AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chloe’s album recording and the impending Laguna Beach resort launch couldn’t have come at a worse time. They were both trying to focus on major projects while at the same time keep the flames of their romance still burning bright. So many famous relationships had failed due to competing career demands, but Jordan was determined that his and Chloe’s love would not end up on that long and sad list.
Hiding their love from the world was hard, but he couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be if they decided to go public.Not yet. Not until I’m sure about what is important in her life. If she really wants me.
Foster righted himself, then moved further down the cabin, where he then picked up where he had left off on his previous demands for food.
Great. I have a whole transatlantic flight of joy ahead of me.
He could give Foster use of the bedroom as a peace offering but decided against it. The man was a rude pig and deserved nothing.
The crew was continuing to make final flight preparations when Jordan’s phone pinged. He glanced at the screen, quietly praying it wasn’t his father.
Heads up!!! Edward is looking for you. I have fobbed him off as best I can.
A heavy cloak of guilt settled on Jordan’s shoulders as he stared down at the bright screen of his phone. He’d dreaded this. It was early evening in LA, which made it around eight pm in New York. Sheila wouldn’t be sending him a message like this unless it was urgent.
His assistant’s text held all the warnings of impending trouble. She was always short and to the point with her words, but Jordan could read the worry in her brief message. If his father got wind that he was in London, not California …
He picked up the phone and called Sheila. She answered immediately. “Please tell me you are still in LA.”
“I’m at the airport, on theChloe Jet. We are due to take off in the next half hour. Did Dad say what he wanted me for?”
“You need to get off the jet. I overheard Edward’s EA talking just now. Your father left for California midafternoon. He’s only an hour or so out of LA. From what Janice said, Edward is going to head down to Laguna Beach as soon as he lands.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
If his father arrived in LA and discovered Jordan had gone to England, there would be all hell to pay. Bryce would be tasked with the job of hunting him down in London and on behalf of their father would be compelled to hand Jordan his ass.
He’d told Chloe enough of his past mistakes for her to have a good understanding of why this new resort was so important. Of the heavy expectations placed upon him by his family and the board of Royal Resorts.
Jordan rose from his seat, with his free hand he began stuffing his things back into his travel bag. He’d made a foolish mistake. He should never have got on this jet. “Ok. I am getting off now.”
I’m sorry Chloe.
He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head. A slyly smiling Foster stood in the aisle. He had to have heard the conversation. The second Jordan lifted his bag from his seat, Foster pushed his way forward and dropped into the chair. He motioned toward the jet’s main door.
“Don’t let it hit you in the ass on your way out.”
Jordan gritted his teeth and headed for the exit. Foster might well be making demands about the flight’s catering, but all he could taste was the bitterness of defeat.
This will break her heart.
Crossing the tarmac, he tapped out a brief message to Chloe on his cell phone.
Sorry. I’ll call when I can.
CHAPTERTWENTY
Chloe had wished for the chance to work with Kevin Smith for as long as she could remember. The Jamaican producer had a reputation for bringing out the best in an artist. For finding the emotional seconds in a song that even the original songwriter didn’t know existed. He was experienced and supremely talented. Fortunately for Chloe, he also had the patience of a saint.
Long past the time when her regular producer would have called the track finished, Kevin had Chloe back in front of the microphone trying new approaches to her work. Every hour she spent under his musical direction she felt herself grow as a singer.
But growth and creativity were not what mattered to her manager Foster, or apparently the record company. The time Chloe was spending in the studio was costing money. And when Kevin Smith was in the chair, that meant big money.
It was well past midnight. Through the glass window of the live studio Chloe could see into both the control room and adjoining lounge. In the control room, the dreadlocked Kevin sat at the desk busily working, while in the lounge next door, Marta lay on one of the couches with her face turned to the wall. Gabriela, had been handed the job of going out to the airport and greeting Jordan when theChloe Jetarrived in London.
Chloe was so over this song. She hadn’t wanted to put it on the album, but the record company had vetoed her original choice, and insisted she cut this track. It wasn’t a bad song, just not one of her best. Besides there were only so many ways she could work her vocal talents into the music.
The song wasn’t coming together—her heart just wasn’t in it.I knew it wouldn’t work, but they wouldn’t listen.And if the expression on Kevin Smith’s face was anything to go by, they were still a long way from making magic.
