Jack's P. O. V.
"Hey David, I didn't think you were coming for a few days." I had just woken up the next day and I found David in the kitchen.
"Aspen and I flew in early to check on you guys," he said taking a sip from his coke.
"Aspen?"
"Hey Jack!" She came into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around me. I tried to hide my annoyed face from David as I hugged her back. "I've missed you!"
"Yeah, I missed you too," I lied.
"You guys talking about tour?" She asked, pressing her body against me.
"Yeah, I was just about to tell him you were coming with us."
"Wait, what?"
"Yeah, she wants to come along. Is there a problem?"
"No, of course not."
"He's excited, aren't you Jack?" She said looking up into my eyes.
"Yeah, definitely. I actually have a question for you, David."
"What's up?"
"My friend, Wren, is an amazing photographer. I was thinking maybe she could be our tour photographer since August has a busy schedule?"
"Aspen, can I talk to Jack alone?"
"Sure, dad." She left the room.
"Jack do you want Wren to come because she's a great photographer or because you like her?"
"Both I guess," I shrugged, smiling while thinking of Wren. Even though I barely knew her, something had clicked when she hugged me. She stopped stuttering after that and seemed more comfortable. I felt like I really knew her.
"Here's the thing, you make Aspen happy. That's all I want for her. But if you bring along a girl that you like, she's not gonna be happy."
"What are you saying?" I asked crossing my arms.
"I'm saying if you want Wren to come on tour with us, maybe you should spend more time with Aspen and less with Wren."
"What do you mean more time?"
"Obviously I have to be straightforward with this. Wren can come on tour, but only if you act like you're interested in Aspen."
"What?! No," I scoffed.
"Then I guess Wren will have to find another job."
"Seriously? What if Aspen finds out that I'm faking it? Do you expect me to lie even further for you?"
"No, but she's not gonna find out. The only relationship that you and Wren will have is business."
"Why can't I just tell Aspen I don't like her? Then maybe she'll move on."
"Because this is what she wants. And I always get her what she wants."
"How long do I have to fake it?"
"We'll start with the length of tour. Maybe by then you won't have eto fake it anymore."
"But after tour I can end it?"
"Sure. But if Aspen changes her mind, then you don't have to pretend anymore. You two need to announce your relationship before tour starts."
"Announce it to the fans? Aspen will get tons of hate for that."
"If she can't handle it, then she'll realize that this isn't what she wants. If it doesn't bother her then it doesn't bother you. Do we have a deal?"
"Fine."
"One more thing."
"Yes?"
"Don't let the guys know it's fake."
"You're asking me to keep a secret from my best friends?!"
"It's not that big of a deal."
"Okay, fine."
"Good. Give me Wren's number and I'll call her." I gave him her number then went to Daniel's and my room.
"What's up?" He asked, noticing my pissed off face.
"What? Oh, nothing." I plastered a fake smile on my face. It looks like most of my smiles will be fake from now on. Unless I'm with Wren. I have to stop thinking about her if I want this to work.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. More than fine actually," I lied. "I'll be back." I walked upstairs to Aspen's room.
"Hey Aspen," I knocked softly.
"Hey, come in Jack." She smiled.
"I was wondering, do you maybe wanna go out tonight?"
"Are you asking me on a date?" She asked excitedly. I nodded. "Sure!"
"I'll come get you at around seven. Dress nice," I said giving her a smirk then walking back to my room.
"What were you doing?" Daniel asked.
"I just asked Aspen on a date," I said, acting like I was anxious.
"Woah, since when was that a thing? I thought she annoyed you."
"Yeah, but I guess she kinda grew on me. I realized how sweet and kind she was and I didn't want to waste the fact that she has a huge crush on me."
"Well good for you, I'm glad you're happy."
"Yeah."
My phone buzzed and I took it out of my pocket seeing a text from Wren. She was freaking out because David had just called her. I could hear her voice in my head reading the texts and I smiled.
"Who's that?" Daniel asked.
"Huh? Oh, Aspen," I lied. I hated the feeling of lying to the guys, but I had to.
Wren had texted me again, asking if I wanted to hang out to celebrate, but I had to tell her I was busy. I promised that we'd hang out the next day, though.
Wren's P. O. V.
Jack had just rejected me. I should've known. Just because we spent one night together doesn't mean that I'm suddenly his only priority. He's in a band, he probably already has a girlfriend.
I was so happy that morning, but it all changed. I was right. I'll admit, I had been stalking Jack on social media, but I was so upset with what I had found. At about ten, he had posted a video on his story announcing a new relationship with a girl named Aspen.
She was so pretty. Much prettier than I was. I should've known that Jack wasn't who I thought he was. He flirted with me all day, then turned around and got a new girlfriend. I can't believe I let myself think that not all guys were assholes. First Alex and now Jack. He said he was different from most guys, but I guess he lied.
I went over to my desk and pulled out pencils and paper. I started doodling, but everything I drew became curls. Long, thick, perfect curls like the ones on Jack's head. I crumpled the paper and threw it into the trash can.
I dropped my head in my hands, trying to convince myself to forget him. It only got worse. I remembered that I had to go on tour with Jack, and now his girlfriend. How was I going to do this?
*****
