Page 43 of Saving the Rockstar

"It wasn't his fault, Viv. That guy was harassing me, saying horrible things. Jared was just trying to protect me."

Vivian's eyes narrowed, her gaze darting between us. "By starting a brawl in a seedy bar? Asher, I know you're going through a lot right now, but you can't let your personal feelings cloud your judgment. Jared is your bodyguard, nothing more."

I felt a flush of anger rise in my cheeks, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. "He's more than that," I said quietly, my voice trembling with emotion. "He's been there for me in ways that no one else has. Not just physically, but emotionally too."

Over the next few days, Jared and I danced around each other like skittish animals, our interactions stilted and awkward. I could feel him pulling away, retreating back into the role of the stoic bodyguard, and it killed me to know that I was the reason why.

I couldn't seem to bridge the gap between us, to find the words to express the tangled mess of feelings that had taken root in my heart. And so, I did what I always did when things got too hard, too painful. I leaned on Dylan.

We were sitting in his hotel room one night, a bottle of whiskey between us, when I finally found the courage to speak the truth that had been weighing on my soul.

"I think I'm in love with him, Dyl. With Jared."

Dylan looked up at me, his eyes wide with surprise. "Holy shit, Ash."

"I know. And it scares the shit out of me. I've never felt this way about anyone before. But when I'm with him, it's like everything makes sense. Like I'm finally whole."

Dylan was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. And then, with a mischievous grin, he leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with humor.

"Well, if you want my advice, I say you go for it. Grand gesture style. Like, hire a skywriter to spell out'Jared, I love you' in the clouds. Or better yet, stage a fake abduction and have him rescue you, all damsel in distress like. Men love being the hero."

I giggled, shaking my head at his ridiculousness. "Dylan, this is serious. I'm talking about risking everything - my career, my friendship with Jared, my own fucking sanity. I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle it if it all goes to shit. What if he doesn't feel the same way? What if I'm just setting myself up for heartbreak?"

"Then I'll be here to pick up the pieces," Dylan said firmly, his gaze unwavering. "Just like I always have been. But something tells me that won't be necessary. Because I've seen the way Jared looks at you when he thinks no one's watching. Like he’s always ready to catch you when you fall. That's not just a job to him. That's love, plain and simple."

Chapter 14: Jared

As we arrived in Paris, I could feel the magic in the air. It was a feeling that only intensified as Asher and I made our way to the Eiffel Tower. We climbed the stairs in comfortable silence, our shoulders brushing occasionally as we navigated the narrow steps.

At the top, the view was breathtaking, the city sprawling out before us in a sea of twinkling lights and ancient spires. I could see the wonder in Asher's eyes as he took it all in, his face softening with a kind of childlike awe.

Behind us, Mason and Dylan were engaged in their usual bickering, their voices carrying on the warm summer breeze.

"I'm just saying, Mase, if you're going to wear a beret, you have to commit to the bit," Dylan said, his tone teasing. "You can't just plop it on your head and call it a day. You have to tilt it at a jaunty angle, maybe add a little scarf action. Really lean into the whole French aesthetic."

Mason rolled his eyes, adjusting the hat self-consciously. "I don't need fashion advice from a man who thinks leopard print is a neutral, Dyl. Besides, I'm not trying to look like a walking cliché. I just thought the beret was cool."

"Oh, it's cool alright," Dylan smirked. "In a ‘I'm a tourist who just bought this from a street vendor and I'm going to wear it in every photo' kind of way. Honestly, you look like a lost tourist."

"Screw you," Mason grumbled, but there was no real heat behind his words. "At least I'm not the one who almost got us kicked out of the Louvre for trying to take a selfie with the Mona Lisa while standing too close."

"Hey, that guard totally overreacted," Dylan protested, his hands flying up in a gesture of mock outrage. "I just wanted to get a pic with my girl Mona. Not my fault she's so popular."

Asher and I shared an amused glance, our eyes meeting in a moment of silent understanding. It was a reminder of the easy camaraderie that had once existed between us, the sense of connection that had somehow gotten lost in the chaos of recent events.

I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling a rush of nervousness as I turned to face him. "Listen, Ash, I know things have been weird between us lately. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. Not just as your bodyguard, but as your friend. And I think maybe it's time we start being honest with each other about what we're feeling."

Asher stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. And then, slowly, he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I'd like that," he said softly, his hand reaching out to grasp mine in a firm handshake. "And I'm sorry for being such a difficult client. I know I haven't made your job easy, with all my mood swings and impulsive behavior."

I felt a warmth bloom in my chest. "You don't have to apologize, Ash. I know how hard this has all been for you. I just want to be there for you, in whatever way I can. In whatever way you’ll let me."

He smiled then, a real smile that lit up his whole face.

That night, high on adrenaline and the thrill of the performance, Asher and I found ourselves wandering the streets of Paris, the city taking on a dreamlike quality in the soft glow of the streetlights. We walked for hours, our conversation flowingas easily as the Seine, the barriers between us seeming to melt away with every step.

"I've always wondered what it would be like to just disappear for a while," Asher mused, his voice taking on a wistful tone. "To just pack a bag and hop on a train, see where it takes me. No responsibilities, no expectations, just the open road and the promise of adventure."

---