Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story. No songs, no characters. Nothing.
Chapter Eleven
We move to the couches, all of us still slightly shaken from James' behavior.
"He's crazy," Alice mumbles as she curls into Jasper's side. His arm drapes over her narrow shoulders, pulling her in closer. "I'm sorry about your job, Rose."
Rosalie waves her hand, shaking her head. "It's fine. I'm here until the end of tour, and then we just have to wait out the rest of the damn contract. Unless Ed wants to hire a different drummer for his new album?"
"Hmm," Edward taps his chin thoughtfully with his fingers. "Nah, you're good enough, I think I'll keep you when I get a new manager."
"Good enough? Fuck, Edward, I'm the best you're gonna get."
"I know."
"So how does this work? Getting a new manager?" I ask the group. What if the next manager is just like James? "Are they just randomly assigned to artists and bands?"
"It was kind of like that this time around because I was so new, and I just let the recording company pick one out for me because I didn't really know what to do," Edward says from beside me. "This time around I'm going to pick who I work with."
"You could also change the studio you record through," Kate says. "I know I've been fielding quite a few calls asking you to switch over."
Edward nods, and I listen to him as he talks to Kate about the other studios, possible managers. We eventually come around full circle and start talking about James again. Eleazar wonders if there is anything they could use to their advantage in the contract papers and asks Kate for copies.
A movie is selected, and it plays in the background as smaller, happier conversations break out. Carmen and Eleazar begin to discuss the idea of a vacation to Hawaii after the tour. Alice is begging for a puppy once again, and I can see Jasper hiding small smiles when she isn't paying attention. Rosalie and Emmett are whispering as they lay snuggled up on the oversized lounge chair- I don't think I want to know what they are talking about, if Emmett's leering smirk is anything to go by.
Edward leans further into me, revealing his phone screen, and on it, a picture of a house. I glance up at him curiously. "I'm thinking of buying a house after all this is over. Yeah, I know I won't actually be in it for long periods of time, but I'm tired of living in hotel rooms already. I just want something to call home at the end of the day… or tour."
I beam at him. "I think that's a great idea."
Carmen orders a late room service lunch, and we have just enough time to eat before we need to head back to the arena.
James doesn't show up for sound check, and the band relaxes as they run through their routine, even goofing off on their instruments. Edward playfully sings a few songs. They make jokes and have fun, and they get everyone watching to laugh. Kate flawlessly steps up as manager in James' absence, and has the stagehands adjust the smoke machines so they are on the lowest setting.
And then we are getting ready for the concert. Alice still insists I get dressed into my selected outfit even though I'll be backstage the entire time. Tonight's color is midnight blue, though I'm matching Edward's silver outfit with my own sparkling dress.
Edward kisses me passionately in the ready room when he sees me, and I can't find it in myself to care that his entire band is watching, or that James still could decide to come after all and walk through that door. All I can focus on is the man in my arms, the love that floods through my system, the way he fits and tastes against my mouth.
"I love you," I murmur against his lips. He presses an object into my hand as he pulls back- his inhaler.
"I love you too, Bella," he says, flashing me my favorite smile. He holds my hand as we leave the room with the band, though I let my grasp slip as we enter the hallway. I follow close behind, playing the role of personal assistant, all the way to the back of the stage. Garrett shows up shortly after, taking up his post beside me.
I look up at Edward, hoping he can see how much I love him. "Go have some fun."
The audience starts cheering as the lights start to illuminate the stage, revealing the band. Edward's smile nearly splits his face, and he winks before turning and running onto the stage with his arms raised above his head.
From my spot behind the stage, I can see one of the screens, and I watch Edward entertain the crowd for a few minutes, getting them more worked up than they already are. He starts off with As it Was before transitioning to Matilda, once again dedicating it to a dear friend, and anyone else who feels this song applies to them. This is for you. To my surprise, he sings several lines of my songs facing the back of the stage- facing me, even though I'm hidden behind a wall.
"He just can't be that discreet when it comes to you," Garrett murmurs, leaning in to avoid extra ears hearing. "He loves you with everything he is, that's for sure."
I blink away moisture before they can develop into tears. "I know he does."
Edward's phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to find a text from James. You have an interview tomorrow morning to discuss the Isabella situation. Dispute anything that implies she's more than an assistant.
Another text follows with the details of the interview, along with the simple rule- don't tell them she's your friend. Fans be rooting for you guys to get together and you can do so much better.
"Sure he can," Garrett says snidely, reading the texts over my shoulder. "Edward told me how you were the once to encourage him to chase his dreams of music. He's where he is today because of you. You're his best friend and biggest cheerleader he'll ever have. I don't see how he can possibly fall for anyone better."
"Thanks Garrett," I whisper as I turn my eyes back to the screen I had been watching before James' texts. I watch the love of my life do what he's dreamed of since we first met, entertaining thousands of people with music he made.