Everything Opposite

Chapter Thirty Seven

Ryleigh
Once I had Clarity dressed, I checked the diaper bag before making sure I had the stroller as well. Otto was driving us there in his car. I had never felt so nervous. I quickly pecked Otto's  lips before getting Clarity settled in her stroller. The diaper bag was on my back. I approached the security guard at the back door of the venue as Otto drove away.

"Excuse me,"I said, making a move to open the door. The guard stepped in front of me. "Do you have a pass?"he asked. I shook my head no, eyes wide in panic. "Then I can't let you in without seeing a pass. Now scram!"he said, making a shooing motion. "Please, check the list. I promise I'm on it,"I begged. "No way ma'am, you'll just pretend you are like every other crazed fan,"the guard said getting as angry as I was. "I'm not a crazed fan! I'm Zachary Merrick's ex girlfriend. The baby in the stroller is his,"I said trying to plead with the guard. "You better move before I have you arrested,"the guard said.

I turned to walk away angrily with tears in my eyes. "Ryleigh, wait!"Alex's voice called after me. I turned around. He pulled me into a quick hug. He turned to the guard. "She's with me!"Alex declared to the guard who looked stunned and confused. He opened the door without another word. Once we were in the venue, Alex placed his hands on my shoulders, looking me over. "Are you okay?"Alex asked. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

"I'm glad you made it. It's good to see you!"Alex said, pulling me into another hug. The movement made my cuts sting, I felt relief when he pulled away. He knelt down to Clarity. "And it's good to see you, too, Miss Clarity!"Alex said as Clarity grasped his finger. After that was over, Alex led us through many venue hallways to the green room backstage. Jack was waiting inside. "RYLEIGH!"He yelled, running to hug me. "Geez, I see how it is. If only you were this excited to see me,"I heard Logan's voice behind me. I pulled away from Jack's bear hug, causing him to pout. I ran and tackled my best friend into a hug, almost knocking us both to the ground. When we released, I saw Jack now holding a giggling Clarity.

A moment later, Rian and Zack appeared in the doorway. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him. I never knew how in love with him I was until that moment. We stared at each other a moment until Alex cleared his throat and we both awkwardly looked away from each other. "So, Ryleigh, we heard you and Lo got a record deal?"Rian coughed to break the tension now in the room. I nodded my head and let Logan take over talking about our latest adventures. I let my thoughts wander.

"What do you say?"Alex cut through my thoughts. I realized I hadn't heard a word he said. "Uh,"I said. Logan rolled her eyes and lightly punched my shoulder. "He wants to know if you'll sing Remembering Sunday, A Love Like War, and Outlines with him tonight?"Logan said. "Oh. Sure,"I replied, feeling an embarrassed blush on my cheeks. "Actually, I have a proposition,"Zack spoke up. I think we all were collectively shocked. "What if Ry plays bass in my spot tonight? I wanna take Clarity out and spend time with her. She's my daughter, too!"Zack said.

I made a face. I felt skeptic leaving Clarity with a man who was her father but also such a stranger to her. "Ryleigh, they'll be fine. Zack's gonna protect her. He had a part in making her, too,"Alex said, trying to reassure me and take Zack's side. I blushed as did Zack when Alex made that comment. I was so nervous. I haven't played bass with All Time Low in forever. What if I don't measure up? What will people say about me? "Let me run it by Josh first. He should have some say,"I said.

I knew I wasn't calling Josh. It wasn't his kid, after all. I wanted to cut again. I felt anxiety crushing me and I needed a hug from Tyler or Josh but at this point I would settle for their voices. Alex knew this and put his fingers in mine, squeezing my hand and reminding me to breathe. "Okay but on one condition,"I said. Zack nodded at me to go ahead. "You stay at the hotel. It's too cold to have her out and about at night,"I said. Zack nodded. "Sounds fair I guess,"He replied. With that, Jack helped Zack put her back in the stroller and they were gone. I shouldn't be so nervous. Zack was a big part of her life when she was first born. They're going to be fine. I just wish I could say the same for me.