After Forever & Ever

Chapter 37

Hardin-Present

I was really surprised to see Tessa. And she seemed receptive to kissing me so maybe we're good? Maybe she changed her mind about us not being together?

I know she isn't happy about LA but if things go how I am planning I can support her and she wouldn't have to work. And honestly what would be keeping her here.

We could have a fresh start in LA. I truly can't think of anything better for us at this point. I think we both need it....hopefully she feels the same.

I didn't want to bring that up while she was here or in front of Zed because i thought it should be a private conversation plus I kind of wanted to see how tonight went to know for sure.

Zed and I are just chilling when Vance goes to the door and let's Kim in.

Now I thought Karen gave me the look of death but Kim definitely fucking hates me.

But I fucked everything up for them too so I guess it's true everything I touch I destroy.

"Hi Kim." I say to her.

"Hardin." She simply says.

"We are going to get going don't do anything stupid tonight." Vance says to me.

"Got it Dad." I reply back and you can tell he can't decide whether or not to be happy or mad.

"Dude she's fucking hot" Zed says.

I ignore him. We chill for a while since I won't be playing until 11PM. Tessa texts me "I have nothing to wear"

"Stop you will look beautiful in anything." I text back.

Zed keeps going outside to smoke a joint and not going to lie it's the first time since being back I want to smoke but I know I can't. Seeing it right in front of me is hard though...

"We are going to be leaving in about 10 minutes to get you?" I text her.

"K." She responds.

"Do you not want to go?" I text back.

" I do....sorry I meant ok." She texts back.

I just wanted to make sure she wasn't mad....again.

When we get to her place I make Zed get out and sit in the back so she can sit in front.

About 10 minutes into the ride she reaches over and grabs my hand so when we get to the next stop light I pull her hand up and kiss the back of her hand and throw her a wink.

I don't know what she was talking about not having anything to wear she looks gorgeous. 6 months pregnant and still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

"Aren't you two adorable." Zed says sarcastically.

I choose to ignore him and Tessa just gives him a dirty look.

I decide to valet the car and when we arrive in Zed escorts us to the VIP area where I'll be meeting the producers who I'll potentially be working with...well hopefully be working with.

I know I got a little lost there for a while but music is something that makes me feel fucking alive I can be numb to a lot of things but music makes me feel. And not feel at the same time.

When the producers arrive Zed and Tessa excuse themselves.

I get up and shake both of their hands.

I'm pretty fucking nervous. I know I was a producer in London but the music scene is so different here.

"Nice to meet you I'm Michael Walker and this is Henry Tate." Michael says. And they both sit down so i do the same.

"I'm Hardin.
it's nice to meet you guys." I say.

"Hardin Scott, we have been following you for a while now?" Henry says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"We have been following your music really since you got started. I made a lot of phone calls and spoke to your manager a couple of times but was never able to get in touch with you. So when Zed told us you were in the US we had to meet." Henry explains.

"Wow I didn't realize I had a following here." I reply.

"Well we want to make sure of that." Henry says.

"We want to offer you a deal with our label...it's a 1 year contract...are you interested?" Michael chimes in.

"Really?" I question.

"Yes...We think you are going to blow up." Michael says.

Henry starts pulling out the contract and hands it to me.

Fuck this is fast.

"So what would happen next if I sign with you guys?" I ask.

"Well we would fly you to LA....and get you in our studio and start getting you name out there." They tell me.

"Can I think about it?" I ask.

I guess being a producer in London I know that side of the business as well and this could be me selling my soul and I probably shouldn't jump the gun on it just yet.

"Offers like this...won't always be there." Henry says.

"Well it sounds like you guys have already waited a long time." I reply.

They both stand up and Michael hands me his card "I'll give you the weekend to decide"

As soon as they leave. Tessa and Zed come back..."so how did it go?" Tessa exclaims.

"They want to sign me." I reply.

"So did you do it?" Zed interrupts and asks.

"No...I told them I would think about it." I reply.

"I thought that's what you wanted." Tessa says.

"It's a big decision I thought we should make it together." I tell her and she smiles and squeezes my hand.

It's almost 11PM and so I start getting ready to play my set.

When I get to the stage and start my set the crowd is amazing and the energy is out of this world.

I am only playing for an hour which is good because I'm sure Tessa doesn't want to stay out until 3AM.

As soon as I finish my set I chug the water the waitress brought me and the next thing I know it's lights out.

I am fading in and out and I'm in some sort of back room.

I can hear what's going on around me
But I feel like I can't talk or do anything.

"Hardin! Hardin!!! What did you take?!" Tessa is screaming and grabbing my face trying to get me to look at her but I feel like I can't.

"We need to get him out of here!" I hear Zed say.

"I'll go get his car and pull it out back" she replies as she pulls my keys out of my pocket.

Some dude and Zed help me up and walk me out the door and throw me into the back seat of my car.

Zed is driving and Tessa ends up sitting in back with me she has my head on her lap and she keeps trying to talk to me but I'm so fucked up I can't say anything.

Someone fucking drugged me...

Tessa starts talking to Zed "I can't believe he would do this." She says.

"Maybe it was too soon." I hear Zed reply.

"Why....why would he do this?  He was doing so good." I hear her say.

"What do you think is going to happen when he goes to LA?" Zed asks her.

"I don't know Zed." She replies annoyed.

"Are you going to come running back to me when he isn't around?" Zed asks...and I can feel myself get mad but still can't do anything about it.

"Zed stop." Tessa tells him.

What the fuck is that about?....Was I wrong this whole time...did Tessa do something with him?...

And just when I could know more it's official lights out.