Dance in the Family (1D, bk 2)

Chapter 15

I'd been avoiding going into Syco for almost a month when Simon called me at home to tell me he needed me to come in as soon as I possibly could. I wasn't giving up on singing, but I couldn't handle recording anything new so soon. I was doing better, talking with Zayn and Emily, but not well enough that I could face making something new. I was terrified that something even worse would happen.

I did go in, though. After promising Zayn that I would try my hardest not to run from my problems, avoiding a meeting with Simon would be as bad as running. I wouldn't do that. I couldn't.

"Haley, I understand that you've been under a lot of pressure lately. The concert went well, as far as debuts go, though I'm sorry you couldn't present your song as you'd wanted to. We need to start thinking about your album," Simon told me when I was sitting across from him.

"I don't want an album. Not yet, anyways. I'm trying to focus my efforts on my upcoming wedding, and my family. I don't want to spend all of my time writing and recording. Can it wait until after my honeymoon?" I asked, crossing my fingers in my lap.

"Can you promise me that you'll really do it when you're back?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, I promise. Who knows, maybe it'll even give me more to write about. I want to do happy songs now, since I'm trying my hardest to find my happiness," I replied. He nodded after a moment.

"I can allow it, but I'm holding you to your word. I'll give the boys the same deal, that way you'll all be in the studio at the same time. Maybe you can collaborate on a song or two," he said, smiling. "I hope to get an invitation to this wedding."

"Of course you will!" I assured him, grinning. I wasn't really feeling happy, though. I had no song ideas at all, and no motivation. I really did hope that the wedding and honeymoon would give me something to write about. If nothing else, I always had Louis's offer to help me write a song or two. He really did seem to want to work with me.

I'd barely made it to my car before I was getting a call from Beth. "Oh good, you're not too busy. Can you come over? Matt got called in to film something, and I can't get Anni to calm down," she said as soon as I answered.

"Sure, I'm just leaving Syco. Simon is letting me wait to do anything new until after my honeymoon. I don't think he realizes how far away it still is, but I'm grateful. He's giving the boys the same deal, so Zayn and I can focus on getting married," I replied.

"Oh, that's fantastic!" she exclaimed. "When are you planning on going dress shopping?"

"I was hoping to get everyone together tomorrow to do it. Would you like to come?" I offered.

"I would love to," she said. I could hear the smile in her voice. "You'll be such a beautiful bride."

"Do you need me to bring anything? My house is on the way," I offered.

"No, it's okay. Just bring your smile," she told me. "I've got to go now. Anni is crying again. I got her to sleep for maybe five minutes. I can't tell if she just misses her daddy or what."

"Probably that. I'll be right there!" I told her, hanging up and pulling out of the parking lot. Spending time with Anni and Christopher was quickly becoming my absolute favorite thing to do. I'd been feeling a little sick for the last week, though, and I was hoping I wouldn't give whatever I had to little Anni. I'd have to warn Beth before I held her.

No cars were in her driveway, which was odd. Usually Beth's car was always there, even when Matt's wasn't. I knew she was home, because she'd called me from her home phone. The door was unlocked, which would have been weird if she wasn't expecting me... but all of the lights in the house were off, too. Something was wrong.