This looked suspiciously like chicken. Only kinda flat. And there was a large pile of salad on my plate. I preferred fries.
“Problem, Liam?”
“No. I just thought we were having steak, not chicken.”
Shelby’s voice was amused. “It’s not chicken. It’s swordfish.”
I took a bite of the dense flesh. “Kinda tastes like chicken.”
“Trust me, it’s not.”
“Okay.” I chewed a few mouthfuls, actually enjoying the flavor, when a thought hit me and I paused, my fork partway to my mouth.
“What now?”
“Why are we having fish? That’s twice this week,” I asked suspiciously.
“I thought it would be a nice change.”
“I like steak.”
“So you’ve mentioned,” Shelby said calmly, continuing to eat her dinner.
“So, why are we having fish again?”
Shelby sighed.
“It’s healthy.”
I groaned. Shelby always made sure I ate healthily. She let me have my turkey sandwiches and the occasional In-N-Out burger, but she was constantly piling my plate with steamed vegetables and salad. She had me eating yogurt and drinking fruit smoothies. How much healthier could I get? She even monitored the baked goods I ate, only dishing them out on occasion.
I didn’t want to be any healthier.
“Are you watching your weight, Shelby?” I asked teasingly then froze when her head shot up, and I remembered all too late that a man should never ever bring up the weight issue with a woman. “Because you shouldn’t be. You’re perfect,” I mumbled quickly. “Just perfect. Just like you are.”
“Actually, I’m watching yours, Liam.”
My head snapped up. “Bloody…what?”
“You start filming in a month.”
“And?”
“You’ve, um, gained a little weight.”
“Haven’t.”
“Yes, you have. I know that during your downtime you’ve been eating badly and sitting more with all the lunch meetings. I thought I would help get you back on track.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Is this about the money, Shelby?” We were at a standstill over it—the draft still hung on my wall, and I knew she hated it. “Are you punishing me by starving me?”
“Starving you? Dramatic much?” She paused and snorted. “Oh wait…”
I crossed my arms and glared at her.
“No, Liam. This is about you being in shape for your next role. There’re a lot of action scenes in it, and I know you want to be ready.”
I stood, yanking my shirt over my head. “I’m not fat, Shelby!” I yelled, poking my side. “I’m lanky. You can count my ribs. I don’t need to eat fish and salad.” I glared at her, trying to ignore the fact that my voice sounded like a twelve-year-old girl screeching at the moment.
She regarded me coolly. “Pull your shirt down, Liam. I’m eating dinner.”
I huffed and did what she told me to do. Then sat, frowning.
“Your, ah, bottom rib is a little more prominent than usual when you sit,” she stated.
“Piss off,” I muttered, pushing away my plate.
“Eat your dinner.”
“Is there dessert?”
“Yes.”
Grudgingly, I picked up my fork, because really, the fish was good. I had yet to taste anything Shelby made that wasn’t delicious. And, even after Shelby telling me I was fat, I still loved having dinner with her. It was one of my favorite parts of having her live here. Sharing our day. Smiling. Joking. Being scolded. It was a huge change from when Marie was here. I used to eat in the den alone. Eating with her would not have been pleasant.
Internally, I sighed. Shelby was right, as usual. I didn’t want to admit my pants were slightly snug. And I certainly didn’t want to tell her it wasn’t because of the lunch meetings. Usually, I was so nervous that I barely ate at those things. It was more to do with the long naps I was taking daily—the last shoot had been hard and taxing, and I had been anxious for it to wrap up so I could come home. I found myself missing home more and more these days while I was away, although I wasn’t sure why.
Since coming home, I loathed going out, only doing so when I had to. Instead, I opted for lazy days by the pool, naps, and watching movies with Shelby when I could convince her to stop doing whatever she was doing and spend time with me. Shelby had been extra sweet, encouraging me to “rest and regroup,” as she called it, and catering to me even more than usual. I loved the attention from her. And if I was being completely honest, my pants were snugger than normal because I had found the stash of baked goods in the freezer in the laundry room. I’d been shoving them in my face every time I went into the room.
Which was now daily—several times a day in fact. They were almost gone.
I knew she’d find out. I only hoped she would discover it after I left to do some location filming. She’d get over being angry by the time I got home.
But I damned well wasn’t going to admit it to her right now. Bloody hell—the cheek of being told I was chubby in my own home.
Right.
I tried desperately to stop the corner of my mouth from turning up. Only Shelby would calmly inform me of that fact while we were eating dinner.
We finished off our meal in silence. Shelby stood and collected our plates, and a few minutes later placed dessert in front of me.
I looked at it then back at her. “What is this?”
She sighed. “Honestly, Liam. I thought you were a smart man. You attended Oxford, for heaven’s sake.”
I leaned forward conspiratorially, wanting to make her laugh. “Actually, Shelby, I only attended a concert at Oxford. My PR people just left that small part out.”
She gaped at me. “But they said you left before you graduated when you got bit by the acting bug.”
I nodded, grinning. “I had an audition the next day, so I was only there for the concert. Technically, I was at Oxford—I did leave—so theoretically, I never graduated Oxford, and I started acting. It’s just a slightly different spin on it.”
Her eyes were wide as she looked at me. “Well, that explains a lot.”
I started to chuckle, thrilled when she joined me. She was amazing, even when she was putting me in my place. “Now, what is this so-called dessert?”
“Fruit parfait.”
I picked it up and studied it. “Looks like fruit and granola with something I’m certain isn’t ice cream.”
“Yogurt.”
“Health food disguised as dessert? Hardly fair to tease a man like that, Shelby. Not on, really.”
She picked up her spoon. “I planned on giving you some cupcakes, Liam, but they seem to have disappeared.” Her eyebrow arched. “So have all the cookies. Anything you want to share?”
I shoved a spoonful of the healthy crap in my gob. I couldn’t possibly be expected to talk with my mouth full, could I? I dared to glance at her under my eyelashes.
She mouthed one word at me while patting her flat stomach knowingly.
Busted.
I looked down, fighting a grin.
So worth it.
“Seriously, Lily, a tuxedo?” I complained.
The charity event had arrived, and Lily had shown up, a whirl of movement as she talked and flourished, cajoled and organized.
“It’s black tie, Liam. This is a huge night. You need to be perfect. It’s your favorite designer—cut just for you.” She frowned. “You also need a haircut.” She threw up her hands. “Why didn’t you get a haircut?”
“Um, I forgot?”
“You forgot? It was on your to-do list!”
I looked over at Shelby beseechingly. Usually, she could save me from the wrath of Lily. I had forgotten but I didn’t think it was that big a deal. It was a little long, but it was fine. Wasn’t it?
Shelby smiled at Lily and handed her a cup of coffee. “It’s fine, Lily. I’ll give Liam a quick trim. Then he can go shave and get ready. He’ll loo
k great.”
“He’d better,” she muttered.
Shelby chuckled and left the room, returning with scissors and a spray bottle of water. She pulled a chair away from the table and patted the seat.
Obediently, I sat and let Shelby drape a towel around my shoulders. She had trimmed my hair before, so I knew it would be fine. Lily huffed but calmed down. I shut my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Shelby’s fingers running through my hair as she snipped. She hummed as she worked, and I grinned.
“A-ha?” I mumbled at her. “Really?”
“Good, Liam. You’re learning.” She stepped to the front. “I need to be closer.”
I opened my legs, and Shelby stood between them, working on the front. She was so close I could smell the light perfume of her skin as she worked away. I drew in a deep breath, letting the scent fill me, finding the unique calm that Shelby personified with it. “Don’t leave a big bald spot,” I teased.
She tapped my chin. “Don’t tempt me.”
I squeezed her hips affectionately, and somehow, my hands stayed there. No doubt to help keep her steady.
They felt strangely right there.
Everett walked in and sat. I heard him speak quietly to Lily before he addressed me. “Okay, Liam. Slight change of plans.”
Shelby stopped cutting, and I opened my eyes to look at him. I didn’t like his tone of voice. “What’s up?”
“Carly is ill. She had to cancel.”
My throat went dry. “Gillian?” I managed to get out.
“Out of town. You’re stag tonight, Liam.”
My stomach rolled, and the panic set in. Hard. I gripped Shelby’s hips, my throat closed, and my breathing became labored.
Alone. I’d have to walk the red carpet alone.
Screaming. All the women would be screaming. Yelling my name, crying. Grabbing at me. The memory of the night I was pulled into the crowd and mauled flashed through my head. The hands touching me everywhere and voices screaming in my ears still made me shudder. I knew I’d have security around me tonight, but I couldn’t stop the panic.
I was aware of the sound of metal hitting the floor. Tender, warm hands gripped my face, and a soothing voice was in my ear, pleading and assuring me.
“It’s okay, Liam. I’m right here. Right here. You’re safe. Open your eyes and look at me.”
Struggling, I wrenched my eyes open and stared into the clear blue eyes of Shelby. Eyes filled with warmth and compassion. Nonjudgmental, only caring.
Safe.
Home.
Shelby.
With a groan, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close and letting my head fall into her stomach. Her hands moved through my hair in comfort. I felt her body turn slightly.
“Everett,” she hissed. “You jackass! You had to say it like that? You know he doesn’t handle this well.”
There was the sound of a chair moving, and then I felt Everett standing beside me. “Sorry, Liam,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean for it to come out that way.”
I didn’t lift my head, feeling embarrassed at the overreaction but unable to control it. It was my weakness. One, with a great deal of help, I kept hidden from the world. Large, screaming crowds around me. When I had first started out and became an overnight success, it was harrowing. At one event, there hadn’t been proper security, and I had been pulled into a frenzied crowd. By the time they got me out, I was scratched, bruised, my clothes were shredded, tufts of my hair were missing, and I was left with an overwhelming fear of masses of people. The only way I had managed since then was with a friend to walk beside me and hold my hand, Everett and Mark, my security guy, behind me, and a Xanax before leaving the house. Although I had other women who attended events with me, Carly and Gillian were my two favorite go-to friends. It was great exposure for them, and beyond helpful to me. Since I had worked with each of them, they knew of my panic attacks but kept the information well-hidden. The same way I respected and kept their personal relationship with each other a secret.
To the world, I was a carefree bachelor who dated casually and often. Carly and Gillian were both frequent “dates,” although all of us denied being anything other than what we really were—friends. The press did what they wanted with it, and none of us cared.
Only a few people knew the real truth.
But neither of them was available tonight. My panicked eyes met Shelby’s calm ones.
“We’ll figure this out, Liam.” She glanced at Everett. “Surely there is someone else you can ask?”
He shook his head. “The gala is in three hours. I tried.”
She looked over at Lily. “Lily?”
“I can’t. It’s my partner’s birthday. I have fifty people who’ll be waiting at a restaurant tonight. I can’t cancel.” Lily stood. “But…maybe?”
We all looked at her.
“What about you, Shelby? You could go with him.”
“What?” Shelby’s voice was horrified. “Me? Are you crazy?”
Lily shook her head. “No, it’s perfect. You know Liam. You can keep him relaxed. You know Ev and Mark. You could go.”
Shelby gaped at her. “Even if I agreed, I can’t. I have nothing to wear. I don’t own a fancy dress!”
Lily clapped her hands. “Well, today is your lucky day. I have a dress and shoes in the car that would be perfect for you.” She blushed and added hopefully, “I designed the dress. If you wore it, it might get my name out there.”
I tightened my hands on Shelby. This could work.
“Please,” I asked quietly. “If you were there, I could do this, Shelby. Please.”
She glanced at Everett.
“I’ll be right there,” he encouraged her. “You don’t have to talk to reporters or anything. We’ll get you down the red carpet as quickly as possible. But Liam has to go. He can’t back out now, no matter what is going on.”
She bit her lip, and I knew how much she hated being put in this position. She shied away from anything to do with the Hollywood lifestyle and the mass hysteria that seemed to surround me when I was in public. I knew the thought of being on that carpet tonight was almost as daunting to her as it was to me. But I needed her. I knew if she was beside me, I could walk the red carpet, ignore the screams, and be calm. She always calmed me.
“Please,” I asked again. “I need you.”
For a moment, our eyes locked. Bright blue met pleading green. Her gaze slowly softened with understanding, and I sighed in relief when she agreed. I dropped my head back to her stomach; it suddenly felt too heavy to hold up anymore.
With her, I could do this.
“On one condition.”
I looked up. “You can have anything, Shelby. Name it and it’s yours.”
Whatever she wanted, I’d buy her.
A smile played on her lips, and then she grinned widely. “You’re sure about that? Anything?”
I nodded, confused, but smiled back at her as relief coursed through me, making me almost giddy. She never asked for anything.
What could she possibly want?
She bent, brushing her lips across my forehead. She cupped my cheeks as she regarded me seriously. “The draft comes out of the frame and into your account tomorrow, Liam. And it’s done.”
Bloody hell.
I sat back and admitted defeat grudgingly.
She’d done it.
Game, set, and match.
She’d won.
I laughed as she winked at me.
Brilliant girl.
6
Liam
I paced the front hall anxiously.
What was taking so long?
I had showered, shaved, and dressed in thirty minutes. Shelby and Lily had been up there for well over an hour. A couple of times, while I was getting ready, I heard muffled shrieks from the third floor, and once, I was sure I heard Shelby cursing at Lily.
She rarely cursed unless she was pissed at me, which was often. I enjoyed listening to her cuss me out, and I knew she was
n’t enjoying the primping Lily had assured her she would love.
Shelby didn’t primp.
It was one of the things I found endearing and refreshing about her.
She was simply Shelby. I had never seen her in a dress. Her everyday outfits consisted of either black yoga pants or jeans and a long shirt. When she had cleaned out my closet, she had snagged a few of the dress shirts I didn’t want and often wore those, the arms rolled up and the tails tied around her hips as she worked around the house.
I never told her I preferred it when she wore my shirts. For some reason, it made my chest warm to see her in them, though.
Her hair was always in a bun or a ponytail. No makeup. The only item I’d ever seen her use was lip gloss.
She was naturally pretty; it was effortless. She was just Shelby.
So what was taking so bloody long?
I dragged my hand through my now-shorter hair and glanced over at Everett, who was busy typing away on his phone. Mark had arrived and was outside having a smoke as he waited patiently. Neither of them seemed concerned over the time it was taking. I glanced at my watch for the hundredth time.
“Relax, Liam. Plenty of time,” Everett advised.
“What are they doing up there?”
He looked up and shrugged. “God knows.”
“Go find out.”
He shook his head. “Your house, Liam. You go.”
“No. I don’t go onto Shelby’s floor. That’s her space.”
I had only ever been up three times. I had insisted she make over the rooms to suit her, and she had shown me the end result. The second time, I had been desperate. My head ached and I felt like shit and I needed Shelby to fix it for me, so I had bravely gone up to her room and woke her at four a.m., asking for her help. She had taken me back downstairs, soothed my head, got me medication and something to drink before she sat with me until I fell asleep. When I woke later that morning, she was still curled in the chair beside the bed, having watched over me all night. Because that was what Shelby did. She cared for those she loved, and as she often told me, she loved me like a brother. I loved her right back—she was my best friend, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. She took care of me. I was lucky to have her. When she got sick from looking after me and hadn’t come downstairs for the day, I went back to her room after making her some dinner. I learned two valuable lessons. Never wake a sick Shelby. And never offer baked beans on toast to someone who was ill. I barely made it out of the room without joining her in the bathroom while she was retching after I shoved the tray under her nose, trying to be helpful.
Changing Roles Page 4