That Was Then, This Is Now

Part 9

I woke up and the first thing I did was listen to Faith. I mean I know I'm biased but I don't think anyone could sing this song better than her. Her vocal range, her pitch, her emotion god she's amazing. Last night was surreal. Having her here in the apartment, our old apartment just helping me to write and record this song was so out of the blue but so amazing. Being near faith is so recharging. I feel refreshed and like I'm ready to take on anything. Except I know that as soon as I gave the real world that will all blow away. Me and jack are meeting to day because obviously there's the whole publicity thing and then I also want to play him this song. I want Faith to sing it. I want her to record it and I want it to be on her album. Except I don't think that's going to happen. There is no way that either of our management teams are going to let her sing a song that we co-wrote about how we used to be in love. That has scandal written all over it. Expect maybe that's a good thing, scandal sells.
I've got two hours before Jack is coming around so I put in my sweats and go to my home gym. Since rehab I have found that exercise has really helped me stay in control of my life and made me a more solid person. And I'm ripped as hell so that's a bonus. I do my work out then have a shower and make a smoothie. As I blend my kale I hear the elevator open, followed by different sets of feet, which catches me off guard as I was only expecting Jack. They work into the the kitchen living area and I identify them all. There's jack at the front and then behind him are 2 woman and 2 men each looking as professional and stuck up as the other.
"Tim." Jack says as they all take a seat at the dining table. His tone is serious so I can tell this morning meeting will not be a quick a one, I contemplate throwing a Xanax in my smoothie. "We have several discussion points, the first being why does TMZ have photos of Faith leaving your apartment complex in the early hours of this morning?"
"Fucking TMZ" I say before taking a sip of my smoothie. "Um..." I say looking at the strangers sitting at my table.
"It's fine, they're our PR team specialising in TMZ." He says joking but I honestly can imagine a special course at PR school just covering the ass holes that work for TMZ.
"Oh. Well hi y'all, um Faith came here last night to help me write a song." I say leaning against the kitchen bench top.
"Okay, well I've just gotten off the phone with Gary and he's having this conversation with Faith right now too, so we need to strategise." He says.
"You obviously don't want people to think you two are back together because that opens old wounds," states a blonde woman at the table. "But you also can't deny the claims because TMZ now has 3 different sets of photos from three different occasions." She says referring to the night in town, when she came to get her phone and now this.
"Why do people care this much, god?" I say, feeling overwhelmed.
"Because you're Tim and she's Faith." Says the youngest of the four. He's a guy, maybe 23 who like fresh faced and the typical young hire who is supposed to be hip and with the times. "You're the hottest country ship on tumblr, you have more Wattpad hits than any other couple, including those that are canon, and you're both hot."
We all just look at him, especially me because I don't have a clue what 90% of those words mean.
"What he means is, the two of you sell. People like you together. You have a growing online fan base who want you together." Explains the older guy.
"But speaking here as the voice of reason, what the hell does that matter?" I say.
"Tim I know you hate this shit but we need to figure this out." Jack says.
"Okay, I have a suggestion." Says the young guy again. We all look at him indicating that he should carry on. "You said that the two of you were writing a song? So what if you go ahead, we record the song, use that to explain why you've been together. That will take away speculation that you're getting back together but also generates buzz for you both who are between albums. The public, then get excited because if you're recording a song it could mean you're getting back together, but we maintain this is professional." His plan isn't half bad. "And besides the public will love their two favourite single stars doing something."
"She's not single." I correct. The older man at the table just groans while they all start frantically pulling out their laptops.
"Jesus Tim. You don't make this easy do you?"

Faith POV
I woke up this morning to my phone ringing. "Hello Faith speaking."
"Why the fuck are you seeing Tim?" I hear Scott say.
"Hey honey, nice to hear from you."
"Answer my question." He insists.
"We we're writing a song." I say to him.
"You don't need to go to his apartment at midnight to write, you whore."
"Scott, I swear to god you better apologise right the hell now."
"No I will not! We will discuss this when I get home." He says hanging up. I'm in for it. I mean not literally Scott would never hit me or anything he just says awful things and I try hard to not listen to them but it's so hard to let them all just fly off, but some stick. I'm not blameless by any means, I say shit to him too but at least mine are accurate and are based around how I don't trust him, or how he only brings home cash and just all the suspicious shit he does. I'm not scared of scott, I just don't feel warm and safe with him either. I get out of bed and have a shower so that I'm ready for Gary when he arrives. I'm eating breakfast when he comes in.
"Faith we have an issue." God, it's about to be one of those days.