Little Secret, Red Hot Scandal

by Cat Schield

  When the time was up, Mia found herself unable to look at the test. She sat with it in her lap, the indicator facing downward. She didn’t need to look to see the answer. She already knew. She was pregnant. Her phone buzzed, scaring her. She dropped the test. It clattered to the floor and landed faceup.

  These days the tests were easy to read. No more questionable results. Depending on which one you chose, there was a line, the word yes or the word pregnant. In Mia’s case it was “pregnant.” She swallowed a hysterical laugh. Her whole life had just changed inside the bathroom of a TV station.

  No, that wasn’t quite true. Her whole life had changed the day she’d met Nate.

  Mia had about thirty seconds to absorb the reality of her situation before the bathroom door opened and two women entered with a gust of animated chatter. She recognized the voices and quickly snatched the pregnancy test off the ground and dropped it into her work tote. She would just have to dispose of it later, when no one was around. Opening the stall door, Mia stepped out.

  Skylar and Riley were standing at the sink, touching up their already flawless makeup. The key to being one of Ivy’s friends was to be beautiful without being too beautiful. No one was allowed to outshine Ivy Bliss.

  That had never been a problem for Mia. She barely had enough time in the morning to shower and brush her teeth. Maybe apply a little eyeliner. A slash of neutral lipstick. Tucking her hair behind her ears, she’d don her uniform of black skinny pants and some sort of blouse. Her only jewelry was a pair of diamond studs she got for her sixteenth birthday.

  “What are you two doing here?” Mia asked as she exited the stall. She stepped to the sink to wash her hands, avoiding eye contact with either of Ivy’s friends.

  “We’re here to spend the day with Ivy and help her get ready for the AMAs.”

  “She doesn’t need your help.” Mia didn’t make any effort to hide her impatience and didn’t care if she sounded rude. She’d had enough of these two. “Ivy has a team of professionals to get her ready.”

  Skylar pouted. “She wants us.”

  “She told us to come,” Riley echoed.

  Mia wasn’t sure what to believe, but didn’t get a chance to argue further because the bathroom door opened and Ivy walked in. She glanced from her two friends to Mia and frowned.

  “What are you doing in here?” she demanded. “I’ve been looking for you all over.”

  “I was explaining to these two that you don’t need them around today.”

  Ivy pouted. “I invited them.”

  “You need to focus on tonight.” Mia eyed Skylar. “They will just distract you. Come on. Jennifer is going to be at the house in an hour for your massage and Yvonne and her team are coming by at eleven.”

  “In a second.” Ivy headed toward one of the stalls. “Can you go get the car? My feet are killing me in these shoes and I don’t feel like walking all the way out to the parking lot.”

  “Fine.”

  Mia didn’t want to argue with her sister. She was too excited about her own plans for later that day. Nate had pulled out all the stops to make her AMA experience special. He’d arranged for her to have a hotel suite where he was staying, and his stylist would be there at two o’clock with a designer dress and all the trappings to get Mia award-ceremony ready.

  Ten minutes later, after Mia had fetched the car and picked up her sister, they were heading back to Ivy’s house. “How did the interview go?”

  “It went okay. Didn’t you stay to watch?”

  “I had a quick errand to run.”

  Ivy yawned. “I’m dead. Can you stop and get me my usual with three shots? I need a pick-me-up.”

  “Sure.” Mia resisted the urge to talk her sister out of such a massive caffeine hit. If Ivy was ever going to start taking care of herself, Mia would have to stop making all her decisions for her.

  She drove to Ivy’s favorite coffee shop near her house, parked and grabbed her wallet out of her tote. “Anything else?”

  “One of those scones with the raspberry.”

  “The white chocolate one?”

  Ivy nodded and Mia headed off. Thanks to the long line, it took her fifteen minutes to get back to her sister.

  “They didn’t have any of the white chocolate so I got you one with orange and cranberry.” Mia set the coffee cup in the drink holder and held out the bag containing the pastry.

  Ivy took it without looking up from her phone. She was idly scrolling through pictures and acted as if Mia hadn’t spoken. The change of mood wasn’t unexpected. Ivy hated being kept waiting for anything.

  And then as they pulled up in front of the house, Ivy spoke. “I’m going to get Hunter to produce my album.”

  “What?” Mia glanced at her sister in confusion. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, he’s had some success, but at the same time he’s still pretty new to that side of the business. And the label is expecting Nate to be involved.”

  “I don’t like the direction Nate is taking my album. I want to do things my way.”

  Often when Mia dealt with Ivy she felt as if she stood between a rock and a hard place. Part of her job was to keep Ivy happy. The other part was more difficult. She needed to keep her sister’s career on a strong trajectory. That meant keeping the label happy.

  “Of course you do. But at the same time you have to consider the best for your career.”

  “You don’t think I know what’s best for my career?”

  “Sure. Of course.” Mia decided retreat was the best option.

  Ivy got out of the car, and once she was in the house, headed straight to her room without saying another word. After checking in with the housekeeper, Clara, Mia grabbed her overnight bag and left. She was too excited about her own plans to stick around and let Ivy’s drama spoil the rest of her day.

  Mia had booked a spa appointment for herself as a special treat. She’d planned for a facial, pedicure and manicure to get her in the perfect mood for the festive event. It was rare for her to get so much uninterrupted time to herself, and several hours later she felt both relaxed and refreshed as she headed to the suite Nate had booked and put herself into his stylist Patricia’s capable hands.

  Although Mia had watched Ivy get ready for dozens of award shows and thought she knew what to expect, when she saw her dress for the first time she nearly started to cry.

  “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Patricia smiled at her and Mia wondered what she must be thinking of this silly girl Nate had asked her to dress for the event.

  “I’m glad you like it. When Nate described you to me, I knew immediately this dress would be perfect for you. There’s so much going on with the wildflower print that I think we should keep your styling simple.”

  Patricia directed the hairdresser to sweep her hair back into a sleek bun. A smoky eye shadow and rose lipstick accentuated Mia’s features. By the time they were done even Mia believed she looked presentable enough for the red carpet. Not that she would be walking with Nate. She’d put her foot down on that score. He had his bandmates to speak for him. Her appearance at his side would only lead the media to ask questions.

  “You look fantastic,” Patricia said as Mia finished slipping into sparkling sandals and straightened so the stylist could assess her total look. “I know several stars who would kill to have that cleavage.”

  Mia’s fingers coasted over her still-flat belly as she stared at herself in the mirror. The neckline of the gown plunged to her waist, yet somehow managed to look elegant rather than sexy. Mia guessed it was due to the delicate sprays of sequin-accented wildflowers that covered the skirt and halter-style top.

  “I’m pretty sure I’ll never wear anything so beautiful again.” The dress fit as if it had been made for her and had required only a few minor alterations
. “What time does it turn into fairy dust?”

  Patricia laughed. “So I’m your fairy godmother?”

  “You had to work some serious magic to get me looking this good.”

  “You underestimate how beautiful you are. I suppose it’s hard to feel pretty when you’re constantly comparing yourself to Ivy Bliss.”

  “I don’t compare myself,” Mia said without a hint of bitterness. “Everyone else does that for me.”

  “I know one person who doesn’t. Nate. You are his star.”

  Mia’s cheeks heated at Patricia’s knowing grin. Because she doubted the stylist would believe anything she had to say to the contrary, she said nothing at all.

  Twenty minutes later she was in a car heading for the venue. She’d followed Ivy’s day on social media and saw that her sister was excited about her look for that evening. She’d teased bits of the dress all day for her fans. It was a toss-up which Ivy loved more, fashion or performing. She talked all the time about starting her own clothing line and sketched ideas in her free time.

  Determined to bridge the gap developing between her and Ivy, Mia texted her twin to ask if she liked her gown, but received no reply.

  She decided to go early in order to slip past the media while they were still in setup mode. Her decision turned out to be sound, but she was surprised at how many people wanted to talk to her. Unlike the commotion caused when Ivy and other big stars walked the carpet, Mia was able to take her time with several of the reporters she knew. If they were surprised to find her walking the red carpet on her own, they made no mention of it.

  Once she was inside the theater, several producers Ivy had worked with in the past approached her to chat. Apparently word had gone around that Mia had been working with Nate these last few weeks. Most everyone wanted to know if she was writing as well as producing. She kept her answers vague, but by the time she reached her seat, she felt as if she belonged.

  It was a heady sensation, but one she reined in almost immediately. So what if she belonged? It wasn’t as if she was free to pursue her dreams. Not as long as Ivy needed her. Yet Nate’s question continued to plague her. How long was she planning to keep her life on hold so she could watch over her sister? Ivy was a grown woman, no longer a fragile seventeen-year-old girl getting a taste of stardom for the first time.

  Besides, in seven months, Mia’s priorities would undergo a massive change. She fanned her finger over her stomach. Pregnant. A chill raced through her at the thought of how everyone around her would react to that news. She imagined her parents would be disappointed in her for not being married. Despite having a daughter who pranced around half-naked onstage, they were conservative when it came to family values. Mia was afraid of how Ivy would react. She hoped her twin would be happy for her, but Ivy rarely liked it when good things happened to Mia.

  And how would Nate react? What was going on between them was fun and exciting, but it was also new and undefined. They’d known each other only a few months and weren’t exactly dating. To go from lovers to parents without all the stuff in between would be a huge leap. But there wasn’t any question in Mia’s mind that it was one she was ready to make. So when did she tell Nate?

  Tonight was too soon. When Ivy’s album was done? Mia shook her head. At the rate things were going, with her sister lobbying to switch producers from Nate to Hunter, getting the recording finished by the end of November wasn’t going to happen.

  Tomorrow they were heading back to Las Vegas. Thursday was Thanksgiving and she and Nate had talked about spending the day together, cooking a special dinner for Trent, Savannah, Melody and hopefully Kyle. She would tell Nate then.

  * * *

  Blinded by the flash of dozens of cameras, Nate squelched his irritation as he walked the AMAs’ red carpet with the other members of Free Fall. Although he’d convinced Mia to accompany him to the event, he’d been unable to persuade her to walk beside him past the gauntlet of paparazzi and press. Nor had he caught a glimpse of her to see how Patricia had styled her. The curiosity was killing him.

  Behind them Ivy posed and vamped for the cameras. Tonight she’d abandoned her signature high ponytail for a sleek side bun that complemented her romantic red ball gown with its tiers of gauzy layers. The halter top bared her back and shoulders, but offered full frontal coverage. Fabric roses circled the high neck and waist. The deep scarlet tint showed off her light olive skin and caught every eye.

  Nate put on his easy grin and posed with his bandmates. They took selfies and signed autographs for their fans. It was great to step away from his role as front man and let the other guys answer the interviewers’ questions. All the while his mind was on what awaited him at the end of the red carpet.

  After what felt like a ridiculous amount of time, but was only about a half an hour, they entered the theater and headed to their seats. He saw a woman sitting in one of the seats assigned to Free Fall, her brown hair knotted at the nape of her neck. All Nate’s tension fell away as he reached the row and realized it was Mia. While his heart thundered in his ears, he suddenly realized he’d half expected her not to show.

  She stared straight ahead with fixed concentration, as if by holding herself perfectly still no one would notice her. She was completely mistaken. For starters, she was wearing the exact opposite of Ivy’s gown. This dress boasted a deep V that bared Mia from throat to waist, yet somehow managed to look elegant rather than overly sexy. Nate realized it was the gown’s off-white background and the sprays of vivid printed flowers with their hints of sparkle that gave the dress a feminine vibe.

  Her expression softened as she saw him approach. Nate’s pulse hitched at the relief in her eyes. Or maybe it was just how perfect she looked. And smelled. This last he noted as he sat beside her and brushed her cheek with his lips.

  “You look gorgeous,” he signed, not trusting his voice. Although he’d been cleared by Dr. Hansen to talk a little, he’d grown accustomed to communicating with her in ASL.

  “You look pretty great yourself.” She glanced past him at his other bandmates and gave them all a sweet smile. “Are you guys nervous?”

  “Nah.” Mike, their keyboard player, had his arm wrapped around his smiling wife.

  Their base player, Dan, was riding solo tonight. His very pregnant wife had opted to cheer from home. “Hell, yeah.”

  “Sort of.” This last came from their drummer, Brent, who had a stunning blonde in a sequined mini on his arm.

  Mia laughed, the sound light and musical. “I would think you guys are old pros at this. How many Grammys have you won?”

  Nate took his seat as he listened to Mia banter with his bandmates. Sitting beside her, he was a little surprised at his light-headedness. The weight he’d been carrying all afternoon lifted. He took her hand, lacing their fingers together, and brought it to his lips.

  The theater was filling with musicians. They were fifteen minutes away from the start of the show. Beside Nate, Mia was a bundle of restless energy.

  “Did you see Ivy?” she asked.

  “She was behind us on the red carpet.”

  “How did she look?”

  “Beautiful as always. She was wearing a red dress.”

  Mia nodded. “I saw bits of it on Instagram. The style is a departure for her and I think she was both excited and a little nervous about wearing it.”

  Nate was slightly surprised she’d let him tuck her arm through his. Then he realized, given the way she was looking around at all the celebrities, she probably hadn’t even noticed the intimacy between them.

  The same couldn’t be said for him. He was hyperaware of every little thing about her, from her muted squeal when Taylor Swift walked past to her soft gasp when Luke Bryan winked at her. Given how often she must have seen these people at other award shows, her starstruck behavior amused him. She was like a kid at Disneyland for the first t
ime.

  “It’s different sitting in the audience among them,” she explained when she caught him grinning at her. “I don’t have to be professional.”

  By professional he sensed what she meant was invisible. She’d learned how to bottle up all her emotions, good and bad. He’d realized this when they first met on tour. They’d hung out for almost three weeks before he realized she liked him the way he liked her.

  Excitement hummed in her slim body. “I don’t think I could ever get used to this.”

  “They’re all just people, like me and you.”

  “You’re not just people. You’re Nate Tucker.” She stated his name as if that explained everything.

  “I’m just a guy.”

  She shook her head as if he could never understand. Her voice was soft as she spoke. “I still have a hard time believing you ever noticed me.”

  Conscious of their surroundings, he resisted the urge to sweep her into his arms and kiss her soft lips. “Let’s go find a quiet corner and I’ll notice you plenty.”

  Even now after everything they’d shared, she still blushed when he stared at her intently. That she’d somehow maintained such innocence while immersed in show business craziness continued to enthrall him.

  “I’m glad you came tonight.”

  “Me, too.” But there was a hint of hesitation in her answer.

  She was still worried about Ivy. Nate was of two minds. Part of him was irritated at the hold her sister maintained over her. The other part sympathized with Mia. He knew firsthand the effect of being bullied by family. His father hadn’t treated his wife and child as though they mattered to him. On a good day he’d settled in front of the television with a whiskey and ignored them. On a bad day he’d led with his fists.