Scooter

When Ryan woke up, Abigail was already gone.

"Leaving this early?"

"My parents might come back this morning, so I need to get home ahead of time." Abigail thought for a moment, then explained.

"Then why didn't you wake me? I could've driven you back."

"I wanted you to rest more—you're always so busy. I've been pretty busy too lately, training. As for your tutoring, I'll have another classmate take over." Abigail said.

"Training? Isn't the most important competition already over?"

"I still have to train. Based on my current results, my coach thinks I might be able to compete in the next London Olympic Games." Abigail said firmly.

Ryan put down the phone and ran his hand through his hair from forehead to the back of his head.

He realized Abigail was deliberately distancing herself from him. He guessed it was mostly because of him chatting with female fans during yesterday's movie, and possibly because Abigail hadn't actually fallen asleep last night when he was on the phone with Taylor.

He had no excuse for either incident—pure bad luck. He could only let time explain everything.

Just then, Marvin called Ryan in the morning.

"Kid, you're in luck. There's a big gig in Florida—a famous nightclub in Orlando is throwing a tenth-anniversary event. They're booking several big names and paying generously."

"Why not send Deadmau5?"

"I'd love to, but Ultra Music Festival has a performance protection agreement with Deadmau5. He can't perform publicly in Florida for six months after the festival." Marvin explained.

To boost competitiveness, Ultra Music Festival had signed protection agreements with all the DJs who performed there. Ryan, as an impromptu guest, wasn't bound by that.

Ryan confirmed the timing with Marvin.

"One last thing—don't let me see Joel. Everyone gets one chance with me, and he's already out." Marvin reminded him.

"He's my partner..." Ryan said. Joel had been fired from Blackbird Studio because his obsession with electronic music affected his work as a recording assistant, and the market wasn't great right now. That paycheck meant a lot to Joel.

"If you insist on bringing him, then you don't need to come either." Marvin's tone left no room for argument.

"Fine."

"Then book a ticket for Friday."

"No, I mean I'm not going either." Ryan said.

"You two are really one fool and one madman!" Marvin sighed. He said it out loud, but inside he thought Ryan was pretty loyal—someone like that was rare these days.

In the end, Marvin agreed to Ryan's request, and Joel's pay would be handled separately, not deducted from Ryan's cut.

·

Back home in the morning, Ryan found Trey hadn't gone out.

"Taking a rare day off today." Trey stretched.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Pan-fried fish! Barbecue! And meat sauce pasta!" Trey counted on her fingers.

Ryan put on an apron and charged straight into the kitchen.

Halfway through cooking, Trey burst in holding up the phone. From her lip movements, it was Taylor Swift again.

"I want to invite you to work on the production of 'You Belong With Me.'" Taylor didn't mention being blocked at all.

What kind of stunt was she pulling now?

"I'm cooking." Ryan hung up the phone.

When the food was ready, Taylor called again. This time Ryan didn't even pick up—he just had Trey turn her down.

"She wants you as a producer? Did she get her head stuck in a door?" Trey was baffled.

"Who knows what she's after." Ryan shook his head and dropped it.

In the afternoon, Trey suggested Ryan take her for a drive. They ended up at the famous Bluebird Cafe for afternoon tea, where photos of Taylor performing there still hung on the walls. Afterward, they went for a walk.

Trey mentioned that her ex-husband had died of illness, and her daughter had passed away two years later from a genetic condition. Now only her elderly father was still alive, but he was stubborn and refused to move from his hometown in Florida.

Midway, Trey slipped away mysteriously to take a call. Ryan didn't know who it was.

"Never thought about finding another husband all these years?" When she came back, Ryan asked casually.

"Mind your own business." Trey tapped Ryan on the head.

Then Trey turned her attention to Ryan's situation.

"Wouldn't have guessed it—pretty impressive, you're already hiring an assistant." Trey looked pleasantly surprised.

"It's a social media assistant. They just help me post photos and videos every day and interact with fans." Ryan explained.

Then Trey grabbed Ryan and pulled him back toward the house.

"Where are we going?"

"To help you with the interview, of course. I'm good at this." Trey said without looking back.

Ryan's face flushed a little, mostly because Trey was holding his hand.

"Seriously? You haven't even held Taylor or Abigail's hand?" In the car, Trey noticed Ryan's reaction and burst out laughing.

"That's not quite it either." Ryan shook his head. In truth, the places those two could reach had certainly already been "appreciated," but the untouchable areas still awaited "exploration."

"Then why are you blushing?"

"I was thinking about that night when you..." Ryan trailed off.

"STOP!" Trey quickly cut him off.

"This one with the Scooter avatar is definitely suspicious!"

Back at home, Trey and Ryan chatted with several online applicants. After some investigation, they reached a conclusion.

"Look, both the YouTube and Myspace accounts are newly registered, and aside from you, this account hasn't replied to anyone. Clearly, someone's watching you anonymously," Trey said.

"Scams, blackmail, hacking. Remember, don't open any links this account sends you." Trey continued her warning.

Ryan nodded. One couldn't be too careful.

But aside from this "Scooter," no one else currently met Ryan's requirements. He could only wait for new resumes to come in.

Just then, Trey received another call from Taylor Swift.

Ryan still let Trey answer.

"He's not here. I don't know where he went either." Trey shook her head.

"Huh?" The next second, her expression shifted, a look of difficulty crossing her face.

"Alright, I'll talk to him about it tonight." Trey hung up.

"She said she's already found you a social media staffer, and you don't need to pay," Trey relayed.

Clearly, Taylor had discovered the recruitment notice Ryan had posted online.

"I don't get it. First she wanted to cut ties, now she's clinging on and showering you with concern. Is this what love is like for you young folks?" Trey remarked in amazement.

"Love?" Ryan sneered.

"Ever thought about getting to know her again? You need to think it through—this might be your last chance." Trey reminded him with a smile.

"Oh, stop being so stubborn. You're a man, and she's a girl who's already stooped so low. What's the harm in giving her another chance? You need to be magnanimous." Trey was actually mediating for Taylor.

"Whose side are you on?" Ryan exclaimed.

"I'm not on anyone's side. I just think... to be honest, she secretly contacted me this afternoon and handed me the MV shoot for her new album's second single. See, she's really showing sincerity!" Trey blinked her eyes, clearly already bought off.

"I should really get a camera and let Abigail see the look on your face right now." Ryan was speechless.

"Those two are close sisters, no distinction between them. Just count your blessings." Trey teased.

Damn, your thinking is way too "progressive."

Ryan didn't bother with her anymore, turned around, and went back to his room to sleep.

Thanks to the brothers for the votes.