Rising Stars

Chapter 2

Chapter 2“You haven’t seen the photos?”

“Uh?” Jasper doesn’t have time to answer Blake’s question before the security guard opens the bedroom door, almost walking in on Ryan, coming out of the bathroom, naked. The poor man is lucky he’s holding his towel and able to cover himself.

“You stay right there. Don’t move.” Jasper walks into the bathroom and returns with a robe, then helps Ryan put it on to save his dignity. “Blake, can he get dressed in your room? Or are there cameras in yours, too?”

Blake’s pissed off glare scans across the room. “We’ve only seen photos of you guys, so I figure you were the targets.”

Ryan pales, tugging the robe tighter around himself. “What photos?”

Blake pulls his phone from his pocket. “They aren’t that bad.” He turns his phone around to show photos of the couple cuddled up together in bed.

Ryan gives a surprised laugh. “This is barely anything.”

“Go get dressed, Ry. They’ve probably seen enough of you already,” Jasper says in a tone similar to Blake’s as he ushers him out so he can concentrate on this morning’s unfolding bullshit.

“So, there’s no chance there could be a s*x tape?” Simon asks.

Jasper rolls his eyes. “Simon, if you ever ask me about my s*x life again, it’ll be too soon.”

“I’m just worried about the drama…”

“It’s none of anyone’s business and I’ll sue anyone who tries to make it theirs.” Jasper turns to Blake. “Can Flynn do anything about this?”

“Already on it. He’s the one that told me this s**t was going viral. Should we be worried about the possibility of some less innocent photos being released, though? Because if they aren’t out yet, then hopefully Flynn can track the source and stop them from getting out too.”

Jasper picks at his nails and licks his lips. “I don’t know. Those photos look like they were from last night, in which case no, there wouldn’t be anything to worry about. But depending on when the cameras went in…”

“Nice.” Blake grins.

“Shut up,” Jasper says, though he can’t help but smile at Blake’s teasing. He composes himself and crosses his arms. “I’m so sick of not having any f*****g privacy in this relationship. I’d just like to be free to do the things I want to do when I want to without having all of my personal life broadcast.”

One of the security guards in the room, who’s been taking photos of a picture frame on the wall, looks over at Jasper and fakes a smile, then gives a shrug. “We’ve found it, just waiting for the police to come up and do their investigation.”

Jasper takes his phone from the charger. “There’d be security footage of whoever placed it, right?”

“Well, there’s security footage of whoever entered the apartment from the hallways, but as far as actual proof, we wouldn’t be able to confidently accuse anyone. That’s why we need the police to find fingerprints or DNA evidence.”

Jasper nods and, deciding there’s nothing more he can do about this until the authorities do their job, he gathers up his things, and walks straight over to the other members’ room to get dressed for the day.

“Betcha it’s Chris,” Blake says, leaning against the doorframe as if he’s Jasper’s personal security guard now, monitoring the room.

Jasper pulls on his jeans and one of The Obsolete’s band shirts with a red leather jacket over the top. “Of course it’s Chris. This would’ve been his next publicity stunt. We all perform like we were told and then, boom, ‘viral photos of Jasper and Ryan sharing a bed.’ Gay rumors to shut us both up. If I ever see him again, ever…”

“I’m team Jasper-punches-the-s**t-out-of-Chris.” Blake smirks, following Jasper out of his room.

“What’s the plan, Jasper?” Luke asks from the kitchenette.

“I’m going out for a bit. I have some things to do, that given how this morning has started, are now urgent.” Jasper takes his phone out and calls for a taxi, running his fingers through his hair to neaten it.

“You shouldn’t go off on your own,” Ryan calls out from the sofa, looking panicked as he gets up and heads over.

“He won’t be. I’m gonna go with him,” Blake says, patting Jasper’s back.

“Guys, I don’t need a babysitter. This is something I want to do alone.” Jasper strides towards the door, shoulders back like an air of chaos doesn’t seem to surround his every step.

“You can’t go off on your own, Jas. The media’ll eat you alive,” Blake yells across the room, getting the attention of Simon and Luke, who are whispering to each other in the kitchenette.

“I’m a big boy. I don’t need you all to hold my hand. We did that last night. Besides, if they see me leave, chances are I’ll be the one getting followed out of here and you’ll all be free to go home in peace. I’m the one that’s going to get a barrage of questions thrown my way.” Jasper shrugs, pulling his bag up onto his shoulder.

“If you go out by yourself, they’ll think it’s all just an act that we support you,” Simon says.

For a moment Jasper considers it, then just gives an amused huh. “Ironic, when you think about it. Walking out with me to show yourselves supporting me would be the act. I know you’ve all got my back. I’ve got nothing to prove to anyone. Honestly, if anyone comments on it, I’ll argue that supporting me the way I need you to, is letting me have time to myself right now and sticking behind to sort out this disgusting invasion of my and Ryan’s privacy. Are you good with that?” Jasper asks and watches Blake, Simon, and Luke shrug at each other. “Good.” Jasper turns and keeps walking.

Ryan grabs Jasper’s arm before he can get to the door. “Are you sure you’ll be fine?”

“As long as you let me go so I can finish organizing this, I’ll be more than fine. Trust me.”

Ryan looks reluctant, but after a moment he nods. “Call if you need anything,” he concedes, his hand loosening the grip on Jasper’s arm.

Jasper doesn’t enjoy the feeling he gets when Ryan lets him go, but if things go to plan, then soon enough, they’ll be closer than ever.

“I’ll call you later so I can let you in on my secret plan.” Jasper walks away, faking his confidence until he’s out of view.

As he hits the lobby floor, he takes a deep breath, preparing to face whatever is waiting outside. Thankfully, he finds extra security has been called in to keep the media outside the hotel doors, but he can see at least thirty people with cameras waiting. Jasper shoves his phone in his jacket pocket, zips it up and slips his hands in the hand pockets, then walks towards them all with his head held high and a carefree smile on his face, repeating in his head to not respond to anything. Not verbally, not physically. He doesn’t have to defend any of his words, actions, or decisions, and certainly doesn’t have to explain anything about the photos.

The moment the large glass doors open, a cacophony of incoherent questions come at him, but luckily, they are near impossible to hear. He can hear his and Ryan’s names being called out, the word kiss and a lot of how do you feel? type wording but he’s careful to concentrate on his own thoughts and not let anything they say get into his head.

Relief settles over him as he climbs into a waiting taxi, gives the driver an address, and sits back. As the taxi pulls away, he stares out the windows and watches the people living regular lives. Some rushing to work in full suits, carrying coffees and briefcases. Others catching up for breakfast with family or friends. Groups of teenagers wandering around with the whole day ahead of them to do whatever they want. Couples kissing and holding hands in public with nobody giving a damn about it. He can’t help but consider whether he would have preferred a quieter life with a normal Sunday of hanging out with friends. Not being bombarded with cameras in his face at barely eight o’clock in the morning, after not one but two different incidents have sent him viral overnight.

His phone vibrates, and he checks the message.

Blake: Still alive, dude? Hope you made it past the vultures.

Jasper smiles to himself and sends back a skull and crossbones emoji, pockets his phone again and closes his eyes, slipping back into his imagination.

Today he wants to feel less like a celebrity, and more like a person. A person preparing to take a hundred more exciting steps with his boyfriend now that they don’t have to hide themselves anymore. Despite trending, despite the cameras, despite the questions. Today is the first time in such a long time, Jasper truly feels free to live his life for himself.

* * * *

Jasper is pacing the short hallway as he waits for his boyfriend to arrive. Poor Ryan probably spent his day anxiously waiting to hear from him, and now, as it’s getting dark, Jasper’s sent him a text inviting him to an address with no explanation.

The knock on the door sets Jasper’s heart racing. He pauses for a second, not wanting it to be obvious he’s been waiting right here on the other side of the door ever since he sent that text half an hour ago.

Ready to put Ryan out of his suspense fueled suffering, Jasper opens the door and grins at the man standing in front of him. “Welcome.” Jasper steps out of the way, gesturing Ryan inside.

“Welcome?” Ryan walks in with a frown, peering down the hallway and into the open space of an unfurnished room.

Jasper closes the door behind him. “Do you like it?” he asks, too excited to care that he’s only given Ryan a moment to look around the place and there is no way he’ll have an answer yet. Jasper takes Ryan’s hand, leading him down the hallway to the open kitchen and dining area with tinted floor to ceiling windows covering the entire length of the wall, overlooking the outskirts of Los Angeles. “Check out the view!”

“Are you looking at buying this place?”

“Not exactly. Come here.” Jasper takes Ryan through to a large bedroom, with a walk-through wardrobe to the bathroom. Again, the outer facing wall of the room is floor to ceiling tinted windows.

“Okay, if you’re not buying it, what’s the interest?” Ryan pulls Jasper close, wrapping his arms around his waist tight and gazing into his eyes like he’s missed them. “You’re up to something.”

“What gave it away?” Jasper laughs, knowing full well he’s wearing an over excitable smile impossible to contain. “I’m not looking at buying it. I’ve already signed the paperwork.” He holds up a set of keys.

Ryan raises an eyebrow, looking around the room they are standing in, again. “You bought a penthouse? I’m not usually one to pry about people’s finances, but how big was that check you got from the first album?”

“Get real, I didn’t buy it. There’s no way I could afford it from a single pay-out. I put down a reasonable deposit and signed up for a thirty-year debt to the bank like everyone else does. I just get a better view.” Jasper pulls away from Ryan and goes through the wardrobe to the bathroom. “Check this out. There’s a double head shower, and a spa bath in the shape of a triangle. How cool is that? I’m going to live in here.” Jasper sits on the edge of the bath as Ryan takes it all in. “What more do you need, really?”

“Long-term financial security?” Ryan jokes, earning him an eye-roll from Jasper. “This place is amazing, but we’re not technically employed now. Can you afford to make repayments, or did you put all your money into the deposit?”

“Don’t stress. It’ll be fine.” Jasper shrugs, but catches the concerned expression on Ryan’s face. “Okay, I know it’s a little ostentatious.”

A smile cracks on Ryan’s face. “What part? The triangular bath-spa, or the floor to ceiling windows on the top floor of a high-rise apartment building?”

“My parents didn’t believe in spending money on things they didn’t think were necessary, so we lived with bare minimum stuff while they paid off their house. I got a job at a grocery store when I was fifteen and they had the money from that go directly into a high interest account that I couldn’t touch until I was twenty-one. There’s enough in there to cover a few repayments. Plus, I’m confident I’ll find other work fairly easily. And even if we don’t, this lawsuit against Chris should make us pretty comfortable. Especially once I add planting cameras and leaking private photos to my claim.” Jasper gets up and reaches out for Ryan’s hand. Ryan takes it and Jasper leads him back out to the main room again. He goes over to the kitchen counter and passes a bunch of take-away menus to Ryan. “There’s also enough left over for us to order whatever we want to celebrate. So you pick.”

“I would pick something super expensive, but I’m also sure all you really want is pizza.”

Jasper fakes offense. “You make me sound so unsophisticated.”

Ryan smiles at him and hands back the menus. “It’s your place, your celebration. You should pick.”

Jasper sighs and slips his hand in his pocket. “Well, I was hoping for more than one reason to celebrate tonight.” He steps forward with one foot, dropping his back knee to the floor.