Manage Me (Taven's Circus Book 1) Read online

  And that fuck me smirk is back. My lower stomach clenches and I feel my panties dampen. He starts to lean forward, my body trembles. Fuck, I am putty in his hands. Luckily the elevator comes to a stop and the doors slide open. Jaden has stopped moving forward, drops my chin, and steps backwards out of the elevator. Winking he turns away towards the flat black motorcycle with Ducati scrawled across the gas tank. Jaden slips on the black leather jacket that is draped across the seat, then puts on his helmet. Just as he throws his leg over, and the bike roars to life, the elevator doors start to close.

  "Shit!" I dive forward trying to hit the open doors button but miss and the elevator starts to rise. "Ugh! Damn it!" And what the hell was that? Was he about to kiss me? I know I decided to try to make friends but where the hell did he get off thinking he could kiss me? Not that I fought him off or anything but still they didn't even know each other. Since I was fully absorbed in my mental tirade, I forgot to push the button to go back down and the elevator was heading back up the building.

  20 minutes later, I make it back to the garage floor and actually step out this time. The intimidating black motorcycle and its rider are nowhere to be found. Digging around in my Louis for my keys and I smile down at the fob. This car was the first thing I bought with my inheritance when it kicked in on my 21st birthday this year.

  Walking around the corner and the beautiful electric blue Tesla S convertible came into view. I had the color custom done so I had only just picked it up a week ago. Opening the door and sliding into the buttery white leather seat I took a deep breath, grinned even more. I absolutely loved my little blue Tesla. And not just because she goes from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds but she is also entirely electric, getting about 100 miles on a single charge. Turning the key, the engine roars to life, I hit the button that makes the top lower. I put on my super cute Gucci sunglasses and before starting to back out of the space.

  Chapter 4

  Jaden

  Okay, so I know it’s kind of creepy and stalker like but I tell myself I am being a gentlemen by making sure she got to her car safely. By parking my bike around a corner and hiding behind a SUV by the elevator. Then following her all the way to her car, and it’s a fucking impressive car at that. One would have to be blind to miss the excitement and pride on her face as she grinned like a teenager in love as she drove off.

  As I made my way back to my bike I tried coming up with a plan on what to do about Nell. I know that I pissed her off already but I was trying to help her save face. She looks like she just finished high school, how the hell was she supposed to be able to handle a bunch of drunken horny jackasses. I love my bandmates but we are all single and fucking rock stars, innocence has long since passed. But even more disturbing was the pull I felt towards her. I was a dirty old man at 26 but there was something about her. Christ, I'd almost kissed her in the elevator.

  I put my helmet back on and revved the motorcycles engine, peeling out of the parking garage. Heading towards my house, out of town in the Hollywood hills. I was excited to go home to Oregon for a few days. I'd get to see my nephew, whom I haven't seen enough of in the last few years. But every break I got I'd go home. I'd go watch him play whatever sport he was in at the time, I'd take him with me to rehearsals, and the whole family a box for every home town show. And despite being a bunch of disgusting pigs, everyone from the bands to the crew knew to keep it clean in when we were in Portland.

  Thinking about home made me thinking about how the boys and I met. Ryker, Finn, Ashton and I grew up together. Ryker, Finn, and I met on the first day of sixth grade. A huge kid was picking on Ryker, which escalated to him threatening Ryker with a broken nose if he didn't give the bully his Nirvana button that was pinned on his backpack. As I was a fan of the band too, I told the bully to fuck off and leave the kid alone. Ryker and I were both on the skinny, awkward side then but, shit who wasn't in middle school. We thought we got off lucky, as the bus pulled to a stop in front of the school. The bully, looked like he was in high school at least as he was twice our size put together, told us to meet him at the flag pole after school at 3pm. Before he stalked towards the front of the bus, shoving random kids back into their seat, the thumping down the steps.

  I looked at Ryker saying "Well shit we have to show up. If we don't, this will never end." Ryker just nodded.

  The wait for 3pm was miserable. I hadn't seen Ryker since we parted ways that morning and I was starting to worry that he took off. But when the final bell rang and I stepped out the doors, he was leaning cockily against the flag pole. Feeling slightly relieved I headed towards him, just as Finn, the bully, rounded the corner behind him. He must have noticed my gaze because he turned around to face Finn. There were kids everywhere but no one was paying attention to the three of us and Ryker, without a word, lunged for Finn, driving his fist right into Finns nose. Blood started gushing everywhere and Finn's tough guy persona dissipated as he dropped to his knees with a yell, and covered his bloody face. Girl started screaming and the busy area parted quickly.

  "Oh shit!" I cried and ran forward. Ryker looked shocked and a little scared but he lean forward to see if Finn was okay. We ended up hauling him to the nurses’ office, where she patched him up then turned to us.

  “What on earth happened to him?” she demanded.

  But before we could respond Finn jumped off the table and said, “I ran into the flag pole out front. We were goofing around, I was running while looking over my shoulder, I turned to look, and SMACK! Right into the pole.” And sends her the lady killer smile that he still uses to get pussy today. She smiles back at him then looks at both of us and we just nod in agreement. She lets us all go but says she will have to call and let Finn’s parents know that he was hurt on school grounds.

  We left the office, relieved we weren’t going to get into trouble, only to make it to the front doors.

  “Mr. James, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Frazier, my office.” Comes Principal Bell’s timbering voice. We each freeze in fear, eyes wide, and we look at each other, knowing we are dead. “NOW BOYS!”

  We jumped and scurried our asses into his office. We tell him our altered story then sit in horror when two teachers are called in that saw the whole thing. When asked why Ryker hit Finn, he says we were all just messing around. That he wasn’t trying to hurt him. Finn and I both agree, it’s us against them. Finn and I are both suspended for 2 days for lying. Ryker gets 2 days for lying and 3 for fighting.

  Our parents are called and when Ryker’s is unavailable my mom agrees to take him home. They send him with a letter to give to his dad besides the messages that they left on their answering machine. It turned out Ryker didn’t live that far from me and he had just moved to town over the summer. They lived on an overgrown lot in a rundown old house with several motorcycles parked in the driveway. When we pulled into the drive way the front door opened and a big burly guy stepped out folding his arms over his chest. He wore big boots, worn jeans, and a black tee shirt under a leather vest with several patches on the front. I looked to Ryker and he looks pale, his eyes were large, and he looked terrified. I didn’t understand it at the time but he was terrified of that man.

  Ryker slowly got out of the car, thanked my mom for the ride, and apologized for getting me into trouble. She looked surprised by that but just nodded at him. As she was turned around backing out I watched him walk up to the man on the front steps. The man grabbed Ryker by the hair and yanked him into the house. I started and tried to tell my mom but she wouldn’t let me talk, choosing that moment to start her rant at me about getting in trouble. After that day the three of us have nearly been inseparable ever since.

  Ashton seeped into the group our 8th grade year, when her family moved in next door to Finn. Sure, she was a girl but from day one she fit in. She liked to wear boys’ clothes that were 3 times her size. Her hair was dishwater blonde and she had big brown eyes that took up most of her small face back then. She never backed down from a dare and had a sharp wit that could verbally take anyon
e down. We all loved her like a sister but never had to deal with the stupid girl drama because she was one of the boys.

  I entering in the code for the gate, before gliding up the long driveway, and into the garage, I pull my helmet off and I decide a beer sounds like a great idea. I grab a Pitch Black IPA. Hey I was breed and born in Portland, good beer runs through a Portlanders DNA. Well beer and coffee. I had to special order my beer from Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. as it can't be found anywhere in L.A.

  Chapter 5

  Nell

  Two days to get everything in my life settled and head out. Finished with my packing, I walk across the hall to my roommate’s doorway. Gemma and I have been roommates since freshmen year at Berkley. She moved to the States from London just to go to Berkley's prestigious photography and videography programs. And did I mention that she a gorgeous? With big blue eyes, lots of mahogany colored hair, and the most stunning cappuccino colored skin. She could easily be a super model except she was only 5"2. But she made up for her height with her huge personality.

  As the tour manager I decided that it would be beneficial to take Gem along with us. She could take photos at the concerts, keep the Toven's Circus website updated with videos and pictures from the shows. Maybe we could produce a video with behind the scenes footage, interviews, and the live shows.

  I knew I would need to talk to the band about it but wanted to ask Gemma about her schedule for the next few months. I knock on the doorjamb and poke my head in, Gemma is sitting at her desk editing pictures on her Mac. The picture on the screen is a black and grey close up of a stunning bride. Her veil over her face is blurred but her face is crisp, her bouquet is tilted towards her face, like she is smelling them, and she is smiling showing a deep dimple in her cheek.

  "Wow, that's a beautiful shot." I say, flopping on her bed. Gemma swivels around in her chair grinning.

  "It's easy when the bride is so stunning."

  "Hmm, speaking of stunning. I met a stunning asshole of a fuckwit today." I toss out causes Gemma to chortle.

  "Oh really? Was this a stunning female fuckwit or male fuckwit?"

  Smirking I say, "Oh definitely a male fuckwit"

  "And who was this beautiful male you had the privilege of meeting today?" Full on chuckling was happening now. Chewing my lip instead of responding causes Gemma left eyebrow to perk up. "Why'd you bring it up if you were going to tell me?"

  "Jaden James." I spit out then worry my lip some more. Which of course reminds me of Jayden's lips hovering close to mine.

  "Blow Me, Jaden James? Really?! I’d love to snog with his stonking cock, I would. Blimey, I'm right jealous, yeah I think that’s this feeling. You know right in here," she's pointing to her chest. “Hold it, why did you call him a fuckwit? Mmm what I wouldn't like to fu,"

  "Beeeecause of his reaction to me being their new tour manager. He didn’t want me because I am a chick, he thinks I'm too innocent to hack it with a bunch of crass boys."

  "Bloody hell!" She screeches, jumping out of her chair, and tackling me. "Toven's Circus! You are the new bloody tour manager for fucking Toven's Circus!?" She is now shaking me by the shoulders.

  "Oh my god get off!" I gasp through my laughter. She straddles and sits on my stomach pinning me beneath her. She's stopped shaking me but is now glaring.

  "Bitch! I bloody hate you so much sometimes." She grumbles.

  "Well fine, I won't ask you to come along on the tour then." I try my hardest to keep a straight face but she starts screaming and bouncing again, making me nearly pee myself.

  "Agh stoooop!" Laughing and gasping as she acts a complete fool.

  Pausing she says seriously "Are you pulling my tits?"

  Now she's made me snort, "Uh, I don't think so?" I say holding my hands up in surrender.

  "Are you joking with me?" She sighs at my ignorant Americaness.

  Sobering up, I look her dead in the face. "Technically I still need to talk to the band about it but as the tour manager it is well within my right to make this decision."

  "Eeee!" She cries and starts bouncing again before jumping up off of me, to race in a circle around the room, then stops with a panicked look, "What do I need to do?"

  Sitting up with a snicker "At the moment nothing. We are doing a two week trial period to see if I can "hack it" (yes air quotes, don't judge me) with the boys. The only problem I foresee happening is not getting along with that egotistical ass Jaden." Gem is looking at me with a huge smile. "I am also thinking that it would be good to get some footage at the Portland show, as it is their home town and will be more enthusiastic. So why don't you fly up the day of the show on Saturday. Bring everything you will need and the label will pay for everything."

  "I do have a wedding to shoot on Sunday but I can fly back in the morning."

  "Perfect! And the band will get to meet you and see that you’re not some scary reporter trying to dig up some dirt. Plan for being on the tour full time in a couple weeks." With a wink, I head out the door.

  ~***********************************************~

  Thursday afternoon came up quick and I am meandering around the apartment making sure I didn't forget anything. Walking into the music room, I take in the smell of Murphy's wood oil. A full size black grand piano sits in the middle of the room and about 30 violins, violas, and fiddles hang on the back wall. Several guitars, both electric and acoustic, hang along the right wall and a majestic cello resides in the corner. Many would say I have a God given gift with music.

  Despite my father having worked with some of the biggest names on the music industry, Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Brahms, Stravinsky, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Debussy were ingrained into every pour and fibber of my being. I wanted to bring a violin with me one the tour, so I could have an outlet when I needed one. I grab the one my father had specially made for my 16th birthday, it is a 5 string 4/4 Höfner, in a glittery raspberry pink. It was the most girly ridiculous violin ever but I absolutely love it, my Lil’ Ella.

  Packing the violin and bow away in a black case, I take a deep breath. Why does it feel like I'm about to face the firing squad. And why can I not thinking about that moment in the elevator? Was Jaden really interested in me or was he simply trying to get under my skin to prove that he was right. Well screw him, two can play at that game. Grabbing the handle of my Louis Vuitton suitcase, I swing the shoulder strap of my sapphire blue LV Eden bag over my head, check that I have my iPad and iPhone and head out the door.

  Chapter 6

  Jaden

  I dig out my driver’s license and hand it over to the security guard at the entrance to the secure storage lot. When the band is on tour we keep our cars and bikes safe here instead of leaving them at home. I shove my ID into my pocket and slowly bring my bike over to the two enormous black tour buses. Each bus is fitted with a cargo trailer and a few roadies are loading all of our equipment into them. I stop my bike next the side of one of the trailers, since it's been decided that we will be bringing both Ashton and my bikes with us.

  Climbing off, I spot the blue Tesla that Nell drives, making my stomach flutter with nerves. Over the last two days I've only thought about her a half million times. So what if it was while first thing in the morning while I stroked myself, and then again when I was in the shower, and maybe once when I was on a date with a hot red head. She’s sexy but Nell legs were better. How bad did I want to run my tongue all the way up her inseam until I reached her soft center? I wanted to know what her pussy smelled like and wanted her flavor on my tongue ...Damn it, shaking my head, I try to clear away my wayward thoughts.

  "Hey Rock Star, are you going to help or just sit there looking confused all day?" Nell's raspy voice floats over to me as she pokes her head around the side of the trailer and sending me a huge grin. Her scent drifts over and punches me right in the balls causing the half chub I had growing to harden a bit faster.

  “I’ll be right there, I have to do a couple things to the bike since its going with us.” I lie hoping
that she doesn’t know anything about motorcycles, so I can buy myself a minute to control on my growing chod.

  Her eyebrow quirks up and rolls her eyes, “Ookay.” She says and goes back to work.

  Fuck she must know all I need to do is turn off the fuel line. Getting off my bike I adjust my junk as best as possible and make my way around the trailer to help. Turning to ask Nell if there is a specific order, I stop to gape. Nell is lightheartedly skipping out of the trailer. Short light grey tweed shorts display miles of tan legs. She had one other pair of black strappy sandals but these were flat like Romans shoes. But what really made me want to drool was the simple black t-shirt that stops short exposing her belly button, and the short sleeves that flaunt the tattoos that covered every inch of both arms.

  Looking at her the other day in her work clothes, I never would have guessed that most of her upper body was covered with ink. Her right arm is delicately decorated with a black lace pattern with bright colored realistic roses, a gypsy sugar skull, and butterflies. Beautiful black and grey waves peak out her left side where her skin is left exposed. Her left sleeve is an octopus and jellyfish in a bright watercolor design with very little outline. A steampunk owl wearing a top hat and monocle carrying an old book in its claws is perched on my right thigh. My eyes eat away at her miles of exposed skin and I just want to stripe off the rest of her clothes and see what is underneath.