Chapter 8: Caked Tay

POV: Gabby

 

March 15, 2008

Taylor’s birthday dinner had gone very well, everyone had dinner together and exchanged gifts and parted ways afterwards. I was rather glad because Zac had woke me up early, apparently theatre sex wasn’t enough for him, not that I minded. Nor did I mind last night just meant I was tired today. We’d checked out and were at the venue setting up. While the guys brought everything inside I used the wifi to check my e-mail, Abby had sent me a link and information about her college, but they didn’t have a program that was related to art, that or I just didn’t want to find it…

Simon had sent several dozen pictures, ones I had seen before but I thought he burned them all when I moved in there, evidently he didn’t or he made copies or something. Of course he was only sending them to me now to prove what a whore I was. Odd that both he and Max hate one another, but agree on something.

“Gabby! Running time!” Austin yelled.

I closed the programs and went to the front, running time was with him and Carrick lately. I liked running time! It got me away.

“Warm up.” He said.

“Picky. Sure you don’t want to show me how too?”

“That pretty ring on your finger tells me not to show you how it says ‘call Zac and ask him’ I am sure you remember how to warm up if not, call Zac. I don’t want the drummer pissed at me.”

“I do remember.”

Carrick joined us and we warmed up, but Carrick reminded him I couldn’t run fast, but that was fine because even if he ran ahead Carrick would stay with me.

“Where you guys headed to?” Sierra asked.

“Running, should be back in about an hour.” Austin said.

“Kitten you’re going too?”

“Yeah.”

“When did you start running?”

I pointed to them. “Last year.”

“Oh.”

We went out the side door and despite the nippy weather here the running was fine. Although the slight little pain wasn’t pleasant and when I considerably slowed Carrick did too and he ended up walking back with me. Once back I went to the front to hook wires up, all the instruments were there I just needed to attach wires. Zac and the other two were on the bus having lunch which Isaac had gotten.

I heard her shoes on the floor long before her voice. “You want to tell me who Simon is?”

I got up from the floor. “He’s no one.”

I sat down at the drums and began to adjust. “He’s someone, he’s sending you dozens of e-mails a week.”

I looked at her confused, wondering how she even knew his name, let along that he was sending me e-mails.

“How do you know he is?”

“I went to use your laptop to check my own e-mail, yours was up. Dozens of e-mails from him all asking with random pictures from back then. All of them calling you names. He’s obviously someone.”

“It’s not any of your business. You should ask before you just use someone’s computer.”

“Do I look stupid to you? Should I ask Zac who he is?”

“Zac already knows. Just back off.”

“Kitten, come on.”

I ignored her, finished putting his set together and even played one or two just to make sure it sounded right. She kept babbling about who Simon was and why he was sending those pictures and why was he calling me a whore. I got up to walk away, I had no reason to tell her anything. Yet she grabbed my arm and spun me around, bringing me right against her.

“Stop ignoring me Kitten, you know damn well I don’t back off.”

“Stop calling me kitten. I’m not that whore anymore and I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks. Now let me go.”

“No. You weren’t a whore then either Kitten. You never have been. What is going on?”

I yanked my arm away and just ran, I passed Zac, Taylor and Carrick at the front door, getting through the fans there was a bit difficult but most moved and I just ran for it. At least until the really sharp pain stopped me, shooting and stabbing pain wasn’t a nice feeling.

“Damn, find your husband with a blonde already?”

I didn’t know that voice so I turned some, she was standing nearby with a Hanson shirt on, tight black jeans and yeah, bright blonde hair.

“No. Did you?” I asked.

“Honey I’ve already been with him. Couple times actually, pretty sure if I gave him a key he’d follow.”

“No he wouldn’t.”

“You sound so certain about that, but the look on your face betrays you Gabriella. Is he still a decent lover? I may have to give him a key.”

“He wouldn’t come to the room, I mean we leave tonight to head to the next city. So, unless your hotel is right across the street he wouldn’t have time.”

“The last time we had sex was behind the venue, it doesn’t have to be some hotel. Seriously, do you think you’re the only person he’s with sexually?”

I felt hands on my shoulder and nearly screamed. “She isn’t the only person that believes he’s only with her. Trust me, if he even thinks about meeting you, I’ll beat him myself.” Carrick said.

Where the hell had he come from? How had he found me?

“Clearly it’s not him we should worry about.”

I started to reply but Carrick’s hand tightened a bit and turned me headed back toward the venue. He was quiet for a bit.

“They’re only jealous Gabriella, you know that.”

Did I? He’d been so patient while I couldn’t, hardly ever wanted anything and again during the tour, yet according to everyone he couldn’t go that long. Carrick moved in front of me.

“Gabby. You can’t believe her.”

“I didn’t say I did.”

“You didn’t deny it either. Come on, if he didn’t love you he would have filed for the annulment Gabby. You know that and so do I. He loves you, he’s not going to be that stupid and trust me in a committed relationship he’s the most faithful person ever.”

“How do you even know?”

“What? You think I fly home to Cali and he never talks to me? He told me about the marriage the next day, just asked me not to say anything to anyone. Why? Because like you he was scared and terrified. I pretended not to know but I did.”

“Yeah, that his parents would be disappointed and upset.”

“That was part of it, yes. But he was afraid that you regretted it, that you would file because he didn’t want too, two weeks was enough for him Gabby. He loves you and he won’t be following that blonde bitch anywhere, because if he even looks at her the wrong way I will stomp his ass myself.”

“I’d pay to see that.”

“Well, I didn’t say I wouldn’t need Austin to help. Ignore the fans Gabs, it’s what Stella and Nicole have to do.”

“It’s not easy!”

“Why not ask Stella when you two get him a cake.”

“Cake? He had cake last night!”

He just smiled. “There was some discussion between she and I about caking him on stage. Poor Zac gets it every year. I figured I’d send you for some weird vegan dinner and you guys could grab one.”

“So evil to him…What kind of cake?”

He just smiled and laughed. “Come on, Zac sent me after you because he knew he’d never make it past the fans.”

“And you did?”

“Ran out the back and ran like hell to catch up.”

We came back in the back way too but it was close to the walk so I went to the front, knowing they’d be there. I couldn’t deny his arms around me felt good.

“You flew by, is everything okay?”

“Yeah. I just needed to get away.”

He kissed my forehead. “You feel like walking today? Austin said you had to walk back.”

“I’m okay if you don’t speed walk.”

He smiled and they got ready, I kind of wanted to stay but I didn’t want any more confrontations with Sierra.

“Where is Stella?”

“She’s in the back. She had a conference call with her assistant manager.”

“Ahh.”

I went out behind them and stood near Zac, blondie was front and center. She’d even changed shirts to something much less, was she not freezing her ass off? Oh..Wait…she was counting on him to warm her up. Taylor did the talking and when Zac went across to get the picture she followed him, but I remained right near Isaac who looked at me confused. She was talking and all he was doing was nodding, Taylor cut out to lead and I followed but it didn’t take long before Zac was walking right behind me.

At the mid-way point I hung back and he went with them, it wasn’t abnormal. It didn’t prevent them from talking about me even though I was standing ten feet away. I heard the same bullshit weight comments, same bullshit crap that he couldn’t say no. Blondie was close to him but he hadn’t paid her any attention at all. On the way back I remained behind him and I saw her put the key in his back pocket, saw the confused and stunned look too from him.

My notification went off for twitter so I checked, it was a direct message from Sierra.

You really going to let blondie do that in front of us all? I know you saw her.

How did you…?

Kitten I am ten feet behind you. YOU do something or I will.

I looked back and she waved, what the hell was her issue? Why couldn’t she back off too?! We made it back to the venue easily, I took up a spot beside Zac and Sierra moved somewhere behind me. Blondie was all smiles right in front of him, surely she didn’t think he would be joining her soon, or at all. Zac looked nervous and afraid even, like I could be pissed off at him for her actions. I felt the slight nudge, knew it was Sierra and I knew she wouldn’t relent.

Fine. She wanted me to do something? I took the extra few steps beside him and he didn’t flinch when I reached into that same pocket and took the key card out. I waited until Taylor was done and they were about to head inside before I handed it to her.

“He won’t need that. Enjoy the show.”

She looked completely shocked but I turned and went inside.

“You aren’t pissed off?” Zac asked.

“At you, no. I mean, unless you wanted that keycard in which case yes I’ll be very pissed off.”

“No, I was going to throw it away actually. I just..when you got it I wondered if you were upset.”

“If she hadn’t taken it out I was going too. Disrespectful bitch.” Sierra said.

Zac blinked and I didn’t say anything, I wasn’t entirely sure she would have done that..but then again, it was possible.

“I’m going to find Stella, I’m getting hungry. Want me to bring dinner back?”

“Yes!” everyone said.

I got orders and found her in the back just hanging up.

“Ready to get dinner orders? Carrick has me going across town to this Vegan place.”

She smiled. “Ditto. I am starving.”

It wouldn’t take us that long really but we left and headed across town. I was enjoying the break really.

“So, I know it’s none of my business but I’ve noticed that comments toward you are pretty nasty. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ve seen a few. I figured it was some passage of right or something, let me degrade you and dehumanize you so I’ll feel better about not being with them.”

She laughed. “Haven’t heard it put that way but sure, that’s about the premise. You have to ignore them. It was bad the first like 5 months with Taylor, they went after everything I had ever done in life. I was boring for working at the bookstore, I was plain, I gained 5 pounds and I was pregnant. Lost 5 and I was bulimic. It was horrible. Then they realized he wasn’t paying them any attention.”

I paused at the red light. “Just glad no one knows anything about my past.”

“Be prepared Gabs, they will eventually.”

“My past is not that great.”

“Doesn’t matter to them. It shouldn’t to you either, come on Gabs Zac loves you and we all know it. He didn’t care about your past, neither should you.”

“So this cake…”

She smiled. “Uh huh, the ‘let’s change the subject’ line. Seriously, there just mad and jealous Gabs. It’s nothing more than that. Eventually they will realize it’s not bothering either of you and it’s not going to cause a break up. Once they do, they’ll move on. Concerning the cake, I want just simple.”

“I guess I’m not use to fans being this insanely jealous. I mean, Simon had groupies and stuff but none of them ever hated me.”

“There are a handful of the crazy ones, but there are a shit ton more of the ones that will hate you for a while and then warm up. They’ll realize he’s happy with you and they’ll be happy for him. It’s getting past those crazy ones that’s hard.”

“No kidding.”

“So…about Sierra. I hear you knew her.”

“Yeah, when I toured with Twisted Metal she was the lead singer.”

“Taylor mentioned there was a lot of tension between the two of you.”

“Sure you want a simple cake? I’m thinking frozen solid…Sierra and I at one point were more than friends. We’ve had sex before, with Newton present.”

“Why the tension then?”

“She just thinks I’m the same person I guess. I’ve grown up a lot in seven years.”

“Or maybe she just wants that person back? Were there real feelings there?”

“No.”

It couldn’t technically be a lie, Sierra and I had never mentioned loving anything but the sex, which was brag worthy. Stella remained quiet until we reached the bakery.

“No ice cream cake.”

“Boo.” I said.

She smiled and we went inside and she chose a very simple vanilla cake with vanilla icing, something small and inexpensive. We both knew it wouldn’t be eaten anyway. I spotted the ice cream cupcake and when I looked at her she smiled.

“We’ll take two of those also, for here.”

The cashier smiled back and after paying we sat down to eat them there. Despite the colder weather the ice cream was awesome. It came close to Dairy Queen’s ice cream cakes only this was far better. I was almost done when the ping occurred and I checked. A message for me on twitter so I opened it, figuring it was Sierra or something. Stella laid her hand on my arm after I stared at the phone until the screen went black.

“Gabby?”

I unlocked and turned it around. “Guess I’m eating because I know he’s cheating.”

The picture was us both, sitting right here enjoying our ice creams. The message asked if I knew he was cheating and that was why I was drowning my sorrow in ice cream.

She shook her head. “Ignore them.”

“I’m thinking about privatizing everything.”

“You could, I did because damn they are ruthless at times.”

Although when I checked again there was a message that was from Sierra’s…I blinked.

I think you bitches need to back the fuck off. He ain’t fucking anyone but her and so what if she enjoys some ice cream with a friend? You just jealous she gets to fuck him whenever she wants.

Stella must have been notified too. “Oh wow…least she has the guts to say it..but wow.”

“That’s Sierra for you.”

I had almost forgotten how ruthless she was toward people but maybe it would do some good. We went ahead and left, got them dinner and made it back in time for them to eat and enjoy dinner. Sierra just stared at me, like I should know what to do or that I should say something. I know I should talk to her but I didn’t want too. What would I have to say?

Taylor was clueless about the cake that was waiting for him, which was exactly how we wanted it!

“Hey baby, would it be okay if I got pictures of the show from like in front of the barrier?” I asked.

“Uh Yeah, you have passes for that.”

He of course knew why but I did go out there when Everybody Else was playing, I hadn’t really seen her play the drums in a while, she mostly sang back then. Although she had taught me a bit about them. I think I got way more of her than anyone else and I swore that maybe she watched me the whole time. I ignored the remarks behind me, but just the day’s stress combined with the tour was enough really. When I felt someone yank on my hair I turned sharply. The same blonde bitch.

“You afraid he’s going to take my key card back?”

A deep down feeling said I should just hit her. It’s after all what Sierra would have known me to do. I was certain that the friends with her wanted that reaction though, I could see the cameras and phones primed and ready.

“Nope. I’m here to get pictures.”

“You sure took a lot of that drummer. Same little bitch that defended you on twitter. I’m not jealous of you, because I know he’s not faithful. His ex told me so. But hey if you want to live in your own fantasy world, by all means. I’m sure he’ll sign stuff tonight and I’ll give it to him then.”

“Good luck.”

I moved away and waited, being this close to the stage during a show was amazing really. The end of the show was coming and Zac made the weird call to do an acapella song for the encore, put him standing right in front of me. He chose Need You Now and I think he sang to me. But, I didn’t miss when Stella, Carrick, and Austin came on stage carrying the cake. Didn’t miss when Taylor took the cake right to the face! It was hilarious. They threw some out into the audience too and my twisted luck blondie would catch some of it. I didn’t even know she moved until she yanked my hair and then smashed it into my face. I wasn’t entirely sure the laughter was directed at Taylor and the boys anymore. I pretty much felt it was directed right at me.

“Gabby!” Zac called.

I turned slowly to find him kneeling on the stage, there was no way I could jump that high and I damn sure didn’t want to be pulled up, I just ran down the edge to the side where the stairs were and I went to the bathroom to wash the cake and icing off my face. I really wanted to call Max, he’d know the right words to say but that wasn’t an option and Abigail would be asleep.

When I looked up she was standing behind me, leaned against the wall. Her hair was wet and she had put on tight black pants and a tight Twisted Metal shirt. She didn’t say anything just walked out of the bathroom. When I came out Zac was standing there.

“Are you okay? In her words, Sierra said the blonde fucking bitch hit you with cake.”

“She didn’t hit me, she just slammed it into my face.”

“Same thing Gabriella. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s cake not bricks. Although, the icing up my nose wasn’t pleasant.”

“I was going to help you on stage, but you ran.”

“It was too high for me to jump, it’s okay.”

He pulled me in for a tight hug. God that felt so good.

“You going to help them load up?”

“Yeah, I took my things to the bus before EBE went on.”

“Okay.”

I knew they’d shower so I went to help where I could. The many trips I took showed her there in the crowd just waiting. Taylor and Isaac came out not long after showers, began to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. Stella came out with me near the end and headed to the bus. Her flight left Monday from Oregon, Carrick and Austin came out and signed stuff but Zac was inside still. I heard the phone but didn’t check it, but wondered why some of the fans seemed to point and stare my last trip. I locked up and went back inside.

“Baby? Are you not signing autographs?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I saw the twitter post made to your account about you eating ice cream because you were drowning sorrows. I also saw the newer one where you look like you’re about to cry with cake all over your face.”

I hadn’t even seen that one… “But they’re fans.”

“I retweeted the last one and said I wouldn’t come out due to the disrespect that a few showed.”

“But…”

“No buts Gabriella. You are my wife, if they can’t respect that then why should I stand in the freezing ass cold to sign my name for them? I am sure I know which one it is too, the blonde girl that gave me the key.”

It explained their pointing and staring and I tried to talk him into signing or doing something but he refused, so we got his bags and he walked with me to the bus. Despite the calls of his name, he ignored them all and got on the bus. When Taylor and Isaac asked, they said he should have told them and they wouldn’t have. Sierra congratulated him and I just kept quiet. After an hour I went to bed, maybe I just needed sleep to feel better.

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