Chapter two hundred and eleven:

Becky and Jen came out of the bedroom hand-in-hand.

Taylor, Luke and Zac were lounged on the sofas watching an episode of The Simpsons.

“Hey girls, you’re awake.” Taylor sat forward.

“Did you sleep alright?” Zac asked.

“Off and on.” Becky forced a short smile. “I think I’m going to make some tea. Want anything?”

“No thanks.” Jen replied, sitting across from Luke, trying to gage his mood.

“Maybe we should talk first.” Taylor suggested.

“Yeah,” Zac finished. “That’s a good plan.”

“Okay.” Becky said in confusion, sitting down next to Jen. “What’s this all about?”

“Well, we did some talking.” Taylor began, “And we’ve come up with some solutions to deal with this whole… situation.”

Jen rolled her eyes. “I can’t wait to hear this one.” 

“Jen, please. We’ve agreed and we think this is the best solution.”  Luke spoke softly.

“We’re going to start by moving both of you up to the main house.” Taylor finished.

“But-“ Becky began to protest.

“I’m going to move back up there too.” Zac replied. “We won’t get to share a room, but I’ll be right next door.” He smiled.

Becky nodded reluctantly.

“And we’re going to make a rule that neither of you go out alone. One of us has to be with you at all times. And you’re both to be in by 11pm, no later.” Taylor stated sternly.

Jen’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“And starting when Isaac and Christy get back, we’re going to hire a bodyguard. Who will go with us to LA, where we’ll be recording the next album. And if we see fit, we’ll re-evaluate this plan-“

Jen shook her head and pushed herself up from the sofa, storming out of the room and out the front door.

Luke moved to go after her, but Taylor was faster to his feet. “I’ll go. There’s no reason she should be pissed at you. Besides, she’s already pissed off at me.”

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“Jen, wait up.” Taylor jogged up the hill close behind her as she fled towards the house. He caught her arm, and she sat down immediately on the hill, causing him to nearly fall over her.

He sighed heavily and sat next to her. “Jen, there is no other option.”

“This sucks! Taylor, you have some huge guy follow you around everywhere and see how you like it, okay? You try being stuck in the house all of the time. I’m nineteen! I want to go out and have fun like a normal nineteen year old and I can’t even do that because there’s some whack jobs out there who-“

“Jen,” He interrupted. “I know it sucks. I would rather have you be safe at home and miserable than being hurt someplace, or worse.”

“Damn you and your stupid fan base.” She sighed.

“Yeah, I know.” He shrugged. “But at least we’re leaving for LA in a couple of weeks to record the new album.”

“Yeah, not that I’ll get to see LA.” She retorted.

“We’ll try to accommodate you.” He chuckled. “But right now, I think Luke is waiting for an explanation back there.”

“Right. I’ll give you twenty dollars if you do it for me.”

Taylor laughed. “No way. I already did enough explaining today.” Taylor got to his feet and pulled her to hers.

“Crap.”

“Just talk it over, he’ll understand. He’s crazy about you.”

This brought a smile to her face. “Fine.”

 

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