Fade to Black (sequel to riptide)

Part 39

Lauren's pov
We were on a boat doing some deep water fishing and swimming. It was fun. Me and Javkson were at the front of the boat as we drove home with the sun setting. There had been beer in this trip so I was happy. I love alcohol it's wonderful. I laid on the front of the boat with Jackson next to me and reels by our sides while everyone else was actively manning theirs. I saw my reel go down super fast so I jumped up to grab it and Jackson came behind me to help. We reeled it in although it was difficult and it was fucking swordfish.
"There you go baby girl. Wow that's huge."
"Okay what now?" I ask confused and he grabs a net to bring it into the boat. Dave comes on over to us and the swordfish helping Jackson bring it on board then they got down and killed it.
"Good job Lauren you got a big one." He congratulates me on the fish.
"Thanks." I was still shocked that I caught a fish. After some more time out on the seas we headed back home and got showered then we all headed out to eat at a place called the boathouse. Nothing too fancy but I did wear a sun dress. Jackson wore khakis and a button up plaid shirt with tan dress casual shoes. We all headed there and it was a great dinner and I he a lot of fun. Im sad were leaving in two days. I've had the time of my life here. It was sad it had to come to an end. As we were eating, a seemingly middle aged couple approached the table.
"Carol, Tim how are you?" Louisa says greeting the couple. Jackson swallows a lump and his hand starts shaking. I grab his hand to stop the shaking and try to calm him down.
"We're good. Jackson so good to see you again." The woman greets. There appears to be a pain in her eyes looking at Jackson.
"How have things been going with the foundation?" Ryder asks.
"Not too good. We were doing a fundraiser recently through something Arian loved..." Oh shit these are his parents. It dawns on me and I gently rub Jacksons hand soothingly.
"We were holding a concert benefit. It was going to be a big deal. We rented out a stadium and paid the artist but he backed out and he isn't giving the money back. The foundation is going to have to file for bankruptcy because no artist can fill up a stadium like that in less than a week."
"Why'd you rent a stadium?" Dax asks receiving a slap on the back of his head from Stella.
"The artist was going to be Ed Sheeran." Me and Jackson both look at each other and our eyes say the same thing.
"That's so unfortunate." Emily says giving a sympathetic smile.
"Do it." I mouth to Jackson and he nods.
"Carol, Tim?" The all bro their attention to Jackson.
"I know two artists who can fill up a stadium in less than a week and would be willing to perform for free."
"You do?"
"Yes. If you both would like me and my finances band would be more than willing to perform and I promise you those harmonizer a can fill up a stadium the size of San Siro in less than two hours." I nod confirming it.
"You would really do that for us?"
"Yes anything to help something like Arian's death from ever happening again." Jackson says.
"My girls would be down here tomorrow ready to go if it meant help a cause like this." I tell them.
"They're the biggest girl band in the world right now." Dax says earning another slap on his head from Stella.
"Wow that's so amazing to hear. You really have made our day and saved us."
"It's absolutely no problem." Jackson says.
"We will be in touch tomorrow with more details."
"That's perfect."
"Thank you so much."
"It's all for the cause."
They say their goodbyes and head out meanwhile we finished our dinners and headed home. Immediately we got to work in the living room.
"Hello."
"Camz?"
"What the heck Lauren it's 7:00 in the morning.? Oh my god is everything ok?"
"Yeah but I need you and the girls down here tomorrow."
"Why what's up?"
"Ed backed out of a huge benefit concert for Arian's suicide foundation. Now if they don't eat a concert they're going bankrupt."
"That a-hole! Do you need me to call Taylor?"
"No we're going to fill the stadium. A combined show between us and Jackson."
"Ok so you need us down there tomorrow and the band or the DJ?"
"Either anyone we can get down here. I'll pay for the tickets don't worry."
"No shut up Lau I'm paying for some tickets too. I'll call Will and Simon and then I'll call the band."
"Great I'll call the rest of the girls."
"Awesome. I'll call you back later."
I call Mani next.
"Can you get down here tomorrow?"
"I booked a flight just now I'll be there tomorrow evening."
"Awesome thanks Mani."
Next Dinah.
"DJ do you think you..."
"I'm on my way to the airport Mani called me two minutes ago. I'll be there in the morning."
"Perfect."
Next Ally.
"Hey Alz can you..."
"Camz called I'm packing right now."
"Ok awesome."
"Bye."
"Bye."
I hang up and then get a call from Camila.
"Will and Simon are taking he jet down tonight to scout the arena and see how they're getting everything set up for us and for Jackson. They got us all hotels except you and Jackson obviously."
"That's so awesome."
"The whole band bought tickets and they will all be there in two days. Also Ty is in."
"What?"
"You know our friend Ty Dolla Sign. He's coming down to support with his daughter. Also I got the entire Taylor squad to advertise and get this up on the social meds. Chelsea after relentlessly asking me if we at anytime were together finally shut up long enough for me to explain the situation and it will be on the next Hollywire episode. Clever is running it in DHR. And trust me the minute we get this on social media we will sell out so quickly."
"That's great."
"Ok I have to go I'm about to get on the plane."
"You got a flight that early?"
"No of course not are you crazy? Me and DJ are borrowing Taylor's private jet. Mani and Ally are both in Texas so they are getting one of the Texas Longhorns players that hey are friends with to let them borrow their jet. That's the only reason we're getting there so fast."
"Oh ok I'll see you when you touch down."
"Yup see you then."
"Bye."
"Bye." I hang up then head then walk over to Jackson who was on his laptop.
"Hey babe are we good?" I ask him.
"Yeah the flight is cancelled, my band is flying down tomorrow so we can rehearse cause that's 5 days from now and I have not been rehearsing in forever."
"Great. Will and Simon are on the jet down here to scout the arena and get things set up for both of our performances. The girls got Taylor's jet and some Texas Longhorns players jet. They will all be here by tomorrow morning. Our band is coming in two days. The Taylor squad is for sure helping us promote it. Also Ty is coming down to support."
"That's perfect. I got Jordin and Justin down so we can do those songs together." He says butting his nails and continuing on the laptop.
"You seem closed off again are you ok?"
"I'm ok." He says and continues his focus on whatever he's doing. I wrap my arms around his torso and kiss his cheek a few times. His demeanor doesn't change.
"Why don't we get into bed so you can relax yeah?" He nods grabbing his phone and laptop heading upstairs. We head into the room laying on the bed. He immediately pulls his laptop back out as I try to move and hold onto him.
"What are you feeling?" I ask him.
"Nothing in particular."
"Yes you are just talk to me."
"I don't need to talk."
"Well I would prefer it if you did."
"Why?"
"Because I want to know what's up with you."
"Nothing's up Lauren damn!" I back off and back away from him. I go to my bag and get my notebook then head towards the door.
"Where are you going?" He asks slightly rude if I do say so myself.
"Nowhere." I say closing the door and walking out of the house. I head down the stairs and around the corner finding a fence to sit on. I pull out my notebook and pen out and write any lyrics that come to my head. I write down my feelings like I always do. I wrote every single lyric and scratching things out to make it something im happy with. I listen to the nature around and think about this whole thing eight the Arian foundation. It's personal you know? You've read the book. You read the second halter and third chapter of Riptide. I attempted suicide. We all know this is a huge deal. I know that it was not the best idea. I know that. I know that life is a gift and I was on top of the world but I didn't want to be there in the situation I was in. I didn't want to live the way I was living. I don't think anyone should ever feel like that. Everyone is beautiful and everyone deserves to live. Everyone deserves to be happy. That's why I'm doing this performance. Innocent lives don't need to be lost because of pain. After about what seemed like an hour and a half I headed back inside and upstairs. I look over seeing Jackson asleep his laptop still opens and his shirt from dinner still on. I untie his hair, close his laptop and put it in the computer bag. I plug his phone in and unbutton his shirt taking it off of him and folding it up on the chair. I took his precious watch off and put it up in his case then laid mis sweatpants next to him in case he woke up and wanted to change. I then changed for myself and got into bed beside him. I kept a little distance because he was angry before I left and I didn't want him to wake up angry at me too.
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