FIC: "Tomorrow Takes Me Higher" (Part 2/4)
Title: Tomorrow Takes Me Higher
Pairing: Adam/Kris
Rating: R
DAY THREE
Because nobody was looking and nobody seemed to care, Adam had his booted feet up on the bed, crossed at the ankle and slouched down in his seat.
"I liked Australia," he said, as Matt mostly sat there and listened. And he was listening, occasionally reacting at appropriate moments. "I wish I could've stayed longer, maybe had an actual visit. I'm thinking about taking a vacation there. Once I have time for a vacation anyway."
Matt nodded and looked out the window for a moment.
"There's never enough time, though, right?" said Adam. "You've sort of got to enjoy things while you can. Sydney's amazing, though, even though I never got out of the city."
"I'm going to get up," Matt said abruptly, not an interruption to the story but, Adam hoped, a reaction to it. "I'm sick of this bed."
"You need a hand?"
"No," said Matt, and Adam knew he was fine, physically, but the lethargy had been a stumbling block before now. While Adam waited he pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and planted himself in a chair by the window. It actually had a really gorgeous view of the city, and as Adam took the other chair opposite him he took in the view for a moment. "I needed to get dressed today anyway."
There was a miniature fountain on the table next to the window, one of those ones that were supposed to be calming, and when Adam checked the card he saw that it had come from Scott.
"We should go out one of these days," he said. "Kris wants to check out the Art Institute while we're here, and I've never been, so...."
"You're not just carefully trying not to suggest anything that resembles partying, right?"
"No, we actually do want to go," said Adam. "I'm a little worried that we'll be mobbed, though. It's no secret we're in town. But that just sort of comes with the territory, right? Plus, he vetoed karaoke." Matt just smiled a little, and Adam nodded slowly and just kept going. "It's nice being back, after that tour. It was really starting to wear me down. I know you know how that is.
"Neither one of us ever really saw this coming, did we?" As much as Adam had always worked hard towards this very career, he still didn't really know what it was going to be like until he was in the middle of it. Nothing could prepare you for that. "I know how hard it is, Matt."
"I know," he said, and stared out the window again.
"It's good to see you again, even like this," he said. "There's just never enough time. It's great to see Kris again, too. I was going to see him again soon anyway, but...well, you know how it is."
"Yeah," said Matt quietly. "Kris is great."
"Have you heard some of his new stuff?" said Adam. "I love it, it's so him. I listened to it on just about every flight, when I wasn't stuck in meetings. It kind of kept me grounded, you know? It's pretty easy to just...get lost in it all."
Matt just nodded, and put his feet up on the windowsill.
"It's good to know that there are always people to bring us back," said Adam.
And then he was quiet for a little while, as they both let the rhythms of the city outside lull them into a comfortable silence.
*
Julia was actually in town, which Adam hadn't asked of her but she said she felt a professional obligation to actually be at his side for at least a few hours. And since she had everything under control in LA on his behalf, it wasn't like Adam was going to tell her no. He knew what happened when Julia was mad at him, and he knew he'd been difficult enough this week.
And honestly, it was nice to have a little face time with his assistant again. He was used to having her by his side throughout the whole tour, taking care of everything that Adam didn't have the time to, so even though he'd been taking a break from all that it was sometimes a little like missing his left arm.
He paid for a very nice lunch for her before she had to catch a flight back to LA, and when he made it back to the hospital, after stopping to sign some autographs in the lobby - patients and their families, not just fans who'd made it inside - he made his way up to Matt's room to see Kris there by his bedside, holding his phone out so Matt could check out a few of the pictures on it.
He hovered in the doorway, unseen by either of them yet, and figured if they really wanted a private conversation the door would be closed.
"This is Max's birthday party last year," said Kris, as Matt took the phone from his hand. "Me and Katy got him this big cake, all his favorite Jumble Jungle Critters on it, and while his friends gorged on the cake all Max wanted to eat were the vegetables from the platters we had set out for the parents."
"Are you sure he's a kid and not some kind of miniature adult?" said Matt, scrolling to the next picture.
"My mom says he was just testing his boundaries," said Kris, "but I don't know how carrot sticks figure into his boundaries. Anyway, we just let him, and after the party he seemed pretty happy to just keep the Elephiraffe figure from the top of the cake."
"How are things with Katy anyway?" said Matt, still making his way through the pictures.
"Good," said Kris. "Really good. We're friends again, which after last year is just really nice. I missed that more than anything else, you know?"
"I'm sorry I never asked before," said Matt. "I should've asked."
"Well, you're asking now," said Kris, leaning over to see what picture Matt was on. "Oh, that's Sadie in Grandma's lap. Mom spoils her rotten."
"I just bet she does," said Matt. "And the kids are doing okay with the split?"
"Sadie doesn't really know the difference," said Kris, "and I think Max is actually doing better now. We're happier so he's happier. And both sets of grandparents spoiling him for a while probably helped. He has more toys than we know what to do with, at both our places."
"So I shouldn’t send more, then?" said Matt.
Kris just laughed. "Hey, send them whatever you want," said Kris, "but I'm going to have to insist you visit in person when you do."
In the end it wasn't Adam who interrupted them but Robin, gently pushing past him into the room. "Matt," she said, "I'm sorry but we've got some things to go through before your discharge papers are processed."
"I'll just go then," said Kris, taking his phone when Matt handed it back and then looking up at the door. "Hey Adam."
"Hey," he said, giving both of them a wave and then moving out of the way so that things could be done that needed to be done.
*
Kris was hovering at the nurses station signing an autograph for one of their young daughters and Matt's assistant was arguing with someone on the phone and someone in a suit who Adam was sure was high up in Matt's management had shown up in person to deal with a few things, so Adam was staying out of the way of what was already a ridiculous assortment of people for a hospital hallway.
Anoop stood next to him, leaning against the wall and watching the door of Matt's room as a lengthy conversation went on inside.
"I need to get back to LA," he said after a moment, "and Matt says he'll kill me if I don't go. He doesn't want anyone to pass up an opportunity because of him."
There were a lot of reasons why Matt might be pushing people away, but this was a completely legitimate one. "Good," said Adam. "What've you got going on?"
"Working with a new producer," said Anoop. "It's a tight schedule, a sort of now or never thing. I know he's right, I'm just worried about him."
"Kris and I are going to stick around a little longer," said Adam, "if that helps."
"It does, a little," he admitted. "I'm surprised someone hasn't come to spirit you away yet."
"Yeah, well, don't think they haven't threatened," said Adam. "And they know exactly where I'm staying, so they could do it."
"Why are you still here?" asked Anoop. "I know it's none of my business, but...."
"Yeah, I know," said Adam. "I just need to be here right now. For Matt, for me, for Kris."
"For Kris, huh," said Anoop, less a question than a conclusion. He watched Kris at the nurses' station for a few moments. "Yeah, I guess you would be."
"Anoop...."
"No, I know," he said. "That was a long time ago. Anyway. Kris seems to have shaken off whatever he had going on when he got here, so whatever you're doing, it seems to be working."
"Kris takes too much on his shoulders sometimes," said Adam. "Even more since he became a father. But Matt's not his responsibility."
"Yet the two of you are still staying."
"For a few more days," said Adam, "or until Matt leaves. I'm still not sure what's happening there, what he's going to do, and I'm not exactly in the loop for that kind of information."
"I don't think he knows what he's doing yet either," said Anoop. "I need to leave for the airport as soon as he gets settled into the hotel, assuming that happens in the next hour or so."
"They're just finishing off the paperwork," said Adam. "Kris and I are heading back to the hotel in a few minutes if you want to ride over with us."
"Cab, or did you get a car sent over?"
"Car," said Adam. "Lots of room for you and your luggage. You already check out of your place?"
"Yeah, this morning," said Anoop, "before I came back to the hospital. Once I knew Matt would be getting out today. Did you see the gift basket from Sarver?"
"Yeah, that was nice," said Adam. "That was smart." Fresh foods and crackers and teas instead of flowers or some ridiculously rich crap that no one would actually eat. Adam didn't read the note that he sent with it, but whatever it was, it made Matt smile. "Robin already sent it on ahead to the hotel along with everything else."
"Does he really need to be surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers right now?" said Anoop.
"Okay, most of those have been shipped home or donated," conceded Adam, "but frankly, he could probably do with a few."
Kris was obviously saying his good-byes, so Adam pushed himself away from the wall and gave him a nod, then checked his phone. The car was downstairs whenever they were ready.
"Okay," he said. "Time to go."
*
Megan arrived just before dinner, breathless and looking spectacular. Adam met her down in the lobby and greeted her with open arms.
"Girl, you did not tell me you were coming!" he said, giving her a squeeze.
"I didn't think I was going to be able to," she said, dropping her bag right there on the floor, "but I got my flights changed. I need to be in New York tomorrow, but tonight I'm all yours. Or his, actually, since you just happen to be here."
"Oh, I see how it is," said Adam, reaching for her bag for her. "Matt's in a bit of a mood right now, but I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you anyway."
"He'd better be," she said, "that little shit. I just need to throw my things in my room and then you can show me where he is." She reached for her bag, and seemed surprised when Adam already had it. "Wow, a gentleman."
"If you're surprised by this, then you've been hanging around the wrong guys," said Adam, leading the way to the elevators while people snapped pictures of them from many sides. "What's in New York?"
"A shoot for Cover Girl," she said. "Which means I am not allowed to party with you and Kris tonight."
"And you know that Kris Allen," said Adam dryly. "He's such a party animal."
Megan laughed and gave him a nudge as they got off at her floor. "You know what I mean," she said. "I haven't seen you two in ages. And I haven't seen the two of you together since...I don't even remember when."
"Believe me, I know," said Adam. "We've pretty much been laying low since we got here, though. As much as we can, which isn't as much as we'd like."
"I'm surprised anyone's been letting you lay low at all," said Megan. "Did I tell you I was about three hours too late to catch your show in Tokyo? I was so disappointed. By the time I got settled in you were already on your way out of the country."
"Would've loved to have seen you," said Adam as they arrived at her room. "Matt's upstairs from us. He's pissed they won't leave him unsupervised, but he's doing all right. I'll leave you alone with him, but give me or Kris a call later, all right? We're just going to grab something to eat and hang out in his room for a while."
"You know I will," she said, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "He doing all right?"
"Matt's fine," Adam promised her. "He's going to be okay."
"I mean Kris," said Megan. "God knows I've been getting a dozen Matt updates a day, between all of you. But you're here for Kris, right? I mean, I know the two of you...if anyone would know how Kris is doing, it's you."
"Kris is fine too," said Adam. "He's doing really good lately. I think things have been good for him this last while, in spite of everything. And the new album is going amazingly."
"Good," said Megan. "Good. Okay, sweet thing, I'll talk to you soon."
*
Megan brought dessert with her when she arrived at Kris's door, which made Adam both curse and bless her simultaneously. "Shut up," she said before he could even open his mouth. "You're bonier than I remember. Have some cake."
"I do not need cake," said Adam, and enthusiastically accepted it from her anyway.
"Megaaaaaan," said Kris, practically flying at her from where he'd been hanging out on the window seat. "You look amazing."
"Oh my God, Kris Allen, are you hitting on me?" she said. "I always wondered what would happen if you were single."
"Oh, hey, I'm not," Kris backpedaled quickly, but Megan just laughed and Kris hmphed at her. "I take it back. You don't look amazing at all."
"Well, you do," she said as he grabbed her in a full body hug. "And we all know it wouldn't be me you were hitting on anyway."
"Oh, we all know that, do we?" he said archly. "Did you bring Ryder with you?"
"No, he's got school," she said, "and this is such a quick trip, I'll be back the day after tomorrow."
"You need to bring him to visit the kids some time," said Kris. "Is he old enough to babysit yet?"
"Give it a few more years," she said. "How are they doing?"
"They're great," said Kris. "They're amazing."
And Adam got out of the way for the inevitable displaying of pictures on both sides, making up a few drinks for all of them and passing them out before settling down on the chair by the window, scrolling through his messages. Nothing was urgent, as far as he was concerned, except calling his assistant back to confirm everything for tomorrow, and that only took a few minutes. Everyone was so happy that he and Kris were finally taking on some press that no one was pushing their luck.
He'd already heard Kris's latest stories about Max's adventures in preschool, but it was kind of nice to sit back and listen to them again as Kris related them with great enthusiasm to an equally enthusiastic Megan. Who in turn was happy to tell him what to expect when Max was a few years older.
Since Adam was setting his own schedule at the moment, maybe he could finagle himself an extended visit with them when he was back in LA. After all, he'd be in the same city again, it couldn't be that hard. And he could totally do interviews with Sadie in his lap, though to be fair he wasn't sure how much she'd grown since he'd last seen her.
"Hey, do you have a recent picture of Sadie?" he asked suddenly.
Kris just laughed at him. "Is yesterday recent enough for you?" he said, flipping through his phone for a moment and then tossing it in Adam's direction. "That's ketchup, in case you were wondering."
Adam smirked at the red smeared all over her face and dress and thought she was the most adorable kid in the world in spite of it. "Thanks," he said. Yeah, she could totally sit in his lap while he did interviews. "Just working something out."
"I'm not even sure I want to know," said Kris as Adam tossed the phone back and got up to make himself another drink.
"Don't worry, I'm not stealing your child for nefarious purposes," he promised him. "Megan, you want another?"
"Oh wow, is mine gone already?" she said, but she hadn't drunk it particularly quickly so much as the two of them had lost track of time. "Sure, thanks."
"What time's your flight?" said Adam, pouring her another vodka and cranberry from the makeshift bar. "Or really, what time do you have to get up?"
"I need to be out of here by six," she said, "so promise you won't get me too drunk. No one looks beautiful with a hangover. Not even you."
"Make-up can work miracles," said Adam, but he wasn't going to recommend pushing it. There were miracles, and then there were miracles. "Kris, you want anything while I'm up?"
"No, I'm good," he said, still nursing his one drink, the ice long since melted. After handing Megan her drink, Adam sat down next to him on the loveseat and dropped some more ice in, unasked.
"It's your own fault it gets so watered down," he said, then put his feet up. "We've got to be up early too. I think my first interview is at five-thirty."
"Yeah, me too," said Kris. "And I'd like to be at least a little coherent for it. Sleepy interviews never go well."
"Well, they do," said Adam, "just not for you. I get my best blackmail material when you're half-awake."
"Ditto," said Kris, kicking Adam's foot lightly with his own as he put them up on the coffee table next to Adam's. "You want me to call you?"
"No, I'll be good," said Adam. "Don't forget about breakfast at seven-thirty, though, or I'm coming to get you."
"I never forget about breakfast," said Kris. "So when do we get to see you sing again, Megan? I miss it, you know."
"You will," she promised him. "This spring, I'm going to do a little club tour, and nobody's talking me out of it this time. I'll send you the details as soon as we work them out."
"That's great," said Adam. "Seriously great, Megs! Have you written anything since the last one you sent me?"
"Just a lullaby," she admitted. "I haven't recorded it or anything. I used to sing it to Ryder when he was a baby, but I never really set it down before. But he loved it, and you never know when I might need to use it again, you know?"
"What, what?" said Adam. "Are you...?"
"No!" she said quickly. "I mean, not yet. I'd like to actually be in a relationship before I have another. But I'm thinking about it."
"That's so great," said Kris. "You need to send that to me if you record it. Max can fall asleep to Adam but Sadie's pickier."
"Maybe you could record it with me," suggested Megan. "I mean, I have no idea, but it might be fun, since it would never be anything that was ever released."
"I love that," said Kris. "Seriously, just give me a time and a place and me and my guitar will be there."
"Max falls asleep to my albums?" said Adam. "Seriously?"
"He also likes Muse, Lady GaGa and Astrofix," said Kris. "Seriously. I had to wire speakers into his room because you just don't want to hear me trying to hear me sing "Born in the Space Age"."
"Now that you mention it, I really, really do," said Adam, setting his drink down and settling his arm along the back of the loveseat. "You think you're going to see Matt again before you go tomorrow, Megan?"
"Only if he's awake," she said, chewing on her lip before finishing off the rest of her drink. "And from what I hear, odds aren't that great that he will be."
"It's not bad that he's sleeping," said Adam. "It's better than a lot of things he could be doing right now. Was he okay with you?"
"Yeah, he was great," said Megan. "I mean, he wasn't super happy in general, but it was a great visit. I'm glad I came. He seemed pretty glad too, all things considered."
"He is," Kris promised her. "Believe me, he's glad you came. He can't help, you know, the withdrawal stuff. Did you give him a good smack."
"Damn right I did," she said. "Stupid asshole. He's lucky we love him so much."
"Yeah," agreed Adam. "Yeah, he really is."
--
Part 3
Pairing: Adam/Kris
Rating: R
DAY THREE
Because nobody was looking and nobody seemed to care, Adam had his booted feet up on the bed, crossed at the ankle and slouched down in his seat.
"I liked Australia," he said, as Matt mostly sat there and listened. And he was listening, occasionally reacting at appropriate moments. "I wish I could've stayed longer, maybe had an actual visit. I'm thinking about taking a vacation there. Once I have time for a vacation anyway."
Matt nodded and looked out the window for a moment.
"There's never enough time, though, right?" said Adam. "You've sort of got to enjoy things while you can. Sydney's amazing, though, even though I never got out of the city."
"I'm going to get up," Matt said abruptly, not an interruption to the story but, Adam hoped, a reaction to it. "I'm sick of this bed."
"You need a hand?"
"No," said Matt, and Adam knew he was fine, physically, but the lethargy had been a stumbling block before now. While Adam waited he pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and planted himself in a chair by the window. It actually had a really gorgeous view of the city, and as Adam took the other chair opposite him he took in the view for a moment. "I needed to get dressed today anyway."
There was a miniature fountain on the table next to the window, one of those ones that were supposed to be calming, and when Adam checked the card he saw that it had come from Scott.
"We should go out one of these days," he said. "Kris wants to check out the Art Institute while we're here, and I've never been, so...."
"You're not just carefully trying not to suggest anything that resembles partying, right?"
"No, we actually do want to go," said Adam. "I'm a little worried that we'll be mobbed, though. It's no secret we're in town. But that just sort of comes with the territory, right? Plus, he vetoed karaoke." Matt just smiled a little, and Adam nodded slowly and just kept going. "It's nice being back, after that tour. It was really starting to wear me down. I know you know how that is.
"Neither one of us ever really saw this coming, did we?" As much as Adam had always worked hard towards this very career, he still didn't really know what it was going to be like until he was in the middle of it. Nothing could prepare you for that. "I know how hard it is, Matt."
"I know," he said, and stared out the window again.
"It's good to see you again, even like this," he said. "There's just never enough time. It's great to see Kris again, too. I was going to see him again soon anyway, but...well, you know how it is."
"Yeah," said Matt quietly. "Kris is great."
"Have you heard some of his new stuff?" said Adam. "I love it, it's so him. I listened to it on just about every flight, when I wasn't stuck in meetings. It kind of kept me grounded, you know? It's pretty easy to just...get lost in it all."
Matt just nodded, and put his feet up on the windowsill.
"It's good to know that there are always people to bring us back," said Adam.
And then he was quiet for a little while, as they both let the rhythms of the city outside lull them into a comfortable silence.
*
Julia was actually in town, which Adam hadn't asked of her but she said she felt a professional obligation to actually be at his side for at least a few hours. And since she had everything under control in LA on his behalf, it wasn't like Adam was going to tell her no. He knew what happened when Julia was mad at him, and he knew he'd been difficult enough this week.
And honestly, it was nice to have a little face time with his assistant again. He was used to having her by his side throughout the whole tour, taking care of everything that Adam didn't have the time to, so even though he'd been taking a break from all that it was sometimes a little like missing his left arm.
He paid for a very nice lunch for her before she had to catch a flight back to LA, and when he made it back to the hospital, after stopping to sign some autographs in the lobby - patients and their families, not just fans who'd made it inside - he made his way up to Matt's room to see Kris there by his bedside, holding his phone out so Matt could check out a few of the pictures on it.
He hovered in the doorway, unseen by either of them yet, and figured if they really wanted a private conversation the door would be closed.
"This is Max's birthday party last year," said Kris, as Matt took the phone from his hand. "Me and Katy got him this big cake, all his favorite Jumble Jungle Critters on it, and while his friends gorged on the cake all Max wanted to eat were the vegetables from the platters we had set out for the parents."
"Are you sure he's a kid and not some kind of miniature adult?" said Matt, scrolling to the next picture.
"My mom says he was just testing his boundaries," said Kris, "but I don't know how carrot sticks figure into his boundaries. Anyway, we just let him, and after the party he seemed pretty happy to just keep the Elephiraffe figure from the top of the cake."
"How are things with Katy anyway?" said Matt, still making his way through the pictures.
"Good," said Kris. "Really good. We're friends again, which after last year is just really nice. I missed that more than anything else, you know?"
"I'm sorry I never asked before," said Matt. "I should've asked."
"Well, you're asking now," said Kris, leaning over to see what picture Matt was on. "Oh, that's Sadie in Grandma's lap. Mom spoils her rotten."
"I just bet she does," said Matt. "And the kids are doing okay with the split?"
"Sadie doesn't really know the difference," said Kris, "and I think Max is actually doing better now. We're happier so he's happier. And both sets of grandparents spoiling him for a while probably helped. He has more toys than we know what to do with, at both our places."
"So I shouldn’t send more, then?" said Matt.
Kris just laughed. "Hey, send them whatever you want," said Kris, "but I'm going to have to insist you visit in person when you do."
In the end it wasn't Adam who interrupted them but Robin, gently pushing past him into the room. "Matt," she said, "I'm sorry but we've got some things to go through before your discharge papers are processed."
"I'll just go then," said Kris, taking his phone when Matt handed it back and then looking up at the door. "Hey Adam."
"Hey," he said, giving both of them a wave and then moving out of the way so that things could be done that needed to be done.
*
Kris was hovering at the nurses station signing an autograph for one of their young daughters and Matt's assistant was arguing with someone on the phone and someone in a suit who Adam was sure was high up in Matt's management had shown up in person to deal with a few things, so Adam was staying out of the way of what was already a ridiculous assortment of people for a hospital hallway.
Anoop stood next to him, leaning against the wall and watching the door of Matt's room as a lengthy conversation went on inside.
"I need to get back to LA," he said after a moment, "and Matt says he'll kill me if I don't go. He doesn't want anyone to pass up an opportunity because of him."
There were a lot of reasons why Matt might be pushing people away, but this was a completely legitimate one. "Good," said Adam. "What've you got going on?"
"Working with a new producer," said Anoop. "It's a tight schedule, a sort of now or never thing. I know he's right, I'm just worried about him."
"Kris and I are going to stick around a little longer," said Adam, "if that helps."
"It does, a little," he admitted. "I'm surprised someone hasn't come to spirit you away yet."
"Yeah, well, don't think they haven't threatened," said Adam. "And they know exactly where I'm staying, so they could do it."
"Why are you still here?" asked Anoop. "I know it's none of my business, but...."
"Yeah, I know," said Adam. "I just need to be here right now. For Matt, for me, for Kris."
"For Kris, huh," said Anoop, less a question than a conclusion. He watched Kris at the nurses' station for a few moments. "Yeah, I guess you would be."
"Anoop...."
"No, I know," he said. "That was a long time ago. Anyway. Kris seems to have shaken off whatever he had going on when he got here, so whatever you're doing, it seems to be working."
"Kris takes too much on his shoulders sometimes," said Adam. "Even more since he became a father. But Matt's not his responsibility."
"Yet the two of you are still staying."
"For a few more days," said Adam, "or until Matt leaves. I'm still not sure what's happening there, what he's going to do, and I'm not exactly in the loop for that kind of information."
"I don't think he knows what he's doing yet either," said Anoop. "I need to leave for the airport as soon as he gets settled into the hotel, assuming that happens in the next hour or so."
"They're just finishing off the paperwork," said Adam. "Kris and I are heading back to the hotel in a few minutes if you want to ride over with us."
"Cab, or did you get a car sent over?"
"Car," said Adam. "Lots of room for you and your luggage. You already check out of your place?"
"Yeah, this morning," said Anoop, "before I came back to the hospital. Once I knew Matt would be getting out today. Did you see the gift basket from Sarver?"
"Yeah, that was nice," said Adam. "That was smart." Fresh foods and crackers and teas instead of flowers or some ridiculously rich crap that no one would actually eat. Adam didn't read the note that he sent with it, but whatever it was, it made Matt smile. "Robin already sent it on ahead to the hotel along with everything else."
"Does he really need to be surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers right now?" said Anoop.
"Okay, most of those have been shipped home or donated," conceded Adam, "but frankly, he could probably do with a few."
Kris was obviously saying his good-byes, so Adam pushed himself away from the wall and gave him a nod, then checked his phone. The car was downstairs whenever they were ready.
"Okay," he said. "Time to go."
*
Megan arrived just before dinner, breathless and looking spectacular. Adam met her down in the lobby and greeted her with open arms.
"Girl, you did not tell me you were coming!" he said, giving her a squeeze.
"I didn't think I was going to be able to," she said, dropping her bag right there on the floor, "but I got my flights changed. I need to be in New York tomorrow, but tonight I'm all yours. Or his, actually, since you just happen to be here."
"Oh, I see how it is," said Adam, reaching for her bag for her. "Matt's in a bit of a mood right now, but I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you anyway."
"He'd better be," she said, "that little shit. I just need to throw my things in my room and then you can show me where he is." She reached for her bag, and seemed surprised when Adam already had it. "Wow, a gentleman."
"If you're surprised by this, then you've been hanging around the wrong guys," said Adam, leading the way to the elevators while people snapped pictures of them from many sides. "What's in New York?"
"A shoot for Cover Girl," she said. "Which means I am not allowed to party with you and Kris tonight."
"And you know that Kris Allen," said Adam dryly. "He's such a party animal."
Megan laughed and gave him a nudge as they got off at her floor. "You know what I mean," she said. "I haven't seen you two in ages. And I haven't seen the two of you together since...I don't even remember when."
"Believe me, I know," said Adam. "We've pretty much been laying low since we got here, though. As much as we can, which isn't as much as we'd like."
"I'm surprised anyone's been letting you lay low at all," said Megan. "Did I tell you I was about three hours too late to catch your show in Tokyo? I was so disappointed. By the time I got settled in you were already on your way out of the country."
"Would've loved to have seen you," said Adam as they arrived at her room. "Matt's upstairs from us. He's pissed they won't leave him unsupervised, but he's doing all right. I'll leave you alone with him, but give me or Kris a call later, all right? We're just going to grab something to eat and hang out in his room for a while."
"You know I will," she said, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "He doing all right?"
"Matt's fine," Adam promised her. "He's going to be okay."
"I mean Kris," said Megan. "God knows I've been getting a dozen Matt updates a day, between all of you. But you're here for Kris, right? I mean, I know the two of you...if anyone would know how Kris is doing, it's you."
"Kris is fine too," said Adam. "He's doing really good lately. I think things have been good for him this last while, in spite of everything. And the new album is going amazingly."
"Good," said Megan. "Good. Okay, sweet thing, I'll talk to you soon."
*
Megan brought dessert with her when she arrived at Kris's door, which made Adam both curse and bless her simultaneously. "Shut up," she said before he could even open his mouth. "You're bonier than I remember. Have some cake."
"I do not need cake," said Adam, and enthusiastically accepted it from her anyway.
"Megaaaaaan," said Kris, practically flying at her from where he'd been hanging out on the window seat. "You look amazing."
"Oh my God, Kris Allen, are you hitting on me?" she said. "I always wondered what would happen if you were single."
"Oh, hey, I'm not," Kris backpedaled quickly, but Megan just laughed and Kris hmphed at her. "I take it back. You don't look amazing at all."
"Well, you do," she said as he grabbed her in a full body hug. "And we all know it wouldn't be me you were hitting on anyway."
"Oh, we all know that, do we?" he said archly. "Did you bring Ryder with you?"
"No, he's got school," she said, "and this is such a quick trip, I'll be back the day after tomorrow."
"You need to bring him to visit the kids some time," said Kris. "Is he old enough to babysit yet?"
"Give it a few more years," she said. "How are they doing?"
"They're great," said Kris. "They're amazing."
And Adam got out of the way for the inevitable displaying of pictures on both sides, making up a few drinks for all of them and passing them out before settling down on the chair by the window, scrolling through his messages. Nothing was urgent, as far as he was concerned, except calling his assistant back to confirm everything for tomorrow, and that only took a few minutes. Everyone was so happy that he and Kris were finally taking on some press that no one was pushing their luck.
He'd already heard Kris's latest stories about Max's adventures in preschool, but it was kind of nice to sit back and listen to them again as Kris related them with great enthusiasm to an equally enthusiastic Megan. Who in turn was happy to tell him what to expect when Max was a few years older.
Since Adam was setting his own schedule at the moment, maybe he could finagle himself an extended visit with them when he was back in LA. After all, he'd be in the same city again, it couldn't be that hard. And he could totally do interviews with Sadie in his lap, though to be fair he wasn't sure how much she'd grown since he'd last seen her.
"Hey, do you have a recent picture of Sadie?" he asked suddenly.
Kris just laughed at him. "Is yesterday recent enough for you?" he said, flipping through his phone for a moment and then tossing it in Adam's direction. "That's ketchup, in case you were wondering."
Adam smirked at the red smeared all over her face and dress and thought she was the most adorable kid in the world in spite of it. "Thanks," he said. Yeah, she could totally sit in his lap while he did interviews. "Just working something out."
"I'm not even sure I want to know," said Kris as Adam tossed the phone back and got up to make himself another drink.
"Don't worry, I'm not stealing your child for nefarious purposes," he promised him. "Megan, you want another?"
"Oh wow, is mine gone already?" she said, but she hadn't drunk it particularly quickly so much as the two of them had lost track of time. "Sure, thanks."
"What time's your flight?" said Adam, pouring her another vodka and cranberry from the makeshift bar. "Or really, what time do you have to get up?"
"I need to be out of here by six," she said, "so promise you won't get me too drunk. No one looks beautiful with a hangover. Not even you."
"Make-up can work miracles," said Adam, but he wasn't going to recommend pushing it. There were miracles, and then there were miracles. "Kris, you want anything while I'm up?"
"No, I'm good," he said, still nursing his one drink, the ice long since melted. After handing Megan her drink, Adam sat down next to him on the loveseat and dropped some more ice in, unasked.
"It's your own fault it gets so watered down," he said, then put his feet up. "We've got to be up early too. I think my first interview is at five-thirty."
"Yeah, me too," said Kris. "And I'd like to be at least a little coherent for it. Sleepy interviews never go well."
"Well, they do," said Adam, "just not for you. I get my best blackmail material when you're half-awake."
"Ditto," said Kris, kicking Adam's foot lightly with his own as he put them up on the coffee table next to Adam's. "You want me to call you?"
"No, I'll be good," said Adam. "Don't forget about breakfast at seven-thirty, though, or I'm coming to get you."
"I never forget about breakfast," said Kris. "So when do we get to see you sing again, Megan? I miss it, you know."
"You will," she promised him. "This spring, I'm going to do a little club tour, and nobody's talking me out of it this time. I'll send you the details as soon as we work them out."
"That's great," said Adam. "Seriously great, Megs! Have you written anything since the last one you sent me?"
"Just a lullaby," she admitted. "I haven't recorded it or anything. I used to sing it to Ryder when he was a baby, but I never really set it down before. But he loved it, and you never know when I might need to use it again, you know?"
"What, what?" said Adam. "Are you...?"
"No!" she said quickly. "I mean, not yet. I'd like to actually be in a relationship before I have another. But I'm thinking about it."
"That's so great," said Kris. "You need to send that to me if you record it. Max can fall asleep to Adam but Sadie's pickier."
"Maybe you could record it with me," suggested Megan. "I mean, I have no idea, but it might be fun, since it would never be anything that was ever released."
"I love that," said Kris. "Seriously, just give me a time and a place and me and my guitar will be there."
"Max falls asleep to my albums?" said Adam. "Seriously?"
"He also likes Muse, Lady GaGa and Astrofix," said Kris. "Seriously. I had to wire speakers into his room because you just don't want to hear me trying to hear me sing "Born in the Space Age"."
"Now that you mention it, I really, really do," said Adam, setting his drink down and settling his arm along the back of the loveseat. "You think you're going to see Matt again before you go tomorrow, Megan?"
"Only if he's awake," she said, chewing on her lip before finishing off the rest of her drink. "And from what I hear, odds aren't that great that he will be."
"It's not bad that he's sleeping," said Adam. "It's better than a lot of things he could be doing right now. Was he okay with you?"
"Yeah, he was great," said Megan. "I mean, he wasn't super happy in general, but it was a great visit. I'm glad I came. He seemed pretty glad too, all things considered."
"He is," Kris promised her. "Believe me, he's glad you came. He can't help, you know, the withdrawal stuff. Did you give him a good smack."
"Damn right I did," she said. "Stupid asshole. He's lucky we love him so much."
"Yeah," agreed Adam. "Yeah, he really is."
--
Part 3