This chapter is "Can you remember the past chapters'.
I hope you enjoy, I don't own A and A, Sublime, or the Black Crowes. I do ow the story and the OCs.
I left quickly, it was easy enough to get to my room before he could come after me. I could hear him in the hall, I knew he didn't know our rooms were next to one another. I I changed quickly and waited for him to leave or go back to his room. Eventually I heard his door slam and yelling from the other side of our shared wall. I have never seen Austin get made, or loose it. Hearing it was enough, I left before he could start crying. I went down to Delilah's room, she was already awake. The doors between the bands rooms were open, the guys were still asleep.
"What's the matter?" Delilah asked, she could see it on my face.
I ran my fingers through my hair, looked into the other rooms and then dragged her into the hotel bathroom.
"Ally what the fuck is going on?" she whispered yelled.
"I was with Austin last night," I whispered.
"Wait. Like together?" her eyes widened, "Ally!"
"I know, I know," I sighed, "It won't happen again."
She just looked at me, I knew what I did was stupid and fucked up. I knew I wasn't any better than Austin. I just wanted to get out of this hotel, go home, go somewhere.
My hands were starting to shake so I shoved them into my leather jacket, Delilah noticed but chose not to say anything. I was grateful for that, I wasn't sure if I was able to keep it together for much longer. Instead, she walked into the neighboring rooms and woke the guys up.
"Get up! We gotta check out at ten."
It took a moment for them to start going but they didn't want to get on her bad side. Soon enough James and Tim were standing in Delilah's room, sunglasses sitting snugly on their nose, hiding the obvious evidence of their hangovers.
"Where the fuck is Mike?" Tim groaned, rolling his head back. I snickered, Delilah froze while she was stuffing a shirt in her bag. Like clockwork, half naked Mike with a towel wrapped around his lower half walked out of the bathroom. He flushed red before stuttering, "My- the- my shower had no- no ho-hot water."
"Bullshit," the three of us yelled in unison.
"Damn Delilah," I laugh, "You picked a good one."
Delilah shot me pointed glance, I just stuck my tongue out at her, "But if you don't mind could we leave soon."
Delilah nodded and shooed us out so Mike could get dressed, we stood in the next room listening to the hushed conversation from the next room.
"Called it," Tim muttered, we both gave him an amused look.
"Literally called it when they first went home together to, 'discuss business'," I retorted, pulling out my sunglasses and pushing them on to my nose.
Delilah and Mike came into the room with their bags. We took the elevator down, checked out and walk outside. To our surprise paparazzi were waiting outside, no doubt waiting for Austin.
"Ally! Ally Dawson!" One of them yelled, "Is this your band!"
"Fuck," I groaned, the last time I was recognized as Ally Dawson, I was 17, "Flip them off."
"Why?" Mike asked, but he still put both fingers up and rushed to the cabs we called.
After we were safely inside the cabs, Tim pushed his glasses down to raise his eyebrows. I explain, "They can't use the photos if we are doing something inappropriate."
I have always hated paparazzi, I did't realize what blessing dropping off the face of the earth had been. I had never been chased down or harassed, I hadn't been recognized, even though it would have been hard to recognize me.
They dropped me off at my apartment, I quite literally fell through my door. I laid down the shitty, dirty floor and breathed slowly. I had a shit ton to do, I ad a meeting with Jimmy and the band. He had a proposition with us, which should be interesting. That was at three, and I had another meeting at six with Andy and then I was free do fuck-nothing. I groaned loudly, and rolled over, there was a stain on my ceiling, I didn't bother to worry about it. I pulled my self up and stripped walking to the bathroom. I started the shower, then went to the mirror to pull all the pins out of my hair, after pulling about a gazillion out I got into the shower. If the paparazzi or coffee hadn't woken me up, it would be the cold fucking water roaring out of my shower head.
"Fuck!" I screamed, just my fucking luck. I jumped out grabbed a towel and my keys and stormed down the three flights of stairs to office in the lobby.
I threw open the door, "Kenny!"
Kenny was the off and on building manger, the lady who rented out my room lived in a old folks home, but Kenny managed the building when the main owners didn't. He was about thirty, and was an asshole 90% of the time.
"Where is my hot water?" I asked, he looked at me through his stupid glasses. It was then I realized I was in a towel, and soaking wet.
"You didn't pay the water bill this month," he stated calmly.
"It's not due till Friday," I retorted. He clicked his tongue at me, "Didn't you get the notice? It's due early this month."
"No I didn't get a fucking notice," I yelled exasperated.
"Well then no hot water until it's paid," he said, crossing his arms.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, "Can you just turn it on for ten minutes, I have a meeting."
"I don't care, get me the money and we'll talk," he smiled tightly.
I sighed and left his office, Kenny and I have gotten into it on multiple occasions. One time when I was twenty he turned off my electricity because I was forty cents short, so I stole three of the lamps out of his office. He couldn't kick me out because he didn't have the residential rights of my apartment. I stormed up the stairs and nearly crashed into someone.
"I am so sorry Miss," a similar voice shakily apologized.
"Jay?"
"Ally?"
"What are you doing here?"
"Why are you in a towel?"
"Fuckhead turned off the the hot water."
"He has been renting out my room for the last couple of months, without my permission."
I laughed, Jay looked . . . clean.
"How are you Jay?" I asked.
"I'm doing a lot better," he smiled, "Hey do you want to borrow my shower, I wouldn't mind. It's the least I could offer you, after all you did for me."
"You don't owe me anything, really."
"Then take one as a neighbor thing," he offered.
"I thought that included a cup of sugar, and maybe some decaf coffee," I joked, "But if you wouldn't mind. i would really appreciate it."
He nodded and we went to his apartment. It was clean, a stark difference to first time I saw it. It also smelt normal, there wasn't trash and papers every where.
"I see you don't use an answering machine anymore," I said, he chuckled.
"Well it isn't 1995 anymore," he showed me to the bathroom. I shuddered, the last time I was in here, i could have sworn that something else was in here. Now it was just a bright, white bathroom. He left me to my showering and closed the door after himself. I quickly showered and wrapped the towel tightly around me. Jay was sitting at his desk looking over some papers.
"Thank you for the shower Jay."
"Anytime Ally," he looked up at me, he eyes were clear. My heart swelled, I was so happy for him in that moment. Delilah would be elated to know he was better.
"Hey, before you go. A couple friends are throwing a party for me at the shop tonight after closing," he started, "You are welcome to come. Bring whoever you want."
"I'd love to, thank you again for the shower."
"I should be thanking you," he smiled one last time before I left. I got back to my apartment and threw my towel in the laundry basket and went to my room. I pulled out a standard pair of jeans and a too small top, I quickly shimmied into the jeans and top. I glided into my kitchen and made a pot of coffee. While it was brewing, I went to the loose floor board in my apartment. Since I discovered it, I invested in a rug to cover the secret hole and to tie the room together. I rolled back the rug and pried up the floor board with the butter knife. The original ammo box was still in there along with another. I pulled the other one out and went to my dining room table.
I opened it and took out enough money to pay for the water bill and to get a new phone. I closed the box and then reassembled my floor and rug. I grabbed a cup of coffee in a to-go cup, my key, slipped on converse and threw my leather jacket, purse and sunglasses on. I didn't have time to fuck around today, I had a busy day and shitty luck. I stopped by Kenny's, and dropped the bill payment on his desk. His jaw dropped, I usually paid with checks.
The phone company was kind enough to register a new phone with my old number. It was a smart phone, didn't care enough to choose which kind. I called James, he promptly answered and picked me up in front of the phone company store.
"Hey Baby Girl," he greeted from his Mustang, "Long time no see."
I gave him a toothy grin and hopped in, "Har-har."
While he drove to the loft, I applied makeup. He gave me a sideways glanced while i was smearing foundation all over my face.
"Isn't that difficult?" He asked, smirking at the face I was making while doing my makeup.
"More than you know," I responded, trying really hard to get a wing at 70 miles per hour.
"You look fine without it," he said, no humor in his voice.
"Thanks," I smiled, "Truth is, if I don't wear it I'll turn into an ogre."
He laughed and I applied lipstick, "No black eyes today?"
"Nah, it's not one of those days."
We arrived at the loft early, I finished putting on mascara and then we went up. It looked pretty empty at this point, besides the amps and the piano, I had almost completely moved everything out.
"Where are you gonna keep all your stuff?" James asked, while setting up his guitar.
"Most of it is going into a storage locker, but my furniture and apartment stuff is going to Lester and Lara's," I explained, "well at least the shit worth keeping. They can have my shitty couch, table, bed, beside tables and every other piece of furniture that I found on the street."
He laughed, "Life of a independent shit head."
I flipped him off and then pulled out the songs we had written the other night at my place, along with a few others. He stood and walked over to me, we looked over the songs and starting editing and modifying them.
"This one needs more base," he pointed to one that we had written a while back, and then pointed to another, "Let's try this one today."
The rest of the band showed up around ten minutes later, coffee and muffins in hand. Delilah came over to me with a paper bag and a latte, "Hey babe."
"Hey Cuties, guess who I saw today?" I giggled, snatching the bag out of her hand.
"Matthew from A3?" she joked. He was from Kansas and was intimidated by us.
"No, no. I saw Jay."
Her jaw dropped, "He is back?"
"Yah, and he looks great," I explained. Before I could get another word in she had her phone out and was dialing him.
"Whose Jay?" Mike asked, puffing out his chest.
"My brother," Delilah answered waving off any other questions from Mike.
"Jay!" she wasn't made, she had a wide grin on her face.
"What are you doing home? . . . How is grandma and grandpa? . . . Tonight? . . . OF course we will be there! . . . I have- We have so much to tell you . . . She what? . . . No of course that's okay, Kenny can eat it . . . I love you and I'll see you tonight . . . Bye."
She hung up, swung around and looked at me, "Ally?"
"Hey you didn't give me time to tell you," I smiled, she stuck her tongue out at me before we both erupted into laughter. The boys just shrugged and went back to whatever they were talking about.
We ran through the song three time before it was time to head to Starr Records. The drive wasn't long, none of us were dressed for a meeting, we were dressed like a rock band. The receptionist sighed and lead us in. Jimmy was on the phone, when he saw me, he stopped talking and gave me a pointed glance. He ended the call, and turned to face all of us.
"I wanted to talk to you all today about who you are going to sign with," he began, I was expecting the usual speech about keeping local. I had no interest in staying in Miami, but Jimmy is always one for surprises.
"I am opening a site company in New York, and I want to launch Nameless there. You would be working with my associates and you would have creative freewill, we aren't looking to change you or your songs."
The band looked excited, smiling and bumping one another.
"What's the catch?" I asked, Jimmy smiled.
"Always asking the tough questions, that's what I like about you. My associates are associated with Capital Records along with some other major companies, in order for you to sign with us you have to surrender your rights to Austin's songs."
The band fell silent at this, they were all looking at me for guidance. James was the first to speak up, "We can't sign then. Those are Ally's songs."
"We can't do that to Ally," Tim said, he sounded upset.
Michael and Delilah agreed but I shook my head.
"No," I answered, "He can have my songs. If it means we get creative freedom and a record deal with that company, then that's all that matters. They are his songs."
"Ally," Delilah started.
"No," I looked at Jimmy, "I want this band to break records and make music. We can't be our own band if we are playing those songs. Then we will always be tied to Austin. He can have them."
Jimmy nodded, he looked grim but his eyes shined, "We have the paper work here."
He put the documents in front of us, it was four pages in total. And each one of them grabbed a pen to sign, I quickly batted there hands away.
"Ally?" Jimmy started, I shook my head.
"You think I am going to sign one of your documents without reading it first," I gave him knowing stare and he laughed. He spread his hands out, "be my guest."
For the next two hours I read over the contracts, crossing out clauses that were dangerous to out bands well being, Jimmy beamed at me the whole time. Being smart helped out occasionally.
"We will not give half of out record sales to you, we will give twenty percent at the most," I finished my rant. He nodded and agreed to all my terms, and by the end of our meeting we had a label, tour dates, and a record deal. The rest of the group walked out but I hung back to speak to Jimmy.
"Let me tell Austin about the songs. I'm sure I have to sign something," I signed. Jimmy nodded and pulled out a single piece of paper. There were three clauses, each bland and simple. So I knew they weren't written by Jimmy.
"You are always allowed to preform them as long as you mention they are Austin's, and you will be acknowledged briefly on the record," Jimmy stated handing me the pen. I signed my name and slide the document to Jimmy. He slide it back to me, "Give it to him yourself, and go talk to him."
Before we could celebrate our deal I had to go to Sailors to collect my final pay check and benefits. It was only six and it was already packed, I lead them to back door i the Alley way. I pulled out my keys and unlocked the back door. I let them all in then walked down the long hallway, we ran into a bus boy, he looked scared.
"You can't be back here," He stuttered, his eyes wide. I smirked, "Go get Marge then."
"Oh be soft on him, he's new."
"Oh yes Captain my Captain," I popped my hip out and smiled up at my old boss.
"Get the hell out of here," he commanded the bus boy who almost about ran at his orders.
"You gotta get some stronger willed bus boys Andy," I sighed, "The scrawny ones freak me out."
"If it was't for a weak willed bus boy, I would have never have had you come work for me."
We walked side by side down the hallway to his office, they all followed me like lost puppies.
"You can wait in the break room, we won't be long," I smiled, "Last door on the left."
They headed over and I walked into his office and plopped into one of his plush leather chairs.
"Mr. Hawk Eyes Sir, how is business?"
"Booming," He answered, he opens a drawer and pulls out a thick envelope and hands it to me.
"The fuck is this?" I ask, looking through the envelop, "There has to be a least a grand in here!"
"Two," he answers, leaning back in his chair.
"My last paycheck was only $700," my voice is high pitched.
"You were and will always be my best employee, two grand is modest for the work you did for me," he remarked, "So I'm sure the record deal makes up for the rest."
I gave him a ludicrous look, "How do you …"
"I invested into record company three years ago, this year it finally launched. You were the first band I suggested, the event that you preformed at was to see what band would be the first to sign with it. All of my associates and I came to a consensus. Nameless will need a larger fan base, so to promote you will be touring around the U.S. and doing small gigs and bars and clubs, then concert halls then we hope to sell out Madison Square Garden by this time next year."
My jaw dropped to the floor, I just stared at him. I had no smart ass remark, so sassy comeback. All I could think to do was hug him, "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He patted my back, "Of course Allison, you deserve this."
Andy went to the break room and told the rest about tour, their reaction was screaming and jumping. I joined in, we out screamed the deafening club music that always pulsated through the building. Andy stood statue like but smiled at us. I saluted him like old days then turned back to my band.
With the money and contract safely in my bag we walked across the street to the Parlor. The sign said closed but the lights were on and there was music loud enough to be heard to be heard from out side.
We walked in, a case of beer in hand that Andy so kindly gave us. The people in the shop whooped, most of them I recognized.
"The party is here!" Jay yelled, doing over and lifting Delilah into his arms.
"Hey little shit," he laughed, she giggled before yelling to put her down.
"Ally fucking Dawson!"
"No fucking way!" I threw my head back and laughed out loud, Paul opened his arms, with that signature smirk and now-blue fuck boy hair cut. I hugged him, "How are you?"
"Never been better, now that this asshole is better," he smiled at Jay.
"You know Ally, when I said bring whoever. I didn't think you'd bring some no-goods," Jay chimed, "I thought you'd bring your boyfriend."
Delilah elbowed Jay, who winched, "What?"
"Well actually, Im single. And this is my band, who your sister manages," I explained looking back and forth between the boys and Jay.
"When where you going to tell me!" Jay yelled jokingly at Delilah, "That is amazing, I mean the band thing not the .."
I shook my head at him, "It's fine don't worry about it."
Jay smiled and raised a beer to me and the band and pushed his sister. I smiled, it was great to see Jay healthy and Delilah reunited with him.
I felt hot breath on my neck and I turned and noticed Paul behind me, he wasn't exactly touching me, but he had leaned forward to he could whisper into my ear, "Interesting news."
James was watching me, I blushes and handed him beer.
"You guys should play something," Jay offered an hour later. We were lounging out on the couches in the front. The rest of the people were hanging around the shop, laughing and drinking.
I snorted, "Do we have any instruments?"
"I play music for living, I always have a bass and and amp," Michael chuckled, his arm was causally dropped over Delilah's shoulder.
"Same," James adds.
"I have the box in Mike's car," Tim chimes.
"Acoustic should work just fine," I smile.
I felt slightly shy playing in front of Jay and Paul. I quickly shook off the nerves and we started the song. James starts and I soon follow.
"She never mentions the word addiction in certain company."
She Talks to Angels by Black Crowes
We finish the song and everyone hollers and cheers, we share a smile and then they cheer for a encore. I turn to the group and quickly name a song, they all know how to play it. I look at Jay and mouth, 'for you'.
I don't practice Santeria, I ain't got no crystal ball.
Soon the whole place is singing along, Jay and Delilah join us. I reach out my hand to Paul and pull him over.
"You are something wonderful Dawson," Paul whispers, he winks and sings along.
I get home around three am, James, Mike, Tim and Delilah all come with me too. They crash on my floor and couch. Delilah and I take the bed.
The next day at noon, my apartment is empty and I am staring at my phone. I know his number by heart, digit by digit. I have picked it up and put it down a million times. I have to just call him.
I grab it and dial his number, it rings for what feels like forever. Finally, right before voicemail, he answers.
"What?"
"I need to talk to you."
"I don't need to talk to you."
"It's important."
"I don't have time for this Allison."
"I promise it is worth your time."
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
"Please," I whisper.
"Fine, can you be at the coffee shop in ten?"
"Of course!"
"K, I'll see you. This better be worth my time."
I literally ran out the door, the contract in my purse. I got to the coffee shop right in time. He was sitting at a table, he had a sweatshirt that I have slept in a million times on, and a pair of sunglasses on.
I walked over and smiled at him, he had a tight smile.
"What do you want?" He asked, I couldn't see his eyes, I couldn't tell the emotions behind his words.
I sat down and before I could speak, a waiter brought a mocha for Austin and they handed me a cappuccino. I muttered a thank you, Austin was blushing.
"I didn't know if you still preferred cappuccinos," he said quietly.
"Yah they are still my favorite," my heart clenched and I felt like crying or throwing up.
"Why are you here Ally?"
"I have something for you," he didn't respond right away so I reached into my purse and unfolded the contract. His eyebrows furrowed together, and tried to identify what I was holding. I looked at it, smiled, and handed the contract to him.
He took off his glasses and read over the paper, his eye brows shot up and he stared at me wide-eyed.
"They are yours," I said, a smile on my face.
"What's the catch?" he asked.
"No catch."
"Why?"
"Truthfully, because I wrote those songs for you. I shouldn't force you to give me the rights, I meant what I said Austin. I love you, even though that may have no meaning to you. Even though that we are over, we are both moving in separate directions. I want to give you these songs so you remember that I loved, and will always love you. And you can enter your career with decent songs before someone else writes them," I rambled but his eyes shined. He took my hands and kissed my knuckles.
"Thank you Ally," he whispered.
"Of course Austin," I whisper back.
We finish our coffee and hug for long time. We both know it will be a long time before we will both be able to sit down and drink coffee like this in awhile. We kiss like all those old lovers do, where they kissed each others cheeks and hold tightly onto each others hands. He held them and kissed them before I walked away from him and went home. I'm glad he didn't offer me a ride home, behind my sunglasses, tears were falling. I got half way home and a car slowed next to me, "Ride home?"
It was Paul, I stopped walking and laughed.
"Don't you have some 18 year old to tattoo infinities to?"
"Not until five," he smiled.
"I have to go do something but I do need a ride," I start.
"Get in Dawson, I don't bite."
"My mom told me all people with tattoos bite," I joke getting into his car.
"Not in public," he gave me a dangerous look, "Where to?"
"Hialeah, I have to pick something up," I say.
He smiles, "As you wish."
What do you think will happen? Not much left to go. . .
XOXO Mimi