Page 16 of Everything In Between
I grin like a schoolgirl at my phone and catch myself nibbling on my thumbnail again. I don’t know why, but I’m surprised by him setting the flirty tone of our conversation right out of the gate. It’s refreshing, and mentally, I dust off my flirt game, hoping I still have what it takes to keep up. Pressing my lips together, I type a quick response out.
Jersey
I know, I know.
Hayes
I was wondering if I would ever hear from you…
That was a valid fear for him to have. Until I sent that text message,Iwas wondering the same. Panic settles in my chest, and I mull over what I’m going to say to him next. Flirting is equal parts exciting and nerve-racking. It’s been a while since I’ve done this—years, even. My relationship with Corey was significantly lacking in the flirt game, both from him and from me, so I’m way out of practice.
My fingers fly over the screen and I hit send.
Jersey
Honestly, me too.
Hayes responds right away with a laughing face emoji. His response time has me smiling down at the phone already, some of the panic easing.
Hayes
Brutal. I like it.
How was your day? Plan out any more world stopping tours?
I’m grateful Hayes has taken the lead and started up a real conversation.
Jersey
It was okay. My life isn’t nearly as glamorous as the tabloids make it out to be. A lot more toeing the line than daydreaming these days.
Hayes
I can believe that. Want to talk about it?
I consider his question, and I’m surprised to find that, yes, I really do want to talk to him about it all. Maybe it’s the fact that heisa complete stranger that makes him safe. He’s not a part of my world, aside from his brief visit with his involvement in that music video, so he’s entirely unjaded and unaware of most of the goings-on in this realm.
Jersey
My manager and I got into it again today. I always feel like I can never win with him. Or any of them.
Hayes
Why do you feel like that?
I sigh to myself, wondering where in the world to begin.
Jersey
The contract I’m under with my label sometimes feels suffocating.
Hayes
How so?
Jersey
My manager is very controlling about most of my career, with everything from album titles to song choices. He even has things to critique on my choreography when he’s the one who hired the choreographer. To be fair, I switched things up at my Milwaukee show, so he and I got into a giant argument about it right after. But still. It’s the principle of the matter.
