Authors: K.L. Middleton,Cassie Alexandra,Kristen Middleton
“That’s the same way I felt at your age, but when it comes to this show, you definitely need someone to point you in the right direction, and that person is me.”
“You’re not pointing me anywhere; you’re just pushing me away from success.”
“Hey, I want you to be successful,” I said. “But there are other ways…”
She groaned. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but if you’re not going to support or root for me, then, well, get out of the way, because I’m
not
giving up on this contest. I’m
going
to the next round,” she said, her eyes hard. “I need to do this, Ransom. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of.”
I opened my mouth to tell her that the dream she had shouldn’t be signing with Icon, and that I’d help her get into the music industry if she really wanted to, but then our waitress returned.
“Would either of you care for dessert?” she asked, staring at me curiously. I wondered how much she’d actually heard and looked towards Tiffany.
“No,” replied Tiffany, looking down at her leftovers. “In fact, I’m no longer hungry. Can you please bring us the tab?”
“Sure thing,” she said, taking the bill out of her apron. “You can pay at the register. Have a good night, and come back real soon.”
“Thanks,” said Taffy, grabbing the tab.
“Hey, I’ve got it,” I said, trying to take the bill from her as the waitress left.
“No,” she said. “
I’m
paying for it. I’d hate to make you spend money that you made from Icon, on
this
food, knowing how much it bothers you.”
Frustrated, I grabbed her wrist, and leaned forward. “I made the money
for
Icon.
My
voice made them millions of dollars.”
She snaked her hand away. “Good for you, and good for them. Look, I have a headache and just want to lie down before the funeral. Can you call your drivers, and have them come and get you?”
I sighed. “Tiffany –”
She scooted out of the booth. “Thanks. I’ll see you tonight at the funeral.”
“Look, I’m sorry if you’re upset. I’m just trying to help you.”
“Save it,” she said. “I’m seriously tired of arguing.”
I stood up and watched as she grabbed her purse, and then stormed out of the diner.
Tiffany
I was so angry when I left the diner, that I barely remembered driving back to my apartment. It wasn’t until I threw my purse on the sofa and sank down into my chaise that I realized I’d abandoned a famous celebrity like Ransom in an old, dumpy diner. Stifling a giggle, I closed my eyes and began rubbing my temples. As my headache began to subside, my phone vibrated.
A message.
I grabbed my purse and checked the message. It was from Ransom.
Are you okay?
Yes,
I answered.
Just a headache.
Do you feel better now that you left your headache at Zeke’s?
I laughed.
Sorry. Did you find a ride?
Yes.
Well, I’ll see you in a couple hours.
I hope so.
You will. I’d never miss your mom’s funeral.
I already miss you.
Feeling a pang of pleasure in my chest, I smiled.
You’re such a flirt.
Not flirting. Dead serious. Can I give you a ride to the funeral?
I hesitated, knowing that the media would be close enough to possibly snap a picture of us together.
No, I can drive.
He paused for a few seconds.
No, I’ll pick you up. I know what you’re worried about, and I promise, nobody will know if we play it cool at the funeral. We don’t even have to sit together.
Fine.
I’ll pick you up in the lobby at four-thirty.
Okay.
He didn’t send another text, so I put my phone on the charger. As I walked away, it went off.
I picked it up and cringed, ready for the tongue lashing. “Hi, Remy.”
“What’s going on between you and Ransom?”
I smirked. “Well, you certainly don’t mess around.”
She sighed. “I’m worried about you, Tiffany. He’s a womanizer, a drunk, and not somebody you want to get involved with. Hell, he’s a fucking mess.”
“Oh, come on. He’s not
that
bad.”
“Yes, he is. You have no idea how fucked up he is. Just stay away from him. For your sake, for my sake. I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”
“You would never do that.”
“Just, please, keep your distance from my brother. I know him a lot better than you do, Tiff.”
“That’s going to be a little hard since he’s giving me a ride to the funeral.”
She coughed. “No, absolutely not. I’ll pick you up.”
“There’s no need to.”
“Yes, I am picking you up. Besides, you know you’re not supposed to be near one of the Icon judges.”
“I know – we’re going to act like strangers when we arrive. Besides, I probably shouldn’t be around you either. You
are
one of the judge’s sisters.”
She sighed in frustration. “Fine, I’ll send a limo for you. It’s better than driving with Ransom. They’ll still see you together, for sure.”
I made my own decision. “Look, I’ll just drive myself. I’ll be there at five, sharp.”
“Okay. Just do yourself a favor, Tiffany, and stay away from Ransom. He’s no good for you or your music career. I know he bitches and complains about Icon, but seriously, I think you have an excellent shot at going all the way.”
I smiled. “Do you
really
think so?”
“I really do. You know, your mom would be very proud of you. Hell, so would mine.”
“I think our moms are still proud of both of us. Wherever they may be.”
“I hope so. Anyway, just remember what I told you, and stay away from Ransom if you know what’s good for you.”
I bit the side of my nail. “I know you’re right.”
“I am. Listen, I have to go. I’ll see you soon?”
“Okay.”
She hung up, and I stared at the wall in the kitchen, wondering what I was going to do about Ransom. He was
so
persuasive, and saying “no” to a man like that wasn’t easy. The fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about him didn’t help matters, either. I closed my eyes, picturing his hands and lips on my skin and released a frustrated sigh.
I already missed him, too.
I knew the timing wasn’t right for us, but I couldn’t help the way I felt. Not only did he drive me crazy in bed, but every time I pictured his smile, I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. The same way I’d felt as a teenager, only this time it was much more intense. If I wasn’t careful, I’d let him talk me into shrugging away all of my plans for a singing career. But deep down, I knew that I’d never forgive myself if I walked away from the contest that easily. I had to see how far I could go. It’s what my mother would have wanted.
Sighing, I decided to tell him the truth – that it was too risky to arrive at the service together. Heck, it was bad for both of us. No matter how much he disliked Icon, he was still under contract.
Making up my mind, I called and left him a message, telling Ransom that I’d see him at the funeral, but at a safe distance, and that if he wanted to talk, he could stop by my apartment later that evening.
He returned my call shortly, obviously frustrated. “This is ridiculous. I need you by my side. At least on the ride out there. It would mean a lot.”
I closed my eyes, and pictured my mother’s face, urging me to stay strong. That we didn’t even know each other that well, and he was expecting too much from me. “Ransom, I just can’t take any chances,” I pleaded.
He didn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry about your mom, really I am. But you’re going to have so many people surrounding you, people who love and support you. And hell, I’ll still be at the funeral, wishing you the best.”
“It’s not the same thing,” he replied, in a clipped voice.
“Look, when the funeral is over, come back to my place, and we’ll talk.”
He was quiet.
“Ransom?”
“Yeah.”
“Just think about it, okay?”
“I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon. For New York for more judging. After that, I’ll be traveling to the other locations, and won’t be back for another month or so.”
“I understand,” I said, feeling an emptiness in the pit of my stomach. I was already missing him, and he hadn’t even left yet. This wasn’t good.
“Oh, fuck, I’ve got to go. Sonia’s beating down my door already.”
“Okay,” I replied. “I’ll see you at the funeral.”
“Right.”
“Goodbye.”
He sighed. “Goodbye.”
I hung up and leaned back against the wall, wondering if I was making a big mistake. My dream was to become a singer, a famous singer. But, was it worth pushing away the man I finally had… the one I’d also dreamed about?
Ransom
Sonia was pissed off as all hell, and railed on me for an hour about being a douchebag.
“What the fuck? You didn’t check in at all last night. Dammit, your mom was
murdered
, and nobody heard a peep out of you in the last twelve hours? I’ve left you several messages, which you didn’t even have the decency to respond to!” she snapped, pacing back and forth. “You could have at least sent me a message, telling me you were still breathing!”
“Sorry,” I replied, staring up at the ceiling as I lay back on my sofa. I’d turned off my phone again, knowing that it was the only way to keep anyone from hounding me. “I’ve had a lot of shit on my mind.”
She sat down across from me on one of the leather club chairs. “I know, I get that, hon, but, you’re giving me a fucking ulcer.” She leaned forward and put her head in her hands. “I just can’t do it anymore. I’m tired of babysitting. It’s just too much work trying to get you to where you need to be, lying through my teeth to the studio about your whereabouts, and keeping your shit together for you. Dammit, Ransom,” she looked over at me, “when are you just going to grow up?”
She just didn’t get it.
“Sonia, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, really. And I’m sorry for all of the trouble I’ve caused you, I really am, but the truth is – I want out. I
really
want out. After this season of Icon.”
Her eyes bulged out of her head. “You want out?”
“Yeah. I’d like to hire a lawyer, one not associated with the show, and see if there is any way out of these fucking contracts.”
She rubbed her forehead, and then nodded. “Fine, you want to leave Icon? There is a way, Ransom, but let me tell you, you will lose
everything
.
Everything
.”
I stared at her in surprise. “You’re telling me that there is really a way out?”
She snorted. “You look surprised. Yes, there
always
was. But you’ll lose the rights to all of your songs, and walk away without a dime.”
I sat up. “The songs were theirs. They wrote them anyway.”
“Well then, if you’re okay with giving up your money, your homes, your cars, hell, that island you invested in… I’m talking
everything
, then, you can walk away. Hell, it’s all in the contracts. I read them, didn’t you?”
I grinned sheepishly.
“Skimmed them?” she replied with a snort. “Read only what you wanted to?”
“Hey, I was young and stupid. I didn’t know anything back then.”
“Obviously.” She sighed. “Ransom, normally, I’d fight you on this, and tell you that you’re making a big fucking mistake. A monstrous one. But, I’ve seen how miserable you are, and I know you have one hell of a voice, so you’ll recover. If this is really what you want, I’ll do what I can to help you.”
“Even if you’ll lose me for a client?”
Her eyes glinted. “I never said anything about that. Those fuckers don’t own
me
, Ransom.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I thought it was Icon who hired you as my agent.”
“They did,” she said. “But unlike
you
, I read the contracts, and negotiated before I signed anything. I
never
read anything, anywhere that indicated I couldn’t represent you, should you leave Icon, and believe me, I went over them several dozen times.”
I smiled. “You’re good.”
She put her feet up on the coffee table, and grinned back. “Fucking-A-right, I am.”
“I owe you.”
“You’ve owed me for a long time now, Ransom. You’ve just been too busy feeling sorry for yourself to realize it.”
“I’m finished with that. I’ll do whatever I can to pay you back.”
“Good. One thing though, Ransom, I’m going to have to insist that you stay sober while we figure this thing out.”
“No problem. Gladly.”
“You need a ride to the funeral?” she asked, checking her watch.
“You’re going?”
She frowned. “Of course I’m going. Do you think that I dressed up like this for shits and giggles?”
I glanced down her black dress, and was reminded of how much she loathed wearing anything but pants. “You look nice.”
“Thanks. I’m only doing it to pay my respects to your mom, God rest her soul.” Her eyes softened. “You know, I only met her a few times, but I could tell she was a special woman.”
I blinked back tears. “Yeah, she really was.”
“Well, I’ll let you get ready. Meet me in the lobby in an hour, and we’ll take the limo.”
“Okay.”
“And, Ransom, remember what I told you, lay off of the booze. We need your head clear.”
An image of Tiffany popped into my head, and I knew there was already one thing in my mind that was clear. I wouldn’t leave Icon until she walked away first.