It was almost too easy.

I turned up to Gary Brown’s office for an interview. He asked me how my Dad was and then a few general questions about my administrative experience. I even told him about my brief experience as being Harry’s personal assistant. Before I knew it, he had offered me a job. I was now working for a promotional marketing company, supporting Gary and his sales team.

The next day I resigned at The Black Cat. Jake was visibly disappointed to hear I was leaving, but pleased to see that I was trying to get my life together. He wished me luck and reminded me that he was going to be in contact regarding Harry’s upcoming gig. He made me feel as though I was his main point of contact and that he had not even spoken to Harry.

Breaking the news to Harry was not as easy as I thought it would be. In fact, he knew half the story before I even had a chance to talk to him.

“What’s this I hear about you not working at the Black Cat anymore?”

I had just walked into his bedroom and it was not the greeting I had been expecting.

“Who told you?”

“Just a little bird.” He said as he sorted through his vials of pills.

“What’s the little bird’s name?” I asked as Harry threw an empty bottle in a wastebasket and
then flopped back onto his bed.

“When were you going to tell me?”

“I’m here aren’t I?” I said dully.

He took me by the hand and pulled me onto the bed. As I settled myself beside him, I could not help but ask again.

“So who told you?”

“Chloe.” Harry told me. “I was having a drink and she was having a break, so she sat with me
for a while.”

“Really?” I said tensely.

Chloe knew better than to sit around with customers, unless Jake was not around. We were silent for a while as I mulled over the very thought of Harry spending time with Chloe and I could not help but feel a hot wave of jealousy wash over me. I was so consumed in my thoughts that I did not notice Harry’s hand on my thigh. He lightly massaged it until I turned to face him.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“What else did she say?”

“Nothing much… just that you weren’t going to be around anymore.”

“Right.” I muttered.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

I looked into his earnest green eyes and took a deep breath.

“I got another job.”

“Where?”

I filled him in all the details and it wasn’t long before his expression changed.

“What’s wrong?” I finally asked.

“What am I gonna do without you there?”

“Aw come on… nothing is going to change.”

“I need you there.” Harry said softly. “I need you to be there for me.”

“It doesn’t make a difference whether I work there or not… I’m going to be there for you Harry.” I told him. “And anyway, the last time you performed, you didn’t even know I was there and you did just fine.”

“That was different... I have to prove myself again and I can’t do it without you there.”

“I’ll be there.” I promised.

His lips muffled my words as he kissed me and I responded.

“I need you here with me.” He murmured again as his lips pressed upon mine again. I felt his weight on me as his body covered mine and his hands reaching under my clothes. I don’t know how he had managed to do it, but I had gone from pensive to passionate in a matter of moments. Sex had not even been a consideration a few minutes ago, but now I felt an immediate desire. I wanted to be close to him, I wanted to be there for him, I wanted him- now. His hand roamed over my body, unbuttoning and unzipping until I was completely unclothed. His warm lips trailed down from my neck to my breasts.

The sound of a phone ringing on the bedside table made Harry pause and look at it from the corner of his eye.

“Hold on.” He said huskily before he rolled off and reached for it. I sat up and ran my hand through my messy hair as he answered the phone.

“Yeah?” Harry answered. “Shit, I forgot. Okay, okay... I’ll drop by now.”

I looked over curiously, unable to disguise my disappointment.

“Where do you have to go?”

“Dr Miller.” Harry said, averting his eyes as he fumbled with his jeans. “I forgot to take my prescription… so I need to go pick it up.”

“Now?” I asked. “Why not later?”

“I need to go now.” He said flatly.

I quickly got dressed as he swore under his breath whilst searching for his keys.

“What pills?” I suddenly asked.

“Just some pills.” He said vaguely. “I need them.”

“Why?” I said quietly.

“Because I need them.” He said simply, his green eyes now boring into mine. I shook my head but he was now halfway across the room. I followed him outside and watched as he drove away without even looking back.

X

Harry may have not really liaised with Jake about the upcoming gig, but Jake had not wasted any time promoting it. I started noticing posters around town, the local newspapers were advertising and it was becoming more and more apparent that this performance was not going to be as low key as the first one. I spoke to Jake about the logistics and he filled me in on all the details. I only relayed to Harry what he had to know and did not bother him with the rest. I needed him to focus on his setlist and overall performance. He got in touch with his old school friend Roy and they had pretty much figured out the setlist.

As for me, I had started working at the promotional marketing company and that was pretty much taking up all my time. It was steady work and I soon realised how toxic the environment at Black Cat had become. I had escaped at just the right time, but I knew I would eventually have to make my return.

It was the night of Harry’s gig and I made my own way to the Black Cat. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, Jake assured me as he led me to the ‘backstage’ area. I instantly spotted Harry having what looked like a cosy chat with Chloe, who was dressed to kill and hanging onto his every word. I left Jake behind and instantly made my way toward them.

“Heeyy!” Harry’s face lit up when he saw me.

“Hi.” I said, glancing at Chloe who flashed a smile at me.

“It’s about time you got here.” She said. “You’ve been missing out on the party.”

She gestured toward Harry and I looked down to see a drink in his hand.

“Hold on, I’ll get you another one.” Chloe said before disappearing for a few moments.

“What are you doing?” I asked Harry.

“What are you talking about?”

“You shouldn’t be drinking.”

“It’s just one drink Ali.” Harry said as Chloe returned to replace his empty glass with a fresh drink. Harry gave me a sheepish smile before taking a sip. Chloe nudged me before handing me a drink, but I barely acknowledged her as I gazed at Harry.

“Take it easy, I promise this is my last one.” He said, winking at Chloe who merely giggled.

“Chill out, Ali.” She smiled and I restrained myself from snapping back when I noticed Jake eyeing me from across the room. He smiled and gestured for me to talk to him. He shot me an amused look when I offered him my untouched drink.

“Don’t let her get under your skin.” He said quietly.Before I could think of a comeback he began to fill me in on a few last-minute details. Harry now had a little backstage area and
Jake suggested I watch the gig from the wings. I peeked from the wings to see an excited crowd congregated in front of the stage.

“Wow.” I murmured to myself.

“It's a sell out.”

Harry’s arms snaked around my waist as he turned me around to face him.

“Don’t be mad.” He said. “Chloe’s harmless…”

“Sold out huh?” I asked, ignoring his last comment.

“Yeah...pretty amazing…”

“How are you feeling?”

“Good.” He said. “A little nervous, but good.”

“I know you’ll be awesome.” I told him. He kissed me briefly and then hugged me close.

Minutes later I was standing in the wings, avoiding Chloe who had then disappeared into the crowd where she miraculously secured a spot in the front row. There was a buzz in the audience and I found myself wishing I had not given away my drink. There were butterflies in my stomach and I could only imagine how Harry was feeling.

The cheers were deafening when he appeared onstage and if Harry had any nerves, they would have disappeared by the third song. The audience lapped up everything he sang and soon he was stalking across the stage with a confidence I had never seen. By the fourth song I was feeling too removed in the wings, so I made my way out in the crowd where I soon joined Penny. A couple of drinks later, we were dancing and having a great time, but by the time intermission rolled around I headed backstage.

As I looked around for Harry, I bumped into Jake who looked positively thrilled.

“Can we do this every week?” He asked jokingly and I laughed.

“Yes!” I cried.

“He’s doing really well out there... but I just need to you to keep him focussed.” Jake said with a pointed look. I followed his gaze only to see Harry in a deep conversation with someone. Not Chloe again, I thought in annoyance. I advanced toward them, only for Harry to move slightly and reveal the person he was talking to.

I could not help but gasp softly when I came eye to eye with Dr Miller.

Notes

Hope you're enjoying the story... please leave a comment and let me know what you think :)