Flirting With Temptation

The morning was brutal. Loud banging at my door mere hours after falling asleep jerked me out of a peaceful sleep and I groaned loudly. I rolled over but when I didn't hear anything else I shoved my head back under the pillow after glancing at the alarm clock reading that it was 5 in the morning. Two seconds later I heard the beeping of my door's lock accepting a key card and mentally kicked myself as the door opened before closing. The pillow was then yanked away from my head and I blinked against the lights that flooded into my sleepy eyes. I covered them up and sat up angrily. “What the hell, Liz? Do you have any idea what time I went to bed?!” She gave a small snort as she walked across the room and unzipped one of my suitcases with my sports attire in it. I kept everything organized so that I could get easy access to the things I needed. There was sports clothes, casual, dressy, shoes, and then an entire bag devoted to make-up and accessories. Liz called my OCD but I preferred organized. “Well I'm sorry you stayed out so late partying but today we get down to business. We have the first half of the day for your work-out and stage rehearsals before tonight's kick-off concert. You have rehearsal today and tomorrow because you perform tomorrow so you get extra time because the band performing tonight starting rehearsals tomorrow! You need to get up because a lot of the others are already downstairs having breakfast. So join the land of living. Bring different clothes to rehearse in but dress in your work-out outfit, please and thank you.”

It was times like now I really understood Liz' background. She was born and raised in New York, so she was used to talking fast and getting things done on time and/or in a hurry. It took a lot of getting used to when we first met because I was used to taking my time with things. This early in the morning though, it was all too chipper and peppy for me. I rubbed my eyes and slid out of bed feeling like I was leaving an appendage behind. Liz reached out and when my eyes were finally able to focus on what she was handing me I woke up instantly. I yanked the Starbucks cup from her hands and took a long drink scalding my tongue and throat in the process but not giving a crap. “Oh God, you're a saint.” She giggled as she took a seat on the couch. I went into the bathroom groaned. I looked like a hot mess. My hair was still curled and teased from last night, and I was still wearing my clothes from the day before. I ran a brush through my hair, and then got to work putting it up into a messy bun. I applied lime green eye shadow on my eyes and some lip gloss and gave myself a smile in the mirror. Then I walked back out and grabbed my work-out outfit before slipping it on not caring that Liz was in the room. When I was done I grabbed a pair of aviators and slid them on. Liz snorted at me for wearing them inside but when you have a killer hangover, fluorescent lights don't exactly help.

She led me out of my room after I packed a bag with my rehearsal outfit in it. Liz walked me out and to the elevators and we climbed in and she hit the penthouse since there was a rooftop restaurant. I leaned against the back wall of the elevator and she turned around with a smirk. “You and Alex were vibing last night, huh?” I blinked through the lens of my glass and narrowed my eyes. “Ew, no. Alex Gaskarth can never be anything more than a brother to me. We made out one drunken night in Baltimore and I swear it was like kissing my brother.” She burst out laughing and shrugged. “Well you two must be pretty good friends then because you two hung out all night long along with Gwen of course!” I laughed as the elevator doors opened to reveal a beautiful room filled with dim lights, there was an outside part to sit on but it was still darkish outside. I saw almost everyone on tour and was excited to make some new friends. I'd apparently hung out with the guys of All Time Low all night and I heard that Kesha had signed on last minute which I was beyond excited about. Liz pushed me forward with a wink. “Be friendly, don't bite, and I'll see you after.”

I rolled my eyes at her and then walked forward as my eyes darted around the room for Gwen when I finally spotted her purple hair darting around the tables. She smiled at me and nudged me as she got right next to me. “I thought you'd never make it!” Sighing I held up my coffee cup. “I might not if I don't get more coffee!” She laughed and we began making our way towards the table with the ATL guys. “You're an idiot, but I'm surprised at you.” I blinked and shrugged at her. “I'm always late, what's surprising?” She rolled her eyes and squeezed in between two chairs. “Not that, dumbass. I'm surprised you didn’t tell me that Jesse was here! I didn’t think you guys were on good terms.” I froze in place and stared at her. She realized quickly I'd stopped and turned around. She examined my face before her eyes became wide saucers. “You didn't know he'd signed onto Musicfest.....? I guess it was last minute I just assumed that Liz would have said something!” My eyes began darting around the room. “He's here?!” I whispered this to her and she came up quickly. “Well shit.......”

I groaned as we made our way to the table and I plopped down in my chair. Alex looked over at me and frowned. “What's wrong with you? Hungover?” I grabbed his coffee cup and downed the rest of coffee, but he didn't protest. Gwen leaned forward slightly so her whisper could be heard by the boys but not anyone else. “No, she found out that Jesse was touring with us.” Jack's eyebrows furrowed. “Jesse......?” Gwen rolled her eyes and he winced as she kicked him under the table. “Jesse McCartney. Ex-boyfriend Jesse? On and off for four years, Jesse?!” I groaned and rubbed my throbbing temples as she whisper-shouted all of this. I glanced up and all I saw was pity from the guys. “That's......shitty. Didn't you guys break up like a year ago?” I nodded in Alex's direction and rubbed the back of my neck. “Yup. Haven't talked to him since. He's tried to call a bunch of times but I didn't want to talk about anything. He was cheating on me.....he publicly humiliated me. I was just over all the games. I packed up my shit and left. Dropped off his stuff, and didn't speak to him and just ignored contact since!”

Alex and Jack grimaced at the same time as Gwen shoved a cup of coffee in my face. “Drink. You'll feel better.” I took the cup and was taking sips. “I'm not really hungry, what time are rehearsals? I'm supposed to go early so that I can do my work-out.” Gwen made a face that told me she was glad she didn't have to work out. The only reason I did it was because it helped with my cardio during shows and it kept me looking good. “It starts in like 30 minutes but we have like an hour before our rehearsals so you've got plenty of time.” As she spoke my eyes combed the room once more looking for the bright blonde hair I couldn't get out of my head all night. I finally Niall sitting a couple of tables away shoving food in his mouth like it was about to go out of style and I smiled. It was like he had a sensor because the second I actually connected my gaze on him he began looking around. Our eyes connected and he smiled at me. I smiled and blushed slightly at being caught staring but I gasped as Gwen smacked my arm. “Are you even listening to me talk about rehearsals?!”

I looked over at him with glazed over eyes as my mind thought about Niall's smile. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Alex snickering at me. “Of course, listen, I'll meet you there. Kay?” I gave her a smile and blew her a kiss before standing up and walking towards Niall's table quickly leaving the sound of Alex and Jack's laughter behind me. Niall perked up seeing I was headed his way and he was all I could see. That is, until someone stepped deliberately in front of me. I took a step back and scowled as I stared down Jesse. “Just the person I was looking for. You haven't returned my calls.” My eyes narrowed after I rolled them. “Imagine that. Can't be too much of a shock, can it?” I side-stepped him and Niall seemed confused. I watched him stand up quickly as Jesse grabbed my arm and turned me around. “Hey, I want to talk to you, Chelsea. I really think we need to talk.....” Glancing behind me I saw that Gwen had noticed and was debating standing up and heading over. I shook my head once and she settled back in her seat to watch. I looked back at Jesse and yanked my arm back and he looked as if I'd hit him. “I have nothing to say.”

He sighed and stared deep into my eyes, something that always used to get me every time. Not anymore. “I do.....I have things I need to talk about. Things I need to apologize for.” I rolled my eyes and took a step back. “Why don't you go talk to that Victoria's Secret supermodel then, I'mbusy.” I turned around quickly and took off before he could stop me again. I pulled my aviators back on as I clicked the elevator button and thanked God when it opened right away. I hit the lobby button and then leaned back breathing heavily. It hurt to see Jesse, even if I didn't want it to. I'd wasted 4 years believing his lies and playing his cruel games and now I was done and free. I had moved on mostly, but I couldn't stop the heartache of seeing him. I'd avoided him altogether, no emails, texts, calls, or voicemails. I'd turned off the radio when he came on and never commented on our relationship in any tabloid. I never slandered him (like I'd often debated), I'd just dropped him and never looked back. Until today. The doors of the elevator opened and I stepped out trying to walk calmly so I wouldn't draw attention to myself.

I had the hotel concierge call me a taxi and then security got me to the car safely from all the photographers and screaming fans. Even this early they tended to stake out the hotels of celebrities. There had even been fans here at 2 when I'd arrived back at the hotel. It took 15 minutes through traffic to get to the Staples Center. It was a sold-out crowd both nights, and it took my mind off of things with the nervousness of playing in front of 18,000 people. I had texted Liz and she'd had security meet me at the back and escorted me in. Once inside I looked around the huge stadium and at the crew who was rushing to get everything set up for rehearsals. I set my bag down on one of the front row seats and pulled out my iPod and hooked it to my arm before I turned on my music shutting out all thoughts and put my ear buds in. I took off running, first around the stadium and then up and down the stairs. I did this for quite away, and it helped burn away some of the anger I felt after seeing Jesse. People started to arrive and rehearse but I was too busy doing push-ups and sit-ups to care. When Gwen showed up she yanked the headphones out of my ear as I was breathing heavily and dying for some water. “Liz says to take a chill pill. We're on in like 30 minutes.” I nodded and bent over putting my arms on my knees and taking long deep breaths.

Right as my breathing started to become normal again a bottle of water was thrusted in my face. I stood up and smiled brightly as I looked up to see Niall. “Thought you might want this. You looked parched.” I smiled and took the bottle and tried not to notice how our fingers touched as I took it. “Thanks!” I took off the cap and chugged half of it before pulling it away from my lips gasping. “Jesus, I need to slow down sometimes.” Niall grinned at me and shrugged. “Maybe so! You alright?” I nodded and screwed the cap back on. “Yeah, I was actually going to talk to you at breakfast but.....yeah I had to go work out.” He nodded slowly and glanced behind me at the stage. “Yeah, you looked....distracted. Everything alright?” I gave him a genuine smiling hoping he hadn't heard Jesse and I talking. “Yeah. I think so....” Gwen walked over quickly and looked concerned. “Think again.” She mumbled right as music began to play behind me. I turned around and saw Jesse on stage looking right at me. I narrowed my eyes listening to him sing How Do You Sleep?. Niall was blinked between him and I as Jesse sang straight at me.

“Idiot.....” Gwen muttered under her breath. Out of the corner of my eye I watched Niall turn to her, probably for answers that she wouldn't be able to give. When he was done his manager came up to the stage and I heard him say something about one more song. Jesse smiled and whispered something to him before turning back to him. I watched as his manager walked over to the sound guy and then music began playing again. I narrowed my eyes listening to him sing a song called Back Together. Listening talk about us getting back together pissed me off way more than it should have. He was being cocky like always. Something that used to be beyond hot to me now only pissed me off beyond all reason. Gwen grabbed my arm as he finished and pulled me back slightly. “You alright?” I blinked and glanced behind her as Niall had joined Harry and Liam who were talking heatedly. “I'm peachy.” She gave me an apologetic look and sighed. “Good....because.....we're next. Liz said we'll do one song today, just a sound check, and then do a couple more tomorrow since we get two days.” I gritted my teeth and nodded as we both walked forward. I gingerly picked up my Fender Stratocaster and took a couple of minutes to tune it as Gwen warmed up on drums and our bassist Todd got warmed up. Once we were done I nodded and then walked over to Gwen and told her the song. She smirked slightly and I gave her a smile as I walked center stage and cleared my throat into the mic.

I quickly started playing my guitar to the beat and quickly Gwen and Todd chimed in. I was more than happy to see Jesse was right in front watching along with everyone else as I sang the song I'd written specifically for him. I'd titled it Release You because I'd woken up one day and realized I didn’tneed him like I had once thought. I watched his face change from one of satisfaction in himself to humiliation. I knew he probably wouldn't just drop it but he was headed on the track to realizing I was over him. When the song was over and my breathing was slightly labored I noticed Niall smiling at me and smiled back. I got off stage after taking off my guitar and Gwen came over and high-fived me. “Excellent song choice if I do say so myself!” I laughed and she giggled but stopped abruptly when Niall came up behind me. “I liked your song.” I turned around quickly and heard Gwen walk away, probably seeking out Todd to talk to. “Thanks! It was one of the last on the last album. Glad it made it, I worked hard on it.” He grinned and motioned towards the stage. “We're next, but I wanted to ask you something......?”

Raising an eyebrow at him I grinned. “Okay.” He looked way nervous as he glanced around and then looked directly into his eyes. “I know you're busy and everythin' but I was wonderin' if you'd be interested in havin' dinner with me sometime? I mean....as friends....or whatever.” He was blushing so hard and I couldn’t help but smile. He'd tripped over his words the entire sentence and it was adorable. “Sure! I'd love that!” He looked up quickly and grinned. “Really?” I laughed and nodded at him. “Of course! We'll exchange numbers and figure it out, okay?” He nodded but was quickly yanked away by Louis he winked mischievously at me as he dragged him onstage. As the boys performed a song I couldn't help but let my mind wander to the fact Niall had just asked me out. I was so excited I could jump out of my skin, but I had to remain calm or I'd end up looking foolish. Who knows if he even liked me? It could just be a friendly dinner between artists or something. As Gwen wandered over with Todd we all began talking about the set tomorrow but all I could honestly think about was Niall's blue eyes as they'd lit up when I'd said yes. I was excited to watch the performances tonight, but I found myself even more excited about talking to Niall again. I considered telling Gwen but decided to wait until I knew there was actually something to talk about. I fidgeted around and talked with the other artists until the rehearsals were over. I then went and got changed with Gwen before we watched the arena begin to fill up with thousands of people for tonight's shows.

Notes

Okay guys, chapter two! I'm still nervous about this story but hope it will work out! Know that any songs I use as Chelsea's will be credited with a link to the actual song/artist! I hope you guys enjoy and let me know what you think! -Caity