Her Hero

by Hildie McQueen

  “Mother,” Chad interrupted the outburst, which could last well into time for him to leave and head to the concert hall. “Sophia is kind and wary. She tried to dissuade me and turned me down quite a few times. I wanted to do so much with her, but she insisted on keeping our relationship private. As a matter of fact, in the four weeks we’ve been seeing each other, we’ve never gone anywhere in public as a couple. She is sensitive, beautiful and a nice person. It’s not her fault that her father is a...I mean...he killed her mom.”

  His parents exchanged looks. “Well, honey, all I can tell you is that you need to consider how much you care for this girl. It may be that you don’t care for her enough yet. If that is the case, then this comes at a good time. Breaking it off won’t hurt as much. However,” she paused and met his gaze. “If you love her, then you have to decide if it’s strong enough for you to weather the crap storm that will come when the media gets ahold of who you are dating.”

  “I really don’t think he should put his career in jeopardy over her,” Charley interrupted. “There is no way to know how this could impact not just Chad’s career, but our lives. I mean...”

  Chad covered her hand when he noticed the server was nearing.

  Once the server left, Chad cleared his throat. “To be honest, it’s all so fresh. I can’t stop thinking that Sophia’s father died. That her past has caught up with her. I wonder if she’s dealing with all of this alone.”

  “Let’s go, I want to watch my son perform,” his mother announced with a wide grin and hugged him. “You’ll know what to do, baby. I trust you will.”

  Chapter 16

  Two long weeks. Fourteen days. On day fifteen, Sophia trudged to the kitchen to make coffee and, as usual, peeked outside to see how many reporters had arrived. The street was empty. Not only were there no reporters, but two of the neighbors had emerged. One across the way was washing his car and another a few doors down decorated her front door with a fresh wreath.

  She went to the calendar on her wall and tried to figure out what day it was. She’d marked each day since her father died and the reporter campout began without paying much attention to details such as day or date.

  It was Saturday. The reason the neighbors were out, most people were off. Without the constant presence of annoying cameras, they felt comfortable doing normal things.

  God, not only had her father’s death affected her and her coworkers, but also her neighbors. The media was relentless. The doorbell rang and she opened to a short blond, Laura, her next door neighbor.

  “Honey, we can all finally breathe.” The woman rounded her and walked to her kitchen counter where she placed a plate and a small vase with flowers. “I told Mark that I could finally come check on you without having to worry about ending up in the Chronicle. Not a big deal, except for Mark’s job. The Post Office makes a big deal out of everything. You know?” She shook her head. “Anyway, I wanted to come and give you a big hug and say I’m sorry.”

  Tears sprung to Sophia’s eyes when the woman hugged her. “I am so sorry about all this. I know all the neighbors must hate me.”

  “Nah,” Laura said and then giggled. “Well, except for Mr. Hughes. But he hates everything. I actually think he’s excited about suing the local news affiliate because they trampled his flowers.”

  “Flowers? His front yard is horrible,” Sophia said peering out the windows. “His dogs dig it up all the time.”

  “I know, right?” Laura joined her at the window. “If anything, the reporters should sue him for all the crap on their shoes.”

  They laughed and Sophia, once again, wanted to cry. She’d not given the people around her enough credit.

  Laura walked to the door. “I better scoot. I have tons of work to do before the kids get home from school.” She dashed out after making Sophia promise to come over for lunch soon.

  Thankfully, there were no reporters at her office either. Sophia made a beeline for her desk only to pause when the office administrative assistance called out her name.

  “Don said not to expect you, but I’m glad you’re here,” the young woman called out just before answering the ringing phone.

  Indeed, she’d asked Don for a month off. Enough time to, hopefully, allow for the news to grow old and also to grieve over not seeing Chad again.

  He had not called since the day the news broke. Kept his distance, which was smart. However, it didn’t stop her heart from breaking. As much as she understood how her being part of his life was detrimental to his career, she’d hoped for a miracle.

  “Hey, girl,” Mandy breezed in and plopped down on a chair. “What’s up?”

  Sophia glanced from the overfilled email inbox on her monitor. “I’ve had a hard time keeping up with all this email. Have people gone crazy? Past clients are popping out of the woodwork. Either stating their support or asking to work with me again.”

  Laughter rung out and it was a nice sound. Mandy shook her head. “Apparently, being a serial killer’s daughter makes you a celebrity of sorts. People have gone crazy. Don is fielding all the calls and turning most of them down.”

  Mandy stared at her. “Heard from him?”

  Just the question alone made her chest constrict until the pain was physical. “No and I don’t blame him.”

  “Bullshit,” Mandy exclaimed with a frown. Uncrossing her legs, she leaned forward and pinpointed her with hard eyes. “If he loves you, he better come around. Otherwise I will lose all respect for him. When the going gets tough and all that. I may just have to call him and give him a piece of my mind.”

  It was just like her friend to go to battle for her. “Don’t you dare. Our relationship was too new. Although I fell for him, he may not feel the same. Besides, he probably feels betrayed that I didn’t tell him. For that, I totally don’t blame him.”

  “There is that,” Mandy conceded. “I kept telling you.”

  It was dark by the time Sophia returned home. Admittedly, she could have left her office earlier, but the prospect of returning to her empty house was not appealing in the least. She’d spent two weeks cooped up. To keep busy, she’d cleaned and organized the entire condo to within an inch of its life. So there was little to do.

  After putting her bag of groceries away, she changed into leggings and an oversized t-shirt. A cup of tea and she’d be set for an evening of binging on Gilmore Girls. Just as she lowered to the couch, her phone dinged.

  It was a text from Chad.

  Her hand shook as she read the one line.

  You should have told me.

  Tears immediately sprung to her eyes. She knew his concert schedule by heart. Right now he was out west in Portland. Too far.

  I owe you an apology and an explanation. I’m so sorry.

  She pressed send.

  And waited.

  He did not reply.

  Chapter 17

  The tour bus was loud. Everyone was rowdy as they looked forward to returning home. Midway through their tour, they would take a two week break.

  Tom and Charley sat cozied up, exchanging what Chad could only describe as sickening looks of two people engrossed in each other while Tyrone screamed at the game on the big screen.

  Charley stood and stretched. “Anyone need anything? I’m getting a drink.”

  “Pass me a beer, Sis.” He reached for the beverage and met her gaze. As usual, since they’d started the tour, she gave him a knowing look accompanied by a reassuring smile.

  Yeah, he missed the shit out of Sophia. Could not stop thinking about her. Every night, he’d gone through scenario after scenario of what they’d have to go through if they were to make a relationship public and, every time, it was clear. Her past would resurface in interviews, in magazines or online articles. There was a possibility it would be years before the press let go of the subject.

  Even if they could work things out and he got past the fact she’d kept the information from him, a relationship with her would bring her past to the surface. Although Sophia was
strong, it would be hard to field the constant questions.

  And yet, knowing all that and after deciding he’d not pursue anything further with her, he’d sent the text. His phone was like a five hundred pound weight in his hand now. Uncertainly was a heavy load.

  Charley was behind him. She leaned over and pressed her chin into his shoulder. “You should go see her. Talk to her. You miss her.”

  To say her suggestion was astounding was an understatement. His sister was the one person who’d been inflexible about the issue.

  “It wouldn’t be fair to you or the guys if my career takes a nosedive.”

  She let out a soft huff. “It won’t. Right now, your concerts are sold out. Plus, I have an idea.”

  “Not sure I want to pursue a relationship with someone who didn’t trust me enough to tell me about her past.”

  Tom, who he thought was engrossed in the game, turned to give him an incredulous look. “If I were her, I wouldn’t have said shit either. Imagine you’re in deep over someone. Would you tell them something that would freak them out and make them run in the opposite direction? It’s not about trust in this case, Bro. It’s about fear.”

  Since when did the guy get so deep?

  Tyrone laughed. “Yeah, what he said.”

  “You know?”

  “It’s hard not to see that achy-breaky heart sign over your head,” Tyrone said and began singing the Billy Ray Cyrus song.

  “Now I remember why you don’t sing,” Tom said laughing.

  “I don’t sing because you two are afraid of the soul in my voice.”

  Charley went to Tyrone and kissed his cheek. “I love to hear you sing. You remind me of the romantic call of a bullfrog at night.”

  Sophia’s head jerked up and she realized that, once again, she’d fallen asleep on the couch.

  “This is the exciting life of a single woman,” she muttered and glanced at the digital display on her watch. “Oh my God. This is sad.”

  It was only nine o’clock at night on a Saturday. She’d spent the afternoon shopping with Mandy. After a late lunch, she’d gone to the gym. Thankfully, no one seemed to know who she was.

  The reporter who’d taken a picture of her and Chad had approached her as she’d reached her car and offered to do an article. Although he’d been polite and stated she could write the questions herself, she’d declined.

  He’d been gracious and insisted he understood where she was coming from. After coming home, she’d looked him up. His mentally ill brother had killed his entire family. And although the photographer had been shot, he was the only survivor of the horrendous incident.

  The doorbell rang and she wiped the sleep from her eyes. Not expecting anyone, Sophia looked through the peephole and her breath caught.

  Of course Chad would finally show up when she was dressed in dirty yoga pants and his t-shirt. Sophia glanced toward her bedroom and called out, “Give me a minute.”

  She raced to her bedroom and snatched the shirt off. Then she grabbed a different shirt and yanked it on over her head. Of course, her messy bun was now probably more of a hot mess, but she didn’t have time to worry about it.

  When she opened the door and moved back to allow him in, he scanned the room as if expecting she’d hidden someone under the couch.

  “I had to put a shirt on,” Sophia explained. “Wasn’t expecting anyone.”

  Chad searched her face as if attempting to decipher who she really was. Then without a word, he opened his arms.

  A cry caught in her throat as Sophia threw herself against him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She grabbed the fabric of his shirt, clutching to it with the desperate hope he’d not pull away.

  Instead, he squeezed her tighter against him and pressed his cheek to the side of her head. His hands were firm as he rubbed her back.

  “I’m so sorry, Chad. I should have told you. I tried to so many times. But I was scared you’d leave.”

  He let out a long breath and nuzzled her hair. “I probably would have hightailed it. At first, I would have. Not so sure about afterwards. Once I got to know you.”

  There was so much to say, so many emotions churning. Sophia settled on remaining in his arms. “Can you hug me for a little bit longer?”

  His deep chuckle echoed in her ear and she closed her eyes. For a few moments, she absorbed the feel of his body, Chad’s smell and how warm his arms were. Once he released her and they spoke, things would undoubtedly change.

  Best guess, he was there to discuss whether or not she would mention him in any interviews or if she had already. There was no doubt in her mind he was there to do whatever damage control he could.

  Finally, he moved away. But he held her hand and pulled her towards the couch. “Come on, we have some things to discuss.”

  Her stomach dipped at how calm his voice was. She sunk down to sit as her legs wobbled with nerves.

  “I will do whatever you need to ensure your career is not affected by knowing me.” Sophia gripped her hands together, not daring to look at him. “If you need to deny you even know me, that’s fine.”

  “How do you feel about me?”

  Sophia looked up in surprise. Head tilted to the side, he studied her with one eyebrow lifted.

  From now on, she’d be honest with him no matter how mortifying. “I am in love with you.”

  “Okay.” His gaze fell and his brows creased. “I love you, too.”

  “What?”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed and met her gaze. “I love you, Sophia.”

  “Oh.”

  “What do we do now?”

  He loved her. The words had yet to sink in and he expected an answer as to what they should do? “I--I don’t know. What do you want to do?” Once again, she clutched her hands in her lap.

  “Is that what you do when you’re nervous?” His larger hand covered hers. “Don’t be.”

  There was nothing they could do. The truth of the matter was, if they dated, the media would have a heyday with it. “I think we shouldn’t see each other again. I love you too much to do anything to harm you in any way.”

  “Charley said you’d say that.” He leaned forward and waited for her to meet his gaze. “And I said, I’m not letting her go.”

  “Think about it. The media will put two and two together and they will bring up my father, my past and your fans will hate me and hate that you’re with me.”

  “Can we have sex? I want you really bad right now.”

  “What?” Sophia blinked at his abrupt change in topic. “Now? But we need to talk.”

  “We can talk in there.” He motioned to the bedroom with his head.

  In the dim moonlight that streamed through the curtain, they took their time undressing between kisses and caresses. Sophia slid her hands up his torso and then down to the top of his jeans. She unfastened them and pushed the pants down past his hips.

  His body was perfection. With wide shoulders and muscular forearms framing a well-formed chest and flat stomach, he was amazingly drool-worthy. The pants caught on his thick thighs and he pushed them down, kicking them off as he pulled Sophia against him, his mouth taking hers.

  Mouths fused, they moved to the bed and he lowered her onto it before covering her body with his.

  Chad took his time, his lips tracing kisses down Sophia’s neck to her breasts. The entire time, his hands explored her body.

  Every touch and kiss made Sophia shake with anticipation as she wrapped her leg around his hips. She slid her right hand over his back and her left through his hair.

  A cry escaped when his fingers slid between her legs and he stroked her expertly until she trembled on the verge of losing control.

  “I can’t wait, Sophia. I need you.”

  Thankfully, he didn’t waste time. With quick movements, he shielded his length and settled between her legs. She arched up to take him in when he thrust into her and both cried out with relief.

  Chad made love to her and she to him. T
hey switched positions, rolled over each other, neither wanting the lovemaking to end.

  The knowledge they loved each other deepened their physical connection. It made the encounter so much sweeter as more than just their bodies were involved as they joined, pulled apart and joined again.

  He rose above her, his lips swollen from her kisses and peered deep into her eyes. “Take me, Sophia.”

  Once again, his rigid hardness pushed in and Sophia gasped as every nerve ending could barely sustain any more sensation. “I can’t stop...Please.”

  Not knowing what she asked for, not exactly, she grabbed Chad’s bottom and pulled him deeper. “More.”

  His movement became harder, faster. And then all control was lost before, finally, both fell into an abyss.

  “Are you okay?” His gruff question in her ear sent a tingle down her body. It was too much. Her body was still super sensitive.

  Sophia held his hips. “Don’t move. Don’t breathe.”

  “Okay.” He was still for moment and then gasped. “I kinda have to breathe.”

  A giggle escaped. “Stop moving so much. I can’t handle it.”

  They continued talking and laughing until, finally, Sophia allowed him to move.

  Sophia had no idea what time it was, nor did she care. Her head rested on Chad’s chest and she listened as he spoke.

  “So you agree to the plan for now? We keep our relationship quiet. Not secret, since a few people know. My sister, Tom, Tyrone, your friend and my parents.”

  “Your parents?” Sophia knew her eyes had widened. “You told your parents about me?”

  “Mmm hmm. They want to meet you, by the way.”

  “Oh my goodness. What did your mom say?”

  “That if I loved you, you must be a pretty cool chick.”

  Sophia had to laugh. “She called me a cool chick?”

  “I guess she said special young lady.”

  Somewhere in the distance, a train whistle sounded. It was one of her favorite sounds and she snuggled closer to Chad. “I love you so much.”