by La Jill Hunt
Paisley stared at her best friend, who was dressed and ready to go to work at the studio. A job that Seymone doesn’t have to be doing. She didn’t know what to say.
“Does any of that matter to you, Paisley? Did you ever stop to consider that maybe I appreciated that he was here? Or did that even matter to you this morning when you decided to tell him he was fired and ran off like a sixteen-year-old?” Seymone leaned against the counter.
Paisley shrugged. She wanted to tell Seymone about what Landon had said, but she knew that it wouldn’t make a difference. Landon was there to do a job, and how he felt about her or what he did was none of her concern. Having the paparazzi hounding her this morning was a clear indication that maybe she did need to have him nearby.
“You guys ready to roll?” Landon asked as he walked into the kitchen.
Paisley rolled her eyes. “I thought I told you to leave.”
“And I told you I wasn’t leaving,” he said nonchalantly. He looked over at the two steaming cups of coffee and picked one up, removing the top and taking a sip. “Mmm, this is good. Next time, you can just get me green tea. Then again, we’ll be together when you go.”
Paisley stared at him, hoping he could read the hatred in her eyes. His eyes met hers, and she prayed that their involvement would be short-lived.
“Paisley, why don’t you leave Mickey and drive something else today,” Seymone suggested after Paisley had locked the dog up and they were walking out of the house.
“Why?” Paisley frowned, knowing it probably had something to do with Landon. Especially since he had commented about her truck the day before.
“Well, if you take another vehicle, we can all ride together. Plus Mickey is a bit noticeable,” Seymone replied, “and gas is kinda high. Taking more than one vehicle is pointless.”
Again, Paisley glared at Landon, who had the audacity to shrug as if he was innocent.
“Fine,” Paisley said, and lifted the door to her four-car garage. Inside sat her black Acura MDX SUV, her chocolate BMW 745, and her silver Infinity Coupe. She watched Landon’s eyes widen and she smirked. “Fine, what do you wanna drive today?
Chapter 14
“Damn, I look good.” Paisley smiled, looking into the mirror. She had spent most of her afternoon in After Effex being pampered by the staff, getting a manicure, pedicure, facial, and even a much-needed massage. The high class salon was like a sanctuary to her. The welcoming atmosphere of glamour, beauty, fashion, and serenity was definitely what she needed. Not to mention the laughs she always got when she was around Yaya, Taryn, and the other staff members. She had been at the salon since one o’clock, and her watch now read five-fifteen. Any other time, she would’ve been in and out of the salon in a matter of three hours, but in an effort to irritate Landon, she had taken her own sweet time; even changing her nail color three times. “Yaya, you are the best.”
“Girl, please, you were beautiful before you walked in here. I just enhanced what you already had.” Qianna laughed.
“No, you are a miracle worker. I swear, I feel like a new person,” Paisley said, looking at her reflection. Her scars were still there, but not as visible. She actually had to look for the remaining bruises. The tension in her neck and shoulders that she had when she had arrived were gone.
“I’m glad you feel better, Paisley,” Qianna remarked. “It’s nice to see you out and about. I know you’ve been going through a lot since the accident and I’m just glad that you’re still doing your thing.”
“I don’t have a choice,” Paisley sighed, putting the mirror down. “You know I’ve always been the one to brush them haters off.”
“I know that’s right. And you know I’ve always had your back. Whenever they come outta their mouths crooked, I shut ’em down on your behalf,” Qianna assured her.
“And I appreciate your having my back.” Paisley nodded. “Things have really been crazy.”
“I know, Diesel told me. He also told me that Scooter stepped to you.” Qianna gave her a knowing look.
Paisley looked over at Landon, who was sitting in the waiting area, and saw that he was engrossed in a magazine and listening to his iPod. Sitting up in the chair, she told Qianna, “Yeah, he did. Yaya, he says he’s in love with me and wants us to be together . . . like in a relationship . . . me and him.”
Qianna nodded. “I know. I mean, you shouldn’t be surprised. We all know that Scooter has always had a thing for you, Paisley.”
“He’s always flirted with me, yeah. But I never thought it was anything serious.”
“And how do you feel about him?”
“Scooter is cool. We’ve always been friends and we always will be. I like being around him.” Paisley shrugged. “He’s an amazing man.”
“But can you see yourself with him?” Qianna asked.
Paisley thought long and hard before she finally said, “Honestly, there are times when I can’t see myself being with any man.”
“That’s crazy.” Qianna frowned. “Why not? Oh my God, Paisley, are you gay?”
Landon glanced over at them and then looked down. Paisley gave him an ugly look and quickly answered, “Hell no. What’s wrong with everyone these days? That’s the second time someone has asked me that.”
“You said you couldn’t see yourself with any man. I just thought . . .”
“You better stop playing, Qianna. And since we’re talking about love and relationships, what’s up with you and Diesel?”
Qianna actually began to blush. “What about us?”
“We all know that he’s been feeling you for a while. How do you feel about him?” Paisley questioned.
“Diesel and I are friends.”
“You’re more than friends. I can look at the two of you and see how much you care about each other,” Paisley said. “He loves you.”
“And I love him,” Qianna said, “but it’s not the right time. We both got too much going on right now. Hell, we all gotta get ready for the opening of the club. What time are we supposed to meet at the studio tonight?”
“Nine o’clock,” Paisley answered. They were holding auditions for dancers for the club opening. Diesel, Scooter, Paisley, Seymone, Chester, Leo, and Qianna were all scheduled to be there.
“Damn, I guess I need to hurry up and get outta here,” Qianna said, standing up and stretching.
“Me too,” Paisley said.
“Your bodyguard is cute,” Qianna teased.
“He’s an asshole,” Paisley told her. “He’s one of those crooked mouth ones we were talking about earlier.”
“For real? That’s foul.” Qianna shook her head.
“Yep, but like I said, I’m used to being the topic of many conversations. It’s all good.” Paisley reached into her large Michael Kors bag for her wallet and paid Qianna. She gave her a hug and said, “ Thanks, girl. I love you—no homo.”
“Shut up,” Qianna laughed. “I’ll see you in a little while.”
Paisley walked over to Landon and told him, “I’m ready.”
He looked her up and down, responding with, “Cool.”
After making sure it was safe, they got into Paisley’s MDX and rode in silence. Paisley used her BlackBerry to check her e-mail while he drove. She still couldn’t locate her computer. She had looked everywhere at home and in the studio but it was nowhere to be found. Someone had to have taken it.
“You mind if we stop and get something to eat?” Landon asked.
Paisley looked over at him. “Fine,” she said, realizing she was hungry herself.
“What do you want?”
“It doesn’t matter.” She shrugged. “Let me call Seymone and see what she wants because it’s probably gonna be a long night anyway.”
Paisley dialed Seymone’s cell number and they all decided the easiest thing would be to get enough food for everyone coming tonight. They arrived at the restaurant, and Paisley was headed inside when she heard someone calling after her.
“That’s her! That’s her! Pa
isley!”
A small group of teenage boys headed toward her. Her heart began pounding, but she tried to remain calm. Landon instantly blocked her with his body before they could get any closer.
“Hold on, fellas,” he told them.
“Man, we just trying to say hello, that’s all,” one of the guys said, trying to see past Landon.
“Now’s not the time, guys. She’s just here to get some food, not make a personal appearance. Respect her space, for real,” Landon told the young men. The guys moaned and complained, but left them alone. She spotted the photographer she’d run into outside Java’s that morning passing by in his car. Paisley eased into the restaurant, praying that she hadn’t caused a scene.
The owner of Jasper’s, Uncle Jay, had their food ready and waiting for them. He was a frisky, flirtatious, older man who always made Paisley laugh. In a matter of minutes, they had paid and were heading out again. Paisley was relieved to see that her mini-fan club had dispersed, and they had no interruptions as they left.
By the time they made it to the studio, everyone had arrived. Paisley moved to open her door and get out, but Landon stopped her.
“Don’t get out yet,” he ordered.
She looked at him like he was crazy. “Why not?”
He looked into the rearview mirror. “I think the guys from the restaurant followed us. Don’t move.”
Paisley turned around and watched as Landon got out and headed for the small blue car that had pulled into the parking lot behind them. A couple of the guys got out and she could see Landon talking to them. Paisley’s phone began ringing.
“Why are you just sitting out there?” Seymone asked. “You need help with the food?”
“Some guys followed us from Jasper’s and Landon is trying to make them leave,” Paisley said, still watching to see what was happening.
“Do I need to call the police?”
“The police? For what?” Chester’s voice asked in the background.
“What happened now?” Diesel yelled.
“Some guys are outside. They followed them from Jasper’s,” Seymone announced.
Within moments, the door opened and Scooter was headed for her car.
“Are you all right?” he asked, opening Paisley’s door.
“I’m fine, Scooter,” she told him. She glanced in the side mirror and saw that Landon was still talking to the guys, who were now getting back into their car.
“I love you, Paisley!” one of them yelled as he got into the backseat.
“Come on, I’ll walk you in,” Scooter said, holding out his hand and helping her out of the SUV. Paisley was about to get out when she spotted movement in another car.
“There’s someone in that car,” she told Scooter.
“Where?” Scooter looked around to see who she was talking about.
“There’s a camera guy in that car over there. He got shots of me this morning when I was going into Java’s.” Paisley pointed him out. “He tried to catch me when I went into After Effex, but I went in through the side and he missed me.”
“Let me go deal with this fool,” Scooter told her. “Don’t move.”
“Scooter, wait!” she called after him, but he kept walking, removing his tie and unbuttoning his shirt with each step he took. Paisley got out of the SUV to follow him.
Seeing Paisley, the teenagers hopped back out of their car and began calling her name. Landon turned to see Paisley chasing Scooter, who was rushing toward the cameraman getting out of his car, capturing everything on film.
This isn’t gonna be good, Paisley thought as her gaze met Landon’s. He shook his head and ran toward them.
“Yo, what the hell is your problem?” Scooter yelled at the cameraman.
“I’m just doing my job, man,” he said, still snapping pictures. “It’s public property.”
“Get the hell away from here!” Scooter demanded, within reaching distance of him.
“Scooter, let’s just get inside,” Paisley pleaded. She knew Scooter had a temper and didn’t have any problem throwing the first punch.
“Paisley, Paisley!” the teenage boys called.
She turned and saw the four boys running toward her, camera phones in hand. She didn’t know what to do. She was dead center in a tornado of chaos, and she didn’t see a way out of it. Paisley felt herself panicking. She was too far from the studio door or her car, and her legs still weren’t well enough for her to run. The small group of guys was headed straight for her and the paparazzo was getting it all on film. She glanced up to see Scooter’s arm grabbing the camera from the guy’s hands.
“Scooter!” she called, but it was too late. The guy yelled as Scooter collared him and tossed him on the hood of the car. The studio door opened and Diesel came running out, followed by a well-dressed Chester.
“Scooter! Man, stop!” Diesel ran and tried to come between the two.
“Paisley!” Landon called her name and before she could turn around, she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Landon scooped her up into his arms and rushed her to the door, which was now being held open by Seymone. Once she was safely inside, Landon rushed back out the door.
“What the hell is going on?” Seymone asked.
The small group of girls who had come to the audition was now gathered in the front and watching the action unfold. Embarrassed, Paisley pushed her way through the crowd and made her way into her office. She couldn’t believe the turn her life had taken.
“Are you okay, Paisley?” Qianna and Seymone rushed in and asked.
Paisley turned to the window and watched as Diesel and Scooter pushed the photographer back into his car and he drove off, followed by the car full of teenage boys.
Seymone walked over and rubbed her back as Paisley began crying. It was all too much to handle and she was sick of dealing with it all.
“Your ass shoulda been doing your job and none of this woulda even jumped off!”
Paisley’s eyes widened as she heard Scooter yelling from down the hall. They rushed to see what was going on.
“That wasn’t the problem. If you wouldn’t have been trying to do my job, none of this would’ve happened.” The distinctness of Landon’s baritone voice was apparent, even though it was loud and an octave higher than usual.
“Man, please. Paisley said that dude had been following her since this morning when she went to Java’s!” Scooter huffed.
Landon turned to look at Paisley. “You’ve been seeing that cat all day and you ain’t say nothing?”
“If your ass woulda been with her this morning like you were supposed to be, you would know that,” Scooter added.
“Scooter, that’s enough. Paisley ran off this morning in one of her temper tantrums and Landon didn’t know where she went,” Seymone explained. “That’s not his fault. Landon has been by her side all day.”
“That’s true.” Qianna nodded. “He sat at the salon for about five hours.”
“Do you have a death wish or something?” Landon asked her, his voice filled with anger. “If this man has been following you all day, why didn’t you mention it? How do we know he isn’t the one stalking you? Do you like being stalked?”
“What? Are you crazy?” Paisley asked.
“Do you get some type of cheap thrill by all this?” He stood right in front of her. She looked into his eyes and could see the hatred in them. He told her, “I take protecting someone’s life very seriously. I don’t have time to be looking after someone who thinks all this is a joke.”
“I think maybe we all need to calm down,” Chester suggested. “We got auditions and rehearsals. The situation has been handled and it’s over. Paisley, you need to apologize to Landon.”
“For what?” Paisley snapped at her cousin.
“For being difficult, for one,” Chester replied. “This man is laying his life on the line to protect you and you’re not making it easy for him. That’s not fair and you know it.”
Paisley looked down, realizing that not tell
ing Landon about the cameraman following her all day had been a mistake, and had resulted in the chaos that erupted in the parking lot. Not only had it jeopardized Landon’s life, but the life of Scooter, who had gone out of his way to be her hero.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized.
“Now can we go eat and get started? We got a lot to do and a short time to get it done,” Chester said, then walked into the Main Room where the applicants were waiting and announced, “Ladies, the drama is over. It’s time to show us what you got!”
“You sure you’re okay?” Scooter leaned over and touched Paisley’s cheek.
Paisley nodded. “I’m fine. Thank you, Scooter. I appreciate your coming to my rescue. Even if it is all my fault.”
“You can’t help being as beautiful as you are, girl. You know fame comes with a price. People are gonna be after you, that ain’t nothing new to you. You’re Paisley Lawrence, it comes with the territory,” he said, then looked at Landon and added, “Not everyone can deal with that.”
“Look, why don’t you take Paisley and go on back to the house,” Diesel said. “It’s been a long day for her.”
“I’m all right, Diesel,” Paisley said. Truth was, she was tired and her body was now aching. It was as if the massage she had gotten hours earlier had never happened. The tension in her body had returned. “I agreed to handle this part and I am.”
“Go ahead, Paisley. We can handle the auditions and we know that whoever we decide on has to have your seal of approval,” Seymone told her.
“You want me to take you home?” Scooter smiled at her seductively.
“No, I’m fine with Landon,” she laughed. Seymone made Paisley and Landon a plate and they left.
“Um, I really am sorry,” Paisley said to Landon while they were riding to the house.
“Look, I’m not one of your little conquests or one of your male fans who is so amazed by you that I can’t think straight, understand?” Landon rolled his eyes at her. “I’m not one of your flunkies.”
Paisley could not believe his attitude. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? I never said that you were.”