International Love

Chapter 5

“So where will the tour kick off?” I asked our manager, Katie.

“It’ll kick off in New York City.” She responded, “This is going to be a world tour. Stopping in over 50 cities in America. We’re going to Australia, South America, Europe, Japan, and lots of other places. Also, you’ll do charity work in different places including Mexico, Africa, Haiti. You’re all going to be busy this summer.”

Hearing all the things we’re going to get to do this summer makes me excited. I get to see the world with my friends, perform, do charity work. We get to do all the things I love doing. My favorite part was always the charity work. Most of it was done with kids and I loved working with kids. I was looking forward to this summer, but first we needed to get through awards show season.

Even though we’ve been a band for 5 years, this will be our first massive tour. We’ve always had concerts in different countries here and there but our most recent album went triple platinum. We just released the deluxe version of our latest album. With our last album being so successful, we were nominated for many awards. We were nominated for six Grammy awards including Album of the year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by duo/group, Best music video, Best pop vocal album and Record of the Year.

“So when do rehearsals start?” Derek asked.

“Rehearsals will start March 8th. Tour kicks off May 6th.” Katie responded, “We’ve rented you all a penthouse in New York City because your rehearsals will take place up there. You will not be back in Los Angeles until the closing day of the tour which is September 29th.”

“Holy. Crap.” I said, “So we’re moving is what you’re saying? And in two weeks.”

“Temporarily.” Katie responded.

I sat back in my chair and looked at Derek then looked at Steven and Lacey. Looks like they were all just as shocked as I was. This was huge for us. With so many Grammy nominations, a world tour, charity work, I was starting to feel overwhelmed.

“Oh my gosh.” Lacey finally said.

“Oh my gosh is right.” Steven chimed in, “This is going to be the best summer ever!”

Once the initial shock wore off the four of us were excited. Who wouldn’t be excited?

“Derek, this is going to be such a great chance for our relationship to grow.” Lacey said clapping her hands together.

“Lacey, are you deaf?” Derek asked, “we do not have a relationship. Besides, I have a girlfriend.”

“What?!” Lacey yelled, “Ugh!”

I rolled my eyes as Lacey left the room to obviously throw a fit. Derek knew it got under her skin every time he mentioned his girlfriend. I on the other hand, found it hilarious anytime he would mention her. It irritated Lacey and it got rid of her whenever she was working my last nerve. Which was most of the time.

Even though I considered Lacey one of my best friends, it didn’t mean she didn’t work my last nerve. We bonded over a lot of things. But her unhealthy obsession and possessiveness with Derek made it hard to want to hang out with her. Derek was all she ever talked about. And in interviews, she was so fake. She was this sweet and funny person that no one thinks could do wrong. If she was like that all the freaking time she’d be so much more easier and much more fun to hang out with.

When Lacey and I first met she was the person that I went shopping with, always had lunch with, I would have chosen her over Derek any day. But when she started developing feelings for him, things changed. She never wanted to hang out with just me she always wanted to include Derek. Sometimes I just wanted girl time. She’d invite Derek anyway. Lacey would have been the one I called when I needed a place to stay. But I didn’t want to deal with her and the Derek obsession for however long it took for my house to be done.

“I’ll go talk to her.” I sighed standing up from my chair.

I walked out of the conference room and went to the lounge where I knew she would be. I walked into the massive red room and she was sitting on the couch picking through gummy bears looking for the red ones like she always did.

“Picking to find the red ones I see.” I said shutting the door behind me.

“Why doesn’t he want to be with me?” She asked looking up at me.

“Oh sweetie. I’m sure it’s more for the band than anything.” I responded sitting down next to her, “You can’t control the way someone feels about you. I know it sucks. I do I get it, but just think about the one person that’s out there for you. The one that is going to love you more than life, the one that is going to come by and sweep you off your feet.”

“I don’t want someone else. I want Derek. I love him.” She said putting her head on my shoulder.

In that moment I felt so guilty hiding my secret. I felt like I was betraying her. Even though Lacey was obnoxious, I never liked seeing her upset. Especially because I know she can get vindictive.

“Do you love him or are you in love with him? Because there is a difference.” I said.

She let out a huge sigh and continued digging for red gummy bears. We sat in the lounge talking for a little while longer before returning to the conference room. Lacey was finally calm enough. I missed conversations like that with her. I just knew that Lacey was long gone. And she was going to do whatever it took to make sure no one was with Derek. As much as I felt guilty, I had to keep in the back of my head that it’s like this because of how she is.

After our meeting, Ronald took all of us home. When we got to Derek’s house we did our usual routine. Ronald maneuvered through the gate and right into the garage. Before the garage door was all the way shut I got out of the SUV and went straight into the house and straight to the pantry because I was starving and stressed out.

“Do you always eat like this?” Derek asked putting our bags on the counter.

“When I’m stressed out, yes.” I responded with a mouth full of marshmallows.

“Why are you stressed out?” He asked.

“I feel so guilty hiding from Lacey.” I responded, “She told me that she loves you.”

“I don’t love her though.” He responded tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, “My heart belongs to my girlfriend. You know that one that I told I had feelings for her a month ago.”

I smiled and put my hand on his cheek, “Your girlfriends heart belongs to you.”

He laughed and took my chin between his index finger and thumb and softly kissed my lips.

Flashback

“What?” I said breathlessly.

“I want to be with you, Ivy.” He whispered, “I’ve had feelings for you since the day I met you. I knew I wanted you to be my girlfriend. I just didn’t want to destroy something good for you because I knew how much you needed the band.”

“Derek, I,” I stuttered, “How is this going to work?”

“We can make it work. Please just give this a chance.” He pleaded.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. All this time I thought Derek considered me just his friend. I didn’t realize his feelings for me were romantic feelings. My feelings for him were always a bit stronger I just never realized he felt the same way.

“We have to keep this between us. At least for right now. Until we can get Lacey under control.” I said.

“I agree.” He smiled.

Before I knew it his lips were on mine. At this moment in time everything that just happened with my mom seemed so minuscule. Derek made the situation better.

End flashback

“So what’s for dinner?” Derek laughed pulling away from my lips.

“You know, I just don’t feel like cooking tonight. What if we just order some pizza?” I suggested.

“Pizza sounds great. I’ll go order it right now.” He said kissing my temple.

As he walked out of the kitchen my phone started vibrating. I looked down and saw that it was an unknown number.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Baby girl.” I heard a deep voice say, “How are you?”

“Dad?” I said as I started getting angry, “Why are you calling? Mom already called me last month. I’m not giving you guys money. You can just forget about it.”

“Ivy wait,” He said just as I was about to hang up the phone, “Your mom has cancer. She’s dying, Ivy. That’s why we needed $20,000. We fell behind on bills so we could pay for her chemo treatment.”

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I knew I shouldn’t care. They abandoned me. They left me behind. And my dad wasn’t even my dad. So why did I feel like my world was crashing down around me? My mom was dying.

“She doesn’t have much time left. They’re taking her off life support tonight. Please come to the hospital, Ivy.” He pleaded.

“How do I know this isn’t some sick twisted joke?” I hesitated , “I know that you’re not my dad. Mom told me last month. Why didn’t she just say something last month about her being sick?”

“You know your mother, Ivy. Please come to the hospital. Please.”

“Fine. Which hospital?”

When I got the address for the hospital I walked into the living room where Derek was on the phone.

“Derek I need to go.” I said.

“Actually cancel that order, thank you.” He said hanging up the phone, “What’s going on?”

“My dad just called me and said they’re taking my mom off of life support tonight. I need to get to the hospital.” I explained.

“Do you want me to come with you?” He asked.

“Yes, please. I don’t think I can drive. I have too many emotions going through me.” I said.

“Alright, come on, let’s go.” He said grabbing the keys to his Range Rover.

We went into the garage and before we drove out of the garage I sat on the floor board of the passenger seat since no one knew I was staying here. I was hoping we’d be able to make it to and from the hospital without anyone seeing us together. I didn’t feel like explaining things to anyone yet. It wasn’t the right time.

Once we weren’t being bombarded by paparazzi we were on our way to a hospital in Long Beach. So many emotions were running through my body and I didn’t know how to feel. My mother was dying. I shouldn’t be upset. I should be glad. Because they abandoned me. Why did I feel so sad?