Star Struck

by Goss, Shelia

  Neither Trevon nor Garrett would confirm Shareeka’s allegations.

  “Ma’am, since no one witnessed it happen, it’s her words against yours. Since we have an arrest warrant for you, we’re subject to believe her.”

  “But look at me. My hair didn’t get like this. My clothes. See my blouse is torn here.” Shareeka pulled on her sleeve to show him.

  “You could have did that yourself. Now we’re trying to be patient with you.”

  The officers handcuffed Shareeka. “All of y’all can go to hell,” she yelled as the officers led her out.

  “Trevon we’ll wait here until you’re sure everything’s secure here.” He led Hailey by the arm. “Come on, we’ll wait in your car. Keys please.”

  Hailey hesitated, but handed him her keys. “You didn’t have to follow me. I had everything under control.”

  “If I wouldn’t have come, Shareeka wouldn’t be the only one hauled off to jail.”

  ~ 33 ~

  Hailey had a hard time sleeping. Every time she dozed off, she could see Shareeka’s face. Her irritating voice sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard as she taunted Hailey. “Garrett was mine first. Welcome to my left overs,” Shareeka kept saying over and over with a sinister look on her face as Shareeka chanted Garrett’s name.

  Hailey woke up in a cold sweat. She was disappointed to find herself alone in the bed. Garrett went to the police station so he could be there when they questioned Shareeka. Hailey called John. “I know I said I didn’t want to do this, but in light of what’s happened, let’s reschedule the shows for a later date.”

  After Hailey assured John, she was okay, he said, “Be careful. Call me if you need me.”

  “I will. Please apologize to everyone for me,” she said. Hailey called Jackie and repeated the same to her as she told John.

  “Do you need me to come over?” Jackie asked.

  “Just keep your cell phone near you,” Hailey responded. She knew she could be a little hard on Jackie, but Jackie always stood up to her.

  After ending the phone call with Jackie, Hailey opted to take a long hot bath to sooth her nerves. She kept her phone near the bathtub. As the bubbles soaked into her skin, she opened her eyes when she heard the Los Angeles news reporter say her name. She fumbled for the remote and turned up the volume.

  “Our sources say that Shareeka Johnson has been accused of sending Hailey Barnes life threatening messages because of one man. The man’s name is unknown at this time. As soon as we find out more, we’ll disclose that information.”

  Hailey didn’t bother to dry off. She jumped out the tub, grabbed her phone off the floor and threw on her robe. She had her agent Carmen on the phone before she could get the robe on good. “Please find out who is behind leaking this to the press.”

  Carmen said, “Why am I just now hearing about this? I should have been the first person you called.”

  Hailey apologized but continued to rant about the leak to the media. Carmen’s attempt to calm her down, didn’t work. She was still fired up when Garrett showed up. Garrett reached to hug her when she opened the door, but she wasn’t feeling it. Garrett said, “If you don’t calm down you’re going to work your way into an early grave.”

  “Have you seen the news? Every station is talking about it.” Hailey’s hands were moving all over the place.

  “I take it you probably don’t want to see this either.” Garrett pulled the daily newspaper from behind his back.

  She took it from him and looked at the front cover. There she was all glammed up in the right hand corner with a crazy looking photo of Shareeka that they must have taken at the police station the night before right next to her. The caption read – Alleged Crazy Fan Now Caught. She threw the paper at Garrett. “Some heads should roll for this. Don’t you have connections on the force?”

  Garrett responded, “Yes, but there’s no telling who leaked this information.”

  She pouted, “Somebody needs to do something. I try to lead a drama-free life, but no, people just won’t let me.”

  Garrett started laughing. “Drama and free shouldn’t even be in the same sentence when describing you.”

  “Oh you can take that negative attitude and leave for all I care.”

  Garrett frowned. “Oh you just used me. Now that we got the fan, you want me to go.”

  Hailey felt like he did have a point. She didn’t mean to come off as a user. “Sorry. All of this has been too much. I’ll cook us breakfast, while you tell me what happened at the station last night. Seems like everybody else knows more than I do and it’s all happening to me.”

  “She admitted to the clippings because she was curious to why her man seemed to be infatuated with you. In fact, the way she made it sound, Trevon could be the culprit. The detective pulled him to the side and asked him a few questions as if he was the guilty party too.”

  “Wow,” was all Hailey could say.

  “It pissed him off, but he’ll be alright.” Garrett massaged Hailey’s shoulders.

  “Did Ms. Thing say anything else?” Hailey asked, as she moved her head from side to side.

  “Oh she called you every name but a child of God but other than that, nothing that we didn’t already know.”

  “Well I’m just relieved she’s locked up. Maybe I can have peace around here.” Hailey moaned. Garrett was making it difficult for Hailey to concentrate on cooking.

  “Her attorney had arrived when I left. More than likely they will be letting her go.”

  Hailey couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You have the letters and the letterhead. Weren’t her fingerprints on it?”

  “Actually, they weren’t. So until we can get more evidence on her, she’ll be out probably by the end of the day; if not sooner.”

  “I should have cold cocked her when I had the chance.”

  “Oh when she sees her photo in the paper, I’m sure she’s going to feel like you did.”

  Hailey laughed. “She did look a hot mess didn’t she? Looks like I had perfect timing then. Teach her to mess with me.”

  “I love a feisty woman.” Garrett’s smile was intoxicating.

  “Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet mister.”

  Garrett wrapped his arms around her while she stirred the eggs in the skillet. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to burn up your eggs.” Hailey said, gently pushing him away.

  “So where is Trevon? Did he ride from the station with you?”

  “Yes. I dropped him off at home before swinging by here. If you don’t mind, I could use a long hot shower.”

  “And some sleep,” Hailey said, as she noticed the bags under his eyes.

  “Let me eat first and then I’ll shower and take a nap. Hopefully, in your arms,” Garrett said.

  Hailey finished cooking and served Garrett his food. She could spoil him all day and night. She wanted him to know that too. Instead of saying it, she would show him. In between bites, Garrett said, I can get used to your breakfast.”

  “There’s dessert too if you want it,” Hailey said, feeling a little feisty.

  “Do you care to join me in the shower?” Garrett asked.

  “I’ll think about it,” Hailey responded.

  Hailey placed the dirty dishes in the dishwasher while Garrett left to shower. She heard the shower when she entered the bathroom. She stood and watched Garrett for a few minutes before removing her clothes. He looked surprised when she opened up the shower door.

  “I couldn’t resist,” Hailey said, as Garrett helped her into the shower.

  Garrett picked up Hailey’s sponge and poured shower gel on it. He rubbed it over her body. Hailey closed her eyes as the feel of the water and Garrett’s circular motions relaxed her tense muscles. She returned the favor by scrubbing his body. Hailey could not resist kissing Garrett on his chest. She could care less about the soap suds. Garrett released some moans as Hailey’s lips kissed his chest. She saw his manhood rise. Before long, Garrett had her pinned up to the wall. She couldn
’t help but gasp as he gently entered her.

  Their bodies rocked in unison as the water cascaded over their bodies. “I love you Hailey,” Garrett said, as their bodies climaxed.

  They were about to make love again on the bed when the buzzer sounded, alerting them to a visitor. Neither Hailey or Garrett wanted to move. Hailey got up first. She looked at the surveillance screen. “A reporter. Why she came by I don’t know. They should know I’m not letting them in.”

  The reporter shouted. “Hailey we just need your side of the story and then we’ll go.”

  “I can’t believe it. That looks like Sandy Blair. I thought she moved away after she tried to run over Parris.”

  Garrett asked, “Who is Sandy Blair?”

  “She had a fixation with Parris and Casper’s relationship. She ended up getting in a horrible accident. Nobody thought she would survive it, but she did. The whole ordeal was a big mess. I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it. It was all on the news.”

  “I don’t listen to gossip.”

  Hailey rolled her eyes. “Well, anyway, Sandy is the last person I want to talk to.

  Garrett got up and answered for her. “Ms. Barnes is not talking to the press right now.”

  Hailey’s house phone rang. She answered, although the number didn’t come across on the caller ID. “Ms. Barnes, would you like to give your statement…,” a male voice asked from the other end. Hailey slammed the phone down.

  The phone kept ringing back to back. Hailey turned the ringer off. “The calls won’t stop coming.. I’m surprised it took them this long. Every time I get my number changed, they figure out what it is. That’s why I don’t even bother changing it now.”

  “Must be tough being you.” Garrett sat on the bed next to Hailey.

  “It can be, but I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s. All of this just comes with the territory.” Hailey meant what she said. Life right now was frustrating, but overall she wouldn’t trade her life for another.

  “Your attitude has definitely changed. I remember when we were in college you would punch a photographer out if he tried to snap you.” Garrett picked up her foot and began to massage it.

  “After being labeled the bad girl of modeling one too many times, I decided to turn a new leaf,” Hailey said. “Yes, right there,” as she leaned her head back and moaned.

  “Now you’re just cut-throat behind the screens.”

  “And you know it,” Hailey said, winking her eye.

  ~ 34 ~

  “I’m sick and tired of this phone,” Jackie said, the following day, as she sat on Hailey’s couch.

  “You and me both,” Hailey added.

  “Why don’t you let me call the phone company and get the number disconnected?” Jackie asked.

  “Not an option. I’ve had my number changed numerous times and I refuse to do so again.”

  “You can be so stubborn,” Jackie commented.

  Hailey held up her hand. “I think someone is crossing the line.”

  Jackie retreated. She knew how far to go with Hailey. “I’ll just keep telling everyone who calls—no comment.”

  “Thank you dear. Oh can you call Garrett and ask him to bring me my favorite dish from Silvia’s?” Hailey asked, but was really making a demand.

  “He said, he’ll be here soon,” Jackie responded, a few minutes later.

  Hailey let Jackie handle her phone calls. She spent the evening lounging with Garrett. She did her best to ignore the gossip blogs and entertainment news on television but it was to no avail. She was the talk of the town.

  “Look at it like this, every body is talking about Hailey,” Garrett said, trying to cheer her up.

  “But not the way I want them to. Especially now that they know Trevon is the man in question.”

  “It was bound to get out,” Garrett said.

  “I’m surprised you haven’t heard from him,” Hailey commented.

  “He’s been screening his calls from what Caroline tells me,” Garrett said.

  “Enough talk about Tre. I’m just glad to have you here with me,” Hailey assured him.

  Garrett’s arm got tighter around her. “There’s no other place I want to be.”

  Hailey gave Jackie the remainder of the week off. She allowed all of her house phone calls to go to voice mail and Jackie would check them remotely; calling Hailey on her cell phone; only if it was an emergency.

  ***

  The following Monday, Hailey practically got mobbed as she tried to make her way inside the studio. “When do these people ever sleep?” she asked, as Garrett tried to block her from the media as much as he could as they sped into the studio doors.

  “I’m so glad I’m not a celebrity,” Garrett commented.

  They ran into John in the hallway. “The phone lines have been jammed,” John said.

  Jackie added, “I’ve been offered thousands if I give them the inside scoop.”

  Hailey looked at her. “I hope you told them what they could do with their money.”

  John said, “The way you talk to her sometimes, I wouldn’t be surprised if she did leak some stuff.”

  Jackie cleared her throat. “Excuse me, but I’m standing right here.”

  Hailey stood with her arms crossed. “Well. I’m waiting on your answer.”

  “No okay.” Jackie looked Hailey directly in the face.

  John addressed Garrett. “You have to ignore them. They have this love hate relationship going on.”

  “I got to experience it last week,” Garrett said, as he watched their exchange.

  Everyone followed Hailey into her office. Hailey went into survival mode. “Okay, here’s the plan. Garrett work with Bach to make sure no press gets access into the studio audience.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Garrett responded.

  She turned and looked at Jackie. “Call a press conference for five o’clock today. Tell them I’ll make a statement then and not before.”

  Hailey looked at John. “John, doggone it. I don’t have anything for you to do.”

  They all chuckled. “I’ll get our PR person on writing your press release.”

  “Send them to my office. I already know what I want to say, so I just need them to make sure I word it correctly.”

  The rest of the morning went by quickly as everyone went about their tasks. The studio audience cheered for Hailey as she came out on stage. Hailey normally went over her questions before going out on stage with her guests but with everything going on, she didn’t have time. John had to remind Hailey in her earpiece several times when to ask questions. This was not one of her best shows but no one had noticed but her and John it seemed. Fortunately, the topic of the day kept the guests talking, thus making Hailey’s job easier.

  John said in the earpiece, “Wrap it up.”

  Hailey ended the show with her normal monologue. Instead of mingling with the studio audience and signing autographs like she normally did, she sped from the stage and headed to her office with Jackie fast on her heels.

  Jackie said, “I’ve made sure all the key folks have been notified. It should be a packed house outside at five.”

  “Thanks for setting that up. When things calm down around here, expect a week vacation to Hawaii on me,” Hailey said, as she thumbed through her text messages on her Blackberry.

  “Wow. Hailey. I don’t know what to say.”

  “Thank you would suffice,” Hailey said, without looking up.

  “Thank you. Hawaii, here I come,” Jackie sang, as she left Hailey’s office.

  Hailey smiled. It brought her joy to make other people happy. Her life was in turmoil but it didn’t mean everybody else’s needed to be.

  “Knock Knock,” Garrett said, from the entrance of the door.

  Hailey looked up. “Come in. Thought you had abandoned me,” she said, as she rose out of her chair.

  Garrett walked towards her. They met half way in the room. He swept Hailey up in his arms as their lips connected. For the time they
kissed, Hailey forgot about all of her problems. Nothing or no one else in the world mattered. This new feeling was foreign to her, but she loved it. She loved Garrett.

  “I’ve missed you,” Garrett said, after releasing her.

  “I can tell,” Hailey teased, as her hand grazed the front of his pants.

  Garrett adjusted his pants to hide his excitement. Jackie walked in the room. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but here’s your lunch.”

  She handed Hailey two bags. “Well, looks like y’all were busy, so I’ll check in with you later.” Jackie retreated out of the room and closed the door behind her.

  “That’s never happened to me before. Normally, I’m more in control,”

  Garrett admitted.

  “Jackie didn’t notice anything,” Hailey said, as she removed the sandwiches and pasta salad out of the bags.

  “Oh she noticed. Did you see that huge grin on her face.”

  “Garrett, you’re just paranoid. Here, eat up,” Hailey said, as she handed him a tuna sandwich.

  “Five o’clock is getting here quick,” Hailey commented, as she and Garrett sat at the table in her office eating tuna sandwiches.

  Garrett took his napkin and wiped around the corners of her mouth. “You missed a spot.”

  Hailey couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks for being here for me.”

  “I’ll always have your back.”

  After eating, Garrett made phone calls while Hailey rehearsed her speech. Jackie pranced in talking on her cell phone. “The crowd is forming outside already,” Jackie said.

  “Tell Bach, I’ll be out at exactly five o’clock. Inform the masses.”

  Mo stepped into her office. “I just came by to see if you needed a retouch of your make-up or hair.” He took his hand and slid it down her hair to make sure not a strand was out of place. “Perfect. I’ll be watching from in here.”

  “I just need a few minutes alone and then I’ll be out.”

  Everyone left except for Garrett. He said, “Does that include me?”

  “Yes dear. I just need a little me time.”

  Garrett looked a little disappointed, but Hailey needed to go over her speech one last time by herself. After everyone had cleared out of her office, she shut the door. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. She said a silent prayer before going over her speech one last time. Her Blackberry’s alarm went off. She had just enough time to walk down the corridor to the waiting media. She wasn’t surprised to see Garrett waiting for her outside her office door.