Love United (Hollywood Series Book 3)

by Avery Michaels

  As we approached the airport, Valez said that he would walk me all the way to the plane. I nodded mechanically. I watched as my things were unloaded from the Humvee and transferred onto the jet. I signed autographs for the soldiers that were there and then several extras for their family members. It turned out that they’d been forbidden to approach me while I was on base. That was why I hadn’t been welcomed in the way I was accustomed.

  I smiled and waved at them as Valez walked me across the tarmac. He was armed with a rifle at his side. It was surreal.

  I paused on the first step of the plane’s staircase. “Valez?” He raised his eyebrows in response. “I need you to do something for me.” I considered my thoughts carefully. I was about to ask him to try to raise Blake on his radio, but I knew it could get Blake into trouble, and for what? To sate my need for closure on something that was never going to be more than a one-night stand? No. That wouldn’t be fair. Roxy would do that, but I didn’t feel like Roxy anymore. I hadn’t felt like her since I’d sung that song. If I were being honest with myself, I hadn’t really felt the Roxy persona since I got here. This place had humbled me. It was a good thing.

  “What is it, Ms. Royce?”

  “If I wanted to write someone or email someone here, how would I do that?”

  “Well, it depends on who you wanted to get in touch with. Everyone has a different email address. You would email them with their first initial, last name, and then at FOB.com. Who do you want to email?”

  “Um, well, I was just going to thank the person who invited me, but I really don’t know who that is, so I guess I will have my record company send our thanks.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Well, you have a great flight, and it was nice to meet you. If you’ll excuse me, it’s a long ride back to base and…”

  “You have to pee?” I laughed.

  “How did you know?”

  “I heard the other guy call you ‘Twenty-piss-Tommy.’” He hung his head. “Hey, it’s all good. There’s a bathroom on the jet. You can use it.”

  He looked around then said, “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely! Just let the seat down, huh? There are ladies aboard.”

  He went in, and I followed. The jet was beyond my expectations. It had a sofa and bed with a fully functional bathroom. There was a large screen television in the main cabin and a divider that could be closed to separate the area with the bed if need be. It was like a mini hotel room. I fell back onto the bed, arms wide open, letting the cool air-conditioning flow down onto me.

  Twenty-piss-Tommy stepped out of the bathroom and thanked me again before heading for the door.

  “It sure was a nice thing you did coming all this way,” he said.

  “I appreciate you saying that, Valez.”

  He stood in the doorway of the plane awkwardly. “Ms. Royce, if you don’t mind me saying so, you’re a very beautiful woman without all of that jazzy stage stuff.”

  “Thank you, Tommy.” I stood up, walked over to him, and hugged him. I kissed his cheek and bid him a safe trip back to the base.

  As soon as he was off the steps, I looked at the pilot and put my hand in the air, making a whirling motion, just like Blake had done the first time we’d met. He laughed a little at my attempt but nodded and closed the cabin door. I lay down again and fell asleep right away.

  Chapter 8

  The color of the curve of a wave just before it breaks. The lightest shade of green. Seafoam.

  It was the color theme of my dreams. I awoke as the wheels of the jet touched down in New York. We’d stopped in Paris, but I hadn’t felt much like partying, so I just watched a movie from the plane while they refueled. My friends in France were disappointed, but they would get over it. I really just wanted to get home.

  I’d thought of all the things I’d learned about Blake in one night. He’d married his high school sweetheart at eighteen, right before he left for boot camp. She’d cheated on him with his best friend while he was away. He’d forgiven her. She’d cheated again while he was deployed the first time. He didn’t go into much detail after that. He just said they’d gotten divorced. He seemed scarred by it.

  In return for his story, I told him about Grant cheating with Mimi Vines. I sympathized with him. It didn’t feel good to be cheated on. He told me that he had trust issues and hadn’t really been in a relationship since his divorce. I told him I had some experience with trust issues, as well.

  I learned that his favorite food was pineapple upside-down cake, and he’d take that over a steak any day. I’d laughed at that. He always took his dessert before dinner, and he enjoyed rap music, even though he said that there hadn’t been a decent rapper since Tupac was “taken down in his prime.” I’d looked at him and told him that he was full of surprises.

  We talked about a lot of different things. He wasn’t the person I’d imagined he would be when I first met him. He was funny, gentle, and kind. I didn’t know why I thought I could handle this emotionally. I missed him. It felt as though I should feel like I barely knew him, but it didn’t feel that way at all.

  “Sir, when can we get back up?” I asked the pilot while he was taxiing the plane around JFK.

  “What do you mean? I have your destination as New York City.”

  “Yes, but I want to go home for a while.”

  “Well, I have some personal business to attend to here in the city tonight, but I could get you to Hollywood tomorrow afternoon.”

  “No, not Hollywood. I need to get home…to Alabama. I want to see my family.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I just assumed—”

  “It’s okay. So there’s no way to go ahead and push through today then?”

  “Ms. Royce, I love this job, and the pay is great, but I’ve been flying for twenty-some-odd hours, and I’m exhausted.”

  “I could pay you extra.”

  “I’m going to be honest with you,” he said. “My baby girl’s first birthday is tomorrow, and I wouldn’t miss her waking up for the world. So I can get you back up and on your way tomorrow afternoon after her party, or I can find you another pilot.”

  I smiled at him warmly. “The day after tomorrow will be just fine. Could you build the itinerary and email it to my manager?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

  “I appreciate your candor.”

  He took my elbow when I set my feet on firm ground to help steady me. I got into the waiting limo as my bags were being loaded into the trunk.

  “Trase,” I called to the driver. He rolled down the partition with a look of astonishment on his face. I didn’t think I’d ever addressed him before. How rude of me. He was very good at his job and always did what he knew was expected without being asked. I wished everyone did their jobs so well.

  “Is everything all right? Did I forget something?”

  I looked around at the water, champagne, and snacks. “No, everything is perfect, thank you.” In fact, it seemed like excess compared to where I’d just come from. Could twenty-four hours in the desert have changed me that much?

  “Oh, you’re welcome,” he said as he began rolling the partition back up.

  “Wait. I was just going to ask your opinion on something.”

  “Uh…” He rubbed his forehead uncomfortably. “Okay.”

  “I know the etiquette on the matter, but how do men really feel about being called by a woman? Like after a…well, let’s pretend there was a date. So after a date, how would you feel if a woman called you instead of the other way around?”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Focus, Trase.”

  “Honestly, I know some guys who are old school and immediately label a girl who calls after a date as ‘crazy.’” I propped my chin in my hand, gazing out of the window, disappointment surely showing on my face. “But,” he said, “I, personally, love me a feisty go-getter! I love a woman who knows what she wants.”

  I immediately smiled. “Thanks, Trase.”

  “Anytime, Ms. Royce.
” He began rolling up the partition, and the thought struck me. Trase was really good at his job. He was dedicated, always on time, and very professional.

  “Hey, Trase, one more thing—”

  “What’s up?”

  “How would you like to be my assistant from now on?”

  ****

  When we pulled up to The Four Seasons, there was a crowd. I wasn’t expecting it. Being across the Atlantic had made all of this crap seem to disappear, even if only for a few days. I guess I thought it would magically go away.

  Trase had been overjoyed to accept the position I’d offered him. He should’ve been the one in the position the whole time. Bo, my ex-assistant, could take Trase’s place as driver. Everyone was a winner.

  When Trase opened my door, I told him to leave the car with the front desk. He was to start as my assistant immediately. I needed him right away. He may not have had “assistant” experience per se, but he’d worked around celebrities enough that I felt he could handle it. He proved me right, right away.

  As soon as he let me out of the car, he parted the crowd. He was a large man, probably six feet five inches, of Puerto Rican descent, and had a deep, deep voice. He looked like the stereotype of a professional boxer. He was intimidating. He could actually pull double duty as a bodyguard if needed.

  The reporters went on and on about the sex tape. I just kept walking. Then one of them mentioned my relationship with Logan. That was it.

  “For the record”—I turned around, removing my sunglasses—“I have never had a ‘relationship’ with Logan Mason. We went on a few dates…years ago! Get over it!” I slipped my sunglasses back on.

  “That’s not what he says,” one reporter yelled. I couldn’t stand that twerp, Mick Lennox. He seemed to always take things just a little too far. I was about to snap, but Trase took my elbow and led me inside. I looked at him. “Thanks, I was about to go off.”

  “Yeah, I could tell you were losing your cool. Your manager already has you all checked in. I will get your things up to you and take care of this media circus. You go relax.”

  “Thanks, Trase. Oh, and don’t forget to get a room for yourself. I will need you close by until I head home the day after tomorrow, all right?”

  “Really? I just live in the Bronx. You don’t have to spend money for me to stay here…”

  “Your choice.” He only deliberated for a moment before taking me up on my offer. I appreciated how he’d handled things and wanted to reward him. Plus, having him close by would make it easier to come and go from the hotel.

  “Take advantage of the room service. It’s on me,” I said as I stepped into the elevator.

  As soon as I stepped into my suite, I could tell something was off. The smell, the whole setting. I’d been staying in the same suite, whenever I was in New York, for the past few years. It was always immaculate when I arrived.

  “Who’s there?” I called. “I’m carrying! I have a gun!” Which would usually be true, but since I’d just gotten off a plane…

  “Calm down, dollface. It’s me.” Logan stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.

  “What the f—” I didn’t even finish before I picked up the nearest vase and launched it at him. “Get out of here!”

  “Calm down, Maddie, shit! That really could have hit me.”

  “It was meant to!” I picked up the phone and dialed security. “There’s an intruder in my room. Send the police!”

  “By all means. Please make a scene,” he begged.

  I considered him, unsure of what kind of media storm he’d already set in motion. I canceled the police and security. Instead, I called Trase.

  “The driver?” He laughed. “Are you planning on making a clean getaway? I will chase you out into the streets in this towel. You’re my lady now.”

  “I was never your anything, Logan.”

  “That’s not what you’re going to tell the press.”

  “Oh yeah? Why would I do anything else for you? I gave you the money. I tried to help you! What more do you want?”

  “I want my career back. Being your man candy for a Hollywood minute will do that for me. It will put me back in the spotlight.”

  “No.”

  “Come on, Maddie. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. If I remember correctly, you kind of like it the hard way, eh—”

  “Or how about no way? Get the fuck out, Logan.”

  “Look, doll, this is already done. I’ve been staying in this suite on your dime since you walked out. Everyone thinks we’re together. They’ve thought it since you left for the Middle East. Just let me ride it out.”

  “You’re shameless.”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “I’m not doing this!”

  “Fine. Have it your way. Sex tape it is.”

  I leaned forward with sheer hatred radiating from me. “Are you trying to blackmail me?”

  “You’re so cute. I am blackmailing you. Either you do this or I will release the sex tape I have of us with Lacy Waters and Jackson Jacobs. You remember that night, don’t you?” He moved toward me. He slid his hands up and down my arms. “What a great night. You loved it. We could go back there. You could relive that night over and over again with me, Maddie.”

  “There’s no tape.” I slapped his hands away and shoved him.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Even if there is, it would hurt all of us, not just me.”

  “Any publicity is good publicity, doll. Besides, you paid me off. I have a check for fifty grand that says you tried to buy me. It’s going to look that way, anyway.”

  “You bastard. You played me.”

  “I’ve been playing you since the day we met.”

  Just as I began to put an Alabama ass-whooping on him, Trase ran into the room, grabbed me by my waist, and pulled me back as Logan laughed.

  “Add assault,” Logan said smugly.

  “Get his ass out of here!”

  Logan didn’t want to go up against Trase. He grabbed his duffel and walked out willingly, laughing all the way. “Get on board the Logan train, Maddie…Oh, that’s right! You already did!” He snickered. “For real, it’s my way or the highway, dollface. Don’t fight it. Make it easier on yourself.”

  “I hate you!”

  “Like I care. We’ll chat soon.”

  I slid into the nearest chair. Trase stood there seemingly unsure of what to do. “Follow him. Put someone on him at all times. Do your best to keep him away from the press. Get my publicist over here right away and call my manager.”

  I needed to have a meeting to let them in on my dirty little secret before Logan did. Before I got all of the words out, Trase had them on a conference call on the hotel phone and he was out the door looking for Logan. Dang, he’s good.

  “What’s going on, Rox?” Kimmy, my publicist, spoke first. I’d never had any problems like this before. She called me her “easy” client. Ashley, my manager, was also concerned.

  “Two words. Logan Mason. He’s got me by the balls, ladies.” I explained that I hadn’t believed there was a tape, but that there could be, and how I had fallen into his trap of a blackmail setup by giving him the money. It looked as if I’d tried to pay him to keep the tape from being released.

  I also bit the bullet and told them about the night with Lacy and Jackson…sort of. I didn’t get into any details.

  There was a long silence in the conference room. After I’d begun to tell them about the possibility of a sex tape, they’d stopped me and come over to the hotel to talk in person. We sat there around a small round table in the smallest conference room that the hotel had. Trase stood guard outside the door.

  “We need to contact Lacy’s and Jackson’s people,” Ashley said, puffing on her e-cig like there was a zombie apocalypse outside. I was her most successful client, so my disgrace was her downfall.

  “Logan’s just blowing smoke up our asses,” Kimmy said, her thick northern accent making the words stick together. One long Yankee w
ord.

  “Perception is everything,” Ashley retorted. “This could tank her.”

  “Really?” I jumped in. “This, being my private life, could tank my career? What about loyalty? What about talent?”

  “Oh, nobody gives a shit about talent, Roxy. My iPhone is more talented than half the singers on the radio,” Kimmy said harshly. “And loyalty? In this business? Come on! Tell me you’ve learned something! You’re a country slash pop princess. A foursome orgy doesn’t fit in that sweet little puzzle. Get it?”

  I let my head fall in my hands. “Jackson has kids now—”

  “Yeah, well, that’s his publicist’s problem.”

  Ashley jumped in. “Why aren’t we just giving the asshole what he wants? So he wants to pretend to be your boyfriend for a few weeks. What’s the big deal, Rox?”

  “He won’t stop there, y’all. This will be an ongoing thing. I won’t negotiate with him. It’s like negotiating with a criminal. He will never get enough.”

  “Everyone already thinks you two are together, though,” Ashley said.

  “Why? Because we stayed in the same hotel? I wasn’t even in the country!”

  “Didn’t you watch the news at all?” Ashley asked as Kimmy left the room to make calls. I shook my head no. “Logan alluded to the fact that the two of you were together. He made a scene about his concerns for your safety while you were overseas. It’s all over the entertainment news and tabloids.”

  “He can’t just do that!”

  “Oh, Roxy. He already did. You have to stay ahead of people out here, sweet girl. They’ll run all over you.” She got up and kissed the top of my head but then leaned down to look me in the eye. “Rox, if there’s a tape, I need to know. I need you to tell me what happened that night.”

  I deliberated for a moment but said, “I already told you. And I don’t think there could be a tape. We left our phones at the door.” I felt an unexplainable agitation come over me at the continued interrogation. “You know, I’m done discussing this. This is what I pay you all for. Take care of it.”