Love at The Bluebird

Tori loved it when fans and paparazzi took our photo, but Aly seems to be the total opposite with how visibly uncomfortable she was from the attention this morning. I run my hand through my hair in frustration, trying to think of how to respond. “We didn’t even kiss on the lips. I kissed her cheek, for fuck’s sake.”

“Did you get amnesia between last night and this morning? Here’s a refresh—you agreed to take things slow by talking to her on the phone first for a week before taking her out on a date. Is this starting to ring a bell at all?” Sosie asks in a chiding, sarcastic tone that starts to grate on my nerves.

“First, watch your tone with me. Second, I know exactly what I said last night—and then I changed my mind, something I have the right to do, because I’m a grown-ass man. I don’t need permission to date anyone. So, ask me again if I plan on taking things slow with her,” I challenge, because although she can’t understand how I feel, she needs to know what my stance on Aly is now that I’ve seen her again.

“I think I already know what the answer is, Gavin.”

Damn fucking straight. “Be prepared for more phone calls, because I plan to spend more time with her.”

She must know by my tone not to argue with me, because the line goes quiet for a moment before she softly replies with a mixture of resignation and worry. “How do you want me to respond to the media?”

“Tell them there’s no comment and to respect my damn privacy,” I growl, hating we even have to discuss this kind of bullshit. This hasn’t been an issue before, but with the popularity of “User” and the hype about my new single fixing to drop, this seems like the new norm of my life.

“Gavin, do you understand that once they find out who she is, they’ll probably hound her at work and possibly where she lives?” I nod at the phone, but don’t say a word, because she’s right; they definitely will. At least with my building, I have the protection of it being locked and a doorman to keep people out. I have no idea if Aly has that same protection.

“Don’t get mad at me. I’m only trying to look out for both of you, but maybe you should just cut your ties now before it gets worse. It’s not fair to subject her to the kind of scrutiny she’s about to endure. Tori was different, since she was already in the limelight, but I don’t think Alyson is ready for this.”

Her words cause a sharp, sudden pain in my chest, making me refuse to even entertain the idea. “Fuck no, I’m not letting her go unless she tells me she doesn’t want to see me,” I lie, because even if she did tell me she didn’t want to date me, I won’t back down. No matter how crazy and insane that thought is, I’m determined to see where this leads.

“Again, you just met this girl. Stop acting like a caveman.” Sosie sighs, but I hear a hint of humor in her tone and my lips twitch.

I do feel territorial and possessive of Aly, which is a foreign feeling for me. When Tori would flirt with other men, I would just laugh it off, since she has a flirtatious, narcissistic personality. The thought of Aly flirting with another man makes me feel like I want to punch something.

“I need to go. I know I gave you the day off, but let’s meet at my place in two hours to discuss my travel plans before I have to get to the studio.”

“Seriously, now I have to meet you on my day off? Some boss you are.”

“Go pick up lunch on me from your favorite sushi place and meet at my place,” I tell her to soften the blow of having to work on her day off.

“I can do that,” she agrees, and I chuckle.

I tell her goodbye and immediately dial Aly to check in with her. Since she’s at work, I probably should’ve just sent her a text, but I want to hear her voice and know she’s okay.

“Hey, sorry I didn’t call you when I got into the office,” she says when she answers. “I was bombarded by my boss as soon as I stepped through the door.”

“I just wanted to make sure you got to work okay, baby,” I respond, then frown when the phone goes silent. “You still there?”

“Yeah,” she responds quietly.

“What was that about?”

“You.”

“Me?” Worry fills the pit of my stomach.

“I’m just not used to being called ‘baby’ and ‘darlin’.’”

I smile. “Start getting used to it. I have more good ol’ Texas terms of endearments up my sleeve, sweet cheeks.” My smile broadens as her whimsical laughter fills my ears.