I click play again and listen to the beat while also drying my hair.
…
…
Better.
It needs to be faster.
I keep drying my hair and try to think of how to speed it up and keep the tone the same.
…
I don't know.
I'll ask mom.
Or I can just email her.
That's how everyone at the label communicates with her, and says that's the best way to communicate with her.
But I just have to go downstairs, give her a hug and ask.
Tap tap.
I turn and smile.
"How's it coming?" Mom smiled at me.
"Ok. Can I get some musical advice?"
Mom lit up and said "Sure! Where do you want to play it?"
I extend my phone to her, and she plugged in headphones.
…
Do I want to curl my hair?
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, trying to decide.
But then I see Mom doing something with her hands and smiling.
…
Mom?
…
"I like it! Sounds great! What did you want advice on again?" She asked.
"I want to speed up the tempo, but keep the tone the same. How do you do that?"
"Uhm…let me listen again to a piece of it." Mom said.
I nod, and then look at my reflection again.
I didn't think I should curl my hair.
Austin!
In the mirror!
I smile and spin out of my chair and tackle him into a hug.
"Hi. You look like I'm early." He smiled.
I'm still in my pajamas.
"I just finished my hair. I was about to get dressed." I smile.
"What is your mom doing?" He asked, looking at my mom, who is looking out the window and doing the thing with her hands.
"Giving me music advice. I asked how to do something and she said she needed to listen to it."
He nodded and smiled.
"I brought breakfast, it's downstairs. Your dad took it so I could come say hi."
I smile and hug him.
"Thank you!"
"Austin!" Mom smiled, then took my headphones out of her ears. "You're early!"
Austin shrugged. "I got breakfast."
"Oooh. Great." Mom smiled, and then looked to me.
"Can I load it in downstairs? I need to break it down. You said faster, but same tone right?"
"Yeah, but Mom you don't have to do that—"
Austin laughed and I'm left staring at the door.
She just completely ignored me and walked downstairs.
"She didn't listen to me." I say.
"You never read her interviews, but in one of them recently, she was asked if she would help you with your music." Austin began.
"They did? What magazine?"
"I forget. But your mom said that she'd help only if you asked, and that she'd love to help because she's a music junkie. So I think this is one of those times her curiosity has taken over."
I smile.
"I know mom at home, but you are a walking encyclopedia about her public life."
He chuckled, and then kissed my cheek.
"I'm telling you, I still can't believe I have this access to her. All my life I've been on the fan side, and suddenly I know about your dad, and your brothers, which is a big mystery and of course you. It's an adjustment."
"You seem to be handling it alright." I say, starting downstairs.
"Trying to. WHOA!" Austin said, grabbing the blur that rushed by us.
Corey.
"Hi! Breakfast!" He smiled.
"Don't run. You're not as indestructible as I am." Austin said.
"Neither of you are indestructible, despite what you may think." Mom said, coming up from the basement and holding out my phone for me.
I take it as Corey escaped Austin's grip and went to the box of food Austin brought.
Oh no.
Why is Dad holding his wallet?
I grab a breakfast taco, and notice that Austin also got kolaches.
"For you." Dad held out some bills to Austin.
"It's ok sir, that's not necessary." He said.
Dad shook his head and said "It is when you leave the receipt in the bag. Plus extra for lunch today."
Austin looked embarrassed, but took the money and put it in his pocket.
Mom quickly hugged him and said "Thanks for picking it up."
"No problem."
"Did you get the green salsa?" Corey asked Austin.
Austin dug in the bag, then handed him two containers of green salsa.
Corey beamed and took them, then quickly applied them to his breakfast tacos and kept eating.
…
…
"Why are you so dressed up?" I hear Kevin's voice.
I turn and see him giving Austin a weird, but sleepy look.
"Oh, uhm…I have to meet with somebody about the Marlins debacle."
He's wearing dress pants, dress shoes and a black collared shirt, not tucked in.
"You'll want to tuck that in sweetheart." Mom said in between bites.
"I will."
"So Sydney is staying here?" Corey asked.
"No, they want to know why I'm not joining their team, and since your sister is the main reason, I'm dragging her with me." He smiled at me.
"Is that a joke?" Kevin asked.
"No, Syd's going." Dad said.
"Not that. The whole dragging thing." Kevin clarified.
"Oh, yeah. I'm coming whether he wants me to come or not."
Mom smiled softly, and Dad kept eating.
Wait…
Kevin and Corey don't know about Austin's family I don't think.
I didn't even register Austin's guise for taking me out for today.
And mom and dad backed him up on it.
They're the best.
I smile and take a few more bites.
"I'm going to go change. Be right back." I say, then go upstairs and slip into my dress.
I'll do my makeup in the car.
I grab my purse and phone, and then walk back downstairs to see Mom hugging him at the door.
"Good luck, we're here if you need to text or call. Love you." Dad said.
I hug him, then Mom and slip out of the door.
Austin has my backup keys, so I keep mine in my purse and hop into the passenger's side as he gets in the driver's side and starts towards downtown.
The radio fills our collective silence for about 10 minutes, and is talking about Hong Kong extradition laws and their potential applications.
"You look great by the way." He said, turning down the radio.
"Thank you, you look good too."
"Thanks. How's the makeup coming?"
I'm doing mascara now.
"It's ok. Just don't get bumpy." I ask. "So when does it start?"
"What, the court proceedings? 10. Lunch is apparently at 12 and goes until 1. And 1 to 5. From what I've been told, it goes all day."
Damn it.
I was hoping to get an hour in at the beach.
I packed our swimsuits and everything.
"Sorry, it's probably going to be boring today." He said, breaking up the silence.
"It's ok. I'm not here to be entertained. I'm here for you." I say.
Austin smiled. "Thank you, very much. I don't know how I could make it thru all of this without you."
"Well, luckily you won't have to." I say softly.
He blushed and turned the radio back on.
The rest of the drive was Hong Kong extradition.
Once we parked in a parking garage, he stood behind the driver's door to tuck in his shirt, then grabbed my hand and led me into a large atrium.
We both bought coffee at Jet Brew, and went into another large hall.
Immediately, two different voices yelled "Austin!"
He turned left, I turn right.
Oh great…
I'm already getting a death glare.
"Austin, who is she?" She asked.
Huh?
"Yeah Austin, you didn't mention you'd be bringing somebody along." His dad said.
I've talked to his mom.
She's crazy, to say it bluntly.
"Mom, Dad this is Sydney. My girlfriend." Austin said, looking to each of his parents in turn.
"Girlfriend?" His dad said.
"Oh, you! You're prettier than I remember." His mom says to me.
Shut it bitch.
I want to claw her eyes out. But I let the cheap shot roll off me.
"Why haven't I met her? And why haven't you introduced her to your mother Austin?" His dad asked.
"Because, I'd rather not have her endure all the stunts you guys pull and your stupid arguing! So I keep her away from you two."
"What about your grandmother?" His mom asked.
"I've met her. She's very kind." I say, glaring at her.
"Well then it's nice meeting you Sydney." His dad said, extending his hand.
I lightly shake, but then retract my arms and cross them.
"What do you know about Austin's father and I in regards to him?" His mom asked me.
"Everything." Austin said.
"I didn't ask you." She snapped at him.
"I don't care." Austin flatly replied.
"I don't either. Honestly, I don't like either one of you. Austin doesn't deserve this." I say, and then turn to his father. "You left him alone with his demonic mother."
I turn to his mom "And you made his life a living hell. So excuse me if I would prefer Austin to keep me away from you two."
"Are you always this much of a bitch?" His mother asked.
"Only when somebody tries to hurt him. Which both of you have done." I stare at her, then his father.
Suddenly, large wooden doors swing open and people start going inside.
His father's lawyer grabs him, and his mother's lawyer does the same.
Austin steers me to the door.
"Excuse me miss, what business do you have inside the chambers?" The police officer at the door asked me.
Austin stepped up "She's my girlfriend sir."
He flashed some badge.
"That's nice and all, but I cannot allow her access without a badge and clearance. Can you please step out of line and we'll start processing you."
Austin and I slip out of line, and he frowned.
"I'm sorry. This is my fault." He said, looking embarrassed.
"It's fine. I'll be right in." I smile.
"I'll save you a seat." He said.
Then his grandma appeared, and he hugged her.
"Good to see you sweetheart." She said, hugging me. "Aren't you coming in?"
"I have to get clearance and a badge."
"Oh, ok. I'll make sure he saves you a seat."
"Thanks." I smile.
Austin quickly kissed me, and then followed his grandma inside.
I follow the cop into the elevator and down multiple hallways.
"Wait here while I get you the paperwork. May I see your ID?" he asks as I sit on a bench.
I pull out my license and hand it to him.
"I'll be right out."
…
"At the courthouse. Have to get some dumb badge/access in order to get inside courtroom. Waiting now."
I send that to Mom, Dad and Ellie.
…
"Bureaucracy… do you need social, date of birth, anything like that?" –Dad
"Can't hurt. Plz send that. Thx."
"That blows. You bored?" –Ellie
"Not really, just texting you and my parents."
"Will do; just make sure to delete the info immediately once you're done with it. Love you." –Dad
I hear a voice and look up.
"Sydney?"
Jordan.
My dad.
"Sydney! Hi! What are you doing here?" He asked, quickly hopping over and garnering odd looks from people dressed in suits.
"I…my boyfriend's parents are getting divorced. Austin had to come, and I came to support him. Why are you here?"
"Legal meeting to verify contracts. Boring really, I was here with all those people." He gestured to the people giving him weird looks. "Sorry about his parents. Why aren't you in the courtroom then?"
"I have to get clearance and a badge, which requires paperwork. I'm waiting for that now."
"Oh. That sucks."
"I'm sorry I haven't replied to your email. I've been busy."
We've been emailing, but I haven't replied in a few weeks.
He waved me off. "Don't worry about it. I know you're busy; you've got tons going on. If you don't feel like talking, that's cool. I'm here when you want to." He smiled.
"Thanks. It's kind of been that too." I admit.
"Which is understandable. How did the end of school go?" he asked.
"Really good. Got all A's second semester and ended with a 3.5 GPA."
He smiled. "Nice job. And apparently you and Austin are still together?"
"Yeah, we are. You can sit if you'd like." I slide over and offer the spot next to me.
"Nah, it's good. I've got to get back to work soon anyway. But I just wanted to remind you we'd love to have you guys for dinner."
Oh yeah.
"Ooh! Can next week work?" I ask.
He looked surprised. "Sure. Any day should work. Just email me if you don't mind."
"I will. I'll ask Austin what night works for him and go from there."
"Sounds good. Anyway, I got to go."
I quickly pop up and hug him.
He hugged me back, and then smiled.
"You've probably heard already, but you look quite nice."
"Thanks. Bye." I smile shyly.
He laughed. "Bye."
I wave; he did the same and then slipped into a stairwell.
"You there?" –Ellie
3 new massages (Dad)
I open up Ellie's.
"Yeah, just saw my actual dad and talked a bit." I send off.
…
…
Dad sent a cornucopia of stuff.
"Miss? Here's the paperwork and your ID. Once you fill that out, go to the desk and she'll give you an ID." He pointed down the hall to the Records desk.
"Ok. Thank you." I smile.
"You're welcome miss. Have a nice day."
"You too…" I say, looking to the paperwork.
…
…
Ugh.
Pages and pages of stuff.
General stuff, like height, weight, etc.
But then it gets into a survey, explaining why I need clearance.
It goes on and on.
…
…
(2 hours later)
Done.
Finally.
Hopefully I still have time to catch some of the proceedings before they break for lunch.
I stand up, and immediately my legs feel stiff.
Geez, how long was I there for?
I walk to the records desk and hand her the clipboard.
She didn't even look at it before giving me my badge.
"Uhm…is that it?"
"Uh huh." The lady said, not even looking at me.
You've got to be kidding me.
I turn and start to the elevator.
About halfway down the hall, Austin appears.
"Hey, did you just now get done?" He asked, sounding flabbergasted.
"Yeah. She didn't even look at what I wrote."
He rolled his eyes, then put his arms around me and guided me to the elevator.
"How'd it go? Did I miss the whole thing?" I ask.
"The morning session, yeah. But you didn't miss much. It was basically airing grievances. By the way, did your parents say anything about getting me a lawyer?"
WHAT?!
I turn to him and shake my head.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, right after you left a guy sidled up to me and said he was there to ensure my rights were protected and my voice heard. Which is great and all, but eventually I asked who hired him. He said "Robbie Shapiro and Cat Valentine."
What?
"I…I had no clue. Did he help?"
"Oh yeah, he's good. Both my parent's lawyers hate him, and he had to announce that your mom and dad paid him to represent me. Basically, he's stirring shit up, which is entertaining." He beamed.
"Great."
"I know right. Now where do you want to eat? We have about 50 minutes." He said, with a frown.
…
Gino's.
It's a little sandwich place that Mom and Dad come to. They brought us lunch from there once years and years ago.
Their specialty is Philly Cheesesteaks.
Yum.
"I know a little sandwich place my parents told me about. How about there?"
"Lead me. And tell me what you did please. I've talked too much." He said.
I punch the restaurant into my phone and get directions, and then we start walking.
"Well, I saw my dad."
"Your dad or Jordan?"
"Jordan."
"Really? Why?" he asked.
"He had some meeting across the hall from where I was waiting to get the paperwork." I say.
"Okay. And what'd he want?"
"He just wanted to talk. See how I was doing, and invited us to dinner again. I scheduled it for next week if that's ok."
"Sounds good to me. So it went well?" He asked, as we took our last left.
Thankfully the place isn't far.
"Yeah, I'd say so."
"Is that the place?" He pointed to the Gino's sign.
"Yup."
"Do they have good Philly Cheesesteaks?" He asked.
The sign says they are "world famous".
I don't know about that…but they are delicious.
"Divine."
"Sweet. I know what I'm ordering."
Good thing we knew, because once inside it was chaos.
People everywhere, loud, busy and hectic.
But we got in and out pretty quick, with our sandwiches, chips and drinks.
He leads me to the park where we first met Jordan, then proceed to eat in silence.
"Oh my gosh…that was delicious." He said, pulling a bit of melted cheese and pepper off the wrapper and eating it.
I smile and say "Absolutely."
"We should totally do that again."
"Yep."
He threw away my trash and took my hand as we start back to the courthouse.
"So, what should I expect in the afternoon session?"
"Well, from how I understand it, we'll finally get to know why they want to get divorced. And hopefully I get to say how I've been treated."
I squeeze his hand. "I'm glad I'm gonna be there."
"I'm glad too. Thanks for putting up with all this crap for me."
"Anytime." I smile.
We walk inside and get past the police officer by showing our badges.
"That's your license picture." He said, examining mine.
"Yeah, isn't yours?" I ask.
"No, they made me take a picture." Austin said, as a man in a charcoal suit sat down next to Austin.
"Tim Rasmussen, attorney at law." He shook my hand.
"Sydney Valentine. Did my parents hire you?" I ask.
He smiled. "Yes, I take care of their legal work whenever necessary. They just called and told me I needed to represent him. So that's what I'm doing."
"Great." I say.
"By the way, it's an honor to finally meet you in person. Your mom and dad have said many great things about you." He smiled at me.
"Oh really?" Austin joked, and I swat his arm.
"Yes they have. Since she was about two years old if I recall correctly."
"Two?" I blurt out, just as the judge banged his gavel.
"Alright…this is the afternoon session of the Harper/Harper divorce proceedings, the transcriber may begin when ready."
A woman in a dress gave him a thumbs up while typing.
"Alright then. Now we've filled the air with both sides/ grievances. Putting that aside, I'd like to hear what you two have done during your visitation times with your son. Ms. Harper you may go first." The judge said.
"Well, uhm…not all that much actually. Austin has mainly had baseball games, and when he has been home he's been hanging out with that girl or watching TV in his room."
That girl.
I wish it were legal to push her in front of a moving truck.
"Mr. Harper?" The judge asks him.
"Same. Not much face to face interaction. Just TV, baseball and his girlfriend."
Austin's hand immediately shot up.
His dad was going on dates.
We mostly went out those nights.
Like me and Austin. Our date nights.
And private time nights…but you understand right?
"You may speak Mr. Harper." The judge said.
"My dad went on dates most of the Saturdays I was with him sir."
"And what did you do on those days son?" He asked, as his dad bored a hole into Austin with his stare.
I don't like either of them.
How on earth did they get Austin out of the two of them?
"I mostly went on dates with my girlfriend here. And hung out at her parents place."
"Alright…Mr. Harper, I'm warning you for lying in this court room. If you do it again, I'm throwing you in jail for a night and fining you $5000. Do you understand?" The judge bit at him.
"Yes sir."
His father gave Austin one more nasty stare before sitting down.
The rest of the afternoon truly was boring. Both of his parents had to go up and tell the 5 person panel what they have been doing in the 4 months since Austin's dad left the house.
In fact, the only really surprising revelation was the fact that Austin's dad didn't know about the wreck I got into.
He exploded when his mom said it, and demanded answers.
After a 30 minutes hiatus, I had to call dad and he said he'd get the paperwork proving I got into an accident and had repair work to prove it.
He might have to call Jordan.
But finally, the judge released us and we walked back to the car.
As Austin slipped into the early rush hour traffic, I text my parents that we're coming home.
":)" –Mom
"Great. Everyone is here, and we're going to start cooking once you guys arrive." –Dad
"So…what'd you think?" Austin asked me.
"Eh. Nothing really. How are you? Are you ok?"
He just had to relive his family getting ripped apart for 8 hours.
"I'm ok. Sorry about my parents."
"It's fine. I can take some abuse. My only question is why you didn't tell your dad about me and shielded me from your mom."
He gulped, and then sipped the water bottle in the cupholder.
"I…they're crazy, and I didn't want to scare you off, or have you think badly of me. I know I sound crazy right now, but when I text you at 3 in the morning and say I love you, it's always because I'm afraid to lose you. Every time."
I blush and smile.
"You won't lose me. I'm here to help you, love you and support you."
"Bu I've got all this crap going on, and somehow I've got basically this other life where life is carefree, I'm in love with you, being accepted and loved by your family and getting to know my idol. I…it's just insane."
"Do you like it? That other life?" I ask.
"I love it. It's just an adjustment from what I've known all of my life."
I reach up and kiss his cheek as he pulls off the highway.
"Well don't worry. Soon you'll be living with your grandma, and things will settle down. And you know you're always welcome with me. My parents understand."
"I know. Your mom gave me a key to get in and the garage passcode last week when you were in the bathroom."
"She did?"
He nodded and smiled. "They really like me don't they?"
I smile. "Yeah. They all do. Mom, Dad, Beck, Aunt Jade, plus Andre and Tori. Not to mention my brothers, and Olivia."
"And Matt." He added.
"I said my brothers."
"He's Jade's kid though I thought."
"He is. Wait…he's not my brother. He's just over so much that it feels like it."
Austin laughed.
"You and Ellie need a girl's day out. To go shopping and to get your girl out."
"But I'm gonna be with you. And you have a game Saturday!"
"So? You don't have to be there. I'll probably get walked. That's an order."
"Austin!" I whine.
He laughed and parked.
Then he ran as I chased him inside.
"Hello?" I hear matt call out.
"Just me. Your friendly neighborhood Spiderman!" Austin replied.
"Oh, hey!" Matt yelled, then came running down the stairs.
"Easy…where is everyone?" Austin asked.
"Outside waiting for you. But come here first. We have a surprise for you."
He grabbed Austin's arm and started pulling.
He gave me a weird look, but followed as I followed him.
"AUSTIN!" Corey hopped up once we reached the media room and crashed into him for a hug.
"Hi. How's it going up here?" he asked.
"Good. We have a surprise for you." Kevin said, flashing thru several screens on his baseball game.
"Is that MLB 3k?" he asked.
Oh boy…
Here we go.
"Yeah. Look."
Whoa…
"You made me?" Austin asked quietly, looking surprised.
He has his own little avatar and everything.
In a white jersey that says "Angels".
"Yeah. We wanted to give you luck today. You don't want to join the marlins right?" Matt asked.
"No I do not. Told them that today." Austin effortlessly said.
"Good. Do you like it?" Corey asked.
"Love it. Am I any good?"
Kevin cycled to a screen.
99 overall.
Austin laughed. "99 Power. I'll take it. What position?"
"3rd/Outfield." Kevin replied.
"You guys are good. Thank you." Austin smiled, and then gave Kevin and Matt a fist bump and Corey a hug.
"We're gonna go downstairs and say hi to mom." I say, puling Austin away.
"Bye!" They all say.
Austin smiled as we walked to the back patio.
"Hey!" Uncle Beck said as I slip outside.
"They're here!" Aunt Tori smiled.
Mom hopped up and hugged Austin, then me.
"How'd it go?" Dad asked, as Mom dashed over to the mini fridge.
Olivia noticed Austin and cried out for him.
Uncle Andre handed her over.
"Hi!" He smiled at her. "Uhm…it was fine. No news really. I have a quick question." He said.
I was just about to ask.
"Okay." Aunt Jade smiled as Olivia plopped her head on Austin's shoulder as we sat down.
"Did you guys pay for a lawyer for me?"
Everyone's eyes went to my mom.
"Wait…" I speak up. "You all knew?"
"Of course we knew." Jade said.
"Ever since your accident and we heard about Austin's mom, we've known what's up." Uncle Andre stated.
Aunt Tori slipped over and hugged Austin from the side.
"Sorry to hear about that." I hear her say softly.
"Thanks. Uhh…why'd you do it?" Austin asked.
"Simple." Dad spoke up, as Mom handed me a peppy cola and Austin a glass of lemonade. "We aren't going to let Austin go to bat without a weapon. So we talked to our lawyer and set it up."
"That must have been on short notice. You found out Friday. And since when did we have a lawyer?" I ask.
"Doesn't matter. He's on payroll, so when we emailed him, he knew. No big deal." Dad shrugged.
"And we've had him on retainer for years since people are always trying to con us out of our money. It's just a safety net."
Oh.
"Well thank you. I really appreciate it." Austin said.
"No problem. How'd he do? Did you like him?" Mom asked.
"Yeah, he's great. He stirs sh—stuff up."
Everyone laughed, and Austin blushed.
"You didn't hear that. Okay?" He said to Olivia, who was on his shoulder.
"Fafa."
I laugh and smile, then hear the door open.
"Hey, you're back!" Ellie beamed.
I jump up and hug her.
"How'd it go?" She asked.
"Good. It was actually pretty boring." Austin said.
"That sucks. How long does it go on?"
"I don't know."
"Usually for about 3 weeks." Aunt Jade said.
"How would you know?" I blurt out.
I get a glare from mom.
More respectful.
"I read all sorts of celebrity trash about divorces. Usually divorce court takes about 3 weeks." She replied.
"Well, in that case you're welcome to skip out on the rest of this week. I thought it'd be faster." Austin looked to me.
"No. I'm there every day. You have no choice."
I hear Uncle Beck and my dad laugh, but I ignore it.
"Yes ma'am." Austin said, causing everyone to laugh.
"You're so bossy. Gosh." Ellie smiled at me.
"Oh shh." I wave her off.
"Okay you two, before one of you ends up in the pool…" Aunt Jade joked.
Everyone laughed, including Austin and Ellie.
"Before I forget, Austin, we're having a little celebration for Corey's birthday Saturday. Do you want to come?" Mom asked him.
"Uhm, sure. When? I have a game that day." He said.
"7-ish. It's a dinner thing."
"Who all is coming?" I ask.
"Just us I think. Right?" Aunt Tori asked.
"Yeah. Just us. No new people. You'll know everyone." Dad said to Austin and I.
"Ok. Yeah, I'd love to come. My game should be over by then. I'll shower and change, then come over." He said.
"Great." Mom smiled.
"Oh! Sydney. Your music." Aunt Jade said.
"You heard it?" Austin yelped.
"You haven't?" Dad asked.
"No. Just one song." He said.
"Which is the only song I'm pretty much done with. Right Here." I say.
"That one was really good." Mom smiled.
"You heard it?" I ask.
They weren't supposed to do that!
"Yeah. We all did."
"Why'd you do that?" I ask. "None of that's any good! It's just ideas up on the wall. That's why I haven't even shown him yet!" I whine, gesturing to Austin.
"That's ok." He smiled. "What did you guys think?"
Dad smiled. "I loved it."
"I can better the beats on the techno riffs Sydney. If you'd like." Andre offered.
"I'd like that." I say. "Aunt Jade?"
"Very good. I think I speak for us all when I say we all could tell it was rough, except for that song you mentioned. But it reminds me of your mom's early stuff. Lots of potential."
I smile and Ellie beamed.
Then I look to mom.
"Oh, me now?" She asked, sitting up and blushing. "Okay, I thought it was good, but ironic."
"Ironic?" Austin blurted out.
"How?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah. Well when I did my first album, a lot of pop music was fast paced and electro and computerized. I'm not bragging here, but I kind of changed how things were done with like live instruments and stuff. I slowed it down. It's ironic because what did you do?"
"I sped it up." I say quietly.
I wasn't even thinking.
I just went with what came naturally to me.
That's what everyone has told me to do.
Austin laughed.
"Exactly. So I trailblazed in the slow direction, and you're probably the only person on the planet that's thinking to speed things up."
"Seriously?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah. Why would anybody want to speed things up? You've heard her mom's last album right? It's like her musical opus. An absolute masterpiece. Why would anybody else go in a different direction when you've got that album still being played on the radio?" Austin said.
Next thing I knew, my mom tackled Austin into a hug.
"You're so nice. Thank you thank you thank youuuu." She hugged him.
Austin just smiled.
"So you liked it?"
"Yeah. Loved it." Mom smiled, then went back to her seat.
"She loved it so much that you inspired her." Aunt Jade said.
"What?" Austin, Ellie and I all say simultaneously.
"Your mom is inspired again." Aunt Jade said, sounding giddy.
"Yup. Album number 7." Dad beamed, then hugged mom.
"I thought you said you were done." Ellie said.
"And you have an EP. That nobody really knows about because you haven't announced it. I'm lost." Austin said.
Aunt Jade laughed. "Wow, you know your stuff man. How closely do you follow this stuff?"
"Very. Believe me, I read everything, looking for some new piece of news."
"Even now that you're on the inside?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah. She's still my musical idol. And I'm still a fan of hers, so the faster I get news on new music or shows or something the better."
I look over to see my mom beaming.
"EP is coming out in mid-September. We don't have a date yet, but it's done."
"Awesome." Austin said.
"Are you going to change your number?"
"Well, my info packet for fall baseball is due in a week. I'm just going to push my chips to the center of the table and change it to 8." Austin said, then looking to mom.
"No pressure."
Everybody busted out laughing, and mom came to hug him again.
"Sounds great." She beamed.
"You know, now that everybody knows you picked your number because of her music, the blogs and stuff might freak out when you step onto the field in the fall." Tori said.
"Yeah. I mean The EP would be coming, but the announcement that I'm working on album seven won't come until after Christmas." Mom stated.
"Do you not want me to do it then?" He asked.
"No! Do it, please! I'd love it!"
"But don't change your splashface. Just the jersey. Keep it a mystery. People will have all sorts of convoluted explanations." Beck theorized.
"Some crackpot will see it as Sydney being pregnant." Aunt Jade said dismissively.
Oh no.
I immediately go beet red and say "NOOOOOO. No WAY."
Austin turned to look at me and said "Am I really that much of a buzz kill?"
All the adults basically fell off their chairs laughing.
Even mom and dad were laughing, but looked embarrassed.
Ellie just looked at me funny.
"I really wish that wasn't as funny as it was." Dad admitted, sending him, Andre, Uncle Beck and Aunt Jade into more laughter.
"We're not…no. And you know what I meant." I say, amazingly embarrassed to Austin.
"I know. I was just feeling it, so I said it." He said, and then smiled grudgingly.
"Good. So do we have a media strategy for you?" Mom asked him.
"I think so."
"Sweet. And now we need to start cooking." Dad hopped up.
"I'm changing." I say.
"Me too." Austin hopped up.
"C'mon lover boy…" Ellie grabbed Austin and forced him inside and to the left.
"Now that's not necessary…" I groan.
"Maybe it is though." Aunt Tori said.
I go red again.
"It's not. Trust me."
"We do. Now go on and change. Aunt Jade said.
"Okay. Mom?" I ask.
"Mhmm?" She said, sipping her drink and looking over to me.
"Thanks for making his night. You have no idea how happy he is."
Mom smiled, and then waved me inside.
I try to ignore the part of me that wants him that way.
He needs you. Not you to want to get into his pants.
Go change Sydney.
Walk.
(A/N: Hey everyone. Meant to get this out Monday, but fell asleep at the keyboard with about 50% of the chap done and woke at 11. So I apologize for it being a day late. Also, remember the message from last chap about it wrapping up? Forget it. We've got more coming, and once I figure out how to change chaps I've posted, I'm deleting that note forever. See you Wednesday. –James)