The Contract

*3 months later*

Dani’s P.O.V.

I adjusted myself to look just perfect on the video call to Luke.

“Hey beautiful” He smiled.
“Hey you! I miss you.”
“I miss you too, babes.”
I chuckled at his stupid pet name.
“When are you coming to see me?” He asked.
“As soon as your cute butt buys the plane ticket. I could use the escape.”
“The ticket has been sitting on your desk for months. I asked you to come with before I left.” He smiled, but I could see the frustration behind his eyes.
“I’ll be there tomorrow.” I blushed.
“Really?”
“You look like a kid in a candy shop.”
“Dani, you don’t understand how much it means to me.”
“I promise I’ll be there, but I demand you pick me up from the airport.”
“Deal.” He smiled, “I’ve got to get to the show. Laters baby.”
“Laters baby.”

His beautiful face went away. I turned to Petunia laying on the bed. “Sorry girl, looks I’ve got to go see your dad.” she cocked her head, then went back to sleep.
I sent Luke a snapchat of her. “How should I caption this?” I asked her, but no response of course.
‘She’s giving me the silent treatment for telling her I have to leave her.’
I laughed at myself and grabbed my suitcase out of the closet.

Luke’s P.O.V.

“Mate!” I called to the boys. “Dani will be here tomorrow!”
“Dani!” Ash and Cal said insync.
“It’s about time.” Michael smiled, patting my back. “Maybe you’ll be in a better mood.”
“Coming from the guy who had to tweet ‘How is it possible to miss someone this much?’ to get his girl out here.”
“Gotta do what you gotta do.” Mike shrugged, walking over to his place on stage.
I suddenly started remembering what it was like when we were supposed to go on tour before this sick twisted reality Rob created. It only made me miss Dani more.
*****
I patiently waited at the airport surrounded by paps. Bet Rob will love this.
The camera flashes started rapidly again.
“Dani.” I breathed with excitement. She ran into my arms and held on tight. “God, I’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you too, Lukas.” she squealed.
I set her down and as we left I didn’t let her go.
“Did Petunia forgive you?” I joked.
“I don’t think she did, so I promised her some amazing dog gift when I get back. She literally walked into Madison’s and didn’t look back.” she seemed genuinely upset, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “Luke! It was tragic.” she exasperated.
“I think it will all be okay.” I kissed her forehead as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
“How are the boys?”
“Excited to see you.”
“Well, I can’t blame them. I am the better half of this relationship.” she smirked.
I tickled her lightly until she begged me to stop. I don’t know what caught her attention, but suddenly I lost her focus.
“Dani?”
“Wow.” she gasped.
“What?”
“The city.”
“It’s gorgeous isn’t it?” I replied, taking in Amsterdam with her.
Shortly we pulled up to the hotel and the boys were in my room ready to greet Dani.
“Dani!” They all yelled, practically tackling her.
“Move along boys, we know who she’s really here to see.” Raegan came in, pushing each of them aside.
Dani and Rae held each other for a long time. Finally Michael seperated them, “Mine.” He sternly spoke, taking Raegan away.
“Rude.” Dani replied.
“Dani, what took you so long to come out?” Ashton asked.
I watched her intently, even I was curious.
“I’ve been helping Ryan and Vanessa nest for the baby and work has been crazy, plus juggling this wedding fiasco.”
“I’m managing just fine.” Rae called out.
Dani almost glared at her before continuing, “I’m here now.” Dani let out, almost upset.
“I know you guys are super excited for Dani to be here, but I’m gonna take her around.” she smiled at me lightly.

Dani’s P.O.V.

Luke and I walked hand in hand through the city. I was completely amazed.
“This is breathtaking.”
“So are you.” Luke replied.
“Oh stop.” I laughed, looking at myself not dressed to impress at all.
“Dani?” Luke asked.
“Yeah?”
“Why have you really been avoiding coming out here?”
My heart sank. How do I tell him after managements little stunt I can’t stand being around him. It makes my skin crawl.
I just shrugged, he stopped.
“Dani, please. Are we okay?” his expression had so much hurt behind it.
I nodded, not making eye contact.
“Danielle.”
“Luke! Drop it.” I snapped, walking faster to try and get away from him.
“If we don’t talk about it things will only get worse.” he called.
“I know. I’ve talked to Arzaylea and Vanessa.” I replied, stone cold.
“Is that what you want? Not to get past it? To leave like they did?”
“Luke, I don’t want to do this here. I came a million miles from home to be in a gorgeous city.”
“Okay.” He sighed.

We barely talked the rest of the day as we went sightseeing. Soon we had to get to the venue for the boys performance.
I walked the arena as I always did before the show. Rae joined me on one of the lighting ledges.
“You okay?” She asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Dani, I was there too.”
“How do you get past it?”
“Michael didn’t act the same as Luke.” She replied.
“So that makes what they did okay?”
“No, but we signed a contr--”
“No. Screw that contract, Raegan. No human being deserves what we went through. That is not love, that is sick.”
“Dani.”
“You’re so swept up in this life still. How? I’ve spent so much time at home with mom and dad. I’ve helped my ex and Luke’s ex set up a life for the child they’re bringing into this world. I dog sit Luke’s adorable dog, who I cry to every night over what happened. My life is falling apart because of this life. I want a normal life, not some grown mans sick fantasy.”
Rae stayed silent. “What? Speechless?”
“Dani...” she gasped.
Luke stood behind me, tears in his eyes. “So that’s how you feel?” he turned and walked away before I could say anything.
“Hey ladies, show starts soon.” Ashton let us know. We jumped off the lighting ledge. I couldn’t find Luke at all backstage.
The lights dimmed and they began performing. Luke entered stage right instead of left like always, probably to avoid me.
The show went on.
“Can we slow it down a bit?” Luke asked the crowd, everyone cheered.
"...Are we wasting time talking on a broken line?Telling you I haven't seen your face in ages I feel like we're as close as strangers won't give up even though it hurts so much every night I'm losing you in a thousand faces now it feels we're as close as strangers."

“I can’t do this Rae. I should go.”
She hugged me tightly, “I wish you wouldn’t, but I understand.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”

Luke’s P.O.V.

I saw Dani and Rae hug, then Dani was gone. My heart broke. I don’t want to believe that my lifestyle ruined us, but maybe it did. Maybe I should let her go.

Notes

Hey guys, I think I may end this story soon. I just don't know myself where it's going; or if I'm completely in love with it. I feel like it's not good enough. Until then, next chapter is pretty twisty. Thanks for the roughly 6,000 views. Much love. XOXO