For Now (Forever Book 1) Page 3

  “That doesn’t make this sound any safer.”

  “I would have protection and his personal assistant will be helping me along the way.” I smile thinking about Camden’s offer to show me the ropes of living on tour. He actually offered to come help me pack tomorrow. He says he is a pro at packing for tours at this point.

  “You like him, don’t you?” Karen asks.

  “Who?” I look up at her, confused.

  “Ryder, you have a rock star crush on him.” She wags her eyebrows.

  “No, Ryder seems like an okay guy, but I don’t like him.”

  “But there is someone, isn‘t there? You can’t stop smiling.”

  “No, I was just thinking that his assistant Camden is really nice and I think this could be fun too. I don’t like anyone,” I insist.

  “Okay, I think that this Camden guy seems like he can keep you safe from any potential problems and this seems like a fun adventure, you have been working so hard for Jackson and me. But any money that you get will go towards getting you set up on your own, so you can move back to Iowa and find a teaching job. I know that this is what you want. Though I will miss you like crazy.”

  I know that she will insist that I keep this money, but she is getting it anyways, I could never leave her struggling after everything that she has done for me after losing my parents and brother.

  “I’ll miss you guys too. Are you sure I should do this?” I ask her. I wouldn‘t feel right if Karen doesn‘t think I should do this. “Are you sure you won’t need me here?”

  “No, I think you need to do this. One big adventure before you enter the job market and go out into the real world. You have to promise to call me every day. And I wouldn’t hate it if you happened to snap a few pictures of a shirtless Ryder and sent them to me.”

  “Really, Karen? I really doubt that is something I will see anyways.” I’m bright red now. Amy and Karen both enjoy embarrassing me. I almost dread the nights when we are all working together, but the fun we usually has together is almost worth it. Almost.

  “I think it would be nice if I could meet this Camden before you leave, it will make me feel better. I know I get to be the cool aunt who tells you to go out on adventures, but I still need to be a parent and watch out for your safety,” she says getting up from the table to get us a piece of the chocolate cake she made a few days ago.

  “You can meet him tomorrow; he is coming by to help me pack.” I tell her then take a bite of her amazing chocolate cake. It is the one thing that she can cook.

  “Wow, how nice is that? Maybe this Camden guy is worth getting to know.” She says with a wink. “Is he cute?”

  “I don’t think he is trying to be sweet. I kind of got the impression that Ryder put him in charge of making sure I’m happy and watching me. I think I’m more like a job. And yes, he is cute.” I admit, blushing. “He’s very muscular, tan and nice blue eyes. But please don’t embarrass me when he comes over, I need to work with this guy. Okay?”

  “When have I ever embarrassed you?” she asks feigning a shocked expression.

  I just roll my eyes, if I had a dollar for every time she tried to embarrass me in front of a guy, I wouldn’t be in this mess now. “Just be nice and no embarrassing stories and no bringing out the photo albums.”

  “Yes, Sweets,” she answers with a smile.

  “Okay, I’m going to bed. Long day of packing tomorrow. I love you. And thanks for everything,” I say, placing our dishes in the sink.

  “Love you too, Elaina. Thanks for going into work tonight. Get some rest.”

  Chapter 6

  Camden

  I wake up early to go down to the café that I saw on the corner and get coffee and bagels to take over to Ellie’s apartment.

  Maybe this is all a mistake, I love Ryder like a brother, but he can be a real asshole to girls, she doesn’t deserve that. However, it seems like she needs the money and wants to do this, so I can’t really stop her. I wonder what a girl like her needs money so bad that she would be willing to do this.

  I text her to let her know that I’m on my way. There is a lot to do today to get ready to leave on the tour buses tonight, so I wanted to get an early start.

  Me: Hey, it’s Camden. I’m on my way over.

  Ellie: Hey, you really don’t have to do this. I know you have other things that you probably have to do today.

  Me: No, I want to. I want to make this as easy as possible for you.

  Ellie: Okay, thanks see you in a few

  I buzz the intercom at the door to her apartment building and a lady answers.

  “Yes, who is it?” she asks

  “Umm, my name is Camden; I’m here to see Ellie.” I say.

  “Oh, of course, come on up,” she says as the door unlocks.

  I get up to the third floor and find her apartment and there is a woman standing there with the door open staring at me. Behind her, I see a young boy on crutches.

  “You must be Camden, I’m Karen and this is Jackson,” she says pointing over her shoulder at the boy. “She was right, you are good looking.” What? Ellie told her that I’m good looking. This thought makes me smile.

  Just then, Ellie turns into the kitchen from a small hallway. “Hey,” she says. Damn, she’s hot. She’s wearing a long, black skirt and a pink tank top and her hair is in a long braid. It takes me a few seconds to gather my thoughts.

  “Hey,” I reply, not sure what else to say.

  “I see you already met Karen and Jackson. Are you ready to get started? I know you have a lot to do.”

  “Not, so fast,” Karen says as Ellie starts to head back down the hallway to her bedroom. “I need to know a few things about Camden here before you two leave. First off, what exactly is it that you do? Second, why should I trust you with my little girl?”

  Wow, she can be somewhat scary when she goes all mom on you. “Well, I’m Ryder’s personal assistant that means anything from getting coffee to making sure he is where he needs to be at all times. You will be able to trust me with Ellie, because it’ll be my job to watch out for her and make sure nothing happens. I have a little sister her age and I know I would want someone looking out for her. Ellie’s a sweet girl and I know the perception that rock bands can get a little crazy on tour, but honestly, she’ll be with me the whole time.”

  “This little girl is very important to me, just remember that.”

  “I will, ma’am.” I say with sincerity.

  “We’ll get along great if you promise to never call me ma’am again. I’m not an old woman. You can call me Karen. Now, would you like to see some of Elaina’s old baby books?” she says with a wink at Ellie.

  “Wait, Elaina?” I ask, confused, as Karen gets up, I assume, to go get a photo album.

  “Yes,” Ellie says, “my name is Elaina, but I go by Ellie.” That is the perfect name for her. I like it.

  “Oh no, you don’t.” She says with a groan to Karen. “I told you no looking at the baby books. Let’s head back to my room Camden.”

  “We have some time,” I say “besides, I brought some bagels. I didn’t know if you would have eaten yet.”

  Chapter 7

  Elaina

  “You bought bagels?” I can’t believe that he brought us all breakfast. “Oh, you bought my favorite kind. You might want to be careful or I’m going to start to expect you to bring me food every day.” I walk to the counter to get myself some coffee and grab a cup for Camden too. Karen can fend for herself if she is going to continue to try to embarrass me.

  We all sit and have a bagel and Camden goes over all the places that we are going to visit. I’ve never really been anywhere, so I’m actually kind of excited to see all of these new places. However, I have to remember why I’m doing this. This isn’t for fun; it is for Jackson and Karen.

  “What is it like to work with Line 9?” Jackson asks. He’s a huge fan.

  “Well, it is a lot of work, but it can be fun going around the country and seeing new things,” Camd
en tells him. “Do you listen to their music?”

  “Yeah, all the time. I really like their new album. Ryder’s so cool.”

  “Tell you what, we have some shows coming up near here, I can get you and your mom tickets. I mean if that is okay with her.”

  “Really? That would be awesome! Can we go mom?” he looks up at his mom.

  “We will see when it gets closer, but I don’t see why not,” Karen replies. I love that Camden would do this for Jackson.

  “Okay, let’s get packing so you‘ll have enough time to get everything done before the concert tonight,” I say standing up, stretching.

  We walk back to my room and on the way, I can see him looking at everything and taking it in. Karen takes pride in her home, nothing is out of place and every few months she buys some new decoration to make the place homier, though it is still somewhat bare. Our apartment has two bedrooms, one tiny bathroom, a living room and an outdated kitchen. Karen sleeps on the pullout couch in the living room; at least, she will have a bedroom now that I’m leaving.

  I’m kind of self-conscious of his inspection. I know that his place in L.A has to be a lot nicer than this, but Karen and I have worked hard for what we have.

  “I like your room,” he says, as he takes in all the books and the posters from my favorite Broadway shows.

  “What can I say? I’m really into books and plays. That is the one good thing about moving to Chicago, I get to see the shows.” That is when I can save up enough tip money to justify going. It has been a long time since I’ve been to one.

  “You know, we will be in New York for a concert on this tour and Ryder has to be seen with you, that would be a good opportunity,” he says. We both laugh at the idea of seeing Ryder Kinick at a Broadway show.

  “I think I might just take you up on that offer,” I say with a smile.

  “I’ll work on it, nothing he can say if I buy the tickets before we tell him.” This might be kind of fun.

  “Okay, now what to pack?” I ask him.

  “Show me what you have,” he says after sitting down on my bed. “Anything else you need, I’ll get a personal shopper to pick up today and get it on the bus before the show tonight.”

  “I really can’t afford much right now. I’m sure I’ll have enough here,” I tell him on my way to the closet to pull out my clothing options. Not that I have much.

  “Ryder is paying for it and before you argue, you’ll need clothes for the times you are photographed. Believe me, after spending a few days on a bus with some dirty, rowdy guys, you will wish that you would have asked for more money.” I look down at him. He stretches and his shirt pulls up a little and I can see his tan, tight six-pack. He has that perfect V that makes me want to melt. I can’t stop staring. He gives me a look that almost seems self-conscious before getting up and coming over to the closet to help me.

  “Okay, fine, if it’s for the pictures,” I finally say after coming back to reality.

  We get to work picking out what to pack. Camden must be really busy as a personal assistant to a huge rock star; in the first few minute we were working, I saw him sending texts and he had to step out for a minute to make some phone calls. I used that time to pack any items that would embarrass me if he saw them.

  A little over an hour after getting started, he was telling me about a particularly funny story about the band that involved a nice hotel and a pet snake being let loose, when there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in,” I say.

  Karen opens the door and brings in a very nice, new suitcase. “This luggage just showed up for you,” she says.

  “What? I didn’t order anything.”

  “I did,” says Camden, “I thought you might need something bigger to fit the clothes from the personal shopper in there too. The clothes she picked out are already in there. Remember, you will thank me for this later.”

  “Thank you, but you really don’t have to do all this.”

  “Wait,” Karen says, “new luggage and clothes bought by a personal shopper? Are you sure Ryder doesn’t want a girl that is a little older?” she laughs. “Anyways, I’m heading out to take Jackson to do some errands and get groceries. We’ll be back before you leave for the show tonight.” She pulls the door closes as she leaves.

  “I did get you one more thing,” he says reaching into the luggage, he pulls out an e-reader. “I saw all the books that you have and I didn’t think we would be able to fit enough books and the days traveling can be long. So, I thought you might need this. It is linked to Ryder’s credit card, so you can buy as many books as you want.”

  Oh my god, I was thinking about getting one, but haven’t been able to justify spending the money on one. Camden thinks of everything. “That is so thoughtful; I really don’t know how I’m going to deserve all of this. I promise I’ll work hard on this tour to help Ryder.”

  “I know you will,” he says. “You’ll be perfect.”

  We spent the rest of the morning laughing and talking about the cool things that we would get to see. He was telling me about the band members. I’m glad that I’ll have him there for a buffer. They seem a little wild.

  After the packing is done, I realized he was telling the truth, he really is a pro at this. I never thought you could fit so much into a suitcase this size.

  “Okay, I have to head out to get some stuff done before the show tonight.” he says. “Be ready at 6:00 and I’ll have a car pick you up for the show. The driver will have the backstage pass for you and will drive around back. Ryder will meet you at the car and there will be some photographers there to snap some photos of you two together. I know you just met him, but you are going to have to act like you like each other. It will get easier, but I know you will do well.”

  “Wow, pictures already? What is going to happen when these pictures hit the internet? How crazy will it get?”

  “It will be crazy when you two are out together, if he gets recognized. Just remember, I will be there to help you through this.”

  “Okay, I can do this. Thanks. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “See ya tonight.”

  ************************************

  After Camden leaves, I text Amy. I know that I’m going to need some help getting ready for the show tonight and she’s the perfect person for the job and I suppose I’ll never hear the end of it if she finds out about this after seeing the pictures. I would have to change my number.

  Me: Hey, can you please come over? I need your help!

  Amy: Sure, what do you need?

  Me: I need you to do my hair and make-up for tonight.

  Amy: Oh, hott date? ;) I’ll bring some clothes too.

  Me: No, yes, well no, not really, I’ll explain when you get here. You don’t have to bring any clothes, I have some

  Amy: I’ve seen your closet, believe me, you need me to bring clothes. Your clothes are all very cute, but for a first date you need to be hott. ;)

  Me: I need to go for cute. And I got some new clothes. Just hurry please

  Amy: On my way. L8R

  Amy arrived fifteen minutes later with her make-up and we headed straight for my room.

  “O.M.G. look at these clothes,” she says after seeing the few outfits on my bed. “These must have cost you a fortune. This really must be an important date.” She adds winking at me. I just roll my eyes.

  “The guy I’m meeting tonight bought them for me actually,” I admit.

  “A guy bought these for you? He must really like you,” she says while checking the labels. The labels seem to impress her, though they mean nothing to me. She picks one up, holds against herself, and looks in the mirror.

  “No, it’s complicated. You remember last night at the bar? Did you see me talking to that guy?”

  She stops checking herself out and looks at me with her mouth wide open. “Mr. Muscles? Yeah, I saw him flirting with you. That’s the guy you are going out with? You usually don’t date customers.”

  “He wasn’t flirtin
g, we were just talking,” I correct her, I’m now blushing furiously. “He’s the personal assistant for Ryder Kinick and I guess that after the fight at the bar the other night, Ryder needs help with his image.”

  “Oh, I heard about that fight. I do love a bad boy,” she sprawls on my bed and starts to fan herself.

  “Focus, please,” I snap.

  “Sorry, I’m listening,” she says looking up at me.

  “Well, Camden, the guy I was talking to thinks that being seen with a good girl a few times might help Ryder’s image, and prove that he can settle down. So, I’m going to the concert tonight and we will have some photos taken of him helping me out of the car and taking me backstage.” I say, wincing and waiting for her reaction.

  “WHAT?!?!” she shouts, as she hops up from the bed, comes over to me and grabs my shoulders. “Not only are you going to the Line 9 concert tonight, you are going backstage and get to be in the arms of Ryder Kinick? If I didn’t like you so much, I’d kill you and take your place tonight.” She takes my hands and starts hopping up and down. I didn’t even know girls really did that. I thought it was just something girls did in cheesy 90’s movies. I half bounce along with her, as to not spoil her enthusiasm.

  “It isn’t really that big of a deal, it isn’t like I’m going to be his actual girlfriend. I’m just going to pretend for a few months.” I play with a thread on my shirt to avoid her gaze.

  “A few months? But won’t he be on tour the whole time? Will he come back here? Will I get to meet him?”

  “Well, actually, I will be joining him on tour.”

  “WHAT?” she shrieks again, “You are going to share a tour bus with Line 9? You will get to be with Ryder and that Camden’s pretty hot too, just not enough of a bad boy vibe for me. However, Camden does look like he could kick some serious ass. Promise me that if you get to see Ryder naked, you will send me a picture.”

  “What is it with you and Karen?” I ask. “Can we start getting ready now? I’m nervous; I want to look good since my picture will be on the internet tomorrow. Oh, what have I gotten myself in to?” I put my head in my hands.