Sing With Me: A With Me In Seattle Universe Novel

by Anna Edwards

  Zoey

  #ImAtTheTopofTheEiffelTowerOMG

  “The city of love.” Cameron peers out of the window of the limousine taking us to the Eiffel Tower. “Damn I hope I get a lot of loving while we’re here, the pickings were rather thin on the ground in Germany with all the moping and having to concentrate on being a good boy for a while so Zoey didn’t have too much work to do.”

  Without taking my eyes off the sights of Paris, I raise my middle finger and flip Cameron off.

  “It does you good to take a break now and then, Cameron. You don’t want your dick to fall off.”

  Everyone in the car laughs.

  “Ha, fucking, ha. Are you going to tell Tate that? Miss I-need-it-three-or-four-times-a-night.”

  “That’s different.” I squeeze Tate’s hand as we drive around the Arc De Triomphe. “Regular sex with a steady girlfriend is good for you. No chance of his dick falling off anytime soon.”

  “Bullshit,” Cameron retorts, but I don’t answer back.

  I’m too excited, my nose pressed against the window of the limousine, as we pull up to the Eiffel Tower.

  “Oh my God, it’s so big,” I squeal.

  “That’s what she says,” Austin chuckles his silly reply.

  “Children, time to behave.” Tate slides across from his seat and steps out of the limousine before turning to help me out.

  “We’re going to the top, right?” I crane my neck, looking up.

  “Of course. It has the best views up there.”

  “Anyone afraid of heights before Daddy takes us on our big adventure?” Liam teases.

  The guys have been in a fantastic mood since the concert the other night. It’s as though all the stress has been lifted from them, and they can enjoy their work again.

  “No, but I need to pee pee.” Cameron pretends to hold his groin desperately.

  “You can hold it,” Tate sneers and shakes his head as we all follow him to the VIP entrance.

  Security flanks the guys, and I’m grateful for it when fans start running and screaming toward them.

  “Are we signing before we go up?” Austin asks with a lot of excitement on his face. Each one of them loves being recognized and getting to experience the joy of their fans.

  “Don’t we always?” Tate stops and motions for security to allow the fans through.

  “No signing tits, Cameron,” I add with a mischievous wink.

  “Spoilsport,” he retorts and instantly pretends to sign the first pair of breasts thrust in his face.

  I step back and allow the guys to have their moment. I take a couple of pictures, making sure to get the Eiffel Tower in the background, and upload them to the band’s blog I’ve been running. It’s highly likely there’ll be more fans here by the time we come down from the tower, but it’s all good publicity. I love my job! I’m so glad I was given this opportunity. It really has changed my life. I feel like I’ve grown up over the last few weeks. I’m no longer a child pretending to be an adult.

  Eventually, one of the security guards steps in front of the fans.

  “Sorry, the band is due at the top of the tower. They’ll sign some more when they come down.”

  The fans sound their disappointment with a groan before cheering at the idea of getting a bit more time with the band after they’ve visited the top of the tower.

  “Thank you for the love.” Cameron waves at the fans as we’re ferried through the VIP entrance.

  It’s a long ride up to the top in an elevator, but it’s definitely worth it as I look out over Paris. I have my phone out again, and I’m snapping away like a mad tourist.

  “I can almost imagine being a musketeer here hundreds of years ago. So much of the old city can still be seen. Look there’s Notre-Dame.” I point in the direction of the cathedral.

  “Such a shame when it burned down. I remember watching it on the television. I was so shocked. I hope they get it fixed again soon, then I can take you inside,” Tate says as he wraps his arms around my waist and presses a kiss to my cheek.

  Turning in his arms, I stand on my tiptoes to give him a kiss on the lips.

  “Gross,” Cameron shouts.

  “Too much public affection,” Liam adds.

  “I think it’s cute,” Austin says and gives us one of his silly grins.

  “You would, Leprechaun. You haven’t had any Guinness today to make you moody.” Cameron slaps Austin on the back.

  “True. As soon as we get down, I’ll rectify that.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to drink the finest champagne when in Paris?” I ask.

  “Only if you’re a girl,” Liam replies as leans over the side taking a few pictures of his own.

  Tate comes close to my ear and whispers, “Do you think they’ll let us stay up here for a few moments on our own? I’d love to make you come at the top of the Eiffel Tower and hear what it sounds like.”

  “Don’t tease me. I’ve been in heat since we landed in the city.” I stick my tongue out at him.

  “I’ll be back in a minute.” Tate lets go of me and heads in the direction of one of the guides showing us around.

  I watch him pull his wallet from his pocket as he goes, and my cheeks blush a bright red when I realize he’s actually going to ask.

  “Are you having naughty thoughts, Zoey?” Cameron winks at me.

  I’m about to answer him back when my phone rings. I pull it out of my bag and check the number. It’s an American one, but I don’t recognize it. I debate for a few moments about whether to answer it or send it to voicemail, but it could be important, so I accept the call.

  “Hello. Zoey Danson speaking.”

  “Miss Danson, are you the daughter of Tina Danson?”

  “Yes.”

  My heart stops beating. Cameron must sense something is wrong because he calls out to Tate and gestures for him to come back. Liam and Austin crowd around me ready to…I’m not sure what they’re ready to do, but they go into protective mode.

  “Miss Danson, this is Doctor Vladimir from the Seattle Memorial Hospital. I’ve got your mother here. I’m afraid she’s been in an accident.”

  “Accident.” I feel my legs start to give way. All four members of the band grab hold of me and support me.

  “Yes, I’m sorry. It’s a little difficult to talk over the phone. She was brought in by the police earlier.”

  “Police? What’s happened? She’s supposed to have someone watching her. Where are they?”

  “I’m not sure about someone watching your mother. She was alone when she was found. Your mother is in a serious condition, Miss Danson. Is there someone with you?”

  “Yes. Please tell me what’s going on.” I’m shaking all over now. My hands feel like ice as I continue holding the phone to my ear. I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around me, and when I turn my head slightly, I see they’re Tate's. “Please, just tell me what’s happened?”

  “Miss Danson, I’m sorry to have to inform you that your mother tried to take her own life. She jumped from a bridge. Thankfully, it wasn’t very high, and she suffered no internal injuries, but she has broken both her legs and an arm. It would appear she was heavily intoxicated when she did it.”

  I struggle to take in the doctor’s words. This can’t be happening. It can’t be real. I’m at the top of the Eiffel Tower, and I’ve just found out my mom tried to commit suicide. I drop the phone, but Tate grabs it and hands it to Cameron.

  “Find out what you can.”

  Cameron takes the phone and nods quickly. Tate then scoops me up into his arms and carries me back inside the foyer to the outside viewing platform of the tower.

  “Zoey, talk to me. What’s happened?”

  “I have to go home,” I blurt out and make for the lift. “Now.”

  Tate stops me. “Okay, okay. Just tell me what’s happening?”

  “My mother? They think she’s tried to commit suicide.”

  I collapse once again in Tate’s arms and allow my heart to break.
>
  Chapter 26

  Tate

  #IFeelAsThoughMyLeftBollockIsMissing

  “Did she get on the plane all right?” Liam asks me as I sit down on the couch in the seating area of the suite Cameron is staying in.

  All the band is here. I don’t know what they’ve been doing since I took Zoey to the airport, but it doesn’t look like much. Seeing her in so much pain and distress has affected us all.

  My heads hurts, and I don’t know how I’m going to get through the concert in a few hours. Zoey’s taking the band’s private jet back to Seattle, so she’s contactable, but it’s a long flight. It’s going to be hard for her on her own. I know she’ll be over-analyzing and second guessing everything, and the answers she’ll come up with won’t make any sense whatsoever. Why did this have to happen?

  I rub my temples, trying to relieve the pain as I reply to Liam. “She did. I asked the stewardess to look after her and call me if she’s worried about her at all. I think she’ll probably cry herself to sleep.”

  “It’ll do her good to get a few hours’ sleep. Is she going straight to the hospital when she lands?”

  I nod. “I asked Leo if he’d collect her and take her to see her mom. He’s going to look after her for me, which is a big relief.”

  “That’s a good idea. He and Sam will make sure she’s all right.” Austin looks up from his phone. I don’t think he’s been doing anything on it, mainly just staring at it.

  “Did you fire the person who was supposed to be looking after her mother?” Liam questions.

  “I did, she gave some crap excuse about how Zoey’s mother disappeared during her break.”

  We all fall silent.

  It’s strange, but Zoey has become an essential part of our group in such a short space of time. It feels odd, her not being here, and I feel like I’m missing a part of me.

  “We should do something. Maybe go to the venue early. Practice a couple of songs, and make sure we’re on top form for tonight.” Cameron sits forward in his seat like he’s about to stand. He lets out a long sigh but doesn’t get up.

  “Good idea,” Liam adds but doesn’t move either. He doesn’t even have a pair of drumsticks in his hands like normal.

  “Did the hospital call again and say anything more about Zoey’s mom?” Austin places his phone down on the chair next to him and looks at me expectantly.

  I shake my head. “No, there isn’t really anything they can update us with at the moment. She’s having an operation to fix her legs. They’ll probably be doing it now.” I look at my Rolex watch. It’s not often I wear it, but it’s useful to quickly figure out what time it is for Zoey in Seattle.

  “Oh, will they call Zoey to let her know how it goes? She’ll call you after, right?” Austin questions me again.

  I nod.

  We all fall silent once more.

  “This is silly.” Cameron actually gets up this time and starts pacing around the room. “We’ve never even met Zoey’s mom, yet we’re all worried sick about her.”

  “It’s the Zoey effect,” Liam adds. “It’s hit Tate the hardest, but she’s left a mark on all of us.” He holds his hands up to me. “Though not in a sexual way, man. More like a little sister.”

  “I know.” I lean forward and put my head in my hands, pulling on the ends of the longer strands of my hair. “I’m in love with her,” I blurt out.

  “We know.” Cameron stops pacing and leans on the back of a chair. “We’ve seen how much you’ve fallen for her. It’s a beautiful sight. We couldn’t be happier for you.”

  I feel tears prick in my eyes. Having the support of my friends is a big relief to me.

  “I know it’s quick. I just can’t explain it. It’s like she’s this whirlwind in my life. I’m struggling because she isn’t here, and I can’t support her. It sounds crazy, I know. I love my job. Being a rock star is the greatest thing in the world. What we do for the fans is my entire life, but walking away from Zoey as she boarded the plane alone was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  All three of my friends shift closer to me. We embrace and share each other’s comfort. The strength of the bond between us needs no words.

  “I wrote a song for her in the car on the way back. I think it’s the fastest I’ve ever composed. It’s silly. I’ll probably get slated for it.” I reach into my pocket, pull a piece of paper out, and hand it to Cameron. He instantly starts to read it out loud.

  You’re a whirlwind in my life,

  Blown in to change everything,

  I thought I’d never find anyone,

  Who’d match my soul,

  But in you I’ve found me again.

  Heart and soul combined,

  Breath and air falling slowly,

  Into a love eternal,

  Always and forever we will be.

  Tenderness and kindness in one life,

  Born in a feisty blonde goddess,

  Leather wraps around you perfectly,

  Tantalizing me to the border of insanity,

  You’re inscribed into my mind eternally.

  Heart and soul combined,

  Breath and air falling slowly,

  Into a love eternal,

  Always and forever we will be.

  A darkness in both I see,

  Pain and suffering inflicted,

  A strength combined saves us,

  And brings us together in hope,

  We will endure everything thrown at us.

  Heart and soul combined,

  Breath and air falling slowly,

  Into a love eternal,

  Always and forever we will be.

  “Wow, that’s amazing.” Austin is the first to speak after Cameron finishes reading.

  “It describes you both perfectly. I can see it being a big hit.” Liam’s drumsticks seem to have appeared from nowhere, and he’s already tapping a soft rhythm against his legs.

  Cameron, however, doesn’t say anything. He just stares down at the piece of paper.

  “Is it bad?” I ask him, almost afraid to hear his answer.

  Cameron and I are best friends. We’ve always been together. He’s a big part of who I am, and I worry I’ve offended him with what I’ve written.

  He takes a deep breath and hands me the piece of paper back. “You need to get on the first plane we can find that will take you to Seattle.”

  “What?” I exclaim in shock.

  “You need to go be with her, man. We can handle all the shit here. Fuck, I’ll even sing all the songs tonight if I have to. I won’t be as good as you, but you need to go be with Zoey. Staying here is crap. You love her. Go support her.”

  “Cameron, I can’t do that.”

  “Go.” My best mate folds his arms across his chest. Telling me, there’ll be no arguing with him.

  “I can’t just walk out on you guys.”

  “You’re not.” Liam takes the same stance as Cameron.

  “No, we’re ordering you out,” Austin joins them.

  “We’ll sort out everything here. We’ll refund all the tickets if we have to. It won’t dent us too badly. We’ve all got more than enough money to last a lifetime. This is an emergency, Tate. You love her.”

  “I do.” I join my bandmates on their feet.

  We all embrace again before I rush off to pack a small suitcase of essentials. They’re right. I couldn’t perform tonight even if I tried. My heart is with Zoey on the plane. I need to be at her side and support her. This isn’t something she should go through alone, not when she has me to love her.

  Chapter 27

  Zoey

  #LifeIsTheCruelestThingToLive

  I meet Leo Nash for the first time when he picks me up from the airport along with his wife Samantha. They’re both lovely people, and I long for a time when I can get to know them better—away from the stress of what’s happening with my mother.

  I’m whisked straight to the hospital and into the private room my mother’s in. She’s hooked up to several diffe
rent machines that are beeping and making all sorts of other noises. She looks tiny in the bed, despite the fact a good proportion of her body is covered in plaster after the fall.

  I sit down next to her on the side where her arm isn’t broken and hold her hand. The nurse looking after my mother has run off to find the doctor, so he can talk to me and give me more details on what’s happening. I can feel the tears falling down my face again. I’m tired, emotional, and feeling very lost. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. Leo and Sam have gone to get a cup of coffee, leaving me completely alone.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you, Mom. I won’t leave you now.”

  I stroke her hand and listen to the machines. She must hear my voice and recognize it, for she stirs in the bed.

  “Zoey.” Her voice is hoarse. “Is it really you?”

  “Yes, Mom. I’m here.”

  “I’m sorry.” She opens her eyes and looks directly at me. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll look after you.”

  “You shouldn’t have to do that.”

  “I want to.” I squeeze my mom’s hand to reassure her, but inside all I want to do is breakdown and cry.

  The door to the room opens and in walks an older gentleman in a white coat.

  “Miss Danson.” He extends his hand to me. “I’m Dr. Vladimir. I’ve been looking after your mother. I hope you’re feeling all right. You’ve had a long flight back.”

  I stand and shake his hand. “Please call me Zoey. I was touring with the band called Saving Tate as their publicist. They loaned me their private jet to travel back in.”

  “Wow. It must have been an experience.”

  I nod. “How is my mother, Doctor?”

  “She’s been lucky…haven’t you, Tina?”

  “Yes,” my mother responds, her voice cracking again.

  I see a glass of water on the bedside table and offer it to her. It has a straw in it, and she takes a sip through it.