Chapter 21: Chapter Twenty

It was Saturday, which meant no work and sleeping in. I pride myself in being an early riser but after coming home around midnight from the fair there was no way I was waking up earlier than I had to.

Blinking awake, the first thing I see is Layla's sleeping face across the room. I'd give it to her; she could definitely hang. We got home around midnight and I was exhausted and ready to crash, but Layla had the energy of an energizer bunny.

That was the last time I let her drink two large containers of Pepsi and eat two rolls of cotton candy.

Drew had been amazing last night. Once Layla left us we were stopped a few times once people recognized Drew and demanded selfies, autographs, and videos for their snapchat.

His fanbase was entirely girls. It didn't bother me before when I thought they were just fourteen-year-olds like Layla but they ranged from all ages, mostly ones closer to Drew's. And they were all stunning. All long legs and perky breasts. All silky hair and pouty lips. I knew Drew wasn't interested in them but I wasn't crazy enough to believe he didn't notice how gorgeous they all were and how in love they were with him.

This was what he'd go back to once the summer was over and we'd gone our separate ways. With me out of the picture, all those girls would be his for the picking. He could have any and all those girls once I'm gone.

Our eyes would lock during each break in between pictures and autographs and he would wink or smile at me and I had to remind myself that he was here with me. That he chose me. Even if it was just for the summer.

A yawn escapes my lips and I decide not to dwell in my own thoughts anymore. I need to talk to Celine and I didn't want to waste anymore time. I fling the covers off me and slip into my ugg boots. I wash my face and brush my teeth before heading into the kitchen where I find Celine sitting at the dining room table eating an apple.

"The two of you got in late. I'm surprised you're up."

I need to tell her about Drew. His Back-To School- beach performance was this afternoon and he would come over to pick me up. The first time they met she was wasted so I wasn't entirely sure if she knew Drew was my knight and shining armor that night or just a really nice boss.

"We need to talk." I grab an apple from the fruit bowl and stand in front of her.

She stopped chewing. "You better not tell me you got fired."

I roll my eyes. "No. I didn't get fired."

"Are you pregnant?"

"No!" I exclaimed, horrified at the very idea. I was not ready for kids.

"Oh. Good." She presses her lips together. "What is it?"

"Do you remember the night you got arrested for the DUI?" I start and Celine frowns.

"Yeah, I remember."

I bite my lip, not sure I like that she did or not.      "Well you remember the guy I was with? The guy that drove me to the jail and paid your bail?"

"Vaguely. But continue." Celine takes another bite of her apple, this time a big one.

"Well he's the owner of the house that you worked at, the owner of the house I currently work in. My boss. We're... dating." I confess.

"Are you serious?" She asks, her mouth full of apple bits.

"Yeah. We've been dating for a few weeks now and he's going to show up in a few hours to pick me up to go to his concert."

That caught her attention. "He's taking you to his concert?"

I nod my head and Celine takes another bite of her apple and chews slowly. "I don't think that's a smart idea."

I wasn't expecting her to care. "Why not?"

Celine sits her half-eaten apple down on the counter before facing me. "Mia, until Drew you've never dated anyone before. His world isn't something you're ready to be a part of. Guys like him don't date girls like us. I know I'm the last person that should be giving relationship advice, but listen to your momma baby when I tell you-you should break it off before you fall in love with him."

I want to argue but how can I? She's right. She's only telling me what I already fear. "It's too late... I love him." I whisper.

Celine drops her gaze to the apple then bring it back to me before she takes a step forward. "Then baby," She says to me. "Get ready to feel pain like you've never known before." Then she kisses my forehead, picks up the apple and walks away.

She didn't approve and that's okay. It's my life, my choice, and my decision to continue on with this, and if that meant being heartbroken in the end, then I was okay with that too. Because Drew was worth it.

***

Seeing how happy Drew was to have me with him at his concert made me believe that Celine could be wrong. I could have the happy ending with Drew. He didn't tell me how he feels but when he looks at me and I see his face lights up whenever we're together I can't help but think maybe he feels the same.

"You look beautiful today." He compliments me with a kiss on the cheek.

I did put a lot of thought into my look today wanting to look my best to be seen with Drew and knowing that he thought I look beautiful made me feel good that my hard work didn't go to unnoticed.

"Thank you." I smile. "And you... you will definitely be starring in a few girls dreams tonight."   He was dressed in his signature plain black tee with jeans and gold Timberland boots. As we continued to walk behind the makeshift backstage set up to give him privacy his gold necklace swung around his neck and the mic he had connected to his ear bounce.

"The only girl's dreams I want to star in our yours." He winks.

"That won't be hard." He chuckles and squeezes my sides.

I watched as different people swarmed around him including Evan who I hadn't seen since the misunderstanding with Jessica. They were multiple conversations and voices- so much that I hadn't understood any of it. But feeling the intensity and seeing Drew at work as he ordered everyone around was exciting.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Drew asks as he fixes his mic.

"Seeing you take charge... it's kinda hot." I admit.

He groans in response before pulling me to him, his lips hovered over mine. "You like me bossy huh?" He smirks.

"Maybe." I grin.

"I'll remember that." Drew winks at me before erasing the distance between our lips and kisses me.

"More time for that later." Evan's voice cuts in. "We're ready for you on stage."

Drew breaks the kiss to stare at his manager. "I'm coming." He tells Evan before turning his attention back to me. "Are you going to be okay backstage?"

"I'll be fine. I'm excited to see you in your element."

"I'm happy you're here."

"Me too." I smile.

"Drew." Evan is heard warning.

"Go kill it." I tell him. Drew leans down and gives me a sweet peck on the lips before he walks off with Evan leading the way. I wait a few seconds before marching up the steps that lead up the stage and watched in the background as he performed.

I've never seen anything like it before. The crowd... there had to be hundreds of people in the audience and they were all here to see Drew. I could tell he was feeding off the fans energy because the second Drew walked on stage he was filled with so much excitement. The smile on his face was nothing like I'd ever seen. This was what he loved to do. What he was born to do. On stage in front of a live audience, he was home.

The concert continued and I watched in complete awe as Drew continued to captivate not only his fans but me as well.

"You were amazing!" I squeal as I jump on him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Thank you!" Drew squeezes me to him even tighter. I didn't even care that I was now covered in his sweat. "It helped to know you were watching. I was trying to impress you."

"I'm very impressed," I admit. But it was more than his voice and his ability to play the guitar. It was his stage presence. It was how with every performance he gave it everything he had and held nothing back.

"So now will you be hanging my posters on your wall? I have a couple signed that I plan to give out..."

I shake my head. "Layla has enough for the both of us." I laugh.

"Drew!" Evan calls out, making his way towards us. "Awesome performance! But now we need to get you ready for the meet and greet. Let's go."

"I promise I won't take long." Drew tells me.

"I'll stay with her while you do the signing." Evan surprises me by saying.

Drew smiles, pleased by the idea. "Thanks, man." Drew pats Evan on the back before walking off.

"It's not gonna last long," Evan tells me the second Drew is out of earshot. I look at him waiting for him to continue. "You and Drew." He clarifies.

"Why are you so against us?" I demand.

"You think you're the first girl he's spent the summer with?" He pauses but doesn't wait for me to reply. "You're his maid," His dark eyes raked over my body. "But I have to admit you did last longer than the others... Guess you're not as easy as I thought you'd be." Evan smirks at me and without thinking I bring my hand out and bring it to his cheek.

"Asshole!" I scream at him which causes everyone to stop what they're doing and stare at me. Unlike Drew's birthday party though, I didn't care.

"You bi-" Evan raises his hand to strike me back but before he can, a hand stops him.

"What the fuck is going on?" Drew demands, looking between Evan and I while also holding onto Evan's arm.

"She slapped me." Evan tells him.

"After he confessed that he thought I lasted longer than he thought I would before we slept together." I glare at Evan.

"You have no right to talk to Mia that way Evan. None. You were way out of line." Drew scolds him, finally letting his hand drop.

"I'm just telling her the truth. Don't fill her head up with pretty lies that this is gonna go somewhere when you both know you're gonna make me organize a little farewell gift and send her away." Evan says.     "Just like you do with all the other ones."

"Mia isn't like the other ones. She's my girlfriend. I love her and you will not talk to her any way you feel like." Drew threatens in a dark tone. "Apologize to her if you want to keep your fucking job."

Evan and I stared at Drew in disbelief. Both for different reasons.

He said he loves me and I don't even think he realized it.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" Drew said angrily.

Reluctantly Evan turned his gaze over to me and I could see how much he hated me and how apologizing was the last thing he would rather do right now.

"I'm sorry." He spoke through gritted teeth. I pressed my lips together, not believing or accepting his half-ass apology but I no longer wanted to be bothered by him.

"Whatever," I reply and Evan walked away without another word.

"Are you okay?" Drew turned to me, cupping my face with both his hands while his dark eyes scanned for any injuries.

"I'm fine." I smile softly.

"You sure?" His hands slid from my face and rested itself on my hips.

"Yes." I reassure him and he relaxes slightly, seemingly believing me. "So you love me huh?" I raised a brow at him. I was stunned when he said the three words so effortlessly.

"I know we both wanted to take this slow but, I've never felt this way about anyone before. I love you Mia."

I looked at Drew then. Took in every flawless feature that made him up. To the fullness of his lips to his warm brown eyes. It wasn't his beauty that attracted me to him, that made me love him. It was his heart. The way he stopped to talk to Nalani the day at the park, the night he came rushing to my side when I needed him the most no questions asked, the way he knew without asking why I don't drink. The way he treated Layla. And the way he loves his fans.      That is why I love Drew and he needed to know.

"I love you too."

"Let's get out of here so I can show you how much." Drew replies with a wicked smile.

He loves me.

I believe it when he pulls me in his arms and kisses me. I believe it when he pulls away to stare into my eyes. I believe it when he wraps his arms around me and holds me close.

As I stand there with my arms wrapped around his waist and my head laying against his chest, Celine words ring in my head about the pain I knew was going to endure once Drew decided I wasn't what he wanted anymore. But I didn't care. I didn't care about anything except that I love Drew and he loves me back.