“How long are you thinking?”
“At least a year. I want to be in a position where we are both stable in our careers and can take care of a baby.”
“Too long. And we are in a position to take care of a baby.”
“No, we’re not. Babies cost a lot of money, and they are completely reliant on us. We’ve got a ton of unknowns ahead of us. If you go on tour next summer, it will suck to be pregnant and have to stay home.”
“First of all that would never happen. You go where I go. I did that shit this summer without you and I won’t do it again. And second, I don’t want you to ever doubt my ability to take care of you and our children. Financially and emotionally, you will always be number one.”
“I still say we should wait a while.”
He pulls the duvet over us, and I snuggle to his chest. We’re still naked, and I welcome the warmth of his body heat.
“Sparkle, we’ll do whatever you want. But if that test was yours and it was positive, I’d be over the moon happy.”
I smile up at him, and he takes leans down for a quick kiss. “So what do you want to do until we have to leave for the bar?” I ask him.
“I’d like to stay here all day and worship your body, but I want to show you something in Franklin. It’s sort of a surprise.”
“I love your surprises!”
As we get dressed, I think about how Charlie’s pregnancy scare led to my own family planning discussion. Even though it scares the shit out of me, I’m excited at the thought of one day being pregnant.
Chapter 26
Meeting With Declan
We’re not even at my parents yet and I’m ready to go home. I really didn’t drink that much last night but when we got home from The Steamroom, Declan was very energetic. I don’t even remember what book it was in, but he continued on his crusade to play out scenes from the books he read this summer. He had me against the wall, bent over the sofa, and on the living room floor until I almost blacked out. Then we took another shower before we went to bed.
All day today, I worked on school stuff while he went out for a while. He didn’t tell me what he was doing, but I had a feeling he was looking for my birthday gift.
Now we’re on our way to dinner with my whole family. My dad called Declan this morning and told him we needed to come over because he had something to talk to us about. It sounded serious and he agreed we would be there by seven. When we pull into their driveway, I’m surprised to see David’s truck.
Robbie greets us at the door and I immediately go on alert. He’s not happy. My parents and David are in the living room having a drink when we join them. Our arrival interrupts their conversation and my mom looks at me with a worried expression.
I greet everyone with a hug and then sit next to my mom. “What’s going on?”
My dad speaks first. “Our attorney called today and has some news about Christie. Apparently her therapists think she has made progress and is mentally ready for trial. She is pleading not guilty by reason of temporary insanity, and her attorneys are asking for a lighter penalty and her time in the psychiatric facility as time served. The prosecutor is not happy and doesn’t think she has served nearly enough time. Since she wasn’t fit for trial and denied bail, we thought she would be in this facility for a lot longer.”
“What the hell does this mean?” Declan yells and comes over to sit next to me.
“It’s really not good to speculate, but there are several scenarios. No matter what, they will still file a felony charge. Christie’s family is trying to get her the least amount of time served and get her moved back home. Our attorney said if they cooperate fully there’s really no reason to send this to a courtroom. Save taxpayers money and shit.”
“This is not acceptable. Why the fuck would they let that psycho out after what she did to Raven?” Robbie asks my dad angrily.
“Son, I’m not very knowledgeable about criminal law, so I have to rely on the people I pay to explain it.”
“So what do we do? Can’t we send a letter or talk to a judge to try and influence them to send her to jail? We still don’t know what she was planning with Raven and we can’t live looking over our shoulders thinking she may be lurking.” Declan shouts.
“Calm down son. You need to get your attitude in check before we tell you the rest.” David says.
“There’s more?” I say quietly.
“Yeah, Christie has asked for a meeting with Declan.” Dad answers me.
“Why?” Tears pool in my eyes.
“From what I’ve been told, she had a breakthrough in a recent therapy session and realized exactly what she did. She has asked for a meeting to apologize and her doctor has requested that Declan meet with her so she can continue to improve.”
“Nope, no way. That bitch caused too much heartache for me to ever give her the time of day. There’s no way I can look at her and not want to kill her.” Declan tells my dad.
I can’t help the sob that escapes my mouth. This girl had intentions to hurt me and left me in the basement for days. Then it took weeks for Declan and I to get over the hurdle she put in our relationship. She scared my family to death and Finn almost lost his shit. And now she wants Declan to help her road to recovery?
“Calm down baby. It’s gonna be okay.” He rubs my back.
“Why now? It’s been almost nine months. I didn’t like it when she was moved to the facility, but I was relieved to know she was still locked away. Now, she not only wants to apologize to prove she’s getting better, but also to get a possible plea bargain? In a sense, she wants Declan to help her! Doesn’t that seem crazy to y’all?”
“Raven, I know this is hard. I can’t even imagine how you feel, but I actually support the meeting.” David tells me.
“What?” Declan and I screech at the same time.
“Me too.” My dad adds.
I feel like a bobblehead doll looking back and forth between our dads.
“Don’t freak out, but there are several reasons. First off, these meetings are recorded. Even though she’s not technically in jail, she’s still been charged. The only privilege she gets is with her doctors and lawyer. So we can hear the meeting with Declan and try to see any red flags. Also, she may give clues to what her intentions were when she kidnapped you. This will be evidence to the prosecutor to take to the judge when talking about sentencing.”
I guess that makes sense. It helps calm me down a little bit. I relax into Declan’s side and nod my head.
“You two talk about it and take a few days to decide. We have some time. It’s completely up to you, but really think about how this could help us.” David says.
Declan nods to him and then stands up bringing me with him. “I know I need a drink now. What about you?”
“Yes, something very, very strong.” I grin at him.
“I bought a bottle of Jack when dad told me what was going on. Follow me.” Robbie says as he heads to the bar.
We sit down for dinner, and the mood in the house has improved. The conversation is mostly about Sayge’s success over the last few weeks, and we fill our parents in on the recording process. We are only five weeks away from Mike’s desired release date. The guys are finished in the studio unless they need to do any clean up. Mike has pushed his team to have fifteen tracks ready to hear by next week. Then the guys will pick the top ten for the album.
My mom asks David if he and the girls will join us at their house for Thanksgiving in three weeks. This surprises me because we hadn’t even discussed plans yet. David thinks it’s a great idea. My heart swells with love as I realize how easy it is going to be to blend our families.
“Raven, let’s talk about the video you did. I need to know what’s going to be shown and prepare myself for all the talk.” My dad asks me but looks at Declan.
“Daddy, I haven’t seen it yet, but I think it’ll be tame. We’re not even sure my name is going to be attached to it. Mike’s thinking about giving me a pen name so I can remain anon
I tell them all about my personal shots around town and the screens that cover my dancing scene. Robbie teases me and threatens to kill the director if I look like a hussy. I nod my head at Declan to tell them about his and the other guys scenes. What I didn’t expect was for him to tell about the intimate parts. My dad drops his fork and Robbie drains his beer.
“Daddy, it isn’t as bad as it sounds. I was dressed, and there were like fifteen people in the room. I promise.” He still looks pissed.
“James, stop being an ass. Raven would never do anything to embarrass herself. I’m sure it’s going to turn out great.” My mom squeezes my hand.
I change the subject and tell everyone about Declan’s surprise yesterday. He found a little farm in Franklin that does private events. He talked to the owners about having our rehearsal dinner there. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect. The event coordinator gave us a portfolio to look over and give ideas on the set-up. We signed a forty-eight hour hold agreement. We really wanted David’s opinion since he’s paying for it. David loved the idea and gave Declan his information for the deposit. We discuss caterers and the menu a little. Once again Robbie insists on an open bar and Declan agrees. My mom and I clean the kitchen and Declan leaves the room to take a phone call.
“Yeah man, that’ll be fine. I’ll let the others know, and Raven can meet us after class. I’m fucking ready to get this wrapped up. See you tomorrow morning.” He hangs up.
“Who was that?” I ask sitting back down.
“Mike. He’s needs us to carve out most of the day tomorrow to go over things. It looks like he wants us at the festival in Atlanta in a few weeks. Knight’s Dream had to cancel, so he wants us to fill their slot. He’s working with the organizers and will know more in the morning. Also, it sounds like we preview the video tomorrow.”
“Why’d you say I would meet you after class?”
“I want you to see it, and he asked that you come. Something about some new photos.”
This should be fun.
We say our goodbye’s and promise to let everyone know about our decision on Christie this week. The more I think about it, the more I think he should meet with her. Now I need to convince him.
Chapter 27
Lose Her Anonymity
The butterflies in my stomach are about to take over. I’m not sure I have ever been this nervous. When I pull into the parking lot at Mike’s office, Declan is waiting for me. He meets me at my car and yanks me to him. I hold him tightly trying not to throw up.
“Sparkle, what’s wrong?”
“I’m nervous as hell. It’s not even my music; I can’t imagine how you feel.”
“Babe, it is what it is. We did our best, and I trust Mike and his team. If we don’t like it, we still have control. I personally can’t wait to hear and see what they did. Come on.” He links our hands and leads me into the office.
I wave to Charlie and follow him to a different conference room where everyone else is waiting for us. There’s a large flat screen TV on the wall and several different pieces of fancy-looking equipment around the room. I greet everyone and sit between Declan and Cooper.
“Okay, here’s what I want to do. I want to show you the video first. Then we need to discuss some publicity and show dates. Dan has been working like a fucking machine and has your tracks ready to listen. But I personally think you guys should go to the studio and listen to them. It may take a few days, but I want you four to decide on what goes on the album. I already picked my choices out, but I’m not going to share. We can compare once you’ve decided. Ultimately, it’s your choice. I’m here to guide you. Jay, you may want to go to because you know their sound.” Mike says to the group.
All five guys nod their head in approval.
“Okay great. Let’s start this thing.” He pushes a few buttons, and the light dims and the TV turns on.
I hold both Declan and Cooper’s hands and squeeze. Declan glares at Cooper, but I continue holding his hand.
I gasp when my face fills the screen with the intro music barely recognizing myself. Staying in line with the song, we are taken through the story of a couple who falls in love and then endures heartbreak. They incorporated our bedroom scene in the middle and with the chorus. Then they show the break up, where it looks like and running away from him. I’m surprised to see the image of a plane taking off, and then it cuts to Declan sitting alone with a bottle in front of him. As the song goes on, the story unfolds and ends with Declan and me in an embrace. The whole video is beautiful.
When it’s over, the lights come back on, and the room is silent. I have to let go of the guys’ hands to wipe the tears off my face. Mike slides me a box of tissue and grins.
“Holy fucking shit!” Nate screams so loud I jump in my seat. Then the whole room erupts with excitement.
I look over at Declan who is statue still and hasn’t said anything. He doesn’t say a word but gets up and pulls me with him. Turning us around, he sits back down with me and pulls my face to his. “You are so fucking beautiful,” he says before our lips connect. He kisses me with such passion that I forget we’re in a room full of people. I run my hands through his hair and let him deepen the kiss.
“For the love of God! Can you two, please control yourselves?” Charlie yells and I jerk away. I didn’t even know she was in here.
“Charlie, one of these days I’m going to get you a muzzle.” Declan growls at her and the room laughs.
“Okay, so let’s talk about it. Tell me your thoughts.” Mike says trying to bring the room back together in some kind of professional business meeting.
Charlie gives everyone a packet with our agenda and then leaves. We all agree that the team did an excellent job with the video, and there is not one thing to change.
“I got a call today from a reporter at the Tennessean. She wants to do a pop piece on Sayge for the Entertainment Section. She said she had heard of the band through passing but what really caught her eye was the Who’s Who pictures taken at the Warrior Gala. There were several pictures of all of you with Finn, Robbie, and Max and she wants to do some spin on a local group on the rise and giving back. I think you should do it.”
“It sounds fine, set it up.” Cooper tells him.
Mike makes a note and then continues. “What’s next?”
“We’re all set for Atlanta the week after Thanksgiving. It will be the same as last year, but we’ll be the last band of the night. They have volunteers that sell the merchandise and only take a ten percent cut for charity, so I agreed. I’ve booked the rooms and need you guys to work on the set. I think we should incorporate at least half of your new music.” Jay says to the group.
“Done. We already talked about the set so no problems.” Declan tells him.
“Okay, now we need to talk about Raven.” Mike looks at me.
“Me? Why?” I ask shocked.
“Raven, things are about to get complicated. I already got three calls today about you and your place in all this. An anonymous picture was sent to the website today of you and Finn in Paris. All of us in this room know what happened last summer and how it ended up. But the public doesn’t know. There was nothing threatening about the picture, but someone has targeted you. I want to capitalize on everything we are doing and do it right–but do you want your name in the spotlight? If I’m right, things are about to explode around Sayge and you are right in the mix. So I want to give you options. Do you want the world to know you are the muse for most of the album?”
Declan is rock hard under me and squeezes me tight against him. “What the fuck Mike? Are you telling us to hide our engagement?”
“No. I want Raven to know what she’s in for. I’m not going to sugar coat this. Even though two of you are in serious relationships, the four of you together have a reputation locally. As you start to get recognized, there’s a lot of shit going to happen. Everything you read about in the gossip rags is true. Girls you’ve slept with are going to come forward and give interviews, pregnancy claims, stalkers, haters, all of it. There’s a chance Raven will lose her anonymity the minute the press sees her in the video. I need to make sure she is ready for this.”
At the word stalker, the room takes a scary vibe. “Um, Mike, I think we should tell you something. I’m sure you have heard bits and pieces, but you need the whole story.” Then I proceed to tell him the whole kidnapping story and fill the rest of the group in on our conversation last night with our parents. I let them know that we did decide to schedule a meeting between Declan and Christie in December.
Nate looks sick, and Cooper reaches out again for my hand. Mike rubs his forehead a few seconds before speaking.
“Declan, this is a great fucking example of why I need to be in the loop. No wonder James, Robbie, and Finn are blowing up my phone. I will get the new PR rep I hired up to speed as soon as possible. So now it’s even more important that Raven think about how she wants to play this. Someone obviously knows who she is. Several hundred people know about you guys from The Steamroom, but I’m talking about national coverage. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen.”
You could hear a pin drop in the room from the silence. I look at Declan, and he looks sad. I let go of Cooper’s hand and wrap my arms around Declan’s neck.
“If you guys don’t care, I don’t want to hide. I don’t want to hurt your sales or female fans, but we’re getting married in seven months. I know he hasn’t been with anyone since July of last year so pregnancy rumors will be silly. But I want to know you all agree to this.”
“Fuck yeah!” Blake.
“Absofuckinglutely!” Cooper.
“No motherfucking doubt!” Nate.
Declan pulls me closer and growls, “If you would had thought otherwise; I would have lost my shit. Even though I’m scared to death of what’s gonna happen, you and I are never hiding again.”
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