Chapter 44

JAKE

I finished the last song and I make sure to greet the crowd. I always love the last song because it does not have a lot of dancing in it and the lights are usually on for me to see the audience. I would take my time to take in the moments because recently, I do not know where my life is going to go.

Will I be able to carry on to be a Superstar or is the wolf in me going to destroy it? I do not know what tomorrow is going to bring me. I still have so much to learn about this wolf, I am just happy that I can control it for now.

But if I am honest with myself I struggle to control it every time I am close to Layla. It is as if I want to transform into a wolf and devour her in a good way. I have to concentrate really hard not to change right in front of her eyes and then scare her away forever.

I blow kisses to the crowd and then I wave as I am being hoisted down into the stage. I hear them chanting my name and I know I had a good show. Tonight, I will not be doing an encore as I do not do it every time I do a show. As the stage closes above me, I find Mark to help me off the escalator.

"I know you said that I should not say it to you anymore but I can not help it. You really did a good show tonight. The crowd really loved you"

It feels good to hear him say it because it is true and not because I have forced him to say it. I put my hand on his shoulder and everything in me does not want to do it but for some reason, I feel like I need to.

"Thank you for saying that"

"Yeah, man. You know I love you"

"I know"

We walk back to my dressing room and I can not help staring at the spot where Layla was just a few minutes ago. I really enjoyed her company and wish that I can see her again. As we get into my dressing room, I can see that Mark wants to say something to me.

"Okay, out with it"

"What are you talking about?"

"You are hovering..."

"Well, I wanted to ask you something"

I turn around to look at him and then I say.

"You have never been shy in asking me anything, so this is going to be good"

"I just want to know if I can go and if you will get back to the hotel okay"

I can not help but frown at what he is saying because why does he need my permission to leave.

"I think I am a grown-up man that can do that thing all by myself by now. I mean, I might struggle to find my way to the hotel, I guess if you are not there to hold my hand -"

He starts to laugh and then slaps me on my shoulder.

"You are a funny man"

"Yes, why don't we make my next show the comedian, Jake Anderson?"

We both laugh in the same way that we always used to. And then he turns around to walk out of the dressing room but before he could leave I say to him.

"Call me curious but why would you ask me if you can leave? Where are you going?"

"Oh...uhm...to the after party"

Then I realize why he is acting the way he is. I have told him a few months ago that I do not want to go to any after party again. I guess he did not want to tell me about it just to spare my feelings.

"So...am I not invited?"

Immediately his complete demeanor changes into humbleness. He starts to explain.

"Of course, you are invited. It is after all your after party with your crew. I just did not want to tell-"

I lift up my hand to make him stop talking and I start to laugh.

"I am just kidding. I know I am invited and thank you for trying to spare my feelings"

He smiles as his entire face is filled with relief. Then I ask.

"Just for interest sake. Where are you going to keep the after party?"

"We rented out the hall in the hotel. Are we seeing you tonight?"

"Nah, you go and have fun"

"Thanks, Jake, have a good night"

I watch as he leaves the room and I have no desire to go to an after party after the show I just had. I can feel that my body needs to rest as I am completely exhausted from not just the show but also the warmth after summer night.

I start to gather my things and then I make my way to my limo.

LAYLA

As I start to get all my things together I wonder what this party is going to be about. I am still clearly on adrenaline from the show because I am not feeling the jet lag tiredness at this moment. Just when I am ready to get out of the room Rita burst through the door.

"Are you coming?!"

"Yeah, just give me some time but I am ready"

"Then let's go! The van is waiting"

As we walk out of the room I see that almost everyone has evacuated already. I can not help but frown as I say to Rita.

"Where is everyone?"

I can see that nothing has been done yet and then she says to me.

"Going to the after party, of course"

"But what about the stage and all the stuff?"

She waves her hand and dismisses my remark.

"They can do it tomorrow"

"Why? Do we not go back tomorrow?"

"No, we still have one day"

I should really start to look at my emails as Stacy has sent me the itinerary. I thought that we are flying to our next country tomorrow but I am pleasantly surprised to find out we stay another day here. We get in the van and it takes us straight to the hotel.

"We are having the party here?"

"Yeah, isn't it great"

Suddenly, I have more energy to go to this party because when I get tired I can just slip away and fall into my bed. We do not even go up to our room as the party is already in full swing. Just as Rita and I go our separate ways, I ask her.

"Is Jake going to come too?"

"I do not think so. He used to come. He was the life of the party. But recently he just stopped coming. So, I would not get my hopes up"

I am split right down the middle with my feelings. On the one hand, I am glad he is not here because then I can just be myself but on the other hand, and this hand feels a bit heavier than the other, I would really love to see him again.

I find it hard to think that he was the life of the party. He does not seem to be that type of guy but then again, I do not know him at all. I look around myself and I realize why she said it's going to be a good party.

They have lights and music and drinks. It feels as if we are in a rave club as everyone is dancing and enjoying their time. This will be a great time for me to mingle with the crew and get to know some of them. I look over to the dance floor and I see Stacy dancing.

I never thought that she would loosen up like that but then again, I also do not know her. Then suddenly a cold feeling runs through my being as I remember that Jason would be here too. I also remember what happened when I left the party and he could not find me. I remember that he was drunk that night, so what would stop him from being drunk tonight.

I like the sober Jason much more than the drunk one. I guess I am going to have to be on the lookout for him because I am really not in the mood to deal with him tonight. I make my way to the bar where I get myself something to drink.

I am glad that I am not that exhausted as I thought I would be and hope that I can last at least an hour. I start to talk to the lady sitting next to me and I make sure to introduce myself. She says that she's been seeing me around and she seems like a very nice person. I think I am going to enjoy this party.

JAKE

I get out of the limo and as usual, the crowds are outside. I lift up my hands to wave to them but I make sure that my hoodie is on. I never really look good after a show and I know that the people expect me to look good always.

I smile as I get into the hotel lobby and then suddenly as I make my way to my room, I start to wonder about something. I start to wonder whether I should join the after party. I mean, I can handle the wolf now and I would love to be with my people again. Then suddenly one thought convinces me completely. Layla. I would get to see her.