by Geri Glenn
He unlocks the truck and helps me inside, and I stare wide-eyed out the window as the mob of reporters continue to call out to me, flashes going off left and right. Dad doesn’t waste any time getting into the driver’s side, and before I know it, we’re peeling away from the curb, and the truck is careening down the street and away from the crazy mob.
“What the hell was that?” he bellows, his entire body shaking with anger.
“Paparazzi,” I say, my voice filled with shock. I see him glance at me from the corner of my eye. My mind races over what had just happened. How had they known exactly where I was? I reach into my purse, as anger starts a small fire in my belly. I pull out my cell phone and dial Paula’s phone.
“Kinsley, darling. How are you?”
“Not so good, actually. I just finished my first chemo treatment, and guess who was outside waiting for me?”
“Kinsley,” she sighs, a warning heavy in her voice. “I told you that this was going to happen.”
“No. No you didn’t.”
“I did. I told you that we were going to keep this heavily publicized. The public has a right to know.”
I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it. Did she seriously just say that? Placing the phone back up to my ear, I struggle to control my voice, but not able to keep it from shaking with anger. “I just went through six hours of hell, Paula. I don’t want them following me around. The public may want to know, but I have a right to my privacy.”
“No, love. You don’t.” Her tone is suddenly less placating, and all business. “When you signed your contract with this company, you signed away your right to privacy. It is very unfortunate that you are going through this, Kinsley, but this label has put a lot of money into making you a star. It’s your turn to give back to them. So, I suggest next time, instead of bitching at me about it, you smile pretty for the camera, and do your damn job.”
I can’t even speak. I don’t know what to say to that. Is she right? Do I have to play along with this, whether I like it or not?
“And just so you know,” she continues, “there will be photographers coming to your house in a couple of weeks for a photo shoot. Get used to them, because they will be there every two weeks until this is over so that people can see just how well you’re doing.” That’s when the line goes dead.
Chapter Nine
I’M IN MY seat by the water, thankful for the slight breeze as I lay my head back. I feel like crap, and have been sick to my stomach all day. I’d brought my guitar down, a song idea nagging away at my thoughts, but I just don’t have the energy to sit up and play. A pad of paper rests on my lap, filled with scribbles and random lyrics that resemble nothing like a song at this point.
The rumble of a vehicle pulling up to the house draws my attention away from the lake I’ve been staring at for hours. I turn in my seat and forget to breathe when I see a large truck park in the space my dad uses. Beau jumps down from the driver’s seat.
He starts moving in my direction and flicks his hand out in a wave. I adjust my position so I can stand and meet him, but he calls out, “No, don’t get up.” I stop and watch as he approaches, a smile spread across his face before he finally gets to me, taking the seat to my left. “Hey.”
My eyes widen, and I can’t help but smile back. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
“I came to give you this.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small envelope, then hands it to me.
I glance sideways at him as I slowly peel open the seal. “What is it?”
“Open it and see.”
Inside the envelope is a piece of lined paper, folded into a small square. I frown in confusion and shake my head when he just looks at me with a grin. I pull out the paper and unfold it, not quite understanding what I’m seeing.
“It’s a thank you letter from the little girl that owns the dog you rescued.”
My head whips up. “You found them?”
He chuckles. “No. Technically, you found them. They saw the poster in town and called the clinic this morning. They stopped by to pick up the dog a few hours ago.”
“And the puppies?”
“And the puppies,” he affirms. “Their daughter was so excited. I wish you could have been there. Her name is Evie, and she is only six. She loves that dog to pieces. The dog’s name is Ginger by the way. Apparently, Ginger wandered off a couple of days ago, and they’ve been exhausting themselves trying to find her. You made her a very happy little girl.”
I smile and look down at the paper. I see random drawings of stick figures, and what I assume is supposed to be Ginger and her babies, along with the words, “Thank you for finding my dog.” Tears burn my eyes and blur the paper. “This is wonderful,” I manage to choke out, a sob building in my chest.
“Hey,” he says softly and moves closer to me. “Are you okay?”
I dash away the tear on my check with the back of my hand. “Yeah, sorry. I’m just a little emotional lately. I haven’t been feeling very good.”
His gaze stays locked on mine, assessing before he takes a deep breath. “I know about your cancer,” he says softly.
My eyes slice to his as I gasp. I stare back at him before balling my fists out and letting out a low growl. “Do you have any idea how frustrating that is, to have no privacy? To have everyone know my most personal business.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, and I instantly feel terrible.
“No, don’t be sorry. It’s not you I’m frustrated with. It’s just the media. They’re everywhere, and they know everything. They knew just as I was finding out myself.” I fling my blanket back and attempt to stand, but before I can get upright, my knees buckle and my head swims.
Beau is there in an instant, his strong arms catching me before I fall, and scoops me up against his rock hard chest. “Let’s get you inside,” he says softly as he walks back towards my house.
He lets himself inside, and though I try to squirm from his grasp, it’s only half-hearted at best. The truth is, I’m exhausted, and being in Beau’s arms is the most comforted I can ever remember feeling. I point him in the direction of the bedroom, where he sets me down gently on the bed, adjusting my pillows to help me get settled.
My eyes are already falling closed when I feel him tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.
Chapter Ten
MY EYES SLOWLY drift open and I stretch when I realize how much better I feel. I’m just about to sit up when my gaze falls on the chair at the end of my bed. There in the chair, a pair of glasses perched on his nose, sits Beau, reading an old copy of Harry Potter.
With those glasses and tattoos I see peeking out from beneath his T-shirt, he is the perfect blend of rugged and nerdy. His head tips up and his gaze slides to me. “You’re awake,” he says quietly.
“I am.” I sit up and glance over at the clock. It’s getting late. “You’re still here,” I say with surprise. It’s not that I don’t want him to be, it’s just not every day that I wake up to a sexy man sitting in my room, reading a book.
A heavy furrow appears on his brow. “Well, I was going to leave, but it didn’t feel right. I was a little worried. Are you supposed to be left alone after your treatments?”
The worry in his tone makes me smile. “They make me sick for a couple of days, but I’m okay by myself.”
He puts down the book and stands, walking over and squatting down beside me. “It just didn’t feel right leaving you here alone, not after you almost fell outside. Where is your dad?”
“He had to work late,” I sigh. “Today was just rougher than I expected. I can’t expect my dad to stop working to stay home and babysit me. Besides, I really am fine. I promise.
He sighs heavily, clearly not liking that answer, but not about to argue. “When was the last time you ate?”
I curl my nose, my stomach rolling at the thought of food. “Ugh. I don’t think I could eat anything right now.”
“How about I make you some soup or something? Even a few bite
s are better than nothing.”
“Okay, but I warn you, I don’t know how well it’s going to stay down.”
He smiles and wanders out to the kitchen, where I can hear cupboard doors opening and closing as he searches for what he needs. He’s only gone a few minutes before he returns with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, some crackers, and a glass of cold water.
I scoop a few spoonfuls into my mouth before looking up at him, where he stands looking at some of the pictures on my wall. “What about you?”
“I’ll eat when I get home,” he says distractedly. “I remember this.” I follow his finger and see that he’s pointing to an old photo of me from my senior year, performing a song for the talent show. “You sang ‘A Thousand Years.’ God, you were incredible. I tried to ask you out after that,” he admits, and my eyes widen in surprise. “Every time I got near you though … I choked.”
I bite my lip and stare up at him from beneath my lashes. “I wish you had asked. I would have said yes.”
His lips curve upwards and he walks towards me, sitting on the edge of the bed, his face close to mine. “What about now? Would you say yes now?”
My cheeks flame and I swear my heart skips about three beats before it catches back up. Just then, I hear the front door open and my dad calls out, “Kinsley, I’m home.”
“That’s my dad,” I whisper, not tearing my gaze from his.
“I figured,” he says with a smirk and leans in, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I better get going. I have to stop at the store before it closes. Feel better, Kinsley.”
My skin tingles where he’d kissed me, and I watch with wide eyes as he winks and walks out of my room. The sound of him greeting my father filters down the hallway, and I can hear Dad’s surprise from here. Looks like I have some explaining to do.
Chapter Eleven
A FEW DAYS and two chemo treatments later, I’m just folding a load of laundry when I get a text from an unknown number.
Unknown: How are you feeling?
My heart lodges in my throat. I don’t text many people, and since I’ve been sick, I don’t even text those people anymore.
Me: Who is this?
Unknown: It’s Beau. I hope you don’t mind. Just wondering how you’re doing.
My pulse races when I see his name. I had been thinking about him ever since he’d left my house last week, but I wasn’t sure how I would ever see him again.
Me: I’m good. How did you get my number?
Beau: It was on the paperwork you filled out at the clinic. Are you really good?
A wide grin spreads across my face.
Me: Is that allowed?
I wait several seconds, my eyes boring into the screen on my phone, waiting for his response. I can’t believe he’s texting me.
Beau: Legally? No. Now answer my question.
I giggle and tap out my answer.
Me: I’m tired, but not feeling as bad as I was.
Beau: Good. You up for some company tonight? I finally got my hands on the newest Avengers movie. You seen it?
He wants to come here? In that moment, I forget all about how crappy I feel. All I can concentrate on is how to calm the storm of butterflies in my belly.
Me: Sure, sounds fun. And no, I haven’t seen it. I haven’t watched a movie in ages.
Beau: Awesome. Seven o’clock good for you?
Me: See you then.
I gently lay my phone back on the table, my mind racing. I can’t believe Beau is coming here just to watch a movie with me.
“Well, someone looks happy,” I hear from behind me. I turn to see my dad standing in the doorway.
I can feel the instant the flush hits my cheeks. “Dad! You scared the crap out of me.”
“Sorry. It’s nice to see you smiling though, kiddo.” He walks over the fridge and pulls out a couple of cold drinks, then makes his way to the door. “I’m going out for a fish. I’ll probably be late. Going to see if I can get a few catfish.”
“Okay. I have a friend coming over to watch a movie.”
His arm pauses as he reaches for his jacket. “Is this the friend that I met leaving the other night?” I nod. “Is he the cause for that pretty smile on your face?”
I bite my lip. “Maybe.”
He nods. “I like him already.”
Chapter Twelve
WHO KNEW THAT the crunching of tires on gravel could send my heart into a tizzy? When Beau pulls up, I do a quick last minute check in the mirror to make sure I don’t look as terrible as I’ve been feeling lately. My hair looks good, the blonde locks wound into an attractive messy bun at the back of my head. My face looks puffy and pale though, but there’s not much I can do about that.
I listen to his knock on the door and wait a few moments, so I don’t seem too eager. After I feel like I’ve waited long enough, I walk casually to the door and pull it open. “Hi.”
He’s standing on the step wearing a simple T-shirt and cargo shorts, but I’ve never seen a man look so gorgeous. In the past year, I’d met celebrities that spent more time and money on their image than most people make in a lifetime, and at this moment, Beau looks better than any of them with absolutely zero effort.
“Come in.” I stand aside and hold the door for him as he steps inside. “Can I get you anything?”
“Pepsi?”
“Coming up.” I move to the kitchen and pull out a glass, filling it with ice. “So the Avenger’s, huh?”
He smirks. “Damn straight. I’ve been looking forward to this movie all year.”
I finish pouring his drink and fill a bowl with chips as Beau tells me all about how much he loved the superheroes in this movie when he was a kid. “Sounds like you still do,” I tease.
He follows me into the living room. “I guess we’ll find out, wont we.”
He helps me lay out our snacks on the coffee table and moves to the TV to put the movie on. I settle into my regular seat on the couch, with my feet up, and stare at his strong back and broad shoulders without him knowing. Beau had never been an obese guy from what I can remember. Just a little overweight. He’s worked his butt off, quite literally, to get the body he has, and I for one am happy to admire it for him.
It’s not until he walks back to the couch and takes a seat beside me that my butterflies take flight. God, he smells so good; like a light cologne mixed with the fresh smell of his laundry detergent. It doesn’t escape my notice that he sits right in the center of the couch instead of the opposite end.
He presses play on the DVD and we both watch the opening credits in silence. During the first five minutes of the movie, I don’t catch a thing. All I can concentrate on is where the side of his thigh is lightly touching my shin. I don’t dare move.
“Can I ask you a question?” he asks, interrupting my attempt at staring inconspicuously.
“Sure.”
“Are you dating that Cash Easton guy?”
My head jerks back in a grimace. “The country singer? No. Never. Why would you ask that?”
He sighs. “When I was at the store, I saw a picture of you on the cover of Tablo magazine, and you were with him. It was an old pic, maybe an awards show or something, but the headline read that Cash was broken hearted about your cancer, but was standing by his girl.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Do me a favor. Don’t ever believe what you read in those silly magazines. It’s rarely true, and I’ve never seen any of the truer stories have all their facts straight.” I shake my head. “I barely know Cash. We’ve seen each other at a couple of events for the record label, and even posed for a couple of pictures together, but we’ve never dated.”
He flashes his teeth in a grin. “Good.”
We both turn back to the movie, but it’s barely a minute before he turns back to me. “That’s gotta be a pain in the ass.”
“What does?”
“Just fame in general. The tabloids, the reporters, the gossip. I don’t know if I could handle it. Is it as bad as it seems?”
I shrug. “Kind of. The worst part is, it’s my publicist starting it all. She wants the publicity to sell records. I don’t know what that was about Cash, but I’m willing to bet she’s the one behind that too.”
His brow knits into a frown. “Isn’t a publicist on your side?”
I shrug again. “She’s supposed to be, but I am learning that it doesn’t work that way. I don’t get to have someone on my side. The fact is, fame comes with a whole bunch of issues that I never expected. I’m literally surrounded by people all day long, and I’ve never felt lonelier.” I look around. “That’s what I love so much about being home. Here I can be completely alone, and I’m happy. Content even.”
“I have to admit, it sounds terrible.”
I chuckle. “It kind of is.”
“If you could quit, would you?”
I think about it. I would never be famous. Never be on the radio, and never get my songs listened to. On the other hand, I could live a peaceful life here in my hometown, without someone reporting my every move to the world. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly.
He looks down and picks at a piece of imaginary lint on his shorts and looks up at me from under his lashes. “I’m almost embarrassed to admit how jealous that picture made me.”
My heart stops. “It did?”
He nods his head and holds my gaze captive with his. Slowly, his eyes trail down my face until they are locked on my lips. I stare back at him, my heart racing as he slowly leans towards me. Without a word, he presses his lips against mine and I’m lost, swept away by his soft lips and the fingers he wraps around that back of my neck.
Slowly, I kiss him back, allowing his tongue to slip between my lips. The feeling of his soft tongue sliding against mine makes me shiver. After several minutes of the best kiss I’ve ever had, he pulls his mouth away and smiles down into my face. “If you knew how many times I’ve wanted to do that in all the time I’ve know you, you’d understand just how amazing that was.”