Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing.

- John Erskine

Asher POV

"You need to back off." I snap out, glaring at Lucy.

She is getting on my last nerve, she's taking it way too far and this is so unacceptable behavior.

Lucy snorts. "You are unbelievable, do you know that? Do you know how important this is for us?" 

Laughing at what she said I sigh out. "There is no 'us' you are my manager, not my fucking wife!" I point out. "Stop this shit or else-"

"Or else what Asher? You are going to fire me, for some random girl?" She smirks smugly, standing tall like she owns the place.

I feel my patience snap from her words and stand up, glaring at her. "You're fired, get the fuck out of my house! " I snap out annoyed. "You've gone too far, I have you on camera for fuck sake Lucy!" I glare at her.

Lucy looks taken back but quickly composes herself as she smoothes down her dress. "You are going to regret making a fool of me Asher." She promises and I laugh. Okay, sure.

I watch her leave and every single bone in my body relaxes knowing she's out of my sight, not knowing how I'd react if she stayed and challenged me when I'm already not in the fucking mood from what I found out about her.

First, she calls me here for 'work' then she breaks into my home without my knowledge and goes through my shit, laying on my bed and trying my clothes on.

She's so fucking done with the music industry. 

If she does dare to threaten me I will let every musician and talent agency know just how she is, with proof from my private security cameras throughout my house that caught her in the act.

This isn't her first time either, so my security said, she's been sneaking in here for years.

It makes my fucking skin crawl, I trusted her, she was a good manager but.. this is beyond something I thought she was capable of.

I can't believe I had to leave Hailey for this shit, I'm so fucking mad.

This shit just gives me more reasons to relocate, I was serious when I mentioned I could work anywhere, and if I want me and Hailey to go further then it's what I need to do, I know it's soon but I know Hailey is the one for me.

I don't care what it takes, she knows how serious I am about her so this is what needs to happen, it would give me an excuse to finally get rid of this penthouse, I can't walk these halls knowing fucking Lucy has done god knows what inside my home with my shit.

What a disaster Lucy has been, five years of working with her, and I finally see her for what she is, I just can't believe it took me this long to figure her out. 

I need to speak to ring the agency and my lawyer, then a broker.

No time like the present, I'm sick of waiting.

*****

"Are you sure Ash? Moving to America.. what about your dear old mam?" My mother says dramatically as she pouts with a frown and crosses her arms.

Grinning I wipe the burger grease from my mouth. "Don't be daft, you have David." I hint at the chuckling man in the kitchen, also known as my stepdad David.

"Come on Millie love, he's following his heart, stop guilt-tripping your son into staying." David says smiling lovingly at my mam giving her a cup of tea and sitting next to her. "No lad wants to live with his mam in his thirties." He says with a laugh and I laugh with him. 

She frowns and looks guilty then looks at me with a sad smile. "Do I get to meet this girl at least?" She says with a huff and a smile.

I lean forward and grin. "Of course-"

My phone starts ringing and I go into my pocket  to see who it is, when I look who it is, I don't even realize I'm smiling when I read her name

"Is that her?" My mam sits up happily, hinting at the phone.

I nod and answer the call, putting it to my ear.

"Hey, babe what's-"

"Asher? Oh thank god, I-I don't know what to do, they're everywhere!" Hailey whispers out, slightly out of breathing.

I hear a commotion in the background and whatever is going on doesn't sound good.

I sit up, more alarmed. "What's going on?" 

I see my mam and David look to me worriedly, mouthing 'what's happening', I just shrug and hold my hand up as I wait for Hailey to speak.

"TV reporters and people with cameras are outside the restaurant, I can't leave Asher, t-they must know about us, I'm officially freaking out!" Hailey stresses out, sobbing silently.

Shit, this is way too soon to be happening. "I'll fix this, I'm so sorry- please don't cry." 

"What's going on?" My mam asks and I shake my head and stand up to walk out the room, phone in hand.

"T-This is bad, r-right? What do I do?" She sobs out.

"Babe, deep breathes okay? I'm getting security over there right now to escort you to a secure hotel, my team in America will meet you there, I'll be there tomorrow to fix this, I promise." I say in a calm voice, as I listen to her silently sobbing.

"Mhmm, I'm sorry, I-I'm such a mess, I just.. I just thought this wouldn't be as bad, you know?" She mumbles out and I sigh and nod my head.

"I know, and I'm really sorry, I wanted to be there with you when we went public, this is my fault." I sigh out.

No doubt Lucy went public with the news that I was dating Hailey, I'm so fucking seething mad, she will be hearing from my lawyers as soon as I hang up the phone.

"This isn't your fault Asher." Hailey says quietly with a sniffle.

I laugh quietly and lean against the bathroom door. "It is and I feel so shit about this, I can't be there to protect you, but I promise I'll see you there tomorrow." 

Hailey hums and I start to relax when her crying stops, I quickly send a text to my team in LA to pick Hailey up and escort her out of the restaurant to a hotel and protect her until I arrive.

"I can't wait to see you, baby, wait for me okay? My team is on their way to you and I'll see you soon alright?" I sigh out. "I'm so sorry about this." 

She sniffles. "Okay." She breathes out. "I'll see you soon?" She asks.

I open the bathroom door and smile "I'm getting ready to leave as I speak, I'll see you tomorrow okay?" 

"See you soon." She says shyly and I say bye and hang up.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes, there's a throbbing in my head at the thought of Hailey not safe, surrounded by the swarms of reporters flashing their cameras at her, scared out of her mind.

Lucy! That fucking bitch.

Noone else know about us, I made sure no one knew, only my bandmates who I trust completely, and Lucy,  because she had found out from date with Hailey while we were in Portland, she knew I kept in contact with her, shit, she even knew the only reason I slept with her was because of Hailey.

What a fucking mess.

Walking into the living room I see my mam and David quieten once they see me.

"I just heard, it's all over the internet." 

I sigh and run my hand through my hair as I walk over to grab my jacket and keys. "I'm leaving tonight for LA."

They both nod their head, my mam stands up and wraps her arms around me.

"Go to your girl." She says softly as she pulls back and pats me on the back.

I don't need to be told twice, I say my goodbyes, and I'm out the door. 

Phoning my lawyer then my agency in LA, I'm getting everything set up before I step foot on that plane, this is long overdue, but I'm not waiting any longer, if not now then when?

I'm taking a big leap doing this, but when it feels right, nothing at this point can slow me down.