Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Ainsley

Ainsley, age seventeen…

Have I mentioned that no one prepares you for life?

There are old books like What to Expect When You're Expecting . My parents have the first edition and a few more. They bought them so they could learn to parent three children. I don't think it was too helpful because there has to be a huge difference between raising a baby and dealing with sickly triplets. If anything, I'm sure Papa can write a book. I mean, he's a psychologist with an English major.

In any case, when it's time to head to Austin, I'm at a loss. No one is willing to help me. My parents can't do it because… well, what will people say if they find out that either one of them has a college-age daughter—or worse, that they're a couple.

I hate them.

Porter isn't any better, though.

Since Austin is known for its big music scene, he can't go with me.Isn't that why I'm moving there?

What if they discover that we're together? He can't be in a relationship, or his fans will abandon him. And there's also the deal with my parents. They don't know we're dating.

Neither one of us knows how they'll react when they find out, but Porter isn't ready to deal with it. If Papa pulls his support, his career might sink. We can't jeopardize his future. He's worked so hard to be where he's at. I'm not going to be responsible for ruining his dream.

When are we going to tell my parents?

It doesn't matter. I can wait until Porter is ready.

Plus, Dad and Papa are always busy with work, and my brothers are already in Seattle working for the record company.

Dad suggested I use the help of my security detail. I won't. I decided that I won't be using their services anymore. I want to be a normal child. No one will guess that I'm related to them. If anything, having someone shadowing me will raise suspicions. Thankfully, or maybe miraculously, they agree to let me be.

So now, I'm down to my best friend and my only hope. Mason Bradley.

Nine: Have pity on me and help me move to Texas.

Mason: Why are you moving? Are you becoming a rodeo clown?

Nine: College. I need help moving into my dorm.

My phone rings almost immediately.

"I will go on one condition," he says instead of greeting me.

"Hello to you too."

"Hi, Nine."

"My name is Ainsley," I growl.

"Uh-huh."

Since I don't want to stretch the call, I ask, "What's your condition?"

"You have to hang superhero posters on the walls."

"No, I won't. You're so ridiculous, Mason Bradley. You're not funny."

"Then, there's no deal."

I huff. He's kidding, isn't he? Maybe if I negotiate, he'll agree. "You know there are rules about what you can put on the walls."

"Well, then I won't help you." I can hear the humor in his voice. He's insufferable.

"How can I when I don't own any?"

"That's okay. I'll buy them for you," he says but gets interrupted by someone. He covers the phone, and I can't make out what he's saying on the other side of the line. "Hey, when do you need to be there?"

"The first week of August."

He goes silent for a second, and I wait. When he comes back, he asks, "Why aren't your parents helping?"

"Because they're famous and don't want to cramp my style," I mutter.

That's a good excuse, isn't it? I don't want to sound angry or bitter, but they helped Jacob and Matthew. Their excuse is that they're moving to Papa's old apartment—and they're close. It's always about them, never about me.

"Maybe when I turn fifty, they'll acknowledge me."

"Sorry, Nine."

Mason and I have several pet peeves against our parents. Mine hide me, and his parents fight all the time. Even though he's an adult, they always find a way to pull and push him around.

After a long silence, he says, "Just email me the dates so I can make a plan for our road trip. I'll get the snacks. You provide the music."

"You're the best."