Nicky's Fire
Page 20
She felt like she had control of her life now. Yes, everything was in order. And she was moving in the direction she'd planned. She had goals...dreams...aspirations. And no rock-star would come between Ellen and the life she'd planned for herself. She'd made the decision. And besides, it wouldn't be fair to Derick. She'd never be home, then he'd be gone too. It would end up like her marriage.
But, something inside her longed to see him, just one last time. He'd stopped calling a week ago. But she just had to see him, and venture into his world just once more.
Universal Amphitheater was packed this night, and the large crowd was chattering noisily before the lights dimmed and a loud cheer erupted.
Ellen and her young secretary sat in the middle, a few rows from the very front.
"These are great seats," Ellen told her.
Lisa laughed. "Yeah, I got lucky. Hey, here they come!"
The crowd roared as the four musicians strolled casually on stage. But Ellen only had eyes for Derick.
His long, brown hair gleamed in the bright lights of the auditorium. Black leather pants hugged his sleek, muscular legs and, as she gazed at him, she realized he wore the same shirt he'd worn when she first met him, except now it was unbuttoned to the waist.
And energy flowed from him, as he looked out over the crowd. "Hello, L.A.!" he said into the microphone. Another cheer erupted from the crowd, and whistles sounded.
As the band started the first song, people stood up. And Ellen was annoyed when the couple in front of her got to their feet also.
"Damn!" Ellen muttered, as she stood, cursing her small height. She was finally able to peer through and watch Derick's fingers move on the guitar. He was good, very good. His hand moved like lightening, as he stroked and cajoled his guitar. He almost made love to the thing. It was a long rock song, and when it ended, she could see a sheen of sweat already on his face and chest.
But the song ended abruptly, and just as abruptly, the couple in front of Ellen sat down. And Derick spotted Ellen instantly, as he looked out over the crowd. His eyes fixed on her, and she stood, mesmerized. She felt as if she couldn't move, as his stare continued.
He plunked on his guitar, and said into the microphone, "Well, look who's here." A seductive smile crept onto his lips, and people turned to look at Ellen. A woman screamed in the audience, then someone shouted.
Ellen sat down quickly, as a flush moved up her face.
Derick laughed softly into the microphone, and another woman screamed. "I have someone I want you all to meet," he said with a lazy grin. "Come up here, Ellen."
Now people were really curious, and craned their necks to get a better look at her. And she heard Lisa snickering.
Ellen shook her head violently, then glared at her smirking secretary, as she finally realized she'd been set up.
"Ellen..." he crooned, "come on, sweetheart. Right up here." Another woman screamed, and a chant started in the crowd.
"Go! Go! Go!" the audience cried, in unison, as they stomped their feet.
Sighing, Ellen realized she had no choice. Brushing by her secretary angrily, she made her way out of the row.
But she hesitated, as she reached the stairs to the stage. She couldn't do this! There were H.B.O. film crews here!
Derick saw her hesitating, and handed his guitar to a grinning group member. Raising his hands up, in a gesture of exasperation, he strolled quickly across the stage, down the stairs, and hoisted Ellen up over his shoulder.
The crowd cheered loudly, and women screamed.
As he deposited Ellen next to the microphone, he laughed at her red, flushed face and angry expression.
"Now I've done it," he said to the crowd, "she'll never speak to me again." He paused, as the audience laughed.
And as he waited for the ensuing quiet, he studied her curiously. "Was it something I said?" he said into the microphone.
Ellen shook her head.
"Was it something..." he paused again, and looked out over the audience, "something I did?"
Someone hooted, a woman shrieked then everyone laughed.
Ellen shook her head again, scarlet with embarrassment, wishing she was anywhere but here.
"Then why won't you see me?" he said loudly, as he grinned.
A woman in the audience cried, "Take me, Derick!"
But his grin faded, and now his eyes were trained on Ellen with a look so intense, she felt hypnotized. She didn't hear the audience. She didn't even notice the glaring, bright lights on stage. She just saw Derick.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Quickly, he lifted her into his arms. "You gotta say it into the microphone, sweetheart," he said loudly. The audience cheered. "Now, what was that again?"
His hand came down on her buttocks, as he shifted her against himself, and another woman in the audience screamed.
"I'll see you..." Ellen said softly, as she heard her words echo across the auditorium.
The audience cheered again, and stomped their feet.
Then, Derick kissed her, and the place went wild. People stood, clapping and yelling.
Pulling his lips from her slightly, Derick said, "You're going with me on a vacation."
"I can't," she protested weakly.
Laughing softly, he said, "I already cleared it with your boss, and he seemed relieved. He said you haven't taken a vacation in two years. Kind of a nice guy, your boss. See, you aren't the only one with connections, sweetheart."
And, as they kissed again, passionately, and while women screamed and men cheered, a lone band member began plunking notes from the bridal march.