October 2020
It didn't feel like eleven years since she first met Big Time Rush. Although they didn't remain a band for long, Harlow and Christon still kept in touch and they would see the group every once in a while. They were all pretty young back in 2009, even mentally at times. The memories of the group would flood through Harlow's mind as she sat there at her desk job in New York. Her zoned out look was always a dead giveaway that she wasn't there mentally.
"Harlow, can you come back to earth for a bit," her boss, Derek said, snapping his fingers in front of her. "I was asking you if you could interview Christon Michaels."
Harlow blinked. "Interview her? I live with her."
Derek stared at her blankly as if he didn't believe her. "Yeah sure. We need this interview by the end of the week. Think you can stay on earth long enough for that?"
"Yes, sir," she said, rolling her eyes as he turned his back to her and walked off with a shake of his head.
She wasn't lying. She did live with Christon, but only when she was in town long enough to actually be present. Harlow let out a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair. In a way she was tired of this job. Being a reporter wasn't on her bucket list of jobs.
It was the end of her shift, so she gathered her things and headed out the door. Harlow pulled out her phone and found Christon's number and pushed the call button.
"Harley! How are you?" Christon's cheerful voice sang. "I only have a few minutes, but what ya need?"
"I've been assigned to interview you," Harlow said quickly. "Any way you'd be free before the end of the week?"
"Ugh, you're still working for that jerk, Derek? You know he likes to twist the truth and make people look bad. He did that to James once," Christon sighed. "But yeah, I'm free tomorrow. I'm actually in town for a concert. I'll send you a VIP pass. I miss you coming to my shows."
"Me too. But I need a job and money. Got bills to pay," Harlow said, walking down the street to a restaurant she always stopped at on her way home to work.
"I've told you to come work for me," Christon said. "You'd have more fun and the pay would be better."
"I couldn't take money from you," Harlow argued. "And you know this."
"You wouldn't be. You'd be taking money from my producer. There's a difference," Christon laughed. "And anyway, he likes you."
"He creeps me out, though," Harlow made a face. "He tried making a move on me. You need to get a new producer, Christ."
"He's a great producer slash agent. He gets me the best gigs in the best places," Christon giggled.
Harlow rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty sure he gets it illegally in some way. Pays his way through sex of something."
"You think the worst of him," Christon said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Maybe I'm just paranoid," Harlow said, trying to change her friend's mood. "Anyway, what time are you available tomorrow?"
"Lunch time. I'll meet you at the park. We can grab some grub," Christon's cheerful voice said. "I can't wait to see you! It's been a while."
"I'm looking forward to it," Harlow said, with a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow!"
After saying goodbye, she entered her favorite restaurant. The owner gave her a bright smile and handed her what she usually ordered.
"I was wondering when you'd come in today," he said, a big smile on his face. "It's on the house, dear. You work too hard for that jerk of a reporter. You should take your friend's offer and work for her. I love the songs you write. When can you come here and sing again with your beautiful voice? Some regulars have been asking about you."
Harlow smiled. "Soon perhaps. And I work for Derek because it was the only job I wanted to do that involved writing."
"There's other jobs out there that involve writing, dear," the owner said patting her hand. "It's called working for your super star friend and becoming her full time writer. Why don't you come in tonight and play?"
"Hmm, I don't know, Butch," Harlow said, playing with the bag he put her food in. "I have an interview with Christon to prepare for."
"What's to prepare for? You two are practically sisters," he laughed. "Please? For me and your local fans? I'll pay you double."
Harlow's eyes widened. "Butch, you can't afford to pay me double. I'll do it, only if you promise the usual payment and throw in a free meal for my homeless friend that sits outside across the street"
"You got yourself a deal, my dear," Butch grinned from ear to ear and shook her hand. "You're such a selfless young lady, brings tears to my eyes."
Harlow shook her head with a smile and left. Now to figure out what songs to sing. She hadn't been writing songs for Christon lately, but she had a song she had been working on for a while and decided she would try to finish it before she played that night. Harlow rented a small apartment building above her favorite restaurant. Everything being in walking distance for her was easy. She was never late for work either.
Once she got to her apartment room, her cat, Rico, greeted her. She fed him and worked on her song. Getting lost in the music, she wrote three more within the hours she had left before she had to play. She sent Christon a text letting her know about her sudden gig and how many times she's played at the restaurant.
"I wish I could be there and watch youplay! It's been so long since I've heard you sing," Christon texted back. "Maybe I'll send over a surprise person to hear in my place!"
Harlow arched an eyebrow and wondered who that surprise person could be. Would it be someone they both knew? Or maybe someone who worked with Christon in her band?
Harlow grabbed her guitar and song book and headed to the restaurant. Hoping it would be a small crowd, she was wrong. The restaurant was packed with regulars and family members and friends of regulars. Butch greeted her with a wide smile.
"I packed the house for you," Butch said. "They paid an admission fee to see you."
"Butch, you didn't need to do that," Harlow said, embarrassed. "The few regulars would've been fine. And you didn't need to charge them."
"Yes well, I wanted to pay you more than you're worth. And you are worth more than the regular price I've paid," Butch said handing her and envelope. "Please, take this and don't fuss or you'll hurt my feelings."
Harlow teared up, took the envelope and hugged the old man. "You've been a true blessing in my life."
"And you've been like a daughter to me," Butch said, returning her hug. "Go out there and have fun, dear."
Harlow smiled and walked up onto the makeshift stage and got set up. A little girl tugged on her pant leg.
"Can you sing a special for me?" the little girl asked. "My daddy is in the military and he's been gone for two months. Could you sing a song that honors them?"
Harlow smiled and patted the girl's head. "I have just the song for that, sweetie."
The little girl smiled and giggled back to her mother. When Harlow got everything set up, she sat on a stool and faced the large crowd, nervously. Her hands shook as she cleared her throat.
"Welcome everyone," she said crystal clear into the mic. "Thank you all for coming! Don't forget to try the burgers. They're the best in town! Let's get started."
The room applauded as she began to strum on her emerald green guitar, a soft beautiful melody. Once she sang, it felt like everyone in the room had disappeared but Butch. She looked at the smiling old man who held pride in his eyes and she returned his smile as she sang. Her eyes shifted into the crowd at the front where the door was. Someone with a familiar face sat there with a handsome smile on his face. Was that James?
Two hours later Harlow had finished up. She received some tips in a jar Butch had set up for her. The tips plus the pay she got to perform was more than enough for her to pay all of her bills. After everyone spoke to her and praised her for her awesome performance, the person that caught her eye in the front of the restaurant tapped on her.
"The length of time I've known you, I didn't know you could play and sing," he said with a chuckle.
Harlow turned to face James Maslow, former band member of Big Time Rush. She dropped her microphone and it rolled off the stage and under a table. James grabbed it quickly and handed it to her.
"James!" Harlow said, surprise clearly in her voice. "It's been so long… how did you know I was here?"
"A little bird told me you were singing here tonight and sent me in her place," James said with a wink.
He rubbed her rosy cheek with his thumb and looked at her the same way he did when they first met. "How've you been?"
Harlow moved away from his touch and packed up her guitar. "I've been pretty good. I have a decent paying job, a small apartment, and I'm just living my life. How about you? What have you been up too since we last spoke?"
James shrugged. "Not much really. Modelling…"
"You're a model?" Harlow looked at him quickly. "You're not doing music anymore?"
"Yes and no about the music, yes about the modelling," he laughed. "You should come by the studio during a shoot and check me… I mean, check it out."
Harlow arched an eyebrow. "I'm not interested in seeing a modelling show."
James clasped his hands together and stuck out his bottom lip. "Please? For me? Be my support?"
She rolled her eyes and picked up her guitar case and walked towards the door, James trailing behind her with her other belongings. Why did he come here? Just to get her to go to his modelling shoot?
"Please? I'll treat you to dinner," he said, his light brown eyes pleading. "Just one photo shoot, that's all I ask."
Harlow stopped walking and turned to face him. "Once… then don't ask me again. Why did you come here exactly? The real reason."
"I wanted to see you," he smiled handsomely, his eyes dancing. "I've missed you. And I told the guys I'd update them on how you're doing. We want to make sure our girl is doing good."
Harlow couldn't help but smile at this comment. She always had a soft stop for the others but for some reason James made her feel certain ways she couldn't explain or understand and it annoyed her so much she couldn't help but be a little mean to him.
"Tell them I'm doing fine and I miss them," Harlow said, walking back to her apartment.
James followed silently behind her and up the stairs. Harlow leaned her guitar against the wall and unlocked her door and stepped in.
"Close the door behind you," she said, making her way through the living room to her bedroom.
James set Harlow's stuff down in the living room and looked around at everything. He smiled at a picture of Big Time Rush, Christon and Harlow in one group photo.
"I'm glad you still have this," he said as she came out of her bedroom.
"Those were good times and precious memories," she said smiling at the picture. "I have a whole photo album with all of us."
"Do you have one with just you and I?" James asked, still looking at the picture and avoiding eye contact.
"I don't recall ever taking one with just you and I, James," she said walking to the kitchen.
She felt his hand wrap around her waist and she looked up into his phone as he took a snapshot. He held on to her waist and put his phone up with a smirk.
"I'll send that to you later," he chuckled and looked at her.
She had a standoff-ish vibe about her and he just stood there with his hand on her waist. She arched an eyebrow and grabbed his hand to remove it, but he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it gently. He closed his eyes to take in the moment.
"James," she said, a catch in her throat as if she was trying to breath. "Don't you have somewhere to be? It's late."
He released her hand and looked at her. That same look he's been giving her for a while now. "Do you mind if I crash here tonight? I don't want to be alone in my hotel."
Harlow blinked with a pause but nodded slowly as she averted her gaze to the couch. "I'll get you set up I guess."
Once she was out of his view and in her room to get blankets, she placed her hand over her heart and took a deep breath and released it. Her heart was pounded at a rapid pace and her palms were sweaty.
"Why am I feeling so odd tonight with him around?" she thought to herself.
As she rejoined James in the living room, he had his shirt off and threw it on a chair nearby and they made eye contact. He grinned and grabbed the blankets as she just stared blankly at his bare chest.
"Are you okay, Harley?" he asked, waving a hand in front of her face.