I should have an IV drip of coffee inserted deep into my veins today. I don’t know if I can do this. Liam made everything sound so easy and yet here I am about to jump off a cliff because I haven’t a clue as to what’s going on.
At first, when I opened the dressing room door, I thought this was normal. This being red roses everywhere. We are talking on every surface. I thought this venue was just being nice. A bit over the top – yes – but ass-kissing nice nonetheless.
That was until I heard the yelling, followed by the breaking of glass. I’ve never been in a violent home. My father dotes on my mother who would rather have something on her body lifted than to raise her voice. And Mason, he never raised his voice unless he was yelling at the TV. So this bone-chilling sensation running down my spine is rather unnerving and honestly, I’m a little freaked out and afraid to open the door.
I breathe in deeply and try to center myself. If it’s Peyton or Elle yelling on the other side of the door, I can handle it for the most part because I know what is causing their turmoil, but Liam… I can’t fathom.
The sight before me is pure anguish. Liam is throwing vase after vase against the wall, a string of profanities accompanying each shattering vase. Josie has her hands up begging him to stop. And me… I’m standing in the room not knowing what to do.
Jimmy runs by me, stepping in front of Liam and pushing him back into the chair. Josie rushes over to him, crying. She holds him like something has hurt him purposely.
“Katelyn, go and find Harrison,” Jimmy says, heavily, clearly out of breath.
I look at Liam and Josie; neither of them are paying attention to me and then back at Jimmy who signals for me to go. I turn and leave, holding my clipboard to my chest, while I try and figure out where in the hell I can find Harrison.
I search the stage. I ask Tyler if he’s seen him. I knock on DeVon’s door; he’s not there. The bathroom turns up nothing. He’s not in the greenroom with the kids, but Quinn says he likes to see what the fans are buying. Lovely. I take Quinn’s advice and finally head out to the concourse and see him immediately. You can’t miss the beanie, it doesn’t matter what color it is, I’d spot it anywhere.
“Harrison,” I say, not loudly enough. I guess I’m secretly hoping he won’t hear me and I can go back to Jimmy and tell him to find Harrison himself, but he turns, as do the heads of the women near him. He’s probably getting their phone numbers for later.
He keeps his head down when he walks toward me. For the briefest second I want him to look up so I can see his green eyes. Or are they blue today? I shake my head. I can’t believe I even know that about him. That’s crossing so many lines. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to cross any line, especially with him.
Harrison stops in front of me. His hands are pushed into the pockets of his cargo shorts. He’s wearing black combat boots today, they are unlaced and if this was Peyton I’d be on my knees tying them up for her. His black non-descript shirt accentuates his defined biceps. He’s not built like Mason. Mason was muscular, always working out. He didn’t need to flex to show off his muscles, they were there for everyone to see. Mason would have never covered his body in ink. Not like Harrison. I can’t see the skin on his arms without seeing ink. No, Harrison is nothing like Mason.
At the last moment, he looks up and I wish he hadn’t because now I don’t know what to say. His eyes, they’re baby blue with a hint of green today and are being overshadowed by his long eyelashes. I can’t look at him; when I do, I can’t think and I need to think.
I shake my head and rub my temple.
“Are you okay?” he asks and I wish that he didn’t. I don’t want him to talk, not right now.
“Jimmy said to get you. I don’t know what happened, but Liam, he’s upset and throwing the vases against the wall.”
Harrison looks down the corridor and back at me. I know he’s curious, but I don’t have the answers for him. I’ve honestly never seen Liam like that and only read about divas and their dressing rooms. I didn’t expect Liam to be one.
Harrison motions for me to go, but I shake my head. I don’t want him behind me. I fumble too much when he’s around and I don’t know why. I certainly don’t want to snag my heel on a step and fall on my face. I’ll gladly walk behind him.
And now that I’m behind him, I wish I wasn’t. I’m staring. I can’t help it. Once again the tattoo on his calf is begging for me to look at it. My mind wants to know what it is, but my mouth is definitely not going to ask. If the two of those would get in sync I’d greatly appreciate it.
We arrive at their dressing room. Harrison doesn’t knock. I suppose he doesn’t really have to, does he? He swings the door open with a, “What the fuck are you doing?” blurting out too loudly for my taste.
Jimmy is leaning against the wall, shaking his head. Liam is sitting in a chair with Josie rubbing his shoulders. I’m not sure I’d be touching him if I was her, but there she is, standing by her man.
“Why are there roses in here?” Harrison is looking at me like I know the answer. I shrug and look at everyone else in the room.
“Why did you add roses to the rider? Didn’t I tell you, no flowers?” This time it’s Liam speaking. There is so much venom in his voice and for the first time since I started working for him, he’s my boss and not my best friend. He’s angry and hostile. His face is red and his temples are throbbing. I know how he feels.
“Wh-what?” I stutter. Jimmy rolls his eyes. Harrison just looks at me. Liam throws his hands up in the air and jumps out of the chair, causing Josie to fall back a bit.
“The rider, Katelyn. Why did you add flowers?”
“I didn’t.”
“Let me see it!” Liam stalks over, his footsteps heavy and solid. This is a different Liam, this is Liam Page, the performer and I’m not sure I like him at the moment.
I fumble though my file, looking for the rider that I faxed over before we hit the road. My file drops, spreading my papers out all over the floor. Liam sighs and starts muttering a string of curse words that bring tears to my eyes. I will not cry in front of him. I have a feeling this will be my mantra.
I get down on my hands and knees and start gathering the papers. Now that they are all out of order, I’m not going to be able to find anything. My hands are shaking so bad. I hate this. Why is he suddenly being an asshole? If Mason was here, he’d kick his ass for yelling at me.
Mason pushes Liam up against the locker. Josie screams before I realize what’s happening. I’m grabbing Mason’s arms, but to no avail. He’s much too strong for me. Liam doesn’t push back. He’s letting Mason hold him there.
“What the fuck, man?” Liam spits out.
“Don’t what the fuck me, you rat bastard. I saw you yell at her.”
“She deserved it.” That comment earns Liam another slam against the locker.
“Baby, come on, let him go. It’s no big deal,” I plead.
“Did he yell at you?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts, no one yells at you, except me.”
I push Mason as hard as I can, causing him to lose his hold on Liam who easily slips away. “What the hell? Only you can yell at me? Is that what you think, Mason Powell?” I push him again and again. My small hands beating on his chest.
Mason looks over at Liam, who has his face buried in Josie’s neck. I know he’s laughing, I can see him shaking.
“I didn’t mean it like that, baby. Come on, you know I’d never yell at you.”
“I can’t believe you were willing to beat up Liam –“
“Hey now, he may have had me against the locker, but there was no way he’d get the drop on me.”
Mason looks at Liam and shakes his head. Me, I’m not too happy right now. I turn and walk to my locker, leaving the giant meathead standing in the hall.
Mason sets his hand on my locker before I can open it. “Come on, baby,” he whispers into my ear as he gently pushes me against the closed door. I can’t believe fighting turned him on. I can feel him and as much as I want to ignore him, he brings out so much desire in me. “I’m sorry I said that stupid thing. I’ll make it up to you.”
“How?”
“Mhm… how do you think?”
That’s all I need, to think about Mason for the tears to start. I wipe furiously at my face, afraid to show weakness in this intense moment. The last thing I need is for Liam to feel guilty because I can’t do my job properly.
“Let me help you.” I pull my hand out from under Harrison’s. I don’t know when he bent down to pick up the papers, but he’s staring at me and I feel flush.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. Here, Liam’s looking for this.”
I nod and stand, handing Liam the paper he’s asked for. He shakes his head and crumbles the paper in his hand. He rolls his head, neck and shoulders before looking at me.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you. Clearly the venue fucked up.” He throws the balled up piece of paper and storms out of the dressing room. I look wide-eyed at Josie, who chases after him. Jimmy follows, leaving just Harrison, an incredibly messy room and me.
“What was that?”
Harrison clears his throat. “Liam doesn’t like flowers in the dressing room. Sam did it once and he threw a fit. It has something to do with her, I think. I’m not really sure, but that’s why the rider is so important.”
“Why?” I ask. My back is still facing him. It’s easier to talk this way.
“Because, if you had put flowers on the rider, he would’ve fired you.”
“Just like that?”
Harrison appears in front of me like magic. I didn’t even hear him move. How can someone wearing combat boots not make any noise when they walk? He shrugs and reaches out to touch me. Why, I don’t know, maybe I have hair sticking to my face. Either way, I move before his fingers can touch me. He drops his hand and his gaze, choosing instead to look at the floor.
“I’d like to think he wouldn’t because he loves you, but I’ve never seen him rage like this either. Maybe something else set him off. It doesn’t matter though.”
“No? You don’t think him firing me matters?” I ask incredulously. “My job matters to me. I have two girls to take care of and a house to keep up. I need this job.”
Harrison steps closer. Close enough that we are breathing the same air. So close that if I move slightly, he’ll be touching me.
“I won’t let him fire you.” This time when he reaches out to touch me, I don’t move. His fingers push my hair behind my ear, causing chills to cascade down my back. He sighs and moves away without saying anything else. I jump slightly when the door shuts, leaving me alone with my rampant thoughts on what just happened.