For Now (Forever Book 1) (4 page)

Elaina

              “You bought bagels?” I can’t believe that he brought us all breakfast. “Oh, you bought my favorite kind. You might want to be careful or I’m going to start to expect you to bring me food every day.” I walk to the counter to get myself some coffee and grab a cup for Camden too. Karen can fend for herself if she is going to continue to try to embarrass me.

              We all sit and have a bagel and Camden goes over all the places that we are going to visit. I’ve never really been anywhere, so I’m actually kind of excited to see all of these new places. However, I have to remember why I’m doing this. This isn’t for fun; it is for Jackson and Karen.

              “What is it like to work with Line 9?” Jackson asks. He’s a huge fan.

              “Well, it is a lot of work, but it can be fun going around the country and seeing new things,” Camden tells him. “Do you listen to their music?”

              “Yeah, all the time. I really like their new album. Ryder’s so cool.”

              “Tell you what, we have some shows coming up near here, I can get you and your mom tickets. I mean if that is okay with her.” 

              “Really? That would be awesome! Can we go mom?” he looks up at his mom.

              “We will see when it gets closer, but I don’t see why not,” Karen replies. I love that Camden would do this for Jackson.

              “Okay, let’s get packing so you‘ll have enough time to get everything done before the concert tonight,” I say standing up, stretching.

              We walk back to my room and on the way, I can see him looking at everything and taking it in.  Karen takes pride in her home, nothing is out of place and every few months she buys some new decoration to make the place homier, though it is still somewhat bare. Our apartment has two bedrooms, one tiny bathroom, a living room and an outdated kitchen. Karen sleeps on the pullout couch in the living room; at least, she will have a bedroom now that I’m leaving.

              I’m kind of self-conscious of his inspection. I know that his place in L.A has to be a lot nicer than this, but Karen and I have worked hard for what we have.

              “I like your room,” he says, as he takes in all the books and the posters from my favorite Broadway shows.

              “What can I say? I’m really into books and plays. That is the one good thing about moving to Chicago, I get to see the shows.” That is when I can save up enough tip money to justify going. It has been a long time since I’ve been to one.

              “You know, we will be in New York for a concert on this tour and Ryder has to be seen with you, that would be a good opportunity,” he says. We both laugh at the idea of seeing Ryder Kinick at a Broadway show.

              “I think I might just take you up on that offer,” I say with a smile.

              “I’ll work on it, nothing he can say if I buy the tickets before we tell him.” This might be kind of fun.

              “Okay, now what to pack?” I ask him.

              “Show me what you have,” he says after sitting down on my bed. “Anything else you need, I’ll get a personal shopper to pick up today and get it on the bus before the show tonight.”

              “I really can’t afford much right now. I’m sure I’ll have enough here,” I tell him on my way to the closet to pull out my clothing options. Not that I have much.

              “Ryder is paying for it and before you argue, you’ll need clothes for the times you are photographed. Believe me, after spending a few days on a bus with some dirty, rowdy guys, you will wish that you would have asked for more money.” I look down at him. He stretches and his shirt pulls up a little and I can see his tan, tight six-pack. He has that perfect V that makes me want to melt. I can’t stop staring. He gives me a look that almost seems self-conscious before getting up and coming over to the closet to help me. 

              “Okay, fine, if it’s for the pictures,” I finally say after coming back to reality.

              We get to work picking out what to pack. Camden must be really busy as a personal assistant to a huge rock star; in the first few minute we were working, I saw him sending texts and he had to step out for a minute to make some phone calls. I used that time to pack any items that would embarrass me if he saw them.

              A little over an hour after getting started, he was telling me about a particularly funny story about the band that involved a nice hotel and a pet snake being let loose, when there was a knock at the door.

              “Come in,” I say.

              Karen opens the door and brings in a very nice, new suitcase. “This luggage just showed up for you,” she says.

              “What? I didn’t order anything.”

              “I did,” says Camden, “I thought you might need something bigger to fit the clothes from the personal shopper in there too. The clothes she picked out are already in there. Remember, you will thank me for this later.”

              “Thank you, but you really don’t have to do all this.”

              “Wait,” Karen says, “new luggage and clothes bought by a personal shopper? Are you sure Ryder doesn’t want a girl that is a little older?” she laughs.  “Anyways, I’m heading out to take Jackson to do some errands and get groceries. We’ll be back before you leave for the show tonight.” She pulls the door closes as she leaves.

              “I did get you one more thing,” he says reaching into the luggage, he pulls out an e-reader. “I saw all the books that you have and I didn’t think we would be able to fit enough books and the days traveling can be long. So, I thought you might need this. It is linked to Ryder’s credit card, so you can buy as many books as you want.”

              Oh my god, I was thinking about getting one, but haven’t been able to justify spending the money on one. Camden thinks of everything. “That is so thoughtful; I really don’t know how I’m going to deserve all of this. I promise I’ll work hard on this tour to help Ryder.”

              “I know you will,” he says. “You’ll be perfect.”             

              We spent the rest of the morning laughing and talking about the cool things that we would get to see. He was telling me about the band members. I’m glad that I’ll have him there for a buffer. They seem a little wild.

              After the packing is done, I realized he was telling the truth, he really is a pro at this. I never thought you could fit so much into a suitcase this size.

              “Okay, I have to head out to get some stuff done before the show tonight.” he says. “Be ready at 6:00 and I’ll have a car pick you up for the show. The driver will have the backstage pass for you and will drive around back. Ryder will meet you at the car and there will be some photographers there to snap some photos of you two together. I know you just met him, but you are going to have to act like you like each other. It will get easier, but I know you will do well.”

              “Wow, pictures already? What is going to happen when these pictures hit the internet? How crazy will it get?”

              “It will be crazy when you two are out together, if he gets recognized. Just remember, I will be there to help you through this.”

              “Okay, I can do this. Thanks. I’ll see you tonight.”

              “See ya tonight.”

************************************

              After Camden leaves, I text Amy. I know that I’m going to need some help getting ready for the show tonight and she’s the perfect person for the job and I suppose I’ll never hear the end of it if she finds out about this after seeing the pictures. I would have to change my number.

             
Me: Hey, can you please come over? I need your help!

              Amy: Sure, what do you need?

              Me: I need you to do my hair and make-up for tonight.

              Amy: Oh, hott date? ;) I’ll bring some clothes too.

              Me: No, yes, well no, not really, I’ll explain when you get here. You don’t               have to bring any clothes, I have some

              Amy: I’ve seen your closet, believe me, you need me to bring clothes. Your               clothes are all very cute, but for a first date you need to be hott. ;)

              Me: I need to go for cute. And I got some new clothes. Just hurry please

              Amy: On my way. L8R              

              Amy arrived fifteen minutes later with her make-up and we headed straight for my room.

              “O.M.G. look at these clothes,” she says after seeing the few outfits on my bed. “These must have cost you a fortune. This really must be an important date.” She adds winking at me. I just roll my eyes. 

              “The guy I’m meeting tonight bought them for me actually,” I admit.

              “A guy bought these for you? He must really like you,” she says while checking the labels. The labels seem to impress her, though they mean nothing to me. She picks one up, holds against herself, and looks in the mirror.

              “No, it’s complicated. You remember last night at the bar? Did you see me talking to that guy?”

              She stops checking herself out and looks at me with her mouth wide open. “Mr. Muscles? Yeah, I saw him flirting with you. That’s the guy you are going out with? You usually don’t date customers.”

              “He wasn’t flirting, we were just talking,” I correct her, I’m now blushing furiously. “He’s the personal assistant for Ryder Kinick and I guess that after the fight at the bar the other night, Ryder needs help with his image.”             

              “Oh, I heard about that fight. I do love a bad boy,” she sprawls on my bed and starts to fan herself.

              “Focus, please,” I snap.

              “Sorry, I’m listening,” she says looking up at me.

              “Well, Camden, the guy I was talking to thinks that being seen with a good girl a few times might help Ryder’s image, and prove that he can settle down. So, I’m going to the concert tonight and we will have some photos taken of him helping me out of the car and taking me backstage.” I say, wincing and waiting for her reaction.

              “WHAT?!?!” she shouts, as she hops up from the bed, comes over to me and grabs my shoulders.  “Not only are you going to the Line 9 concert tonight, you are going backstage and get to be in the arms of Ryder Kinick? If I didn’t like you so much, I’d kill you and take your place tonight.”  She takes my hands and starts hopping up and down. I didn’t even know girls really did that. I thought it was just something girls did in cheesy 90’s movies. I half bounce along with her, as to not spoil her enthusiasm. 

              “It isn’t really that big of a deal, it isn’t like I’m going to be his actual girlfriend. I’m just going to pretend for a few months.” I play with a thread on my shirt to avoid her gaze.

              “A few months? But won’t he be on tour the whole time? Will he come back here? Will I get to meet him?”

              “Well, actually, I will be joining him on tour.”

              “WHAT?” she shrieks again, “You are going to share a tour bus with Line 9? You will get to be with Ryder and that Camden’s pretty hot too, just not enough of a bad boy vibe for me. However, Camden does look like he could kick some serious ass.  Promise me that if you get to see Ryder naked, you will send me a picture.”

              “What is it with you and Karen?” I ask. “Can we start getting ready now?  I’m nervous; I want to look good since my picture will be on the internet tomorrow. Oh, what have I gotten myself in to?”  I put my head in my hands.

              “You’ll be great; you’re gorgeous, smart and sweet. Have fun on this tour and live for yourself for a while.”

              We spend the next two hours working on my hair and make-up. When she is done, I can hardly recognize myself.  I look hot, but in a totally innocent way. I was a little worried that Amy may go crazy and make me look like a groupie, but she did very well. I put on a teal, strapless, knee-length dress that flares at the bottom and a pair of silver flats. I had to convince Amy that the pair of sky-high heels that she brought over was too sexy. I’m sure if the internet were calling me a “groupie whore” tomorrow, the deal would be off.

              “Everyone’s going to love you. And while I’m totally jealous, I’m happy for you.” she says as she gives me a hug. “Call me and let me know how you are doing.”

              “I will, thanks for everything.” I wrap my arms around her too. I’m going to miss this crazy girl.

Camden

              Around noon, I got back to the hotel to make some phone calls and check in with Ryder. I wasn’t too surprised that he was just getting up. Good thing I brought leftover bagels and stopped for some coffee.

              “Hey, where you been?” he asks me.

              “I was with Elaina helping her pack and getting her some extra clothes for the tour. Actually,
you
bought her some new clothes, luggage and an e-reader.”

              “I did that all while I was sleeping, huh?” he asks, with a yawn. “Why does she need all that stuff anyways? And I thought her name was Ellie,” he says looking confused. “I know I had a few last night, but I wasn’t drunk.” He stretches as he walks over to the table where I just put the food and starts eating.

              “Those are all things she needs for the tour and you are asking a lot of her. She’s taking time off work to help us. You’re the one that told me to make sure she’s happy. And she goes by Ellie, but her name is Elaina.” I sit down across from him and get out my phone to answer a few emails.

              “Fine, just as long as this works and I can get your dad off my back. I mean, he’s like a father to me, but he doesn’t remember what it is like being twenty-four. Sometimes I go out and get drunk, it isn’t a big deal.”

              I glare at him incredulously. “It
is
a big deal when you get so drunk that you get into a fight and put a guy in a coma. You’ll be happy to hear he’s doing better now.”

              “It isn’t that I don’t care, but he did come at me.”

              “I know dude,” I tell him, “but you are in the spotlight, and he isn’t.  So people don’t care what he does. People look up to you like every celebrity. Elaina has a thirteen-year-old cousin who idolizes Line 9. I told him I may be able to get him some passes to see a show when we’re near here again, so practice reining it in.”

              “Fine, I can behave for one night, but Elaina better appreciate it.”

              “A car is picking her up at 6:00 and will bring her around back. You need to go and meet her at the gate, there will be cameras there and they’ll get some pictures of you helping her out of the car and leading her backstage with you, while you two look very much in love.”

              “You know Ellie is pretty hot, maybe I can get her to change the no sex rule, this wouldn’t be a total drag,” he says, wagging his eyebrows.

              I start to see red. “Don’t
fuck
this up Ryder, Elaina is a nice girl and she doesn’t need you
fucking
with her. You are going to
fuck
everything up and we will have a bigger mess than we have now if you can’t keep it in your pants.”

              “Okay, okay,” he says. “Then maybe she’s such a sweet girl, she’ll help me to see the error of my ways and I’ll be saved,” he jokes.

              I groan. This is going to be a long fucking two months.