Working With The Rockstar - JH

Chapter 9

Landon pov

I walked into her apartment and heard a little girl squealing and laughing. I panicked for a brief moment before remembering that Colson had left after her and had probably picked Casey up beforehand.

Just as I had suspected, Colson and Casey were sat on the couch in Liza's room while she was laid down, asleep on her bed.

"Landon." Casey squealed when she looked up and saw me.

"Hi Casey." I laughed as she hugged my legs. "How long has she been out?" I asked Colson.

"Casey, go play with Fro-yo." He told her.

She went running off to go and find Fro-yo, Liza's Staffe. She named him while she was high.

"She fell asleep a few minutes after a complete meltdown. I had to stop her from trying to throw up everything she ate. Casey got here about ten minutes after she fell asleep." He explained.

"Fuck sake. That stupid little whore. I don't even know what Jaden sees in her." I groaned as I ran my hand over my face.

"I know. It's so stupid." He agreed.

"If you want, you can leave and spend time with Casey. I got it." I offered, knowing he doesn't get to spend much time with his own daughter at the minute.

"Are you sure?" He asked me, hesitant.

"Yeah, yeah. I need to talk to her anyway so I'll just sit here and wait for her to wake up. Go and have fun with Casey." I assured.

"Thanks man." He bro hugged me before walking out and leaving with Casey.

I sat down on the sofa and waited for Liza to wake up, fully prepared to be here for the whole day. She always takes forever to wake up and fall asleep.

******
Liza pov

I woke up to see Landon sat there staring at me.

"Why?" I asked him, mumbling.

"Had to make sure you won't do anything stupid." He answered.

"I wasn't going to do anything stupid." I argued.

"What, so trying to force yourself to throw up isn't something stupid? Liza, that's stupid even by your standards." He sassed back.

"What's that in your hand?" I asked, noticing the piece of paper.

"Okay, yeah. I guess we can talk about that now." He mumbled as he stood up and walked over to me. "It's song lyrics. I read over them, they match your vibe and I was wondering if you wanted to do the duet." He said as he handed me that sheet.

I read over the lyrics entirely. I've never really sang anyone else's music because I've always wanted my songs to be my songs, or at least partially written by me. But if Landon thinks it will work, I'd be willing to give it a shot.

"Who's the other person?" I asked as I sat up in the bed, handing him back the sheet.

"It's Jaden and before you say anything-"

"Landon."

"I said, before you say anything, you need to make more friends. This can be a bonding session. You literally have me and Colson and Dad. And they're over the age of 25, that's just a bit sad." He explained.

"I don't need new friends. I don't want new friends." I argued.

"You don't want new friends because you're scared they're gonna end up just like Marley. You can't keep holding onto the fear that everyone you let in is going to leave you." He tried to reason.

"Well can you blame me? Everyone who I have let in has left. My parents left. My sister left. My brother didn't have a choice. Marley left. Hell, Jackson left-"

"Do not feel bad about Jackson leaving." He interrupted.

"Why not?" I asked him as I stood up from my bed.

"Why not? Why fucking not? He manipulated you Lizzie. Don't feel bad or guilty because he left. He abused you and took advantage of you." He answered.

"But still Land, I don't want to put myself in a position to get hurt again. I don't want to risk losing anyone else." I explained.

"You can't keep you self wrapped up in a bubble wrap cage. It's not healthy and you will go insane. You need to start becoming friends with people our age. You act too much like Colson, and one of these days it's gonna get you arrested or worse; killed. Do the song with Jaden, allow your self to bond with him, and maybe you'll see that not everyone is here to hurt you or leave you." He persuaded.

I stood there, silent for a minute. I really didn't want things to go south from here because I didn't know if I'd be able to handle losing yet another person. But Landon is right. If I don't try, I'll be lonely for the rest of my life because I'll get to a point where I don't even want to go out anymore.

"Okay fine. I'll do this one song with Jaden. I will try to be friends with him, but you do not ever force me to be friends with someone ever again. Do you understand me?" I conditioned with him.

"Okay, okay. I won't force you to be friends with anyone else after this." He promised.

"When is recording starting?" I asked him.

"I'll have to ask Jaden, but hopefully tomorrow. I'll message you when I've got the details." He answered.

"Okay."

"Look I gotta go. But please don't do anything that's gonna hurt you." He said he walked over and hugged me, kissing my head. "Also, please get in the shower because you smell like sex and weed and it's gross." He laughed as he pushed me into the direction of the bathroom.

"Okay, okay. I will." I laughed as he walked to leave the bedroom.

"You know, I really do love you Liza. Lots of people do. You're just too scared to see it." He said as he turned around to look at me.

"I know Landon. I am trying I promise."

"I know you are."