In The Spotlight

{ Chapter 31}

XavierPOV

After I said what I needed to say I stormed out of the building. I slammed Tracey's car door once I was inside. I didn't turn to look at her nor did I say anything. Hasn't Kelsey had enough? First she drop kicks me out of her life without any warning, and now she's trying to ruin my career. What happened to the girl I used to know?

I heard Tracey sigh, soon after I felt a hand rubbing my shoulder."Xavier, I know it's hard to digest this, but we'll find a way through this." She tried to reassure me. I didn't reply, just shrugged her hand off and sat in silence for the rest of the ride.

We finally pulled up to my driveway when Tracey grabbed me. I turned to look at her confused. "Look, Xavier I understand that you need some time right now. But don't shut me out? Okay. I'm here for you, not anyone else. Not only as a manager but as your friend. Remember that, okay?" With those last words, she unlocked the doors and turned away from me.

I sat in the car for a while after before opening the door to leave. I stood in front of my door, feeling so conflicted. I felt upset, betrayed, angry, and so much more than that. Sighing, I rubbed my hands up and down my face. "I need a relaxing bath or something." I muttered under my breath. Unlocking the front door, I walked in. After hanging up my coat and locking the door, I headed to my kitchen.

Pulling out a pan from the cabinet beneath the kitchen sink, I filled it with water added salt and let it boil. As I waited for the water to boil I made myself a cup of tea. I sat at my kitchen table, trying to let the tea calm me down, when my phone went off. Grabbing it I read the notification.

*iMessage:

Tracey/Manager: I'm here for you okay? Let me know if you need anything.

As I read the message, a smile began to form. Tracey always had my back, even before she became my manager. Sending her a 'Thank you, love you.' back I remembered the first time we met.

*Flashback*

It was my 18th birthday, and I was lit. Me and a couple of my friends had rented out the local hockey rink, and we were just playing hockey. Eating the normally over priced arena food for more than you should have to pay.

Greg and I were sitting in the stands, stuffing our faces with the hot dogs we got. I looked up at Greg, and started to choke. Greg had ketchup all over his face, it was hilarious. "Dude, your face.."I gasped for air as I tried to laugh and chock all at the same time.

Greg's bright green eyes, which were hidden by his skater boy haircut, looked up at me. "Whaaa?" He tried to ask me but his mouth was full of chewed up hot dog. I scrunched up my nose.

"Gross!"I said, finally able to stop choking on my laughter. I stood up while shaking my head as Greg returned to stuffing his face. I walked out of the Ice Rink and into the food court area. I was a bit thirsty, so I headed to Pizza Lounge for a soda, let's just say once I got to the front of the line, I was a lot more thirsty.

Wink, wink.

"Hi,my name is Tracey. Welcome to Pizza Lounge how may I help you?"The perky and pretty blonde employee, greeted me.

"Uhh,I would like a medium root beer soda, and a side of you please."I gave her a cocky grin, flicking my bangs to the side.

She gave me a strange look. " 'You' isn't on the menu. Sorry sir."She grinned before turning to fix me my drink.

As I waited I couldn't help but grin, I liked her. When she came back with my drink, I payed her and gave her a hefty tip. "Hey, when do you get off work? I'm having my birthday party right now and I was wondering if you'd like to join me and a couple of my friends?"I asked her, smiling shyly.

She turned to look at the clock. "My shifts over in 5 minutes, I guess I could come. If I'm not intruding." She replied seeming a bit worried.

I rolled my eyes. "If you were intruding why would you be invited by the birthday boy?" I told her. Before she could reply, an old couple that were standing behind me, started to complain. Giving her a shrug, I said. "I'll be standing over there," I pointed to the Cotton Candy stand. "When you're done, come my way, Trace. Oh, by the way. Names Xavier." With that I left the line and waited.

Once her shift was over, Tracey came over to were I stood. "Ready to go?" I asked her. She nodded and followed me. We entered to Ice Rink and all my friends looked over at us.

"Xav, who's the girl?" Greg asked, his face now cleaned up. Standing up from his position as goalie, which allowed Xander, my brother, to score on him. I was glad he was even able to make it, ever since I left home a year ago today, my parents didn't want anything to do with me.

I threw an arm on Tracey's shoulders, walking toward the edge of the rink. "Boys, this is my new friend. Tracey." I introduced her, everyone either waved or nodded hello.

"So,Tracey. Can you play?" My brother asked while gesturing to the rink. He had a cocky smirk on his face, despite only being 13 years old, Xander was a heck of a hockey player.

Tracey dropped her bag on a bench near to where we stood. She clapped her hands together and grinned. "Why don't we find out?" She said confidently. We all looked at each other and grinned, after Tracey had her skates and minimal protection gear like the rest of us we began.

Me and Tracey were on the same team, along with Greg and a couple other of our friends. Xander was on the opposing team. As soon as the puck dropped Tracey was the first person to get it, she passed it to me before skating forward closer to the goal. Seeing that she had an opening, she signaled for the puck. I maneuvered my way closer to her, so I could send a clean pass. And a clean pass it was. Tracey had the puck and took a shot and.....missed!

I thought it was over but the puck bounced of the metal part of the net, right back to Tracey's stick! This time she took a second to setup before she took a shot and it went in. Right through the goalies legs. Tracey jumped up with a squeal of joy, I chuckled. I knew I was going to like this girl.

Flashback Over

I smiled leaning back against the chair. Although I hadn't known Tracey that long I knew she would always have my back, she was the best friend I could have ever made. Sighing, I stood up and made my way to bed, wondering what the next day had in store for me.

And boy it was a lot...

But as soon as I laid down I realized I had left the stove top on and rushed out of the bedroom and back into the kitchen. Leaning against the counters after turning it off I started laughing, that was a close one.

----------------------------------------------------
A/N : Hey guys! I am finally back from vacation, so I have basically all the chapters leading up to the final one complete (sad to say this book is almost finished :'( ). Since, those chapters are done I will be doing a daily update around noon each day until the last chapter. So, be prepared for a bucket load of drama!!

Well, that's all I wanted to share I hope you guys enjoy these last couple chapters and this entire book!

Vote!

Comment!

Fan!

Enjoy!