Falling Down(98)

"Digits exchanged."
"Yep," I say. "I'll give you a call tomorrow and let you know what's up and we can discuss whatever we should be doing and all that."
She laughs as she grabs her purse.
"Cage, it's been a pleasure."
He chuckles. "You're not rid of me just yet. I'm their acting manager for their first album and tour."
She raises her eyebrows. "No kidding. Lucky you," she says to me and Sera.
"Right?"
"I'm outta here. Talk to you tomorrow."
Jesse wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Why did you pick her?"
I shrug. "Instinct. She wasn't intimidated by me or you. Did you notice she didn't fangirl all over you? Sure she looked her fill but she didn't even ask for an introduction or autograph. She knows her shit, I could tell by the spread of folders she has out there, so I took a chance."
Jesse nods.
"Alright people," Cage says quieting everyone down. "The press conference went amazingly well. Great job Lucy. And Jesse, your filling in the rest of Lucy's story was perfect. Now we work on song choices and practicing together, getting comfortable with one another, and a week from Monday we record. I'd like to get your album out as soon as possible and get you on tour in the next three months."
"Whoa," Trace says. "Fuckin' cool."
I blow out a breath. "It's moving fast but this is good. If we move slowly I'll have too much time to think and go into panic mode."
Cage nods. "I know. Don't worry, Lucy. I've got everything planned out and I think you'll be pleased with the results."
"I have no doubt."
Meggie bounces on her feet. "You're Cage f*cking Nichols, of course we'll be pleased."
He just smiles, never one to get a big head over compliments.
"We're staying at Casa Falling Down," Jace tells him, "and the guys said we could use their studio."
"Good, that's more convenient."
"If you need us, that's where we'll be," Sera tells Cage running her tongue over her teeth.
"Alright. I'll be in touch. Stay out of trouble and out of the media if you can."
"Right," I say. "Now that they know Jesse and I are involved, they're going to be all over us."
He shrugs. "It'll die down when someone else does something gossip-worthy. Until then, play it cool but have fun."
"Okay. I'll call you tomorrow about the contracts. Irene got back to me earlier."
Cage nods. "Sounds good. Have a good day." He runs a hand over Sera's ass before he strides to the black elevators and promptly disappears.
"Oooh, the black elevator," I murmur.
"Do you think he's Batman?" Meggie asks.
I want to laugh but I can't.
"You know, I could see that," Ben says.
We all agree. Cage Nichols is Batman. Well, he certainly is one of my heroes.
"Let's go home," Jesse says steering me toward the door. "Your parents are coming over."
I groan. "Jesseeeee."
"If you're whining over that you're really going to whine when I tell you Joey's coming too."
"Awww, damn it."
"All you need is a foot stomp to complete that temper tantrum," Meggie says.
"Do it and you'll be in trouble and you'll deserve a spanking."
I immediately stomp my feet. In fact, I stomp all the way out to the limo with Jesse laughing behind me.




Chapter Seventeen
Lucy
"I think your mom likes me," Jesse says with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
"That's only because you and Ben made your amazing spaghetti and we're freaking Italian. If you can cook Italian dishes like a God, it's going to get you in her good graces," I tell him.