THIRTY THREE

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Recording tracks felt so time consuming.

Now of course, I was eternally grateful I even had this opportunity to possibly make something more out of my life. Become a household name for those who needed it the most.

But this was the first time in my life I was ever away from my family for so long.

Oh, I hope they were doing swell—even if I did make it on time every other night except for this one. It was the only thing for the past twelve hours eating me up inside over a number of other things.

How did they feel about me being gone for a while? Did Mama get up and find out I was missing? Did my neighbor make it over there in time?

Honestly, I just wanted to get home now and count down the seconds I'd be able to see my man again by tomorrow at work—after Jake kept insisting these would have to be private sessions with just us. Rochelle had graciously gave me the week off with only the words 'of course,' in almost what sounded like a bit of sadness—as if she wasn't ready to let me go if things looked well and took off, but knew she didn't want to hold me back from reaching my full potential either.

It still didn't seem right to be here and doing this with Jake without Levi, or be away from him for long either. He was the glue that kept me together professionally and personally.

I hardly knew anything about Jake except for how much he could make me a star.

But yet, the way he kept eying me this entire time, it was like he'd knew me his whole life.

Though none of it mattered right now anymore. It was finally time to go home the moment I let out my last chord, and I had another plan to see Levi after all. Tonight.

Although I ain't gonna stay too long, it was surely gonna be enough for me if it meant for his body and lips on mine like I had been daydreaming about all day. Oh, who was I kidding? All week.

"And that's a wrap! Excellent job Miss Hart! You sound simply divine doll! Like always though, with my help." Jake shouted happily from outside the sound room I had been in.

That was also kinda strange to me. Only Levi always called me that.

To hear it from this fella as well...it just didn't feel the same. But I guess it was just a term of endearment for him, considering he was calling nearly every woman he passed.

"Great! So is that about it, then?" I wondered, smiling kindly to the band they had accompany me, leaving.

It was another thing that just felt so wrong.

If I knew there would be a live band playing here, I would've ran to Levi and made sure he was a part of it playing the piano like he loved. However, Jake never told me that until after I got here and stated that it was imperative that they had to use only their own men to record the songs Levi had written for me.

God, show business was definitely a lot of moving parts I didn't realize it included.

"For now! But don't worry, we meet with the big execs tomorrow bright and early to show them the full album! Oh, it's going to be real swanky!" He assured me nodding.

I nodded back, now leaving the room myself as I noticed the other engineers and assistants were exiting out too.

Walking up to me once we were alone, Jake smiled and grabbed a nearby glass of champagne placed on a tray of them that he had requested to be in the room every night too, gesturing for me to take it as he took his own.

"Oh, no thank ya again. I must be getting to my siblings and Mama soon. They must be worried sick about me—knowing I usually never be out for this long." I giggled, shrugging and leaning against the sound mixing table.

Understanding, he smirked and did the same next to me as our shoulders touched. I shyly smiled while he continued taking a few sips. "Soon? Well, if you're not in a hurry I'd be glad to give you a ride to the bus stop you take to get home. It's like four blocks from here."

I shook my head kindly. This was the fourth time he kept asking this. I would be fine. I had done it on my own many times before. "Oh no, no, no. That's not needed. But that's mighty kind of ya to offer. I actually planned on heading to Levi's place before heading in. It's a different stop I had to get to."

Sighing however Jake shrugged, staring down to the floor for a minute. "Oh of course, Levi's place." He muttered in almost an ominous tone.

Ah rhatz, did he not like Levi now too?

I knew the man didn't give Jake a fair chance from the beginning, but if he just have a little more patience with him like I did—it would be fine.

"Ya know if ya got to know him more Jake, you'd really like his personality. He's always so sweet, honest, caring, and loyal–" I beamed just at the near thought of him.

Chuckling through nonetheless, Jake now let out a sly grin. "Oh? He's that important to you, huh?" I nodded happily—but not too apparent in case he ain't a fan of our dating choices.

It was always a challenge I had to practically keep hiding my true feelings in fear of what others would think.

"Well, he has taught me a lot. Like how to read music. How to feel confident when performing. And how to play piano!" I professed.

"That may be true, but uh...have you ever thought that maybe...I could've taught you those things and more." He then answered, shifting his tone to a bit of a horsed one.

Clearing my throat, I timidly shook my head–not wanting to be rude or anything, but also pointing out the rather obvious of how it wasn't necessary.

"Maybe, but...looks he beat ya to it." I simply replied, now getting up and grabbing my jacket. "Ya have a lovely rest of ya night Mr. Johnson." I tried to leave.

But before I could, I suddenly felt my hand being pulled back gently as I turned to see Jake standing before me—more closer than he'd ever done before, but with a warm smile on his face.

Yet unlike Levi, there ain't more to it. There were no sparks, no shivers down my spine.

So I guess for us...it must've been true love.

"Wait, wait. Ivy. You must be hungry though, right? I could get us a quick dinner before you go. In fact, nothing would make me happier. We can even talk about my further plans for your future once everything gets finalized and done."

"But nothing has yet to be done. It's really okay. Ya don't have to spend ya money on me. After I visit Levi I can just–" I informed, trying to leave again.

"Be careful, will you? For me?" He now blurted out.

Stopping in mid walk, I slowly turned back around to him baffled. What did he mean by that?

"Excuse me?"

He grunted a bit first before sighing once more, shaking his head. "I'm sorry if you feel like I have just overstepped. I'm only a bit concerned for your safety. That's all."

Okay, now I was completely confused. "My safety?"

Snickering he soon then nodded, staring at me knowingly. "Look Ivy, I'm not blind." Oh no. What do I do now?! "Now let's not get ahead of ourselves here, I won't do anything crazy to you; however, as a friendly friend I personally don't have any problems or troubles with you guys wanting to explore something—dare I say, unheard of in this day and age. He might. I mean, all of this for both of you is very new, and maybe just hopped up on emotions from the experience professionally, blurring the lines a bit from the reality we live in. I-I-I just have gotten to know you deeper this week. Like how much you care about your family, your friends, your career. I think it's very admirable. I just want you to be careful when others don't feel the same and try to ruin many chances for you two. I wouldn't want an attractive woman like yourself getting hurt. Or a hardworking man like him either. You guys deserve better things in your life. He may not like me, but that doesn't mean I don't want the best for him too."

Wow. I had never really thought about that further since we finally got together.

But as the pain and burning sensation in my chest started to form all of a sudden, maybe it never left and I had been masking it behind this fairy tale I had kept in my head about him...and us.

I still wanted to see him though. But he was making some valid points, I suppose.

"Thank ya for the advice Jake. I really do have to get home now. Don't worry, I won't stay up too late. I'll see ya tomorrow— bright and early for this big meeting." I grinned.

Smiling back, he agreed. "The critics are going to love you, doll."

And with that, I ran out.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

Ohh, seems like Jake is getting a little too close to Ivy. How will Levi take all of this if he ever finds out?

Let me know and see ya next time! ;)


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