“Kay,” she replies with a nod. I stand there like lovesick puppy while she gets in her car. I can’t see her when she gets to the driver’s side because she’s too short. I try not to laugh, but just thinking about spending the next hour or so with her makes me happy.
I look out just in time to see Quinn running toward me. He’s in a full sprint, yelling my name.
“What’s up, bud?” I catch him in my arms. He’s breathing hard.
“I forgot you’re leaving tonight.”
“Yeah?”
“I wanted to ask you something.”
I set him down on the ground and move his hair out of his eyes. He needs a haircut. Something I’ll have to get done when I get back.
“What do you want to know?”
“Do you love Katelyn?”
I bend down so that I’m just a bit shorter than him and set my hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know, maybe. I’m not sure what it means to be in love. I love you, I know that, but I think with Katelyn the love is different.”
“Do you love Elle and Peyton?”
“I do. Is that okay?”
“Yeah it is, and it’s okay for you to love Katelyn too. I won’t be mad.”
I kneel down on the cold, wet ground and pull my son into my arms. I’m not sure how I got so lucky, but I did and I’ll never take him for granted.
“I love you, Quinn. Do you want to come with me to Katelyn’s?”
He looks back at Liam and Peyton and nods. “Yeah, I do. I like it there.”
“Me too, bud,” I say as I stand and ruffle his hair.
This may not be what Katelyn expects when I pull in, but I know she won’t be mad. We’re a family of five and neither of us can be complete without our children. We’ll just have to spend a lot of time in my bedroom in Los Angeles. One I don’t plan to leave until I’m scheduled to be on the red carpet.
He holds my hand as we rush through LAX. Dark glasses cover both our eyes, and even though he said he wouldn’t wear a hat, he is today, but I get it. Now I understand why he suggested we take the red-eye flight. Not only were we alone and not bothered, but everyone is in a rush to exit the airport and get to their early morning appointments. That means no one is stopping and asking for an autograph.
The car I arranged for us is waiting by the curb, as planned. I sigh heavily, thanking whoever is listening. The last thing I need is to screw this up. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I’m not sure I’m cut out to be their manager, especially since things with Harrison and me have developed into what they are now. I don’t want him to give me special treatment, nor would I expect it. Liam already does that to an extent, and I’m afraid there will be too much strain if I was to screw up again. I don’t want the band to be in a position where they have to fire me, yet I’ll still be hanging around. Maybe I’ll become their fanclub President or something equally as demeaning. I don’t know what I’ll do, but I’ll manage. 4225 West is far too important to me to do them wrong.
The driver opens the door when Harrison nods at him. I slide in first, with Harrison’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me. He sits next to me and reaches for my hand. He hasn’t stopped touching me since we boarded our plane late last night. I’m happy, even though I’d never admit this to Josie, that they took a different flight. Harrison and I got to be a couple without those two making faces or gawking at us.
The way he holds me, the way his fingers dance along my cheek, he makes me feel like I’m the only one he’s ever seen. Many stolen kisses and falling asleep in the most awkward position made our flight very memorable, at least for me. I don’t know how many women he’s flown with and honestly, I’m afraid to know, but I promised myself I’d ask the questions that have been plaguing my mind for a while now. Harrison knows more about me than I do him and that needs to change. If we are going to make this work, we need to be open and honest with each other about everything.
The car lurches through traffic. Harrison points out different landmarks and promises to take me on a hike to show me the famous Hollywood sign.
“You don’t live in Hollywood?” I ask. I knew Liam did and assumed Harrison does as well.
“I live in Beaumont,” he says, catching me off guard. “I have an apartment here. My sister has been living in it, but she’s in New York right now.”
Sister? This is exactly what I’m talking about. I don’t know him and I want to. What’s his favorite color or food? Does he like to sleep in on Saturdays or does he get up with Quinn and watch cartoons?
“But you don’t live in Hollywood?”
Harrison shakes his head. He cups my face and presses his lips to mine. “I live in Beaumont,” he says again. I understand the meaning behind his words. “But I have a place in Hermosa Beach. There’s something about living in the city that doesn’t appeal to me.”
“How far are you from the ocean?” It’s been years since I’ve seen the ocean and played in the sand.