Part 10 (1/2)

”What? Where's she going?

She's not leaving on her own. I don't care what she thinks.”

”Aiden is coming to get her tonight.”

”She's not leaving. I'll handle this.”

”No Ev. Let her go. I'm sending Holden and the guys with her. She'll be safe. She wants to go and we can't force her to stay.”

”I'm talking to her. This is c.r.a.p.”

Eaven rushes into the room where Ivy is. Lilly follows right behind her.

I refuse to believe that she loves him. My heart isn't lying. I know she f.u.c.king loves me as much as I do her, but she is stubborn. I can't force her to stay even though every muscle in my body wants to.

”Holden. Don't let anything happen to her. She's my life. I'm trusting you with my life.”

”I got this, Taron.”

We pull onto location and I jump off the bus as soon as it comes to a stop.

Waiting for me was none other than our tour manager. He looks p.i.s.sed and I'm not in the mood for him right now. I walk right past him and head for the door.

”Taron, we're going to settle something right now.” His tone enrages me, so I turn around and stare at him.

”Miss another show and Rebel Walking is out. Walk off stage during concert again and it's over. I can't cover for you anymore. You need to remember that you're not the focus band. Rebel Walking is only a cover band. If you ever want more, then you have to act like it.” I bite my tongue. I know he's dead on with the facts, but right now isn't the time for me to deal with him.

”Fine.” I turn and continue my walk into the arena. I can't watch her leave. I don't want to see Aiden, and I know Holden will keep me posted.

Ivy I knew Ev would be right in. I lock myself in the bathroom and quietly cry. She is at the door within minutes and I know I have to get it together. She will see through me.

”Ivy, what the h.e.l.l?” Open the door!”

I dry my eyes knowing that I can't hide from her and take a deep breath. I open the door and walk out to face by best friend.

”I'm going to stay with Aiden until things blow over.”

”Why?”

”Because I want to, and if I stay on tour then Dylan will always know where to find me.” She stops to think about that.

Lilly steps up and pulls me in for a hug.” Oh baby girl. I hate this for you.

That b.a.s.t.a.r.d deserves to rot.”

”I'm gonna miss you!” Eaven is still standing next to us with a shocked look on her face.

”I can meet up with you at a concert in a few weeks. I promise to stay in touch and we'll talk everyday.

How about we meet for dress fittings in New York?” This doesn't make her as happy as I hoped it would.

”Ok, but it won't be the same without you here.”

”I know, but we can talk daily.” I reach for her and let her squeeze life back into me. I'm going to need her love in the next few days, but she won't be there to help me through it. I draw strength from her until she pulls away.

”I miss you already.” Lilly wraps her arms around us both and we let the tears flow. I hold back because the tears I need to cry will scare everyone including myself.

I feel my phone vibrate and see that Aiden has arrived. He is responding to Taron's text, so I quickly tell him not to pay attention to it.

”Aiden will be here in twenty, so I need to get my stuff gathered.”

”Holden is going with you, so you have to wait for him.” Eaven moves to the door to yell for Holden. He pops in and she tells him that cowboy is on his way. That poor guy will never be appreciated for everything he's done.

Holden looks at me with a frown, and I know he isn't happy about following me across the country.

I use the remaining time to talk to the girls. We keep the conversation light a n d that helps keep me calm. When Aiden shows up, I hear him strategizing with Holden. There is a cabin in an exclusive area in Missouri that Aiden has access to. We'll be staying there for a couple of weeks. I hear Aiden say that he wants me to see a counselor to help me through this. I can't argue with that because I'm not coping well. I'm an emotional wreck, and I don't know how to heal from all of this. I know it takes time, but I don't even know how to begin.

”Hey Aiden.” I enter in the middle of him telling Holden about a counselor he has in mind.

”Hi Ivy, baby. We're gonna keep you safe from that a.s.shole. That, I can promise ya. I can't believe he contacted you again.” I lean into his chest and greet him.

”I love you girl! Take care of you!” Eaven wraps me up for one last hug and both girls leave us.

Our flight out isn't until tomorrow. The guys make arrangements for us to stay in a hotel for the night. I work hard to keep it together when Holden is around. Aiden doesn't give anything away when I wrap my arms around his waist. He puts an arm on my shoulder and pulls me in tight. I wait until Holden steps off the bus to get our transportation before I lose it.

I fall apart like the mess my life is. Aiden stands tall and holds my body up. ”Ivy, what are you doing? Why are you hugging on me like this?”

”I told Taron that I'm in love with you so he would let me leave. He would never have let me go with you if I didn't say that to him.”

”Why are you pus.h.i.+ng him away?”

”Because he'll walk away from tour for me. He'll ruin everything they've built, and I can't let him do that.

Maybe we can be together one day if I get my life together, but not now.”

”I refuse to drag him down and right now I'm totally depending on him for everything. I need to break away and get things situated.”

”I understand and we'll figure it out.”

”Just go along with this when Holden is around until I figure something else out.”

He nods and pulls me in for anther hug. ”Ivy, you have been through so much the past few weeks, of course I'm here for you.” I haven't needed this many hugs in my entire life.

My heart is broken that I had to say those things to Taron. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt him, but I know how he is. He won't let me go if I don't break him apart with words that pierce through the both of us.

Holden arranges a separate cab for us so he could go ahead of us to prepare the hotel. We get to the hotel and I see that Holden has taken his responsibility very seriously. He meets me at the cab to escort me in and we travel to our room in the most direct path possible.

This guy is thorough. He opens the door to our room and begins searching the closets and bathroom. I stop him as he drops to the floor to look under the bed.

”Holden, what the h.e.l.l! Calm down. No one is in here.” My face has to tell him that I think he's crazy.