“Oh, man, we’re going to kill each other if we’re here for eight weeks,” Dustin said.
“You don’t have to stay, mate,” Liam said.
“Yes, I do, you don’t know Missy. She’ll say we’re in this together.”
After they’d visited with Missy for a while, Jasper and Hailey went back to his room to rest. It had been a bit of a wild evening and she was tired. He was nice enough to order Chinese food on their way back and pick it up. When he got into the car, Hailey grabbed an egg roll immediately. The little snack they’d had at the awards had not been enough.
***
For the next couple of weeks Hailey adjusted to working at Plum and the two of them kept to themselves. There were rumors Jasper had been with someone at an awards show, which hadn’t aired yet, and his exes had been there causing trouble. An occasional picture of them would be snapped, but it didn’t end up on anything significant. It seemed the press had their hands full stalking the hospital, Tara, and the new relationship between Autumn and Lil Mouth. They’d been causing destruction wherever they went and the media loved it.
Matthew had dropped her as his client and one of the members of the Plum team had taken her on. Hailey had stayed away from the situation entirely. She only heard about her antics when the team had their meetings. Autumn was determined to be a bad girl, so the firm was just going to go with it. They had great headlines like Kid Wizard Goes Dark. It was an interesting spin.
One night at about ten o’clock Jasper and Hailey were recovering from a night out of sushi and drinks when his phone rang. They were at her apartment and she’d just changed into pajamas. It was nice they could be comfortable together.
“Hey, Dustin man, what’s going on?”
Hailey sat up; anytime Dustin called, she was on full alert.
“Oh okay, keep us posted. We’ll wait up alright.”
“What is it?” Hailey asked her stomach flipping over a bit.
“The placenta thing came loose or something. It’s dangerous so they will take the baby tonight.”
“She’s only thirty-two weeks along!” Hailey jumped up and rushed around her apartment.
“It’s okay, babe, he’s going to call when the baby is here.”
“We aren’t going?” Hailey asked, stopping in front of him.
“No, they won’t let us back there. The baby will be in NICU once it’s born. I don’t think there’s any way around it. It’s going to be tiny.”
“How do you know all that?”
“My cousin’s kid was a preemie, and now he’s almost as tall as I am. He was born at twenty-four weeks and weighed less than two pounds,” Jasper said.
Hailey stared at him for a minute. “Her baby is going to weigh a pound?” She rushed about the apartment again.
As she passed him, he grabbed her. “No, she’s at thirty-two weeks. Her baby will be tiny though, but it will be okay. Let’s just settle down and watch the movie.”
At two in the morning, Hailey glanced at her phone. They hadn’t called either of them and she was a nervous wreck. Jasper had fallen asleep on the couch and she questioned curling up with him. She ended up falling asleep in the chair instead.
When the phone rang at five am, she jumped and fell from her chair. She’d completely forgotten where she was.
“Hello,” she said loudly, waking Jasper.
“Hi, we sent you a picture of Daisy last night, but we figured you were asleep. She’s here and we’re fine, but I’m exhausted and going to sleep. Night.” Missy hung up without saying bye.
She looked at her phone and didn’t have a message.
“Aw,” Jasper said. “She is tiny.”
Hailey rushed over to him. It said Daisy Marie Fells, born at 11:34 pm, three pounds, five ounces. Hailey had never seen a smaller baby in her life. She was precious and had a tiny oxygen mask on her face. Hailey hoped she would be okay as she touched the picture.
“Let’s go to bed, Jasper, for at least another hour.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He got up and followed her where they both crashed, tired and cramped from their awkward sleeping positions.
Chapter Ten
Hailey and Jasper sat in Matthew’s office holding hands. It was surreal to be back at Big Deal after she’d left. Only a few months had passed since the craziness at the awards show, but it felt like a lot longer. Matthew was working for them pro-bono in helping with Tara.
“So, it wasn’t easy, but I dug up some dirt on our girl, and that sex tape will not be coming out.”
Kaira popped her head in. “I thought I heard you in here. I’m just here to make sure Peter isn’t forgetting his lunch again.”
It had turned out after Kaira and Peter met at the awards show from hell, they started seeing each other. Peter was a great catch according to Kaira, and he’d not stopped thanking Hailey since it happened. Eating with them or going to an event finally became so awkward for her she finally told him he could buy her a dinner of her choosing and never say thank you again. He agreed somewhat reluctantly and she was happy.
“Are you coming to the opening on Friday?” Hailey asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it!” Kaira said, and pranced off to Peter’s office.
With the money from Gracious Heart, the song he’d written for Hailey, Jasper had built a brand new center for the kids. It had a gym, a swimming pool, and everything they needed to learn and grow. Jasper and Hailey were thrilled to open it and start getting some kids in.
They had plans to go and see Dustin and Missy later. They were finally able to bring Daisy home after a month at the hospital, but she was so little they hadn’t allowed anyone to come see her. Now she was nearing four months, and Hailey had many cute things to give to them.
Liam had booked a gig for a movie of all things, and was away filming on location in Hawaii. The film had given them all a break from performing so Dustin could be a dad and Jasper could hang around her.
“So, what is it?” Hailey asked, anxious to know what could be so bad Tara would back down.
“So, after some digging I found an old boyfriend Tara wronged. I gave him a little cash and he sang like a canary.” Matthew grinned. “Two years ago, our little Tara got behind the wheel of her car drunk. She hit another car and walked away without a scratch. The other girl didn’t come out unscathed, however.”
“Oh my God.” Hailey gasped putting a hand over her mouth. She couldn’t believe Tara killed someone. How did they cover it up?
“I know,” Matthew said. “I couldn’t believe it either.”
“I’m going to lunch, sweetie,” Bernadette stuck her head in. “Oh sorry, didn’t know you had guests.”
“No worries, love pants,” he said, “I know, I was shocked about it too,” he continued without missing a beat.
Hailey had guessed the girl turning Matthew’s life around was Bernadette, but she hadn’t been sure until they came in and saw them together. “She killed someone?”
“No, but she hurt them pretty bad. Anyway, rather than face the shame of driving drunk into someone, she just paid her off. A hefty sum to keep her mouth shut. The girl was in the hospital for a while. Her fans would be outraged.” Matthew was laughing.
Hailey wasn’t sure if it was at Tara or the girl’s situation. She hoped it was at Tara.
“So no sex tape will be released then?” Jasper asked.
“Nope, she’s burning it. Well, she said she was, but trust me if even a hint of it ends up on the internet, I’ll go public with the story and find someone to do an exclusive with the girl. The lawyers can get around her NDA.”
“That’s why you’re the best,” Hailey said, and she meant it. He’d really come through for them.
Jasper stood and shook his hand. “Thanks, man.”
That was a big step for him considering he really didn’t like Matthew. Hailey was glad everything was working out for once.
As they were leaving Big Deal, Jasper’s phone dinged. He pulled it out to show Hailey an email fr
om Jemma. “Check this out; she said she’d email me when she posted about us.”
“What do you mean posted about us?” Hailey asked alarmed.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad, look for yourself.” Jasper showed her Jemma’s email, which simply said here’s the link I promised you. He clicked on it and an article with the headline
Hot Australian Rock Star cleans up Act Dating Wholesome PR Agent.
“Now you won’t be called a trollop,” he joked.
Hailey playfully punched him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you, honey. Getting ahead of the gossip is always the best way. I’ll see you after work.”
She kissed him lightly and smiled as a passing group of girls stared at them. It wasn’t easy, but she was starting to get used to the attention. A new job, a new man, and a new lease on life. Hailey was ready to manage whatever came next.
The End
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