Jay/Luke

The way Emma joked around with me was incredibly sexy and before I could stop myself, I was pulling her towards me and kissing her. Maybe it was too soon and I would freak her out, but at that moment, I didn't really care. I was so caught up in the moment that until Emma pulled away, I hadn't even noticed my phone ringing. Whoever was calling better have a good excuse. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I see Kevin's name on the screen. Damnit, this can't be good. Emma walks away and I don't even say hello before I hear Kevin's voice on the other line "Jay man, we need you at the studio now. You have 15 minutes to get here." I'm about to say that I can't but he had already closed the phone. What the hell, Kevin. A few seconds later, my phone rings again. Max. I'm annoyed now. "Max, what the hell is going on?" Max, unlike Kevin, sounds relaxed. "Well it looks like we're gonna have to record that last track again, and they want it done now. We need you here, mate. You need to get here soon." Well this is just wonderful. I look over at Emma leaning against the railing and sigh loudly, "I'll be there, but what do I tell Emma? She's already asked me what I do and I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm lying or something. You know how bad I am at playing it cool." Max laughs and says "Just tell her you're needed at the studio. I'm sure she'll understand that you're a busy important studio man, or whatever you told her you do. Just be here quick before Kevin has another titty fit." With that, he hangs up. I start walking towards Emma and admire her from a distance. The lights from the bridge are sparkling against the water and she looks so beautiful just standing there. She doesn't notice me approaching but when I tell her I have to go, I can't tell if she's disappointed or not. "At this time?! I guess that means you should probably get going then, huh?" I apologize and promise to make it up to her. I need to go now because if I don't, I might end up not leaving at all, and then Kevin would definitely kill me. I kiss her again before I can stop myself. As I'm walking away, I turn around once last time and Emma smiles and waves. I really don't want to leave.

I take a taxicab to the studio and arrive right on time. Tom and Max are smoking outside. They notice me get out of the taxi and Tom is about to say something when Nathan and Siva walk out of the studio's front door. No one says anything. They all just stand there looking at me,"What is this all about? Does this really have to do with the new track?", I ask. Nathan laughs "Of course its about the track, mate. What else would it be?" We all walk inside and make our way towards the back area. Tom smacks me on the back, "So how did it go with Miss New York?" I forgot that's what the lads started calling Emma. The thought of Emma makes me smile but then I remember that I left her to be here "It was going well, but I don't know how she felt about me leaving so soon. She's a bit hard to read." By this time, we're inside the recording room and our New York record manager, Peter, heard my last comment. He started laughing loudly "Don't tell me you boys are getting involved with the ladies here already?" Siva responds before I can, "Not all of us, just Jay." Peter looks at me, and raises his eyebrows, "Well, all I can tell you is to be careful. New York women are not easy to deal with. They're like a different species of women. Trust me, I know from experience." With that, he walks out to the control room where Kevin is. The lads and I do some voice warm-ups before recording the song for the second time. Once we're done recording, there's talk about how the rest of the transfer of the record label is going to be. Moving from Los Angeles to New York was going to take some time and there were a lot of details but I'm not really paying any attention. I debate whether or not I should text Emma and wish her a good night. I can't stop thinking about what Peter said about New York women. Is it true or could he just be exaggerating? I text her and by her playful replies, I can tell she isn't upset that I left her alone. Well, that's a relief!

When we get to the hotel, the lads want to watch a movie and chose "The Human Centipede". Max and I are skeptical considering our last experience with a horror movie but decide to give it a try. We're 20 minutes into the film when Max says "Wot in hell is this..." It's barely started but I'm starting to feel sick already "Oi, I don't think I can do this anymore." Siva laughs "You okay there, mate? You're looking a bit green." Nathan and Tom laugh, but Max gets up from the couch, "That's about all I can take. I'm going out for a smoke." I jump up quickly, "I'll go with you." Tom calls out to us, "Don't have nightmares now, ladies" and we hear Siva and Nathan laughing as we leave.

Once outside at the back of the hotel, Max lights up and says "I am never watching a movie like that again." "Yeah but that's what we said last time!" We joke around a bit when suddenly Max changes the subject, "How did it go with Emma today? You've been pretty quiet about it." I think of my night with Emma, my failed attempt at getting us into the restaurant, seeing the Brooklyn bridge for the first time and the brief kiss we shared. It's a nice memory but then I remember her answer when I asked her why she doesn't do a lot of the things she used to do. Her attitude changed for a bit and it seemed like she didn't want to talk about whatever was bothering her. "To be honest mate, it was great. Better than I expected it to go. Tom almost blew my cover with the reservation name but other than that, it went well." Max has a serious look on his face, "But what's wrong? I know I'm not the brightest lad or anything but I can tell something's not right." Damnit. I 've never any good at hiding how I feel from any of the lads, why would now be any different. I sigh and try to think of how to answer, " Well the thing is, I asked Emma something and she got kind of weird. She seemed sad and said she didn't want to bore me with the details, whatever that means. And then just like that, she was fine. Like if nothing happened." Max throws down his cigarette and says "So wot, you think she's hiding something?" I hadn't thought of that. "I don't know. Could be that she is. I know we've only just met but I want her to trust me and be honest with me." Max gives me a confused look before opening the back door and saying "Wot, like you're being honest with her? I don't know mate, but you can't expect her to be honest with you if you've been lying to her since you met."

What the hell? I wasn't expecting to hear that from Max. He was fine with it at first. Why the sudden change? "What do you want me to do, call her up now and tell her my name is Jay, not Luke. And oh yeah, I'm actually a member of a boyband?" Max rolls his eyes "That's not wot I mean. You just need to figure out when you're gonna tell her, because you obviously like her. And if you want to see her again, maybe the truth won't hurt." With that, he walks inside and leaves me standing outside alone. Wonderful, just great. Not only did Siva not agree with this, but now Max didn't think it was a good idea. But I can't tell Emma now. it's still too soon. And anyways, whenever I do tell her the truth, I want it to be in person. I just hope she doesn't hate me when she finds out.

***Author's note** 

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoy this chapter! I promise to try to post a new chapter each Sunday but its just been so crazy with midterms and the storm and pretty soon finals will be here too.

Anyways, I'd really appreciate it if you voted!! Thanks for reading!

Mari xx