| ZAC: Damn! Jessie amazed me and now I was finding that Robin Watson had a similar effect on me. She was gorgeous, strong, and honest. No bullshit. The way they handled those crowds was a miracle to me, who couldn't get over those incidents from when we were so much younger. The only thing that kept me from feeling bad about it was the fact that it freaked Lacey out even more. But Jess and Robin, they were so calm and willing to fight that damn crowd to get Lacey out without panicking and me out with all of my hair. I loved the fact that even though the whole crowd scene was done and we were inside, that Robin still felt comfortable enough to hold my hand. If I could manage to get to spend enough time with her I could really fall. I hoped I could find with her what Taylor and Jessie had, or even Lacey and Ike. Taylor and Jessie were so intense it was scary sometimes. They knew what the other was thinking or going to say before they said it. I hated to watch them together when we had to leave, you could see in their faces that it was like we were amputating a part of their bodies as they walked away from each other. My brother had always been a little intense like that, that was where his best songs came from, but I had never seen anything as intense as the two of them. It was weird sometimes. I knew why my brother loved her, though. Who wouldn't? She cared so much about other people that she put herself last in almost everything. Staying behind with Lacey and not leaving her side even though those great big dudes could have gotten her in the building alot faster, and staying with me and Wattley until Taylor and Ike and Lacey were in the car, shoving the two of us in before getting in herself, proved that. Wattley, that was alot better than Watts for a nickname, I thought to myself. Kind of cute. Wonder what made Jess start using that instead? Wattley had given me a phone number and address so I could reach her. I couldn't wait to see her again, but I was nervous about going to see her alone. Maybe I could get Tay and Jessie to make the trip. |
| JESSIE: Jake and I finally got back into town and settled in our hotel. Jake had gotten us and adjoining suite, much like the one that Tay and his brothers used when they were here. There was an entertaining room and two separate bedrooms, but only one bathroom that was off of the large room. It was comfortable and I was glad to be in it instead of on that plane. I just wished that Tay was here. "Hey," Jake said and ruffled my hair as I sat on the couch, absent mindedly channel surfing, "how are you holding up?" "I'm okay, Jakey. Really." I said. He sat down next to me and got out his trusty leather binder. "Well, I have something here that will keep your mind occupied for a while." he told me. I picked up the remote and switched off the TV. "Whatcha got?" I asked. "Schedules, my darling sister who is so good no one can beat her.." he grinned. "I have just been on the phone with a few fitness magazines singing your praises and touting how absolutely photgenic you are.. |
| you need a job..I got you some photo shoots..they can all be done here or in Tulsa. You could actually do one tomorrow..you'd make a little, okay alot, of money and keep busy enough not to have to think." he said. smiling. "God Jake! TOMORROW?" I asked. "You've been working on that longer than just today, why didn't you tell me before?" "Because the deal was contingent on you taking first place at regionals. Good thing you won or Watts would be doing your photo shoot, or that psycho Liz Jackson.." he teased. I groaned. "Okay, Jake what time do I have to be up?" I asked. "Like Tay won't wake you up in plenty of time.." he grinned. "But be up by at least 6:00 am, just throw some sweats on...they'll give you your outfits and do your hair and makeup, but that will take a while. Then you do a short interview, pose for photos and you're done. I think it's an 8 hour day maybe a little more. You up for it?" "Yeah, Jake. Anything to keep busy." I told him. "Jessie, will you be alright alone for a coupe hours tomorrow night?" he asked. "Yeah, Jake." I said, a little angry, "I miss Taylor but I am not an invalid. I will probably be so tired that I'll just sleep anyway. Why? Oh." I stopped myself realizing he wanted to see Abbey. "Go see her, Jake. Don't worry. Tay will probably call and you don't want to listen to us either. Give Abbey a hug fro me when you see her." "I will be with you for your whole interview and photo session, then I'll bring you back here. I'm not meeting Abbey till later in the evening.She's got some buisness too." "On Sunday?" I asked. "Jeez! What a couple of workaholics you are." I smiled. He laughed. "The only reason you're doing the magazine on Sunday is because I insisted or they didn't get you. We have a shitload of stuff to do on Monday before you do the radio spot and we fly outta here. I want to get to the airport straight from the station." "Alright, Jake. What else ya got?" I asked and we pored over his notebook discussing aspects of my chosen path that I hadn't even though of. Damn he was good. As we were ready to call it a night my cell phone rang. "Hello?" "Hi baby." "Hi Tay." Jake stood and organized his things, then kissed me on the cheek. "Nite Jess. I'm going to bed." he ruffled my hair. "NITE TAY." He added a little louder. Taylor chuckled and told me to tell him goodnight. "He says goodnight." I said to Jake and he shook his head as his door closed behind him. "You got home okay I see. Anymore ugly incidents?" I asked as I walked into my own bedroom. "No. We got in too late and my Dad sent some of our security over just to be on the safe side." "Good. I miss you already." I told him. "I miss you too, Jess. You don't know how bad I want to wrap myself around you, and hold you while you sleep." he said. |
| I closed the door behind me and flopped down on my bed, sighing heavily and cradling the phone against my ear. "You don't know how bad I want that, Tay. The only reason I get any sleep at all when you're not here is because Jake keeps me so busy all day long that I'm ready to drop by the time I finally sit down." I told him. "He's got me doing an 8 hour day tomorrow, but the job pays well." "Doing what?" he asked. "Photo shoot, with a small interview, for Oxygen." I said. "Wow, Jess. That's great!" he said excitedly. "Yeah, I guess. But I'd rather spend my Sunday with you." I said, tiredly. "What are you guys doing tomorrow?" I asked. "Probably gonna work in the studio here. Do some writing. I'll probably go with Ike to take care of some of the wedding stuff. I'd rather spend my Sunday with you too. You'll be here soon though.." "I know, Tay. But I NEED you NOW." I sighed. "Oh god Jess. You can't possibly know how badly I need you right now. I just want to hold you and love you, baby. I wish you were here in my arms." he said, his voice low. "I'd love to feel you next to me baby," I told him. I felt the tears coming and took a deep breath. "But we have to stop Tay. Please. Or I will cry again, I never cried so much in my life...jeez I feel like such a wimp." I sniffed and wiped at my eyes. |