Fade to Black (sequel to riptide)

Part 31

I couldn't find Lauren so I gave up on that and went around finding someone to hang with. The girls are touring with Jojo. I decided upon hanging out with Conner, Jojo's DJ. He's a cool kid. He was excited to have another male on tour with them. I pretty much spent the hours playing ping pong and mini basketball on their bus while listening to drake. Him and Jojo had to go get ready for the show since their on second and they still have to do some VIP things for fans. I left their bus and walked down the arena halls. I got a call.
"Hello."
"Jackson?" The aged male voice filled my ears.
"Grandpa." I replied excited.
"Oh my boy so good to hear your voice."
"You too grandpa. What's up?"
"Me and your grandmother really miss you and we've heard so much about your career and how you followed your dream despite your father. We think it's wonderful. We also heard that you're getting married soon."
"I am, to the most amazing girl in the entire world."
"An American?"
"Yes."
"That's wonderful Jack as long as you are happy."
"I'm happier than I've ever been."
"We would love to meet you and your fiancé."
"Of course grandpa. I want you two to meet as well."
"Ok so your aunt and Sandy want to meet her too so how about you two come to the ranch."
"Well she's currently on tour with her band and I'm with her so probably not for s few months."
"That's fine we just want to meet her."
"How about I figure out our schedule and then I'll call you."
"For sure."
"Bye grandpa."
"Bye Jack." I hang up then do a little dance. I continue walking down the hallway. The girls were in a circle talking.
"Jackson where the hell have you been the last four hours?" Ally yells. Lauren turned around with crossed arms and a stern face. I didn't mind. I sped up to them faster before gripping Lauren's waist and pushing her against the wall. I pressed my lips to hers engaging in a long liplock. I pulled out.
"What was that for?"
"I got a call."
"Ooh what about?" She asks.
"I got a call from my grandfather."
"No way!"
"Yes way! My grandparents want to meet you and so they invited us to their ranch so that the part of my family that I like can meet you." She breaks into a huge grin.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"That's so exciting!"
"I know."
I remove my self from her allowing her to ease of the wall. He girls all look at us with smiles.
"I'm happy for you two." Camila says with a smile.
"Thanks Cami that means a lot."
"Of course Jackjack."
"Don't you girls have a show to prepare for?"
"Yes we do."
"And you're not doing so?"
"Oh crap Dinah your hair and makeup started 10 minutes ago." Ally said.
"Shit!" She begins running off. I just laugh wrapping an arm around Lauren's shoulder.

--------
I sat in the front row of the audience to watch the girls performance. So far they were killing it. It was the first song so not much to go off of. all of sudden they had backup dancers. Male backup dancers that were dancing behind them. They started touching on the girls and dancing with them and such. I was a little jealous of course at first but I knew who she was sleeping next to tonight and I calmed down. I enjoyed the performance nonetheless with Lauren's occasional winks my way. They had a little break in the middle because Dinah had to pee of course. So the others just stood on stage before having casual banter with the crowd.
"Hey guys." Camila says into the mic receiving cheers in return.
"There's so many wonderful faces in the crowd today. @camils I see you @5Hforprez is here I see you too. @kingjackdanielson." The crowd erupts into cheers.
"Yes guys the great Jackson Danielson has come to our show tonight." Normani says.
"Hi baby." Lauren says into the mic blowing a kiss which i pretend to catch and out in my pocket. The whole crowd freaks out.
"Alright love birds let's keep it to ourselves." Camila says.
"Don't be such a bore. Let the couple live their lovey dovey lives." Ally says.
"Yeah let us live our lives."
I decided to be annoying and make her blush so I yelled really loud.
"Love you princess!" Her cheeks turned red as the crowd aww'd. She sort of curled up a little like a kid who was embarrassed would.
"Baby stop embarrassing me." She pouts in a baby voice.
"Elk love." Camila pretends to regurgitate. Dinah walks back on stage.
"aye look she's back ladies and gents." Normani says gesturing to Dinah.
"Wait did I just miss Jauren moments right now!" She pouts while her eradic breathing can be heard in the mic.
"Yes you did and there will be no more because we're done embarrassing me."
"Fuck me Lauren!" Someone in the crowd yells so my protective instincts kick in and I jump up searching around for who it was with a stern expression. All of the girls jaws dropped.
"You better watch your mouth. Jackson looks about ready to kill." Camila says pointing.
"He's really protective." Ally tells he crowd.
"Okay let's get back to the show. Let's play the next song." Lauren tries to push the situation away. They continue their performance slaying it all over before ending the concert and heading offstage. I headed backstage and met up with Conner and Jojo
"Hey guys you killed it tonight! Great job!" I bro hug Conner then hug Jojo.
"Thank you so much."
"Always. Have you seen Lauren and the girls?"
"Yeah an aftershow meet and greet so they are meeting some fans." Conner informs me.
"Which way?"
Uhm should be in there." He points to a room and I see an excited little girl walking in so I make my way over there walking through the door. All of the girls were talking with different fans and laughing and having fun. I decided to become a shadow so I stood in the back leaning against the wall with my arms crossed, relaxed. I watched as they took pictures and signed things before slowly leaving. Some broke out in tears others were in shock. It was thoroughly entertaining.

-----------
After they were all gone the girls looked around as I sat in a corner.
"Where's my king?" She asks slightly dismayed.
"He's probably on the bus." Dinah suggests patting the older girls back.
"I've been sitting back here the entire time I'm not kidding I've seen everything." She turns around and sees me then walks towards me giving me a hug.
"You guys did amazing tonight I was so proud of you."
"Thank you my love."
"Let's go get in bed I'm tired."
"Alright." I say following her out of the room while she held onto my arm. Once we reach the bus I press the code and head inside. All of the girls were already getting into their bunks.
"You're sleeping in my bunk the whole tour right?" She asks.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know maybe you wanted some space or something."
"Space from you. If anything I want less space from you." I say hooking and arm around her waist.
"I would but the bunks aren't soundproof obviously so you wait till the next hotel stop and I'm all yours." She lightly licks her lips walking her fingers up my chest.
"Come on get ready to sleep." She nods changing into her pajamas. I changed into some sweatpants and a white t shirt and a hoodie. I headed into her bunk but before I could I felt hands on my arms pulling my hoodie off. I turn around and see black hair down as the arms put the hoodie on themselves. I chuckle then get in the bunk Lauren climbing in after me and relaxing into my embrace.

-----------
"Jackson? Baby you awake?"
"Yes princess what can I do for you?"
"I can't sleep."
"Why not?"
"I don't know."
"Here let's listen to some music." I pull out my phone attach some headphones and put one in her ear as well as one in mine. I went to my music library and found the soundtrack to Hamilton. Don't judge. I turned it on and heard Lauren giggle when the Broadway rap tunes filled her ear.
"I have never actually listened to this album but I know you're obsessed with it."
"You will be too just wait."
---------
"Wait so he was from the Caribbean so probably Latino and they wouldn't let him be president because of it? He did so much. Do you hear this. The national bank, the coast guard, the constitution."
"Yeah that's why this story is so cool. He was forgotten although theoretically he was the most important founding father."
"That's bs! White people sucked no offense."
"None taken. They did suck during those times and some still suck."
"Yo this album is making me hate Thomas Jefferson."
"I'm Australian so i never liked them but I no longer hold a reverence for them."
I switched the music to a playlist I had made of songs that Lauren loved but that made her tired. She gets insomnia often. I set it on as smooth jazz filled out ears. I felt her body begin to relax as her breathing slowed down a bit. Once I was sure she was asleep I took the earbuds out and plugged my phone back into the charger. I wrapped my arms securely around her before drifting off to sleep beside her.