Lost in You

             
    “Listen up,” Alex says loudly. The music is turned down and the chattering stops. “As you know, Hadley loves her fans and is happy you guys came out to the show tonight, so we’re extending an invitation for her after-party. If you’d like to keep your evening going, come see me.”
    Ian storms over to me and grabs my arm, pulling me into the corner. “What are you doing?”             
    “What?” I ask innocently. “I’m not tired and want to hang out. It gets sort of boring for Alex and me just hanging out with each other.”
    “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re Hadley Carter. You don’t get to just invite people over to your hotel whenever you want.”
    I rip my arm out of his grip. “Thanks for reminding me, but in case you’ve forgotten, I sign your paychecks.”
    “You pay me to protect you.”
    “No, Ian, I pay Jones to protect me, Anal Anna to do my hair, make-up and pick out my clothes and you to handle my affairs. I’m an adult. If I want to have people come over to a hotel room that I’ve paid for, I can.”
    Ian rubs his face, clearly set off by my little temper tantrum. “I don’t get you sometimes, Hadley. One minute you are itching to get home and the next you’re doing something like this. I’m looking around here and can’t fathom how any of these people interest you. Each one is beneath you.”
    “Really? Is that my uncle or my manager talking?”             
    “Both.”
    I look around and try to see the image he’s seeing: I see a mom and daughter; girlfriends who are laughing and meeting others, something I’ve made happen; and I see Ryan, sitting in the corner, content to let his friend bask in meeting a celebrity. I look back at Ian and shake my head.
    “I’m sorry, but I don’t see what you’re seeing. I’m here for three days and if I want to entertain, I’m going to.”
    Alex signals that we are all set. When I look at her and nod my head toward Ryan she nods and smiles. I’m about to get to know a fan, something I’ve vowed I’d never do.
    “Alex says everyone is ready to leave. So I’d like to go now.”
    Ian walks away and starts talking animatedly with Jones. His eyes get big as he looks over the people. If anything I should’ve consulted with him first, but I wasn’t thinking. All I really wanted to do was get Ryan alone so we can talk. Somehow I don’t think he’d open up in a room full of girls.
    But maybe he’ll open up when it’s just him and me on my balcony. At least that is what I’m hoping.

CHAPTER 5
    Ryan
     
     
    When Alex announces that everyone is invited back to Hadley’s suite, I groan. I’m not interested in hanging out with people I don’t know, but Dylan will want to and I can’t let my disposition affect her happiness. She earned this.
    I am worried about curfew though. My parents are expecting me home at some point and it’s already approaching midnight.
    Dylan comes bouncing over to me when Alex says it’s time to leave. She pulls my hand into hers. The grin on her face must be hurting because it’s been permanent since Hadley walked into the room.
    We rush to her car, running through the now-empty parking lot. Dylan cranks the radio once she has the car started and pulls out of the spot. I roll down my window and let the breeze wake me up a bit. I can’t help but laugh at Dylan; her attitude is infectious.
    “You know I’m going to get into trouble,” I tell her. Her face drops as she looks at me. She pulls out her phone and presses on the screen.
    “Hi, Mrs. Stone. Sorry for waking you, but Ryan and I are really tired so I think we're going to grab a hotel for the night.”
    My mouth drops as she blatantly lies to my mom.
    “Yeah… no, I’ve got it covered. Okay, see you tomorrow.”
    Dylan puts down her phone and starts laughing. I’m staring at her, shocked that she just did that.
    “There, now you aren’t late.”
    “I can’t believe you did that.”
    Dylan shrugs and looks at me quickly. “I'm willing to do just about anything if it means I can party with Hadley Carter.”
    “You’re freaking crazy, Dylan Ross.”
    “Yes, but you love me.” She drives us to the hotel. It’s an expensive one with two valets. Something I’ve only read about in books. Two men with long black coats and hats open the car doors. One extends his hand, helping Dylan out. The doorman pulls open the main door and smiles as we pass by. I’ve never had