Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Ainsley

Ainsley, age twenty-one…

Are we still together?

Porter comes home once every other month. We don't often talk because he's busy. He hired a maid that lives in the small guest house. She makes sure I eat well and keeps track of my schedule, so Porter knows where I've been at all times. Sometimes I feel like they talk to each other more than we do.

It's before I start my junior year of college, right after my twenty-first birthday, when Papa surprises me with a trip to New York. I'm over the moon. Jacob is one hundred percent recovered. He and Mattie formed a band, Without A Compass , and they're opening for Porter. It's a one-time thing since he doesn't want my brothers to overdo it since, according to him, Jacob is still recovering.

He's babying him because he almost lost him. I guess we all are. I don't know what we would've done if he had died.

So, there I was, ready to surprise my brothers and my boyfriend. Papa and Dad were also there. We were backstage, hiding from them but also watching. It was hard, but we accomplished it.

I had no idea that there was another act between my brothers and Porter. Apparently, she's been opening for him since the tour started last February. She's tall, slender, and stunning. She wears a tiny skirt with a push-up corset and killer heels. She not only sings, but she's also a great performer and keeps the audience engaged.

When it's Porter's turn, he announces that he has a bad cold, and Sky will sing with him. She sings every song with him. The music, the lyrics, the insinuating sway of her hips, and the grinding of their bodies make the entire performance not only intimate for them, but it feels like we're watching a torrid affair.

If I didn't know better, I'd say they're fucking on the stage. I'm ready to go home, but where is home? Is he with her? I'm angry, hurt, confused… all those emotions are eating at me as I watch him sing to her using my lyrics. My lyrics. The ones I write as I bleed my feelings for him.

When they're playing the encore number, Papa moves us to his dressing room. I don't want to go. I want to leave—now. Get me out of here.

No one cares, maybe because nobody knows what's happening between us. I can't even make a scene because he'll get mad at me.

When he enters the room, Sky clings to his waist, sucking his face, and her top is off. One of Porter's skills is getting clothes off in less than five seconds.

The words "You fucking cheater," hang in my mouth.

"We thought that was an act," Jacob clears his throat.

Porter pushes the half-naked girl off and tries to cover her breasts.

"Some relief after a tenuous performance." Papa, who has been on tour before, defends him and throws a towel their way. "Though, I'd appreciate it if you wait to get her to a hotel. I don't want you involved in bad publicity."

I can't breathe as I stare at her holding onto Porter. Are they together?

Papa looks at us. "Let's go. Finish what you were doing, Porter. We'll see you later, I guess."

See you later?

Finish?

Porter finally directs his gaze at me. It says, keep-your-mouth-shut-or-you'll-regret-it. I lower my head and follow my family.

When we reach the parking lot, I pull out my phone. Maybe if I ask him what's happening, he'll apologize or… I'm surprised when I see a text from him.

PK : Don't you dare say a word to them or me. It was a show, end of story.

A: It's okay if you want to break up with me.

PK: I said stop, or I swear you'll regret it.

A: Sorry.

It took an entire month of calls, emails, texts, and voicemails to get him to forgive me.

One month.

But when he came home, he was happy. We were happy. I swore I wouldn't fuck up again.