“I’d like for you to travel with me back to North Carolina for a few weeks,” he said, grinning as he sat on the opposite sofa. “I figured you’d want to incorporate some interviews with my family into the article and this way you’d be able to do that with relative ease. With the exception of my sister Darcy, almost everyone is local. My dad is already organizing a family dinner for Saturday night…”
“But…it’s…it’s Thursday. You don’t mean this Saturday, do you?”
Riley nodded. “Absolutely. Why wait? I think it could be a good way to get you started—by getting to talk to my family and hearing about how I grew up and then take it from there.”
She shook her head. “No,” she said firmly and then took a minute to regroup. “That really isn’t how I had planned on doing things. I’m not writing your biography, Riley. I’m writing an article on you and where you’re at right now. I mean…I had planned on talking to maybe one or two members of your family, but I certainly don’t need to hang out with them for a couple of weeks. If you had a family trip planned already, then you should have told me. We can reschedule things for when you get back.”
It was his turn to shake his head. “I want this to be part of the interview.”
“But it’s not necessary,” she argued. “It’s common knowledge you’re from a big family and you have a fraternal twin who is an astrophysicist. I really don’t think spending time with them is going to add anything new that would be beneficial to the story.”
Leaning forward, Riley’s expression turned serious. “All of that information is public knowledge. You’re right. But no one—and I mean no one—has ever sat down with my entire family and had the chance to observe the dynamics. As a matter of fact, none of my siblings ever granted an interview or talked to the press about me. You’d have the exclusive here, Savannah. You’ve talked about the possibility of this being a multi-issue piece; why not use one of those segments to focus on my family? I’m not saying you have to look at it as learning solely about my past.” He stopped and shrugged. “My family is everything to me and they play a huge part in who I am and what I do every day.”
“I don’t know, Riley—”
He held out a hand to stop her. “Did you know I almost had to deliver my nephew in the back of my brother’s SUV?”
“What? You did? When?” Savannah asked, suddenly interested. She reached into her bag to grab her recorder or a pad and pen when Riley went on.
“I’ll let Hugh and Aubrey tell you the story when you meet them,” he said, grinning. “Aubrey still gets a kick out of it. Apparently my older brother and I share the same expression of terror.” He chuckled.
“That’s amazing,” she said, unable to stop herself from chuckling at the image in her head. “You travel a lot, Riley. How much do you really see them?”
“You’d be surprised. I go home and visit every chance I get. And if I can’t get there, I’ve met up with Hugh at one of his resorts. When Quinn was still on the racing circuit, I’d catch up with him at one of the races, and I’ve even gone and visited my sister at college.” He shuddered at the memory. “That’s not one I’ll do willingly ever again. It was a little like Beatlemania at one point.”
Savannah laughed. “Don’t you have a bodyguard with you for things like that?”
“Sometimes. When my brother Aidan got married, I had announced I was going on hiatus and the press was hounding me.”
“I remember that.”
“I didn’t want any issues to arise that would disrupt the wedding or the weekend with my family so I had someone with me for the weekend. We took a private plane and flew into a small airport. I don’t normally do things like that, but sometimes it’s necessary. I don’t think I’m so important I need a security detail with me or an entourage. I just want to be able to go where I want to go and do the things I want to do.”
“Seriously? Riley, no offense, but that’s just delusional.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s not always practical, and sometimes things happen like they did the other night at the beach. I like having a connection with my fans where I can sit and talk with them or stop and take a picture. But every once in a while, things get out of hand. You never know when it’s going to happen and it seems crazy to live every day as if it will.”
“But you could really get hurt by not having someone with you,” she said, concern lacing her voice. “Not everyone is looking to get a picture or to have a short conversation with you. There are some crazed fans out there who’d like nothing better than to get a piece of you—clothing, hair—surely you’ve seen or heard of those things happening?”
“I have,” he said with a nod. “But I’ve been fortunate and they haven’t happened to me.” He studied her for a long moment. “Will you be able to leave tomorrow?”
Savannah’s eyes went wide. “I… This really isn’t a good idea, Riley. I can’t. I just can’t do it.”
He frowned. “Why not? You told me your only responsibility for the next month is this story. Do you have pets you need to take care of?”
“Well…no.”
“Family members?”
“No.”
As much as he hated to do it, he asked, “A boyfriend or husband?”
She gave him a wry look. “Seriously? No.”
“Then why? I’ve told you why I think this is important to the interview. We can fly out tomorrow morning and we’d get in to my dad’s tomorrow night. It’s almost twelve hours of travel time with the time difference, but it’s not so bad.”
“Riley, really, I…I can’t.”
He jumped to his feet, clearly frustrated. “Look, I’m doing this interview under duress as it is! No one said I had to do it in L.A. and only in L.A.,” he snapped. “I don’t think I’m asking for too much! All your travel expenses will be paid for—the trip won’t cost you a thing. I had planned on us both staying with family but if you’d prefer, I’ll make reservations for you at a hotel and I’ll cover those expenses too.” He stopped and sighed. “Come on, Savannah. Just…trust me on this. It’s going to be a good thing.”
She looked up at him and was embarrassed by the tears she felt forming. “This has nothing to do with the interview and whether I think talking with your family will be a good thing or a bad thing.” Savannah tightly clasped her hands in her lap as she looked down. “The truth is, I’m…I’m terrified of flying.”
“What?” he asked and came to sit beside her.
Savannah looked at him and was mortified to have to admit it. “I’m terrified of flying. The last time I got on a plane, I had to be escorted off because I was having a panic attack. Luckily we hadn’t left the gate yet, but it was humiliating to have so many people witness my freaking out.”
Riley reached out and took one of her hands in his and squeezed it. “Okay, okay,” he said soothingly. “Okay. What is it about flying that upsets you? Were you always afraid to fly?”
She shook her head. “I used to travel all the time. My family moved around a lot and we’d always fly to visit relatives. A couple of years ago I was on a flight that got delayed but we were already boarded. They wouldn’t let us off the plane and we couldn’t get up and…and… I just started to feel claustrophobic and panicked. We sat on the tarmac for hours and I just remember feeling like I was trapped. It was a full flight and no room to move around and…” She stopped and took a couple of steadying breaths. “Ever since then, I just can’t do it. I tried and, like I said, I ended up being taken off the plane.” She looked up at him pleadingly. “I can’t do it again, Riley.”
“How do you handle it with your other assignments? I’m assuming you travel for other interviews?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been fortunate where I’ve been able to meet up with people. I tend to do whatever I can to schedule our interviews here in California. I don’t mind driving up and down the w
est coast.”
“It’s a hell of a drive across the country,” he said with a nervous chuckle. “But if that’s what it would take to help you, I’d do it.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” she said quietly. “Can we…can we just let this go for right now? You’ve thrown me for a loop here and I wasn’t expecting any of this. Please understand, I’m not deliberately being difficult. If there was a way for me to fly without needing someone to shoot me with a tranquilizer dart, I’d do it. But I can’t see myself boarding a commercial flight and being packed in like that again.”
Riley nodded and gave her hand one more squeeze before he stood up. “What about a private plane?”
“What?”
Pacing the room, he seemed to be talking a little more to himself than Savannah. “A private plane. We’d be the only passengers—plus a crew—but essentially we’d have the space to ourselves. You’d be able to move around as you need to, the seats are much more comfortable, and really, the overall trip will go faster because it will be a direct flight rather than one that has to make stops like the commercial flights do. What do you say?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Riley. Aren’t those things normally pretty small? I think that might freak me out just as much!”
“Sweetheart, these are no ordinary private planes. The one we’d use, which belongs to my record label, is a little on the small side but you’ll hardly notice.” When she still didn’t look convinced, he walked out of the room, grabbed his tablet, and did a Google search. When he found what he was looking for, he passed the tablet to her to read. “Go ahead, read it out loud.”
“With seating for ten and four berthable beds, the Gulfstream G550 is an ultra-long-range jet especially designed for business efficiency. It includes the most advanced flight deck in business aviation, with an enhanced vision system and Gulfstream’s best-in-class avionics achievements. Features a full-service galley and three temperature zones.” Savannah looked up at him questioningly. “Is this for real? This plane really exists?”
Riley nodded. “It certainly does, and I’ve flown in it multiple times. Say the word, Savannah, and I’ll make the arrangements. If it’s not available for us tomorrow, I’ll wait until it is so you can fly without any fear.”
“We don’t know that will happen, Riley. You can’t know for certain I’m going to get on the plane and not flip out.”
“Trust me. I firmly believe you are going to be just fine.”
She made a face at him. “You can’t guarantee it, Riley.”
He sat back down and once again picked up her hand. “I’ll make you a deal. I’m going to make the call and see if the plane is available and reserve it. If it is, you’ll agree to go. And if we get on the plane and you find you aren’t comfortable, we’ll cancel the trip and do the rest of the interview here. Alone in my house. Just the two of us. For a month.”
And that’s when it hit her—he was just as nervous being alone with her as she was to be alone with him. She almost sagged with relief knowing she wasn’t the only one affected by what had happened yesterday.
“Can we do that? Reserve the plane and then not use it? Won’t you get in trouble or something?”
Riley shrugged. “I’ll deal with it. The guys at the label aren’t particularly thrilled with me right now. What’s one more offense added to the list?”
Now she felt bad. “Riley, I don’t want to cause any problems for you.”
“You’re not,” he assured her. “This was my idea, and I really thought it would be a good thing for both of us. I had no idea about your aversion to flying so I probably should have talked to you first before getting my family involved and excited about meeting you.”
“They’re…they’re excited about meeting me? Why?” she asked nervously.
“Let’s just say they’ve probably been waiting for the opportunity to share embarrassing stories and let the world see what a dork I really am.” He laughed. “You’ll have five siblings, their wives, my dad, and who knows who else to share stories that no one’s heard before. Trust me, if nothing else you’ll be wildly entertained.”
Savannah didn’t doubt that. She also didn’t doubt having people around them was a smart move. Right now she was tempted to crawl into Riley’s lap and ask him to kiss her again. He was still holding her hand, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles, and it felt more intimate than it should.
Looking over at him, she noted the hopeful expression on his face. Maybe he was right. Maybe flying his way would help ease her anxiety. And really, how could she possibly pass up the opportunity to fly in such an extravagant aircraft?
“Okay,” she finally said.
Riley’s eyes went wide along with his smile. “Really?”
Savannah nodded. “I’m willing to try if you are.” He pulled her in and hugged her, and she simply let herself enjoy the moment before pulling back. “Just remember—if I freak out and need to get off the plane, you’re not allowed to make fun of me.”
His expression turned serious as one hand came up and cupped her cheek. “Sweetheart, I would never make fun of you.”
The silly thing was, she was starting to get used to that endearment, and between his words and the intensity of his gaze, she knew he was telling her the truth. With a nod, Savannah watched Riley stand and go in search of his phone.
With nothing to do, she sat back on the sofa and took a steadying breath. This was not the way she had planned on this interview process going. They were supposed to spend time in some nondescript place—at least in her mind she saw it that way—and she’d ask questions and he’d answer.
Now she was flying across the country. With Riley.
She was spending time with the Shaughnessy family. With Riley.
And she knew it was entirely possible she was falling a little bit in love. With Riley.
No! She admonished herself. It had been…what? Three days? It wasn’t possible! Savannah wouldn’t let it be possible. She was a practical woman. A responsible woman. She’d been alone with some of the hottest musicians in the world and had never felt like this with any of them. When she thought about how many times she had been propositioned and crudely groped by some of those guys, she wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cringe.
She thought she was immune to it.
And never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d be softening toward the likes of Riley Shaughnessy. He was everything she thought she despised—the pretty-boy rock star who had more looks than talent. Unfortunately, she was finding she had misjudged him.
Completely.
She’d never admit it to him, but last night she had sat down and listened to the last album he’d released with his band. And listened to it in its entirety.
And she loved it.
Every. Damn. Song.
She cursed. She wasn’t comfortable with this situation: being a fan while trying to write a piece that was raw and gritty and shattered the illusion of how the world saw him. Out of the corner of her eye, Savannah saw him come back into the room. He was smiling and talking on the phone, and from the sound of it, the plane was available for the next day. Without asking, he reached for her notepad and pen and began writing information down—departure and arrival times, airports and car service.
“No, I’ll take care of arrangements on the other end,” Riley was saying. “I’m sure one of my brothers or my father can pick us up, and we’ll make arrangements for a car to use once we get there.” He paused. “I’ll be staying with family and Miss Daly will…” He put a hand over the phone and looked at Savannah. “Would you like us to make arrangements for a hotel or will you be okay staying with my family?”
The reality of it all was overwhelming. Staying with Riley’s family? She looked at him and saw that easy expression and knew which option he’d like her to take. “I’ll be fine staying with your family,” she said softly.
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They were going to travel to North Carolina together whether she was ready for it or not.
* * *
Another night staring out at the city. It was becoming a habit—one Riley knew he was going to miss over the next few weeks. This was his peaceful time—how he found his solitude and was able just to unwind after a frustrating day.
And frustrating it was.
Once the reservations for the plane had been made, they’d spent the next several hours talking about what Savannah should pack and bring with her and how they would be spending their time once they arrived in North Carolina. Unfortunately, Riley hadn’t planned that far in advance. The packing part was a breeze—he told her the basic weather conditions and the kind of places they might go to. As for how they were going to spend their time and with who and when? Hell, he had no idea.
Clearly Savannah was a planner because his inability to present an agenda seemed to irk her.
She was going to get along perfectly with Aidan and Hugh.
Over lunch he explained to her the basics of his family and how—as of right now—they were going to stay at his father’s house. He had the spare rooms and he would be the least intrusive out of everyone. Plus, it was the central hub where everyone met up. Although, if Riley’d had more time to plan, he might have chosen to stay with either Aidan or Quinn. And then if he thought about it even longer, he’d choose to stay at Quinn’s. His and Anna’s new place was amazing and had a lot of extra space plus a lot of the same amenities Riley’s own house did—a game room, a pool.
Maybe they’d just house hop for part of the trip.
Or maybe he should have just reserved a room at a hotel for Savannah so she had someplace to escape to when his family got to be too overwhelming. They weren’t even there yet and already Riley was beginning to feel that way. He knew he loved his family and enjoyed the times they spent together, but it didn’t necessarily guarantee Savannah was going to feel the same way. Maybe he’d call Zoe or Anna and see if they’d make some time to include her in a girls’ night or something. He’d ask Aubrey but she was busy with the new baby.
This Is Our Song Page 8