“Are you okay? Do I need to send over a doctor?”
My sweet, caring boyfriend, freaking out over my freak out. “Nothing’s wrong, Drew. I’m just tired that’s all.”
He huffs in exasperation. “One day, Sydney, you’ll let me in so I can protect you from whatever it is that haunts you. Between the shit you’re going through personally, the extra workload, and that ass Adam Reynolds trying to steal you from me; I should have just cancelled this project and stayed with you!”
He can’t control the situation from California, and it’s getting to him. But honestly, he wouldn’t be able to control it from here either. His face is flushed from anger and he keeps raking his hands through his hair, which I know is a sign of his frustration.
I feel bad that he knows I’m hiding something from him. It’s in his nature to take care of me, protect me, and when I won’t let him he gets frustrated. I look down at my hands, ashamed that I won’t let him help me.
“I know, I’m sorry. And Adam Reynolds isn’t trying to steal me, Drew.” Changing subjects, I get more animated. “Oh! I forgot, I have news.” Very big, very good news for once.
He perks up at the sudden change in my personality. “What news?” Drew still looks nervous as though afraid he isn’t going to like whatever I say, even though I sound excited.
“Not pregnant.” I smile as I say it.
One less thing to put stress on our relationship. The distance between us is hard enough without him blaming himself for the whole no condom incident. He finally stopped apologizing for it when I yelled at him and stopped Skyping for the last three days since he wouldn’t let it go.
I mean, I’m a grown woman and it was just as much my fault as his. I don’t even think he was upset because I could’ve been pregnant; it’s more like he feels that a pregnancy would have sent me over the edge mentally and it’s his job to shelter me from anything that upsets me or causes pain.
I expect him to be as excited as me, but instead he just gives me a small smile. “That’s great, Syd. Really great. The timing would have been awful.” Timing? There’s no good time to get knocked up by a guy you’ve been dating less than a month.
“I know. It’s a relief to have a little less to worry about.”
“If you’re less stressed, then it’s great, Sydney. So, I also have news.” He smirks and I see a hint of dimple.
Playful Drew is back, thank God.
He reaches down and taps on his phone. After a moment, he puts the phone up to the camera so it fills my screen. I see an email with the confirmation for his flight to New York dated for tomorrow.
“You’re coming home tomorrow?” I screech and practically jump from my chair. He laughs and lowers his phone so I can see his face. He’s so excited, and I love that I can make him happy. His sexy dimple is making an appearance. I’m so thrilled; tomorrow I get to lick that dimple.
“Yep. I got Chad to rearrange a few things with the schedule so I can see my girl!” I melt when I hear him call me his girl. Could I be any luckier?
“I cannot wait to have you here, should I get you from the airport? I can use the hotel car service.”
“No!” He practically shouts at me. What the hell? “I don’t want you to have to go all the way to JFK. I have Bruce to drive me. I’ll swing by my place to grab a few things then can I stay with you?”
“Of course I want you to stay with me, just call me when you land. You get in at 7pm, right?”
“Yes, and since I won’t be bringing any luggage I can just go straight from the plane to the car. So I’ll probably be over around 8 or 8:30, sound good?” We’re both grinning like idiots.
“Sounds amazing!” I feel myself relaxing just knowing he’ll be with me tomorrow.
We chat a little more about random things like the café and Leah’s new man and he tells me about L.A since he has no clue that I used to live there. Even though we speak every day, we never have awkward silences. It sounds so cheesy, but it feels as if I’ve known him forever. Like he’s a puzzle piece that I hadn’t realized was missing until I found him. Now he fits so perfectly in my life that there would be a Drew-sized hole if I ever lost him.
Our conversations had been somewhat tense with the possibility of an unintended pregnancy hanging over our heads, well I was worried about the pregnancy, and Drew was worried about hurting me. Now we just have to get past my freakish secrecy, his need to protect me from everything, and his extreme jealousy over Adam and we’ll be great.
I think.
Chapter 23
I’m so depressed. Drew left a few hours ago to go back to the airport after spending Thursday, Friday and Saturday night here with me. We acted like a couple of shut-ins, and didn’t leave my loft for almost the entire weekend. Drew did go back to his place to change out some clothes and do a few things for work, but otherwise it was heaven, living in our perfect little bubble. Food was delivered when we were hungry so we could spend every possible minute wrapped around each other in bed, and on the couch, and the floor, and against the windows.
Lifted up and fucked by Drew against the windows. All of my favorite positions involve his strong arms holding me against a wall, or a counter, or windows. So hot.
Leah stopped by Saturday morning with croissants and coffee for us. It was nice seeing my best friend get along so well with my boyfriend. She told us a hilarious story about a couple that made a huge scene at an upscale restaurant she was at with Carter. Food was thrown, wine was dumped and someone stomped out in the middle of dinner. We all got a kick out of that one.
Leah didn’t seem to think dating Drew was such a great idea at first, but after spending time with him she’s become a member of Team Sydney & Drew.
Drew was miserable this afternoon as he packed his overnight bag to head out. Actually, he was in a pretty bad mood all morning too. I had asked him if I did anything to upset him, but he assured me that we were fine. It had felt like he wanted to get something off of his chest but whenever he looked like he was about to say something, he just pressed his lips together and stayed silent.
Of course, I’m too much of a fucked up mess to beg him to tell me. And why should he open up? I won’t open up to him, and it hurts him deeply, I can tell. I’m sure he thinks I would shut down if he tried to have a serious discussion with me. Honestly, if it were about the “date” with Adam, I just wouldn’t want to talk about it anymore.
About an hour after he left I made the decision to tell him about my parents. He deserves the truth, not an anxious, nerve-wracked girlfriend with a bunch of secrets. Plus, I think I’m in love with him.
I know, right?
The next week threatens to break me. Both Drew and I have been so consumed by work that we haven’t had time to speak more than a few minutes here and there. I had to work through the weekend to fix a problem with the carpet in the main lounge area in order to stay on schedule for the launch party, which is now only three weeks away.
He’s always working late too, and with the three hour time difference and my long hours, I’m asleep by the time he’s able to call. Drew still hasn’t been able to confirm if he can come with me to the Warren, so I put Leah on notice that she may end up being my date. Well, my other date if you don’t count Adam, which I don’t.
Another week flies by before I know it. It’s now been two weeks since I’ve seen Drew, and it’s unbearable. He was supposed to fly out this past weekend, but because of hotel management insisting on scheduling a massive party an unreasonable amount of time after beginning the remodel, I had to spend all weekend at the site again. I only leave the hotel to eat and sleep, and I barely do either of those these days. I didn’t even get to run for three days straight.
Without Drew and without my exercise, I haven’t slept much at all. I’m feeling run down and tired from the grueling schedule. Of course, I’m at work late again when Jeff Talley walks into the club where I’m supervising the setup of the main bar.
“Hello, Jeff,” I say as politely a
s I can. I’m still pissed at him for causing problems in my relationship with Drew by making me go with Adam to the launch.
“Hello, Sydney.” He strides across the room to where I’m leaning on the bar watching the crew assemble the taps and the shelves that will hold all of the liquor bottles. “The shelves are coming together nicely,” he says.
The shelves are a focal design element. Instead of long parallel lines, there are hundreds of different sizes of boxes that line the entire wall. Each one is under lit by a small bulb hidden in the wood of the box. Liquor bottles of various sizes and shapes will fit perfectly into each specific cubby and glow when the room is dark. I hired a local artist to design it and it’s going to be stunning once it’s complete.
I glance over at Jeff as he watches the workers carefully. Some people would think Jeff is handsome, and technically, I guess he is. He’s not as tall as Drew, but somewhere just under six feet. Slender and fit looking for a man in his late forties or early fifties, he keeps everything about himself neat and orderly, from his short graying hair and beard to his expensive custom suits. He just rubbed me the wrong way with pushing the club opening and the whole Adam thing, so that seriously detracts from his looks for me.
“Yes, I agree. It’s going to be the main element for the room. Jeff, as long as you’re here, I was hoping we could go over the details for the night of the party,” I say as I pack up my files and my MacBook both of which are currently spread along a three foot length of the highly polished brown ebony and chrome bar.
“Okay, let’s go to my office.” He gestures that I should go first toward the elevators and follows behind me.
We enter Jeff’s large office on the third floor business wing of the hotel. I sit in one of the tan leather chairs across from his desk and dump my bag on the floor. Jeff takes his seat behind the huge modern desk, a gorgeous view of Central Park behind him. He moves a few folders stacked on his worktop off to the side and leans back so he can put one of his ankles up on his knee.
“So Sydney, the project is going well. Everything looks flawless, I expect that you believe Verve will be ready for the launch as planned in two weeks? I’ve personally spoken to many very important celebrities that will be here for our grand opening. So far Delilah Fornier, Benson Hale and Kiera Radcliff have all confirmed.”
Ugh!
He has that arrogant attitude people get when they think rubbing shoulders with famous people makes them special or better. Who knew that Jeff Talley was a name-dropping suck-up? He’s already acting different, and he hasn’t even met these people yet. I hate it.
“Yes, the club should be ready by the 8th. And I’m sorry; I have no idea who any of those people are.” I try hard not to look disgusted, but I think Jeff can tell I’m unimpressed. I can’t hide my feelings at all.
He leans over the desk, “You know Adam Reynolds, the man who currently holds the record for the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, and you don’t know who three of the top actors in Hollywood are? Pfffttt, I don’t believe that for a second. You can’t tell me you don’t want to go on this date with him.” He waves me off with a hand gesture that pretty much says ‘no way’.
Now I’m irritated. Who the hell is he to tell me who I want to date? “Well Jeff, Believe it. I don’t care about celebrities and I don’t go to the movies. I’m also involved with someone whom I care about very much, so no, I don’t want to date Adam. That’s not why I wanted to discuss the party though.” I speak through my clenched teeth, trying hard not to scream in his face that he should date Adam since he loves him so damn much!
“What can I do for you then, Sydney? Obviously, you won’t be asking me for an introduction to any famous people that night.” He laughs like he’s the funniest guy on earth. God, I used to think this guy was nice.
Douche!
“I just wanted to be sure that our deal still stands and neither photos of me, nor my name will be printed or released to anyone for any use. Also, I still don’t know if I’m bringing my boyfriend Drew, or my friend Leah, so I’d like to have them both put on the VIP list just in case.” I look him directly in the eyes so he knows I’m dead serious. He still doesn’t think that anyone would ask to not be associated with fame, since he thinks so highly of it himself.
He taps his index finger against his lips, trying to decide if I truly don’t want any public link to the opening or the guests or if I’m just feigning modesty. He concedes, “Okay, no problem. Just give my secretary Donna your friends’ names and she’ll make sure they’re on the list. Bring them both if you want. She’s handling the entire guest list anyway.”
“Thank you, Jeff.” I stand up to leave, and he hops to his feet to see me out. I guess even self-absorbed jerkoffs can be gentlemen sometimes. “I’m heading home now, but I’ll be here at seven again tomorrow.”
He shakes my hand and says goodbye. “Oh and I wanted to tell you, the CEO and CFO of the Warren Hotel worldwide chain will be here next week for a final walk through before the opening. I’ll let you know which day as soon as they narrow it down for me. So be prepared to be available for any questions that they might have.”
I turn and look back at him from the hallway and give him my biggest, fakest smile. “Sure thing Jeff. Looking forward to it.”
I head down the hall and scribble Drew Forrester and Leah Quinn-Slade on a piece of hotel stationary with a note stating they are to be added to the VIP list as my guests and leave it on his secretary’s desk. She gets to leave at a reasonable hour, so of course, she’s already gone.
Chapter 24
I feel like shit after leaving Verve again today. I think I’ve been working way too hard. The long hours, coupled with my run, that I had to shorten to just four miles since I’m not at one-hundred percent, have made me an exhausted wreck. Maybe I need another vacation. My mind wanders and I think about St. Bart’s and Drew and now I’m not only tired, but sexually frustrated and lonely too.
Great.
There’s only ten days left until the opening night, and Drew still hasn’t been able to find out if his schedule will allow him to attend the party with me. I can’t even tell if he wants to go or not. If anything, he only wants to be there so he can keep Adam in line.
Such a Caveman.
I told Leah to start looking for a dress, and to find a hairdresser for that night if she wants one. I don’t want to leave her hanging until the last minute just because Drew can’t give me an answer.
There’s also only ten days left until Drew’s 30th birthday and I’m fairly certain that he won’t be spending it with me. That makes me sad. I don’t even have a California address to send him a gift.
I’m going to tell him my personal history the next time I see him, but I had to cancel the last weekend visit he was supposed to make and his schedule won’t allow him any more cross country trips until his project is complete in two and a half weeks. The exception is if he can persuade Chad to let him come to the party.
I want to tell him about my family for his birthday. He desperately wants to know me better so I think it will make a great ‘gift’, opening up to him and letting him in. I’m nervous and normally, I’d be happy to procrastinate and push off this conversation until he’s back from California permanently. But now that I know how I feel about Drew, I just want to get it over with so we can move on.
He’s not begging for an invite to the party or asking me what celebrities will be there, so I’m satisfied he won’t speed dial TMZ when I tell him about my famous parents. And his only response to finding out Adam Reynolds, international superstar, would be attending was to describe his desire to connect his fist to his face.
Too tired and weak to do anything else tonight, I shed my clothes and drop into my bed. I can’t even keep my eyes open to wait for Drew to Skype.
****
“Isn’t this great Heartbreaker?” Daddy grins at me as he drives his little black sports car through the winding roads of the Hollywood Hills.
“It’s
amazing Daddy. I love this car, it’s so cool.” I run my hands over the soft black and red leather seat of the Bugatti and look at my dad. He’s so awesome. I’m glad he’s been home for a few weeks this summer. I get to spend time with him and today he’s taking me to my tennis lesson. Usually my mom’s driver and my bodyguard have to take me. It’s summer break and I don’t start school for two months, and Daddy is filming a movie here in L.A. so I get to see him almost every day.
“So Heartbreaker, how’s your backhand coming? Your teacher said it’s… God damn parasites!” My dad is suddenly yelling and cursing at the rearview mirror. “Hold tight Sydney.” He starts driving faster, weaving in and out of cars when he gets to the main road.
“Daddy, you’re scaring me!” I clutch the smooth red dashboard and close my eyes.
“Heartbreaker, sit back and make sure your seatbelt is tight, baby.” Daddy is speaking gently to me but his jaw is clenched tight. It’s the face he makes when he’s really really mad. Like the time I threw one of his scripts into the pool. He turns a corner on a green light so fast I swear I felt my heart leap out of my chest.
“This isn’t the way to my tennis lesson, Daddy. Why are you driving like this?”
“Shhhh, Sydney, it’s okay.” My dad reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze. I feel better just from Daddy telling me it’s okay, but I’m still scared. I look out my window to see where we are and scream. A tan car is next to us and a man with an enormous telephoto lens is hanging out of the front seat snapping pictures of me and driving at the same time.
“Daddy! Daddy! There’s a man, he’s scaring me!” Tears are running down my face and I’m near hysterical at this point. I don’t think I’ve ever been this afraid in my life, not even when the strange woman tried to snatch me at my elementary school several years ago.
Relatively Famous (Famous Series) Page 16