Better Together - (One Direction fanfic by Kaitlynn)

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

It was silent at first, no one wanted to respond. "Hello?" Mr. Kingsly's voice was still cool, but now held a trace of impatience. Louis, being the risk taker, spoke first, "Hello Mr. Kingsly, uh, you wanted to talk with us?" Mr. Kingsly chuckled, "Please boys, call me Rob," his voice was now seemingly pleasant, but Jackie could still here that icy undertone. "And yes, I would. Regarding the little, ah, " he paused lightly, "predicament you lads have gotten yourselves into," he purred, "All the boys can hear me, yes?" There was a chorus of "Yes" and "Yessir" all at once. "I'd also like your drummer and," Mr. Kingsly paused again, "anyone ELSE not from my management team to step out of hearing range please," he'd said the word "else" like it was vile and disgusting. Jackie assumed he'd meant, well, herself. The boys exchanged a look. Liam shook his head, "But sir--" "No, it's alright," Zayn cut him off gently, "We've sent them like, outside," he spoke lightly to Mr. Kingsly and winked at Jackie and Josh mischievously. Josh tightened his grip on Jackie's shoulders. "Alright then," Mr. Kingsly cleared his throat, "I'm aware you boys have picked up an "opening act" there in San Francisco am I correct?" The boys nodded like he could see them, "Yeah so?" Louis said sassily. Harry lightly slapped him in scolding. "SO," Mr. Kingsly said mockingly, "that was not authorized by ANYONE," he hissed through the phone, "and they need to go." Jackie bit back a nasty retort, and softly chuckled as she saw Kaitlynn's face. She was obviously trying to restrain her sass as well.  "Mr. King--Rob, with all due respect," Liam began calmly, "Did you even HEAR these girls perform? Because--" "I don't need to," Mr. Kingsly interrupted coldly, "They aren't professionals, they have no business performing with you." Kaitlynn's hands balled into fists and she opened her mouth, insults about to come when Niall not so gently put one hand over her mouth, while using the other to grab a handful of chips. Harry stifled his laughter, "Uhm, Rob, I don't think we're as like, professional as you think..." he patted the top of Kaitlynn's head. "Plus," Niall said with his mouth full, "the girls smashed it! I would actually sign them somewhere, mate." Jackie smiled at him, though she  doubted they would be signed ANYWHERE since Mr. Kingsly evidently had a burning hatred for them. "I'm willing to pay a considerable amount to have them removed," Mr. Kingsly suggested with a sigh. The boys erupted in outrage, "Are you kidding?!" Louis looked like he wanted to murder the phone, "Bribery?! I hate to sound conceited but...please, WE'RE FAMOUS," Jackie held back her giggles, the sass master was here! "And if they tour with us," Zayn threw his hands in the air for emphasis, "then they're obviously gonna become more professional like you wanted, SIR," he crossed his arms over his chest angrily. Mr. Kingsly had been quiet, calculating, "Well since you seem to like your lady friends so much," he spat, "I have a proposition for you." Jackie held her breath. "You can keep them on tour, if," he paused dramatically, "you terminate the contract of your drummer boy, Josh." The boys would've been shocked, had they not known this was coming. "Um excuse my language, but," Liam cleared his throat, "What the hell does Josh have to do with the girls?!" Josh began nervously stroking Jackie's hair, which Jackie found very distracting, she leaned into him and tried to focus on the conversation. "You know very well what he has to do with it," Mr. Kingsly growled. "Actually," Louis and his big mouth, "we don't. Please enlighten us." Mr Kingsly was silent for several moments, "No. Fine, I say your drummer isn't qualified anymore," he spoke quietly, but not without menace, "I'll give you until tomorrow night to make a decision," he ignored protests from the boys,  "I'm done with this conversation," Mr. Kingsly spoke with even more superiority than Scarlett had, "you will make a decision, or everyone will suffer the consequences." Jackie felt Josh tense up around her. Dial tone filled the room until Lisa grabbed her phone and stuffed it in her jean pocket. The stunned silence was broken by Kaitlynn, "That bitch," she said shakily.