“Excuse me,” Brandi said, sitting right beside Melody. “Did he just ask you to come home with him?”
“No,” Melody said, shaking her head while removing her hand from John’s. “Not at all.”
“Don’t lie,” John answered, standing up. “I asked her to stay with me, because the reporters are all out for her. They’ve followed her everywhere, more than they’re following me, so I’d like her to come with me so I can protect her.”
“I don’t need protectin’,” Melody said, looking to John with pleading eyes. She knew if Brandi suspected she’d slept in his house the night before, the woman would rip her eyes out. “I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll talk later,” John said, then turned and walked back to his seat.
“Are you two dating?” Brandi asked.
“No. He’s protectin’ me from the news media. End of story.”
“Why would the news media think so highly of you unless you were newsworthy, as in dating John Spencer?”
“I have no idea. We’re friends, and that’s it. I’m goin’ home tomorrow.”
“And not too soon,” the woman said with a huff.
Elise and Chuck entered the room, and everyone stood up and clapped. His parents gave each of them a hug and a kiss, then they went to the front of the room. A photographer took a few pictures of the group, then the waiters brought the wedding party their meals, and began taking plates full of food to everyone else.
Melody looked down at her plate. Fish. She hated fish. Why would someone serve fish at a wedding, anyway? She looked up at John with a grimace on her face, but he was confused. As soon as they brought him his meal, he looked at her and nodded.
She ate some of the scalloped potatoes, but they even tasted fishy. When she drank some of her water, she could only taste fish. The aroma filled the air, so she sat back and watched everyone else eat.
After clinking glasses and everything that went with a wedding celebration, the bride and groom stood to cut the cake. Everyone watched Elise shove the cake into Chuck’s face and he did the same to her. Melody leaned on her hand, with her elbow on the table, and just watched. She’d probably never have any of these opportunities in her life. It’s just the way it went. Bridesmaids didn’t usually become brides, according to the old adage.
The couple sat back down, and cake was served. At least she could eat something. She took a bite and realized it was carrot cake. Not her favorite, but she was hungry. She took a few bites, and tasted the rotten fish again, so she lay down her fork. She wished she could just walk the ten or so blocks to get a slice of Tony’s pizza.
Chuck’s best man stood up to give a toast. He was older than Chuck, and Melody thought he was Chuck’s brother. She ignored most of the speech and just wanted to leave. He droned on and on about how he saw Chuck grow up, mentioned the ruler and the socks, which brought laughter to the room, and even saw how he took care of Elise in her time of need. Melody thought of escape, but none of it seemed feasible.
The maid of honor stood next, and gave a speech about Elise. “My name’s Bethany, and I used to work with Elise. We’ve had some great times in New York, but I understand her best friend from back home is here as one of our bridesmaids. Melody, would you like to say a few things about your friend from West Virginia?”
All eyes turned to her as people cheered her on. She felt her face heat up, surprising her. She turned toward John, who was smiling.
Melody stood up, not quite sure what to say. A microphone was handed to her, and she faced the huge crowd, waiting for her to say something.
“Well, I had no idea I’d be making a speech.” People started to laugh, and she hoped they weren’t making fun of her accent. “Elsie Mae…I mean Elise…”
No sooner had she gotten the words out of her mouth than a man ran into the room. “I knew it! You’re Elsie Mae Johnson! I’ve been searching everywhere for you!” The man pulled out a gun and aimed it at Chuck. “And as for you, she’s mine. She’s been mine since I first saw her on stage in ‘Birds Fly South.’”
“The stalker,” Elise whispered, loudly enough for Melody to hear it.
Dead silence filled the room and no one moved. Melody had brought out the stalker because she used the wrong name. It was her fault.
Ted, Dennis, and Dawn had been standing in the back of the room, and all slowly converged on the man in unison. They needed a diversion, and Melody knew it.
“Excuse me, sir,” she said to the man.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“My name’s Melody Gray. You may have seen my picture on various tabloids around town.”
“Oh yeah. You’re the one who’s dating John Spencer. Is he here?” The man searched the room, but Melody had to cut him off short.
“I want you to talk to me,” she said. “Why are you doing this? It’s not a good thing, ya know.”
“Because she’s a great dancer and I want her for my—”
He didn’t have time to finish his sentence before Ted, Dennis and Dawn grabbed his gun and dragged him out of the room. Everyone started to clap, and John ran to Melody.
“Thank you,” he said, hugging her. “He’d have shot me, you know.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it.”
People ran to Melody and shook her hand, but she told the group to return to their seats. Others left the room in tears, but Melody kept standing, shook her head and took a deep breath.
“I hope everyone’s okay,” she said, into the microphone. “I’m going to ignore that little outburst, because I want to talk about Elise. I hope I get her name right this time, because I knew her as another name. Anyway, she and I are friends, and have been ever since we were little. She’s a great lady and I wish the lucky couple a very happy life together.” She handed the microphone back and sat down.
It just hit her what she’d done. She’d stopped a man with a gun. Guns didn’t bother her, because both her brother and her father had one, and they’d been pointed toward her face in drunken anger more than once. But she didn’t need John to see that side of her.
“Aren’t you nervous?” Brandi asked her. “That man wanted to kill us!”
“Yep.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
Melody faced the woman, who obviously hadn’t been in that situation before. “Nothing. There’s nothing to do. Life goes on, and everything’s fine now.”
“You’re amazing. I see why John wants you. I’ve never seen anyone so tough in my life.”
“It’s nothing, really. The guy probably didn’t even have a loaded weapon. I’d bet the safety was still on.”
“You saw that?”
She grinned. “In my neck of the woods, you get to know all about guns and the people the hold them. He looked like he didn’t know what he was doin’.”
“I hate guns.” She turned and talked to the woman on the other side of her.
Chuck stood up and took the microphone. “I think we all need a little break after all of that, and we’ll clear the dance floor in the meantime. It should be ready in about twenty minutes.”
Melody stood up and headed toward the bathroom. John stopped her as she stepped into the hallway, pulling her out of the way of the other guests.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yep. Nothing out of the ordinary there.”
“The man had a gun! What do you mean ‘nothing out of the ordinary’?”
“He probably didn’t even have a bullet in the chamber.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You know about guns?”
“I have to. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ room. I think my lipstick’s smeared.”
“I’ll have Dawn join you.”
“Whatever.” She smiled and walked away. Dawn met her and walked with her to the bathroom, after she went into the dressing room to get her purse.
“What happened?” Melody asked.
“Nothing. No bullets and the safety was on.”
“I
knew it,” Melody answered. “I hope he’s in custody anyway.”
“Yep. Ted’s waiting for the cops with the guy. They should be here any minute.”
They went into the bathroom and after using the facilities, Melody touched up her makeup. Dawn and she were the only people in the room, because she’d chosen a bathroom far enough away that no one would see her. She didn’t like being the center of attention.
As she stared into the mirror, she heard two men talking in the hallway outside the bathroom. She moved closer to the door and just listened.
“What is her background anyway?” It sounded like John.
“She’s had it tough.” She was sure the other man was Chuck. “Elise told me that her father’s beaten her so many times, they threatened to have social services come into the house, but the father paid them off. She’s had broken bones, black eyes, you name it. She even told Elise that her father threatened her with a gun on a regular basis. It’s not good, and if I were you, I’d walk away.”
“I can’t walk away,” John replied. “I love that girl. She needs me more than ever to protect her from that home life. She still lives at home, right?”
“Yes, she does. Her father won’t let her leave. I’m surprised she’s even here. Elise wanted to spend time with her and convince her to leave West Virginia, but she didn’t have time because of those reporters. It’s one sad situation.”
“Where does she work?” John asked.
“She never answered you on that, did she?”
“No, she dodges that question, just like questions about her father.”
“She’s a clerk in a grocery store. She wanted to go to college, but because her brother was a boy, he was allowed to go. He’s a real loser, and Melody was the one who paid the price when her mother died.”
“That was a shame about her mother.”
“More than you know,” Chuck answered. “Her mother had stage one cancer, and her father wouldn’t allow her to get help or see a doctor after it was diagnosed. He locked her in the house until she died. He didn’t want to spend money on any woman, because they’re second class citizens.”
Melody felt her stomach tie up in knots. She had no idea.
“That’s terrible!” John said. “No wonder she’s not very outgoing and why she answers me like she does.”
“Let it go,” Chuck answered. “You have all those women falling at your feet and can have any one of them.”
“You made your point.”
She heard their voices get quieter as they walked away, but she was unable to hear any more of their conversation.
Melody faced Dawn with a frown on her face. “I have to get out of here,” Melody said.
“Was that all true?” Dawn asked.
She wiped a tear. “That wasn’t the half of it. No one knows how bad it’s been for me, but that’s beside the point. I have to get away now. I can’t face John knowing he’s been told about my past.”
“I can’t blame you.” She checked her watch. “It’s about nine-thirty. Think you can get a flight out of here?”
“I’ll take care of it. I’m going to leave, and if John asks, tell him you thought I was still in the bathroom or something. Stall him, because I have to get past all those reporters and check out of my room.”
Dawn gave her a hug. “Good luck, and it was great to get to know you. I know how it is to have a rough childhood. I’ve been there myself.”
Melody offered her half a smile. “Thanks.” She grabbed her purse and walked out of the bathroom, going in the opposite direction of the reception hall. She found some back stairs and went up two flights, then exited the staircase and hit the button for the elevator. She took it to the twentieth floor, hoping there would be no reporters waiting for her.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, she peeked out. No one was in the hallway, so she ran to her room, got inside, shut the door and threw off her dress. She knew she didn’t have much time before John figured it out.
When she opened her suitcase, she saw all clean clothes inside, thanks to John’s maid. She put on a t-shirt and shorts, socks and sneakers, then called the front desk.
“I’d like to check out. Can you tell me if there are reporters in your lobby waiting for Melody Gray?”
“Yes, there are. The place is packed, and we have security holding them back.”
“Darn. I’m Melody. Can I check out from up here?”
“Sure. We’ll just put your bill on your credit card. Leave your room keys in your room.”
“How much is the total?”
“Just a minute.”
Melody waited, checking her watch, while eyeing her suitcase and purse at the door.
“That’ll be twenty-five hundred dollars and seventy-four cents.”
“But my room was to be comped! That’s a fortune!”
“Take it up with Mr. Spencer or his son.”
She wasn’t about to argue, with the time ticking away. “No, that’s okay. Just charge it.” She put the room keys on the nightstand, grabbed her things and walked out of the room. After she took the stairs to the nineteenth floor and ran to the elevator, she pushed the down button, hoping she wouldn’t see John. As soon as the door began to open, she stood back a bit and waited, then peeked inside to find it empty. She got into the elevator, then pushed the down button for the second floor, leaned against the wall, and let out a big sigh.
What was she going to do with a twenty five hundred dollar bill on her credit card? She couldn’t afford that! She didn’t know anyone who could pay for a hotel room like that. Why did she let John upgrade her room again? Was he just showing off for her because his father owned the place?
She got off the elevator on the second floor, and no one was in the hallway. She ran to the back stairs with her suitcase, and just as she opened the door to step outside, someone grabbed her arm from behind. She’d been found.
~~~~~
Chapter 8
“Where are you going?”
Melody spun around to see Dennis holding onto her arm.
“I’m going home,” she said. “John doesn’t want me and I have to go home.”
“What about me?”
“What? You? Are you kidding? I’m only a job to you.”
“No, Melody. You’re something special, and I really don’t want you to go. After you let me hug you when we were going to see the Statue of Liberty, I realized that if John didn’t want you, I did. Please stay? I can hide you from him and he’ll never know.”
“No, sir. I have to go.” She looked down at his grip on her arm. “Please let me alone.”
“I can’t. Don’t go?”
“Let go of the lady,” Ted said, walking outside. “I should’ve guessed you were after her.” He pulled out his cell phone, but Melody stopped him.
“Don’t call, please? I don’t have a lot of time and have to get back home. My dad’s ill and I have to see him.”
“I have to tell John,” Ted said.
“No! I just want to go back home and I don’t want him to know. I’ve made a mess of his life and other people’s lives and just need to go home. Please?”
“I’m glad you’re going home,” Ted answered. “But not for the reason you said. John doesn’t need a distraction right now. Where are you headed? I’ll take you there myself.”
“To the train station, but don’t tell John. I don’t want him finding me.” She wiped her cheeks, knowing this was for the best, but she was going to miss him. “He needs a woman who understands and is there for him without her past finding her.”
“I agree, but not until the U.S. Open is over.” Ted turned toward Dennis. “We’ll have a chat when I get back. I don’t like your unprofessional behavior.” He took Melody’s suitcase and walked with her to the car. “This is a very wise decision. You’re a lot smarter than I’d thought.”
“Why is that?”
He helped her into the front seat of his car, put her suitcase in the back and got into the driver’s s
eat. He started to drive away before he answered her. “Women are falling at John’s feet all the time and usually he ignores it, but every once in a while, he gives them a chance. Remember Nadia?”
“Sure. He talked about her a lot.”
“He was in love with her years ago, and couldn’t concentrate on his game at all. She never returned his advances and finally dumped him, hard. He never really recovered from that. At least you have the sense to get out before you can dump him, so he won’t get that hurt.”
She stared out the window. “You’re very right. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just wanted to get the weddin’ out of the way, then go back to my life in West Virginia.”
“When you get there, I want you to call me.” He handed her his business card. “If your father is the brute I think he is, I want you out of there. I’ll set you up somewhere on the west coast where no one can find you. I have friends everywhere, and I promise you’ll never be hurt again.”
She took the card. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you. John’s playing better than ever, and it’s because you’ve given him a reason to go on playing tennis. I didn’t think you could do it, and I’m going to make him think you’re coming back so he’ll keep playing well. But I don’t want you here. If you disappear, it’ll happen after the game is over, so he can get upset then. But for now, he’ll think you’ll be back. Does that make sense?”
“Sure.” He wanted his money and that’s all he was thinking about. It was obvious to Melody.
He dropped her off at the train station, and she thanked him as she got her suitcase. He waved and drove away.
Melody was hungry, but had to get her ticket for the train first. She walked inside and up to the counter.
“I’d like to change my ticket for the first available train to Charleston, West Virginia,” she said to the clerk, handing her the ticket. “I have a six o’clock trip.”
“We have a three a.m. trip and it’s not full. Want me to transfer your ticket to that one?”
“Yes, I do. I have to get out.”
The woman stared at Melody. “Aren’t you all over the cover of the tabloids?”
Love Means Nothin' Page 14