Haven't You Heard? | A Novel

Chapter Three

"Faith didn't want you to be miserable. She wanted you to get out of Hillsdale and to start a new life with me."

"Why didn't you guys tell me that?"

"I didn't want to tell you not to grieve over your sister. I would hate myself if I did that."

"I hated you for so many years, Ryan."

"I know you did," he grabs my hand. "I know I should have told you and got you out of Hillsdale, but I was an immature kid. I did what I thought was best for you."

"What was best for me?" I scoff. "I needed you, Ryan! I needed the love of my life to be there for me during one of the most difficult times of my life."

I feel his lips press against mine. It feels like no time has passed. Ryan knows exactly how to make me shut up.

He pulls away and looks at me. "Stell, I'm sorry for treating you like that. I'm sorry for every painful moment I caused, but I'm here now. I want to be back in your life, and this movie can make that happen. Please take the job."

"Fine, I'll take it."

I follow Ryan back into the room we were meeting in, and he hands me a 10 page document.

"This is the contract. It has a lot of details in it, but it basically says that you cannot break the deal. You are to live in LA for the entirety of filming. You are to go to every event the cast goes to, and you are to not tell any details of the songs you are writing until the movie premieres. You also agree that you are willing to write for the entire movie series."

I sign the contract in all the spots he tells me to. After I finish I look up to see him with a huge grin.

"So I have a question," I say.

"Yes," Ryan replies.

"When do I need to be in LA?"

"By the end of the week."

"My mom is going to be so upset with me."

"I'll help you move, and I already have our company jet prepared for us to travel on Friday."

"Company jet?"

"Yes, our label has our own airfare because of the amount of traveling we have to do. I will be back in Hillsdale a lot taking care of mom and scouting talent."

"How's your mom doing anyways?"

"She's struggling, but I don't blame her. She tries to keep a brave face for us, but it's really taking a toll on her."

"I hate that," I give him a sympathetic nod. "I know I haven't talked to Mindy in a long time, but she was and still is one of my favorite people in the world."

"You know," Ryan starts, "She'd love to see you. Maybe you can come over for dinner tonight?"

"I don't know," I look at him.

"Why not?"

"Because she totally hates me for us not being together."

"No," Ryan stares into my blue eyes. "Mom loves you. She always asks about you, and when I told her about this deal she lit up like a Christmas tree. She loves you more than she loves me and James."

"Okay, I hope you're right. I'll be there."

"Perfect, see you then. I've got to catch up on business here, but I can have Tom drive you home."

"Sure, thanks Ryan." I flash a smile in his direction, and then walk outside to find Tom.

After the car ride home, I hop out and run inside to talk to my mom about the deal.

"Mom?" I shout, opening the big white door to the foyer of our house.

"In the kitchen," I hear my mom yell back. She is washing dishes, of course. The woman can never sit still.

"So, I have some news. I don't really know how you're going to take it."

"Spit it out, Stell. I'm not getting any younger here."

"The job Ryan gave me means I have to move out. I have to live in Los Angeles for the entirety of filming to write the music for the movie."

"Stella, that's insane. How can you afford that? When does it start? Gosh, I have so many questions!"

"I know it is, but I already signed the contract. Ryan is lending me one of his apartments until I get on my own feet. I have to move by Friday, but the pay is $100,000 per song. I need 15 songs for the first movie."

"Holy cow, that's a lot of money. Is Ryan going to be staying with you?"

"He said he'd be back and forth because he has to help out with Mindy. Speaking of, I have to go to dinner tonight at Mindy's."

"That's so sweet. Ryan is such a good kid."

"Not really considering how he broke my heart." I laugh a little, but it still remains true. He did break my heart, and there's no changing that. Maybe we can be friends, but a relationship is highly unlikely.

A few hours pass, and I am walking to Mindy's house. The house is a pretty, brick two story that is only a ten minute walk from where I am living. I ring the doorbell, and quickly I see the door swing open.

"Hi, can I help you?" a curly blonde girl stares into my soul.

"Oh, Ryan invited me over for dinner. I'm Stella."

"Babe?" she yells down the hallway. I look down at her ring finger and notice a shiny diamond ring.