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24
Austin
These last couple of weeks that have gone by have been some of the best weeks I have in recent memory. It’s also been one of the most stressful. I need to tell Jade that Jimmy Richards is my father. I know I do, and I’ve wanted to. There have been moments I was close, but then something would happen to interrupt us. Or she’d roll her eyes, after receiving another message from Bret about him trying to square everything away for his record deal. He’s so persistent, which would be annoying, but every time he messages her something, I can see the irritation flash across her face, and I know it’s because of the entire situation.
I was so torn when she took me to the beach. It was romantic and sweet and … beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Sharing that with her, I was on the edge of saying it, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to ruin that perfect moment between us.
So instead of worrying about telling her, I’ve been focusing on the times we’ve been hanging out. Which is more than I thought it’d be if I’m honest. I know she’s a rock star and busy all of the time, so I figured even if she doesn’t have any important stuff going on with the band, she’d still have a schedule to keep. But we’ve hung out at my apartment, gone out to dinner, and she even pulled up her hoodie and sunglasses disguise to go out to a movie. That part has been great.
Today’s had my nerves a little more on edge, though. I’m meeting her band today.
I know who the Kings are, but only through the business. The most I know about them is what everyone else knows by way of websites and gossip magazines. I’m not nervous about meeting them as rock stars, I’m nervous about meeting them as her family. Obviously, Maddox is her brother, but she’s told me that Derrik and EJ are like brothers, too.
Walking through the lobby of Juxtapose Studios, it feels the same as Rich Records. Gold and platinum records line the walls. It’s not as big as Rich Records since Juxtapose is in a smaller, five-story building, but it feels the same. At least, to me.
Jade, holding my hand, looks around the lobby as we head toward the elevator. “Ah, this feels so much better.”
The elevator dings and we walk inside as she presses the top floor button. “Really?” I ask.
She nods. “We recorded almost all the songs on Teen Icons here. And half of the songs on our first album. I love this place.”
I offer her a small smile. “That’s why you wanted a clean slate place? Somewhere that didn’t remind you of the Kings?”
“Yeah, but I was so wrong. I can’t believe I thought Rich Records was going to give me the peace of mind I needed. I should’ve known anything associated with Jimmy Richards was cancerous.” I swallow the lump of guilt again. She must notice my silence. “Sorry, I promised I wouldn’t vent about that anymore.”
“No, it’s all good,” I reply. “If you don’t like it, I understand.”
“But you work there.”
I nod. “It’s just a job.”
That’s all I can say, but it’s not lying. It is just a job for me. I love music, and I want to be a teacher, but the only reason I’m working there is because of my father. If he didn’t have the death grip over my bank account or wasn’t the sole reason for my college education funds, I wouldn’t even be there.
Still, I hate that I want to tell her and make sure she knows who he is and can’t. How can I when she seems to hate anything associated with him?
The elevator stops, and the doors open to a small hallway. As we’re walking toward the studio, the band sees us from inside the room. Maddox waves, while Derrik and EJ eye me carefully. Entering the room, Maddox comes over first.
“Okay, this is getting out of hand,” he jokes, pointing at me. “First the club, and now to the studio? Jade, are you two getting married or something?”
I chuckle. Looking over at Jade, I watch as an adorable shade of pink splashes across her face before she pushes her brother. “Shut up,” she tells him. “I just wanted you guys to meet him.”
“Hey, what’s up, man?” EJ offers his hand first.
I shake his hand while Jade starts with the formal introductions. “You guys, this is Austin. Austin, you met my brother, and these are the other two I’m forced to play with.”
“Very funny.” EJ laughs. “Be careful, man. She can let that Queen thing go to her head sometimes.”
Exchanging chuckles, Derrik steps toward me next. “What’s up, Austin?”
“Hey, nice to meet you.”
Letting go of my hand, his eyes linger on me a moment longer. Quirking an eyebrow, he points a finger at me. “Do I know you?”
“I don’t think so,” I answer, not remembering ever meeting him.
“You look familiar,” he says.
“Oh, Austin works in the industry. He works over at Rich Records,” Jade answers.
