Jace

{38}

My ear plugs were in, my microphone bounced in my hand, and I was already beginning to sweat with even the idea of jumping around under all those lights in this hot of weather.

"Ready?" the backstage manager peeked on stage and then patted my back to tell me to go. We ran out with smiles on our faces and already belting out the lyrics to Best Song Ever. No one were really into the concerts anymore. We were all to stressed. To tired. To impassionate.

Only three tours into One Direction's career, and the future already seemed bleak.

*

"Hello?" I answered my phone, not recognizing the number.

"Mr. Liam?" I'd recognize that voice anywhere. "Hello 'dis is Francesca. Have you seen my blankie?"

I smiled at her innocent and worried voice. "I don't know. What does your blankie look like?"

"It's big. And soft. And yellow. It's really yellow." A plan began forming in my head.

"Oh I think I see it," I said even though I saw nothing but the wall of the tour bus in front of me.

"Oh good. Will you give it back?"

"Of course sweetheart. Do you know what numbers are on the front of your house? What your address is?"

"Oh yes! Mommy made me learn it on my first day of kindy-garden! Francesca Rock's address is 1890 Brandy Lane."

"I will bring your blankie right over Franny. Hey, by any chance does your daddy know that your calling me."

"..No. Should I have asked?"

"No sweetie," I lied through my teeth. "You're just fine."

All in all the drive to Francesca's house was forty five minutes. However, it took a full hour because I went to the closest Target and bought a big yellow blanket to give to the little girl.

I knocked on the front door and almost immediately Francesca answered.

"Franny don't open the door without mommy or I-" Aaron stopped in the middle of his hallway.

"That's not blankie."

My smile was fake as I passed it down to the little girl. "Turns out I couldn't find it so I got you a new blankie."

She giggled and bubbled with glee. Aaron stepped forward, patting his daughters shoulder. "Go play with your brother Francesca." She looked confused by the tension between us, but left quickly.

"Get the hell off my property before I call the cops," he growled.

"Where is Jacelyn."

"Away from you that's for sure."

"I'm not playing around Aaron! Tell me where she is!"

He scoffed. "And miss this show you're giving? Never." And after I bit the inside of my cheek and balled my fists to contain my anger: "You put on this whole tough guy act Liam! You think just because you're famous you can get away with anything-"

"That's not it at all-"

"Not here Liam! Not here! I know you're just using her."

"Aaron I'm not-"

"I know you just want her for a publicity stunt. Why else would you pretend so hard to care about her?! She's infuriating! She can dance and that's about it!"

"Don't talk about her that way!" my voice rose as I stabbed a finger at him.

"Hot damn you even almost had me fooled! But she's got nothing you'd actually want Liam. She's not smart or understanding or pretty-"