The Billionaire’s Fan (The Whispering Oaks Society)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Asher

“We have eight weeks. In that time, I expect you guys to be focused on the next leg of the tour. I want each of you to stay out of trouble and keep me abreast of your whereabouts, so I know that you’re still alive and not committing any crimes. Is that clear?” Paddy stares down each of us in the corner booth of the diner that we’ve selected to eat breakfast at in Fairhaven after we debriefed from our show last night.

“Crystal Clear,” I say.

“I have a feeling that lover boy over here won’t be leaving this area.” Mike jokes, bumping his shoulder with mine as I grin widely.

“Just make sure you wrap it up. We don’t need any unexpected drama to come with us on the next leg. Tabloids would have a field day with something like that, and you guys are on a high so far from how positive this year has been with the new album release.”

“I just want to remind you all that I’m pretty good at remaining private,” I tell them as a barrage of projectiles from the table are thrown in my direction.

“Be that as it may, any slip-ups and I need to know about them. That goes for you two as well. I adore Tammy and Bianca, but remind them of the rules over the next eight weeks.”

“Sir, yes sir,” Tate and Davey salute playfully.

“Very well, breakfast is on me. Do you need anything else from me before I head home to my husband and dog?” Paddy asks as we all shake our heads.

My agent will take care of getting my car to me. Empire Bay is a good twenty minutes from Fairhaven, and it’s been a while since I’ve been home. But I want to see Jordyn first.

Last night was epic. Sure, I’ve had chicks be backstage with me before, but last night was different. She seems different from most girls. And even though it was almost as if I tricked her by not telling her who I was, it was worth it.

Thank you, Jeff! Whoever you are.

I pull up her contact and head to my messages, then I think against it and decide to call her instead.

“Hello?” she answers, with confusion lacing her greeting.

“Hey. Morning.” I say nervously.

“Oh hi! Sorry, I still have you in my phone as Jeff.”

“Is it bad that a part of me wants you to keep me in your phone as Jeff? You know, as a reminder of how funny it is that we met?” I ask.

“I’m changing it. His loss.”

“Exactly. So, what are you doing today?”

“I have to be at Pie Squared for a few hours to get some paperwork out of the way, but I’m free later.”

“Oh yeah? Would you like to get together when you’re free?”

“Yeah, sure. I’d like that,” she replies.

“Perfect. I’m going to square things away at home, grab my car and I’ll pick you up around five?”

“Make it six and you have a date, sir.”

“A second date. I like where this is headed. Most excellent.”

We coordinate where I’ll get her and afterward; I call my agent to find a way to get to Empire Bay. Within minutes, my phone notification goes off about a car service ten minutes away.

I settle into my townhome in the historic district of Empire Bay less than an hour later.

I open all the windows since my home has been closed for some time. I throw in a load of laundry, then make myself a quick bite to eat. After going about my business and passing the time by being lazy, something that I’m usually not, I shower.

The shower is where I do my best singing. My voice bounces off of the walls as the water cascades down my body. I lather the soap on my loofah and run it across the ridges of my body while belting out chords. I clean myself thoroughly and turn off the water. Reaching for the towel over the top of the glass shower, I dry myself off.

Looking at the time while stepping into my bedroom, I have a little over an hour to pick up Jordyn and dress quickly to ensure that I’m not just on time, but early.

I pull my Jeep Wrangler into the driveway of the single-story forest green home, beside a white Honda Civic. Assuming that is her car, and I’m in the right driveway, I check my reflection in the rear-view mirror before stepping out of the car and make my way to the front door.

Before I raise my hand to knock, the door opens, and she pulls me inside.

“Hi. Hello.” I say, surprised.

“I have nosy neighbors. I guarantee you’ve already been spotted and I don’t know what kind of rumors would be spread.”

“Oh, I thought you were just happy to see me.” I stick out my lower lip and pretend to be sad.

“Oh my God. I am. I’m sorry.” She covers her face with her hands.

I step into her, take her wrists, and pull her hands away from her face.

“I’m kidding,” I say, holding her hands.

“Are you the kind to embrace the fame and be out in the open, frolicking in public?”

“Frolicking?”

“Gallivanting?”

I laugh. “I like my privacy. But I don’t like to be a hermit and won’t stray away from going out.”

“Do you put on the famous hat and glasses and go incognito?”

“Famous hat and glasses?”

“I always see celebrities put on hats and glasses and it’s like the Clark Kent effect. Except it’s still pretty obvious.”

“Shit. I thought I was invisible when I did that.” I laugh.

“Invisible? Goodness no. Hats are a pretty universal turn-on, especially backward hats. So, automatically, you’re drawing attention to yourself.”

“I’ve got one in the car. Should I put it on?” I wink.

“Oh my God. Stop it.” She lightly pushes me away, but I grab her hand and pull her against me.

“Can I?”

“Can you?” she breathes, our lips an inch apart.

“Kiss you?” I ask, and when she smiles, I lean in and cup her jaw as our mouths fuse.

We stand in her hallway for moments, kissing like teenagers, until we’re both out of breath and we pull apart.

“Wow,” she says breathlessly.

“Yeah, wow is right.” I clear my throat and adjust myself. “What do you do for fun around here?” I ask.

“Around here? Well, we’re a small town. There’s not much to do. We have a lake, we have the springs, we have a handful of restaurants and a drive-in.”

“A drive-in?” I look at her curiously.

“Yeah, there're four screens. Do you want to go to the movies with me, Asher Knight?”

“I’ve never been to the drive-in.”

“Well, then, Mr. Knight, will you do me the honors of taking you to your first drive-in movie?”

“Can we do what they do in the drive-ins?”

“And what would that be?” she tilts her head and asks.

“Will you make out with me in the car's backseat at the drive-ins?”

“You can count on it.”