What If I Can't Forget You?

{15}

Jaime's POV

In the morning, I woke to the sound of thumping at my door.

"Buenos días Jaime!" Came the familiar bass of Mike's voice.

I groaned, turning over. The digital clock on the bedside table read 7:33.

"Un momento, Miguel." I shouted. I sat up groggily and slid on a hoodie, khaki shorts, and my Vans.

"Estamos dejando sin ti!" He called.

I ran my hand through my hair as I opened the door and headed out the door after Mike.

Why do sound checks have to be so damn early? I thought. We made our way to the lobby and jumped into our designated black van. I was still half asleep, so I leaned against the tinted window and zoned out for the ride to the venue.

When we arrived, we climbed out and began walking inside. Our set crew had already erected most of the set on stage, but the black-clad workers still labored with much of the equipment.

I spotted scrawny Ian towards the back, helping to wire our tech to the lighting on stage. He stood abruptly and glanced over his shoulders, probably looking for his boss.

What is he doing? I thought to myself. Ian pulled out his phone and retreated backstage, still eying his surroundings. Everyone knew well that cell phones were off-limits during performance days. There was simply too much to be done and they were a huge distraction.

Now I was intrigued. I quietly broke off from the group and began to discreetly follow Ian backstage. As I neared him, I stayed hidden, ducked safely around the corner from where he now stood. He spoke softly into his phone.

"Hey man... Jesse... School... Sorry, dude." I caught pieces of a conversation. He went on. "Met this girl..." He must have meant Alex. My Alex. "Yeah, but that poor bitch... Thinks I'm into her. Her friend is super hot though... Made out." Ian didn't like Alex, or they made out? I pulled out my phone and took a video of the floor, with Ian's voice softly in the background.

"...Not kidding! Vic's girlfriend. And she kissed back..." Oh my God. Vic? Ian made out with Claire? Vic was going to be crushed if this loser was telling the truth. "...set crew. In Arizona now... Have to go. Later, Jess."

I slipped casually back toward the stage, pocketing my phone. I nodded at Ian as he passed, trying hard to look inconspicuous despite what I had just discovered.

I was somewhat relieved that Ian no longer posed a threat to me and Alex. But now that I knew him and Claire were having an affair, I felt extremely guilty. I had to confront her, I had to know if it was true.

I snuck back towards our group, still lost in thought. I had the video now, and that means I have proof that Ian was a lying prick. Vic and the others were crowded together around a person that I couldn't see. Curious, I approached them, pushing past the boys to get a peek at who was causing the commotion.

There, before me, stood Bob Becker. Owner of Fearless records, and, more importantly, Claire's dad.