Page 4 of Still Her
“You got it. Thanks again.”
“See you all in L.A..” He signs off.
While the rest of us appreciate the doors that Eli has opened for us, Mayzie isn’t exactly president of his fan club. Don’t get me wrong, she’s just as thankful as we are for the opportunities he’s created for us, but while he’s an amazing agent, he’s something of a ladies’ man. We don’t see him often, mostly at charity events and album wrap parties, but he’s never with the same woman twice. As far as I can tell, he isn’t hurting anyone, but it is a little… off.
“On his private jet, are you serious?” exclaims the love of my life on the other end of the phone.
“Yeah, I’m serious,” I say, in an equally excited tone, before I change it to one of recognizance. “Look, I know he’s not your favorite, but it would make for a much easier trip for you baby,” I’ve got her on speaker phone while I get ready in the dressing room before the show.
“It would,” she acknowledges. “And it’s not that I detest the guy, he’s just kind of a man-whore.”
“So is Tyler, and you love him,” I point out. Tyler is my friend that I used to bartend with before Turn it Up got its break.
“Yeah, that’s different. He’s… okay; I don’t really have a reasonable argument for that one. There’s just something different. Maybe it’s the fact that Eli has… power. It kind of gives the womanizing a creep factor.”
“That’s an interesting concept, I’ll give you that,” I nod, even though she can’t see me, as I slide one of her hair ties onto my wrist.
“But that is really generous, and I do like the idea of the dogs riding in the cabin with me. It’s always so stressful for them traveling in those crates. It’s the hardest part of the whole thing.”
“I know baby, and I’d like to be able to spare you that experience, at least once,” I reason, while I roll up the cuffs of the army green button down I’ve thrown on and left open over a black tank.
I hear her blow out a breath. “Okay, I can’t pass that up. But if the plane is full of scantily clad females, I’m out.”
A chuckle erupts from my chest and out of my mouth. “You got it baby,” I start to fasten my watch around my wrist. “And what do you think about that article forShred? Can I tell Eli we’re a go?”
“Yeah,” she draws out the word with fondness. “I think that sounds like fun. We don’t have to reveal too much do we?”
“No, doesn’t sound like it. George and Erin are doing it too, and you know they wouldn’t be if it was something that dug too deep. I know you’re going to be exhausted though, what with the flight, the show, and the club appearance the night before.”
“I can roll,” I can envision her shrugging her shoulders.
“My girl can roll,” I smile fondly, as I put my chain with its cross over my head. I hear voices getting closer in the hallway and look over my shoulder to see the rest of the band come in through the open doorway. I pick up my phone, and take it off speaker. “It’s almost show time sweetheart,” I say quietly.
“Okay. Have a great time out there and tear it up for me!” I can hear the sweet smile in her voice.
“I will, and hey… will you sleep with your phone tonight?”
“Yeah,” Her voice is quiet and sweet.
“Good. I love you.”
“WE LOVE YOU MAZE!” Chris bellows out from behind me. I close my eyes and try to show no reaction.
Mayzie giggles, used to Chris’s antics. “I love you, Jack.”
3
Mayzie
Headeddown the interstate to meet Eli at the private airplane hangar the next morning, my brother Ian’s truck is full to brimming with me, my luggage and our two big dogs.
“Whose plane are you flying on again? Their agent’s?” Ian asks after a stretch of silence.
“Yeah. Eli,” I confirm, as I go through my carry-on one more time, making sure I have everything.
“You’re movin’ up in the world. Need an escort to L.A.?” he asks. Knowing him, he’s just trying to score a ride on a private jet. I have to say I’m kind of looking forward to it myself. I’ve flown with the band on one a couple of times, and it definitely ruins you for flying any other way. It will be nice to be so comfortable on the way to L.A., and having the dogs with me will make both them and me happy, taking a lot of anxiety out of the equation. The company I will be with isn’t my first choice, but I’m sure I can survive a few hours.
Eli has made great things happen for the guys in the band, and he’s always treated me respectfully when our paths have crossed over the last six months since they signed with him. He’s just kind of a dog. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve known a few, but there’s just something about the way he plays that game. I can never seem to put my finger on it. There’s just something about the way he looks at a woman that makes me squirm.