For Him (G)

The next time I saw a Paparazzi, I was gonna chuck a pebble at them. I wouldn’t throw it in the middle of the crowd—the last thing I wanted was an assault charge. But if I aimed for something behind them, then it’d just be bad luck when I smacked one of those bastards in the head. And I wouldn’t feel bad for it, either. That’d be what they deserved for messing with my Jasper.

My boyfriend wasn’t really one to ask for help. When we went shopping, he always held the bags—no matter how heavy they were. When we’d gone to eat, he paid, even though I totally could with my money. But I knew he would let me if I really asked. I just loved how happy it made him to take care of me. That’s what made him so sweet. And adorable. And sexy. . .

Wait, what was I thinking about?

The paparazzi going after my boyfriend. Ah, right. Casting a longing look at my editing software, I closed it.

Hold on, why would they be after him?

Opening a browser, I looked up Jasper’s name. I didn’t know what I was expecting. Maybe another blog about how he wasn’t ‘good enough’ for me and how the writer would be ‘a million times better’—like some brat whining about being single was a better fit somehow. I mean, TT’s Tea just gave blogger vibes, so it was probably a good place to start.

Oh god. . .

It took me a solid minute to get past the sheer shock of what they had on him. Who even knew him well enough to have this data? I didn’t even know some of this stuff. Then I saw the address and fucking lost it. What kind of ingrate no-life asshat would be so obsessed to put my boyfriend’s location out for other perverted dipshits to see?! If I ever got my hands on the one responsible, we’d both end up in prison.

Focus, Gracie. The important thing was to make sure he was alright.

He answered on the first ring. “Grace? You okay?”

I was appalled. “Are you?”

“I asked first, Sky.”

“I’m fine.” My anger could wait. This was about him. “I’m so sorry, Jasper.”

“It isn’t your fault, Grace.”

“I know,” I said, “but this whole thing is—”

“Dancer.”

It was the first nickname he’d ever given me. He’d said I’d reminded him of a performer: entrancing, brilliant, dazzling. It’d made me blush so hard that he’d agreed only to use it when he was serious. But that meant that he was serious. This was serious.

“I’m okay,” he said after a pause. “Just. . . trying to make sure I’m doing the whole ‘communication’ thing right.”

He really was amazing. Something this awful happens because of me and he’s acting like it’s all okay. Well, technically it was my ‘fans’, but they wouldn’t be doing it if I weren’t as famous. But if Jasper were here now, he’d argue that I’m not responsible for the actions they took. How could he say that when his place was put in jeopardy because of my job? His place...

“Jasper?” I asked. “I know you wanted to just come for a few days, but do you want to just live with me for a while?”

He chuckled. “Moving awfully fast, are we? Maybe we should just get the invitations ready now.”

No way was he going to have me sputtering. “Only if you’re making them, hot stuff.”

His voice deepened. “Keep talking like that and I’ll make more than that for you.”

“Great!” I said cheerily. “You can make dinner!”

“Wait—”

But I wasn’t gonna give him an opening. “I’ll have the stuff all ready for you! Love you!”

It wasn’t often that I got one up on Jasper, so I cherished my victory as I got everything ready. First was the food. He was a surprisingly willing cook, but I doubted he’d want to do anything big after today. Granted, we’d eaten together earlier, but I thought it would do both of us some good to see him in the kitchen. Nothing relaxed him more than practicing his culinary skills. And nothing got me more than his smile.

My mind wandered as I went through the rest of the list. We’d made a fort with these extra blankets once. We’d called it Fort Grasper, spending hours inside it watching movies before finally taking it down that night. Now that the blankets were on the bed, it looked even more comfy than normal. I had a couch, but we were adults, so I knew we could handle ourselves without it. Plus, Jasper was a cuddler, so there was a chance I’d wake up nestled in his embrace.

A girl can hope.

God, why did this have to happen? We’d been so good since he’d finally asked me out—the best month of my life, in fact. And now that peace was torn to shreds in a flash of film. Oh, that was a good line. I could use that. . .

How awful was I for thinking about work at a time like this? I should be considering ways to help him. But he always said my music was a balm to any chaos. Should I write him a song? No, that would keep the spotlight on him even longer. I wished I could do something about it all. Grab those jerks and make them leave us alone! But it was best to lay low until it all died down. I may have been newer to the industry, but I knew that much.

I just wanted him to hold me in his arms, cloaking me from the world and all its cruelty. Was I selfish for wishing so? He often said I comforted him in ways no one else could. I was the night Sky lighting up his darkest days, the star of his life. Would that view be clouded because of a stranger’s twisted ideas? When all this was over, did I remain his everything?

Would I still be his light?