius said angry now.
"I think she's handling herself fine," Georgia said winking at Jude. "You've stated, quite literally, what your conditions are. Now here are ours. Jude will be under my control. I might not be able to go with her on tour but she does not answer to anybody other than me. And by that, I mean you Darius. Stay away from her. She has enough issues without you adding to them. I like that she'll have her own bus and her own dressing room. Basically that's it. Unless Jude has anything to add."
"I do," Jude said nodding. "I don't want anything to do with Shay." When Darius and Shay both stood up Jude held up a hand to hold them back. "No duets, no hanging out, no publicity stunts. Nothing with a capitol N. At least until I say so. This tour will be what it is, a tour between two artists." Jude turned to face just Shay. "We aren't friends. In fact, I don't even really like you. But if I go on this tour with you, I'm giving you the option of proving me wrong. That you aren't a lying, cheating jerk. Okay?"
"Lets get out of here," Darius said glaring at Jude. "You don't need this from her. She's just a second rate artist looking to ride on your fame."
"I don't need Shay Darius," Jude said smirking. "In fact, I wonder why you are here asking for me. You've made sure everybody knew how you felt about me but now here you are, asking me to join your tour." She turned to Georgia who nodded so she went in for the kill. "Truth is, Shay's record sales are falling. Seems his fans don't appreciate a liar and cheater either. So you're hoping that I will mend fences and act all in love with Shay. Not gonna happen. So either we do this my way or you two can go away and I'll go on my own tour."
"Some tour, what twenty clubs in four weeks. Child's play," Darius sneered not denying anything she just said.
"It's better than going on a tour with somebody that I can't even stand to look at most of the time," Jude pointed out.
Shay held up a hand before Darius could spew another insult. "She's right. We were here trying to get her to play the game your way Darius. But I like her way better. I should have to work for it. And I will."
"So we have a deal," Jude said holding out a hand.
"We have a deal," Shay said grasping her hand with his. "And I mean it when I say I'm gonna work for it Jude. I messed up with you and I will fix it. I'm not like the guy you think I am."
"That remains to be seen," Jude said watching as Darius ushered Shay out of the room. By the look in his eyes, Shay was going to hear about it all the way back to the hotel. She sat down as soon as the door shut. She turned when she heard clapping.
"Congratulations Jude, you just stood up and won against Darius," Georgia said smiling.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Jude said covering her mouth. She didn't like confrontation and the last ten minutes had been hell for her. But she had won and hopefully once her stomach calmed down she could celebrate. She had a tour to plan for.