Chapter 39: Foals and Plans
POV: Gabby
September 16, 2008
We were back on the road again, everyone had settled into a comfortable state really quickly, but given that we’d all been on the bus before and we were comfortable with each other. It was better that Sierra and I weren’t at each other’s throats as well.
The only thing I wasn’t liking was that they had scheduled a lot of promo type deals, radio and interviews, which means even if they didn’t have a show to attend they were gone most of the day anyway. Which put me alone with the crew a lot more than I was use to from previous tours. Like now, I was sitting in the front anticipating a lunch date that I was sure wouldn’t happen because the schedule in front of me said he wouldn’t even be back until 2, there was a walk at 3 and then sound check. So, odds are we wouldn’t be having lunch together at all. That was confirmed at 10 when he sent me the message saying to go ahead because they were running late.
About 11 Carrick sat down across from me. “You look a bit down.”
“Not the same tour really, least to me.”
“Less promo last time means more time with you, but you know he loves you Gabs. It’s just a few months and then you get to have him all to yourself.”
“Just sucks, not use to not having him around all the time. I could have gone with them but they left at like 4 am.”
“Yeah, they left early. What are you working on?”
I glanced down at the drawing before me, wasn’t really anything specific. “I think I was aiming for a field scene but failed.”
“Zac said you had some requests?”
“We chose to allow Debbie to continue even with her fairly steep fees. I promised her another set when we get back. But there were two that e-mailed me directly, they wanted something smaller to accompany the one they bought.”
“Like side pieces?”
“Yeah, they have this small wall in the room, it’s blank right now but they want something related. They purchased the drawing of the horses in the field. They want something to represent their kids and themselves, so I asked about doing foals for one and then two adults for the other one. They liked it. Sent me pictures of the horses they actually own.”
“Nice.”
“They live in Columbus, so they’re picking them up from me.”
“Best get to work.”
“I plan to tonight a bit, because we’re unloaded and we’re about to set up. After that I am pretty useless until we break down.”
“Well, there is a really nice vegan place about half a mile from here, how about we go grab lunch and then we can set up.”
“Works for me.”
We got up and Sierra ended up joining us, the place was pretty good even for a non-vegan, they had really good salads. I even tried the tofu which wasn’t that bad. When we got back everyone pitched in and got the stage set up done and got the instruments set up. Usually now I played the drums and tweaked the tuning while Sierra made sure the wires were connected properly. By 2 we were all set up and I even planned the route for them today because the walk was set for 3 and they weren’t back yet.
“Are you walking?” Sierra asked.
“No. I’m actually going to bring that canvas inside and start working on it. The junk bunk became Gabby’s art bunk.”
She giggled. “Okay.”
Once the route was ready I did go get the canvas and my portfolio, I’d gotten a smaller one to travel with, everything I would need was there. I found a quiet room and set up inside. I was almost done when Zac came in.
“You’re not walking with me? Come on Gabby.”
His arms went around me and those little neck nuzzles. “Fine. But, you better not leave me like you did last time.”
“I promise I won’t. Did you do that today?”
“No, couple days ago. You leaving now?”
“Yep.”
I followed him, truthfully I wasn’t thrilled about the walks anymore. The fans rather avoided me or pointed and whispered. Sierra had been right, they were never going to really accept me as anything but the bitch that married Zac. I stayed right near him when Taylor talked and it was clear they were all tired. Isaac kind of looked like he was asleep standing there, with his eyes open. The first half went really well, I walked right beside him and while they certainly talked to him, they didn’t say a single word to me. I waited by Isaac when he moved around for the group picture not realizing he was leading back until we were walking and I was stuck in the back with 300 people between us. I just stuck my hands in my pockets and followed Isaac.
It was the creepy feeling that caused me to look around, it was just some deep down gut feeling something was wrong. I didn’t see anything abnormal in front of me, but when I turned around I saw him. Fifty feet behind me, holding his phone and it wasn’t long before mine went off.
You look…afraid? Confused?
I didn’t answer, instead tried to catch up with Isaac or anyone that I knew. But, there were so many fans between me and them it was going to be hard. I turned and he was even closer to me and I couldn’t be back here without someone else close, so I broke out of the back of the group and ran up the street, most were on the sidewalk still. I really didn’t care what anyone thought, I caught up to Zac in the front and wasn’t very polite in breaking between him and the blonde that was beside him.
“There you are.”
“You weren’t supposed to leave me alone.”
He wouldn’t reply here of course, but I stayed there until we were back at the hotel and didn’t bother to wait, I just went inside and to the room in the back. It was small, secure and safe.
Aww, are you afraid of me Gabriella? You shouldn’t be, you know you wanted me to watch. You wanted me to join the first time I asked Simon, come on…admit it.
I didn’t want you period. Just leave me alone.
Or what? You’ll call the police? They won’t do anything. I’ve made no threats to you. I don’t mean you any harm .
Of course not, because admitting that in a message was stupid.
“Gabby?” Zac asked.
“One simple request Zac, not to leave me alone. Damien followed me. It’s why I said I wanted to be beside you.”
“I’m sorry, I thought you came with me. Were you not with Isaac or Taylor?”
“I was with Isaac but fans got between us. Maybe it’s better if I just stay at the venue.”
He came over and gave me a tight hug. “If he’s following us, it might be better. But, you shouldn’t hide from him.”
“I know.”
“Okay, I’m going to do sound check, dinner?”
“Dinner.”
He kissed me again and then left me there to go do sound check, I painted quietly for a little while before Sierra came in and sat down.
“That’s looking really good.”
“Working on the foal’s first, there not set on color or anything, then I’ll do the couples. Although, this little one here is a copy of one they had.”
“Nice. They have four kids?”
“That they do.”
“So, been thinking about this wedding thing any?”
“I have, been trying to find the right colors or feel. Nothing feels right. We did chose the cake flavors before we left. But no design, no idea on that either.”
“Are you glad that you went ahead and went with a different venue?”
“Kind of, I still feel iffy but it felt right. So, that works. I’m still not sure about the cross either but when we went back the room was empty and it didn’t look weird, so that was good.”
“I was thinking your dress has a lot of detail, why not mimic the dress with the cake?”
“I don’t want to do that.”
Mostly because I hadn’t gone with the dress everyone else liked, I went with another one. One they hadn’t even seen yet, let along formed an opinion on.
“Colors?”
“No idea.”
“Geez woman! You have to make some plans.”
“Kind of wanted to include Zac on those plans, but he’s busy right now.”
“Kitten, come on. What’s wrong? You’re not acting so happy right now.”
“It’s just stress Sierra. Damien’s around, the fans still hate me, I have several paintings to finish and Zac is so damn busy with promo and everything that I barely see him, let alone have time to sit and talk.”
I felt her hands on my shoulders, light pressure. “The fans are of no reason to stress over them. They will either like you, tolerate you or hate you but that is on them and not you. You have friends that care and love you. Zac loves you, I understand you’ve grown use to him being able to just be there all the time. But, Gabby, this is his life and you should understand that. It’s not always going to be like the others, it’s not always going to be low key and all fun.”
“I know that Sierra.”
Her hands came down my arm lightly, just barely touching me and I sighed. “Why does Damien scare you?”
“I can’t talk about him and paint.”
“Then take a break.”
“Sierra.”
She took the tray of paint and the brush from my hands and turned me around. “I have never known you to be afraid of someone like that. Simon, I understand he had three years but he was the one physically hurting you. What did Damien do that made you afraid of him?”
“I never liked him, just the way he carried himself and the way he looked at me, like I was some tiny little mouse and he was the big cat. He made me feel uncomfortable a lot, so I didn’t really stay around him. The times where Simon had me there with them watching he wasn’t one of the guys that would jack off to it.”
“He didn’t?”
“No. If I wasn’t screaming or crying then he just watched.”
“Come on, keep talking. There is more and I’m betting you haven’t even told Zac or Dr. Cortez. Zac’s gotten much better at detecting your little white lies but not when you carefully avoid the subjects. What did he do?”
“He was the one rooting Simon on to hurt me, not just have sex no he wanted pain. When he did get Simon to agree that was his goal for me. I really think Simon kept him from going too far.”
“Well, don’t worry about him. No more walks without me though, I know Zac says he can stay but fans push and shove. Continue to ignore the messages and shit too.”
“Now can I paint? We’re suppose to get dinner.”
“You are. Zac expressly told them he wanted dinner with you even if it was just on the bus.”
She let me get back, but she sat with me until Zac came in, turns out it was dinner on the bus, because the line had gotten to a point where it wouldn’t be safe for us to leave. Pizza was dinner.
“So, you won’t tell me a damn thing about this dress of yours, at least tell me if there is any form of color.”
“It’s white, that’s a color. But, no others are present.”
“Do you have any idea about bridesmaids?”
I blinked, shit, I hadn’t even thought of that. “Not a clue but I really don’t have a lot of options. Abby, Sierra, Stella and Nicole.”
“But, are you going to ask them all?”
“Are you choosing your brothers as groomsmen?”
“Yes. Along with Jack and Andrew. I’ll have four.”
“Then I guess I will ask all four.”
“Do you want to do ring boy and flower girl?”
“Not really, it seems a little..trivial? I don’t know, the youngest girl is Stephanie. She’s not even going to be crawling by then. I don’t think we should do either unless you have someone in mind already.”
“Nickolas is five, he’s old enough and my cousin has a three year old little girl, they would be appropriate. I’m not sure if they would want too though.”
“May want to ask first, if not then it’s fine.”
He was still eating but clearly he wanted to talk about this whole wedding thing now.
“What about blue and silver as accents?”
“Why silver?”
“It matches blue and it’s more for a sparkle effect than a color really. Also, white or black tux for me?”
I sat back. “How about you slow down a moment. Start with you, what color do you want to wear?”
“Black is like very traditional but I would like something more season oriented, I was thinking either silver or white.”
“No silver, those suits look hideous.”
“Then white it is. I was thinking more cream for the groomsmen though, so it’s not white overload.”
“I haven’t even looked. So, about accent colors you said silver? Were you thinking bright silver or more medium silver?”
“Little bit darker, since we have a lot of white. So, nothing bright or over the top. The blue can be not so dark, maybe mediums to light. Keep the whole thing in a lighter feel.”
“You did think about this before.”
He shoveled most of a slice into his mouth but I waited while he tried to chew and eventually did get it down.
“Caught me. I kind of did while you were unconscious. There were long stretches of time where I just talked to you and that’s what came up. I wasn’t sure if you remembered anything you never mentioned it, so I assumed you didn’t.”
“I don’t, I’m sorry.”
“You were unconscious I don’t think I expected you too.”
“Blue, silver, and shades of white. I think that’s a good color combination, it’s not over the top.”
“We can do different flowers or different colors if needed.”
“Yeah, the color combination allows for a wide selection of blues and whites, added they can do some others like red too. It is a wedding after all.”
“Exactly.”
“So we have colors, I have a dress. We’re all set.”
“I wish.” He said.
“Sierra and I plan to shoe shop in Los Angeles, she said she knows a few great places that are both very good quality and cheap.”
“You are going with heels right?”
“Maybe, do you have some fascination with me and heels?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Sorry buttercup, not going with stilettos.”
“They don’t have to be those, few inches is fine.”
His phone went off and I was sure it was Taylor and Isaac wanting him back inside, they had meet and greets this tour also. As if they didn’t have enough. He finished up and I went inside with him, got the camera as I went.
“You doing them?”
“Hey, I can take a decent photo.”
“Remember, you have to include everyone.”
“Aww, really?”
We went to the front and a few minutes later they let in the winners, most didn’t even notice I was standing here. I was waiting for them to finish up the talking parts, so I could get the picture part.
“Gabby, right?” She asked.
I blinked, had she talked to me? “That’s me.”
“It’s nice to actually see you in person. You ran by me during the walk but I didn’t really realize it was you until you were way past me.”
“Yeah, I was trying to catch up to my speed demon.”
“He does walk fast. Um….do you remember Bailey and her daughter, Ella?”
I doubt I would ever forget them. “I do remember them, I was in the same hospital as her.”
“If I call her, can you say hello?”
“Uh…”
I looked at Zac and they were all still talking away, none realized this poor girl had sought me out.
“Sure.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
She got her phone and nearly dropped it twice before she managed to unlock it, dial the number and wait for an answer.
“Bailey? Can you hear me?”
I didn’t hear her response but then she handed me the phone.
“Hey Bailey, this is Gabriella.”
“I told her not to bother you! I’m so sorry.”
“No fears, she caught me during the meet and greet. How have you been?”
“Very tired, little Ella is not so little anymore.”
“She’s five months almost, right?”
“Yes, she is almost five months. How have you been?”
“I’ve been very good actually. We’ll be in New York, will you be there?”
“Unfortunately no, I actually moved to Florida, Tallahassee. Quinn’s job transferred us down here about two months ago. We couldn’t afford to drive down to Orlando and with Ella we’d have to stay overnight and I just can’t.”
“Did you get tickets to any show?”
“No, they were all so far away we’d have to stay.”
I have no idea what the hell came over me, but there was some random and strange desire to see her and Ella.
“Is Orlando the closest place?”
“Yep. We can make that drive easy, just under four hours.”
I glanced at this overly excited girl beside me and I knew I could open a really bad can of worms here.
“I feel bad for the way that I reacted and was while I was there. I’d like to make it up to you, if you can drive there and arrange for the time off then you’ll have tickets waiting on you and a hotel room for 2 nights. I’ll make it a double bed so you can bring along a sitter for the show. Are you a member of the fan club?”
Her friend shook her head, well that won’t do either. “I’ll see if I can get you in fan club event too, even if I have to purchase the membership again.”
The other end of the line was silent for a little while. “Are you kidding?”
“No. I’ll have your friend give me your number and I can call to confirm the reservation and tickets. Completely serious here. I do feel bad for more reasons than you know.”
“I will be there with bells on for sure if you don’t mind.”
Zac motioned me for the picture. “I have to go Bailey, there calling for the picture and I’m taking it. I’ll get your number and give you a call in the next few days to make sure you can.”
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. Bye Bailey.”
I handed the phone back to this girl who looked stunned.
“You should go meet them.”
“Right…”
She ran back over and I followed, Zac looked worried. I took their pictures but before she went outside I got Bailey’s number from her. Zac stopped me going to the back.
“What was that?”
“Remember Bailey?”
“Yeah…”
“She’s not missing another show. Does she absolutely have to be a fan club member to attend the Orlando thing?”
“Yes.”
“Not a problem.”
He looked worried but didn’t much question me that badly. I would need a few days to coordinate with everyone so I didn’t call her back right away and I wanted to get as much of the painting done as I could. I actually managed a lot before I knew I had to pack things up. I packed up the easel and paints, cleaned the brushes and everything and had it packed back up before they were done. Carrick and Sierra helped me take it back to the bus, where the painting was laid in the bunk carefully so it could dry well.
It had been a weird day overall but productive, we were done and rolling out of the city by 2, the boys were in bed quick, very long days and they needed to sleep. I spent some time with Sierra making out a to do list for the wedding, because I realized that there was a lot and I needed to cover everything. We did eventually go to bed though.