by Wendy Louise
To everyone who downloaded Side by Side and sent me encouraging emails and messages, thank you. It is not easy to release your book baby to the world. Especially your first one. The positive feedback has allowed me to have the courage to keep going and release this one.
To all the readers for taking the time to read my little story, thank you, I am truly grateful.
XOXO
For my Mum and Dad, who have always supported me and stood by me, no matter what, throughout my life.
Love you both lots. X
Have you ever just looked at someone and thought “I really love you.”
They’re just talking or humming or watching a movie or reading a book or laughing or something, and there’s something about them in that moment that makes you think, “I just really love you.”
- Anonymous
I can hear noises in the distance. Voices I think.
They seem so far away. I know one of them belongs to Ethan, and one to my mom, but there are so many that I feel confused, unable to make out the words or the tone clearly.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m sure that I hear Olivia’s voice, reading to me, I’m sure that’s her Australian accent, filling my head and enticing my senses…
And music, I hear music….
I’m tired.
So tired that I feel like sleep is dragging me into a deep dark hole. One that I can’t get out of, no matter how hard I try to.
Occasionally I feel something tugging at my skin, but then when I try to move my head to see what that is, I can’t. It’s heavy and sore, and won’t allow my neck to lift it, or turn it, or make any movement.
It hurts.
I don’t know why.
So does my hand, my body - everything.
My eyes won’t open either. I must be dreaming.
I don’t know where I am and I don’t know what’s going on, and I can’t seem to switch my brain into gear enough to worry about it.
But then I’m sure I hear Olivia’s voice again.
I’m here baby, please come back to me…
Is that her?
Am I dreaming?
I’m here baby, please come back to me…
Please God, if that’s Olivia Lucas calling to me, calling me baby, then let this be real, not a dream. Let me wake up and see her…
The drowsiness is back and it’s dragging me in, tempting me in the worst of ways.
I’ll give into it, just one more time. I’ll give into it and hope that when I resurface that I’m not dreaming.
I’ll hope that the girl of my dreams is here with me, waiting for me to wake up, waiting for me to make her mine.
Despite my lack of coordination I feel a small smile tug at my lips.
Olivia Lucas – mine, what a wish come true.
The blackness descends and I feel it claiming me, erasing my thoughts and my smile and any hope of Olivia.
I give in.
Allowing everything to fade away.
Allowing everything to fade to black…
A new housemate
I stare at the navy blue satin and chiffon, watching it sway as I turn to the right and look over my shoulder into the mirror. This dress hugs every one of my curves and flows seamlessly over my body.
I adore it.
“What do you think?” I ask, as I turn to my sister Ava.
“I think you look every bit the movie star you are Liv.” She motions for me to spin around so she can see the back. “That’s definitely the one.”
We’ve been searching for a dress for me to wear to Ava’s upcoming wedding. I’m her Maid of Honour. My gorgeous sister is marrying Ethan Drake, my co-star in the movie, Forever is mine.
We’ve just wrapped a two week press junket and premiered the movie in LA, New York, London, and then my home town of Melbourne, Australia. It has broken box office records in each country we’ve visited, probably due to the fact that the book the movie is based on was a huge best-seller with the young-adult market.
The only down side is the constant presence of paparazzi that seem to follow me everywhere I go. I don’t understand how they can get shots of me doing the most mundane things, but they do. I guess that now Ethan and I can make them serious dollars, they’re going to continue to hound us. Of course with Ethan and Ava’s engagement hitting the news sites, Ava is now attracting her own attention.
My sister and Ethan met when she came to the States to work as my Personal Assistant, and they fell completely for each other very soon after. They are perfect together.
We’re soon to start filming the sequel based on the second book of the trilogy – Forever is yours.
I turn around again to check out the back side of the dress in the mirror. “Is this colour okay, it’s quite dark. Will it suit a beach wedding?”
Ava nods her head. “Liv, we plan to have the ceremony against the ocean at sunset, so I think the blue will complement the water and the backdrop perfectly. I love this one; I really think you should get it. The chiffon will blow in the breeze, and the colour will also suit the other bridesmaids.”
“Okay, this is the one then. Let’s do it.” I decide.
Ava claps her hands and goes over to the Bridal Consultant to finalise the order. I twirl once more to check out all the angles in the mirror, and then I’m happy.
I love it.
I feel sexy and feminine, and I’m happy to wear this on such an important occasion. Not only will we have to look at the wedding photos for years to come, but I’m sure that despite the private location Ethan and Ava have chosen, the press will still manage to locate us.
I return to the fitting room and change back into my jeans, wedges and pale blue shirt. My long dark hair is piled on top of my head today to counteract the warm LA weather. I throw my bag over my arm and grab hold of my sunglasses, ready to put them in place before we exit the store and find ourselves face-to-face with the ever present photographers.
“C’mon Liv,” Ava calls to me. “I want to grab some lunch before we have to meet Ethan at the house.”
“Let’s go,” I say, as I pull back the large drape of the fitting room and make my way out to her.
Ava has driven us up into the Hollywood Hills.
We pull up outside an enormous black wrought-iron gate. She lowers the window and presses a button that causes the gate to swing open slowly.
Beyond it is a stunning, modern, single-storey home.
“Ava this is amazing.”
“Isn’t it!” she exclaims excitedly. “Ethan and I think this is definitely the one, but I wanted you to see it first to get your opinion.”
Ava stops the car under an entry porch and switches off the engine, as Ethan opens her door. He pulls her against him and murmurs, “I missed you,” as he places a kiss to her lips. Ava giggles as she takes his hand and they turn to make their way to the front door.
“Hey Liv,” Ethan says as he bends to place a kiss on my cheek. “What do you think?”
“So far it’s amazing, but let me check the inside out first.” I laugh at his enthusiasm.
As we step inside the foyer I catch a glimpse of someone in the room to the right.
“Come through, Grayson is here too, I wanted his opinion as well.” Ethan says.
Grayson Adams is Ethan’s best friend, and the lead singer of Awesome Rebel. His band has just been signed to a major record label after years of hard work on their part around LA. They are really good, and with Grayson at the helm, really, it was only a matter of time before they were noticed.
Grayson turns from the floor-to-ceiling windows and locks his deep green eyes onto mine. No matter how many times he does that, I always have the same breathless reaction to that stare.
He is breathtakingly gorgeous.
Dark spiky hair…
Tanned skin…
Chiselled face…
The defined body and sexy tattoos that cover his upper body are not on display, but just the knowledge that they are ther
e has my blood simmering in my veins.
Truthfully, I’ve been incredibly attracted to Grayson from the moment I met him. Ethan introduced us when we had just started rehearsals for Forever is mine. I thought Grayson was the hottest guy I had met since coming to LA.
We’ve flirted and spent time together during production, even sharing a drunken kiss or two once in a while, but once I started to date Ryan, the Producer on the movie, Grayson backed off. We’ve settled to just friends status ever since. Now that Ryan and I are no longer together, he still hasn’t made a move, so the just friends status remains.
All that aside, I have worked so hard to get my career to where it is now; I can’t afford any distractions, no matter how gorgeous they may be.
Grayson saunters towards me and smiles that panty-dropping smile that he is famous for. “Hey Liv,” he says before placing a kiss on my cheek.
“Hi Gray, what’s up?” I ask casually.
“Lots and nothing,” he replies.
He always says that when I ask him that question. I don’t know why.
He moves to Ava and gives her a tight squeeze before Ethan starts to lead us through the wide open spaces of what looks to be their new home.
The house is remarkable.
Bright, open, modern, yet charming. I can see Ethan and Ava here. The space suits them.
The pool and deck area out the back is incredible, and I can imagine us all lazing out there on hot LA days. After looking through the kitchen and living areas, five bedrooms with attached ensuites, study, gym, home-theatre, and guest rooms, we all re-convene in the main living area, looking through the open patio doors to the pool.
“What do you think?” Ava asks, as she leans back on Ethan’s chest while he stares out over the landscaped garden.
“It’s incredible.” Grayson and I both answer at the same time, bursting into laughter as we do.
Ethan smiles. “Glad you both like it. I think this is definitely the one. I’ll contact the realtor and close the deal.” He places a soft kiss on Ava’s lips, “I think we’ll be so happy here.”
“So do I,” she replies with a soft contented sigh.
Grayson breaks the moment, “Well at least you guys have somewhere to live when we get back from the wedding in Fiji.”
“What do you mean man?” Ethan asks.
Grayson moves out to the patio and sinks onto one of the soft padded chairs. “I just found out that my building is being demolished to make way for new condos. As of next month I don’t have anywhere to be.”
“Shit.” Ethan says. “You’re always welcome here with us for as long as you need.”
“Thanks E, but no offence, I don’t think you and Ava want to start your married life with me in tow.”
“You’re always welcome here Grayson, you know that,” Ava responds with a genuine smile. “As you can see, we have heaps of room.”
“Thanks guys but I’ll sort something out. We’re heading on tour in a couple of months so I just need to find something in the meantime. I’ll sort out permanent accommodation when we get back.”
Without thought I blurt out, “You could stay with me Grayson.”
Grayson turns his gorgeous face to mine, eyebrows raised, surprised by my invitation.
I continue, “I mean Ava is moving out to be here with Ethan and her room will be vacant. You can have it until you leave for the tour if you like.”
Grayson smiles at me and I can see his mind ticking over as he weighs up my offer. “Liv, I think that would work great, as long as you don’t mind.”
“No, I think it will be perfect,” I respond, wondering if this really is a good idea. The more I run it through my head, the more I realise that we will need to put down some ground rules so that the lines of our friendship don’t blur. “How about we have dinner tomorrow evening and discuss how to make it work.”
“Brilliant,” he says, his eyes sparkling. “I really appreciate this Liv. I’ll be the best housemate you’ve ever had. You won’t want me to leave.” He smiles.
‘Oh yes I will!’ I think as he gives me that stunning smile again.
I can’t help but smile back at him, working on resisting him and that smug exterior. I know that he is a sweetheart underneath, and that’s the part that I will find the hardest to resist. I’m a sucker for the sweet-bad-boys.
Grayson fits that bill perfectly.
He is sexy, gorgeous and hot, but his heart outweighs all of that once you get to know him. He’s an amazing friend to Ethan and Ava, more like a brother to Ethan really, and he has always been a darling to me.
As long as we set out the rules, this should work fine.
A small bubble of excitement rises in my stomach as I think of sharing space with him day-in-day-out, but I squash it down. He will be heading on tour in a couple of months and I will be busy filming the sequel to our movie. But for the next few weeks, we can at least enjoy each other’s company and be friends.
Can’t we?
Day one of let’s-see-if-I-can-resist-Grayson begins.
Ground rules
The thought of moving in with Olivia Lucas for the next couple of months has my hands sweating and my heart speeding every time I think about it. She is everything I have ever wanted in a woman.
She’s almost my height, with long dark hair flowing like silk down her back. Her large brown eyes are the most expressive I’ve ever seen, and that mouth… fuck, don’t even start me on that.
I’ve wanted her to be mine from the first moment I laid eyes on her.
But I left my run too late…..
Right now, I need to concentrate on my career.
The past few months have been a whirlwind for me and my band, Awesome Rebel. We’ve finally been signed with an epic label and we have a West Coast tour lined up to commence in about six weeks. The four of us have worked our butts off since forming five years ago.
We’ve played the dingiest pubs in LA, and also worked the largest venues available to us. We’ve played opposite huge artists and worked at our craft every waking moment. My hands are constantly strumming a guitar, playing a piano, or writing lyrics at the kitchen table. My mind doesn’t stop.
I live, eat and breathe my music.
With my focus honed on my music, love has not been a priority. Although if someone like Olivia was offered to me on a platter, I would quickly reconsider the way I look at love.
She’s perfection.
Pulling girls has always been easy for me. I’m told that I’m hot, sweet and charming. Not my words, but hey I’m not going to argue with such a positive assessment. I can usually take my pick - the benefit of fronting a rock band I guess - so when a challenge presents itself in the form of a hot new movie star, who am I to run from it?
When Olivia started dating Ryan, I was gutted.
I had been working up the courage to ask her out. Not something I usually need to do with girls, they usually throw themselves at me, so having to ask one out was a new concept. Now that they have called it quits, I would love to take the chance, but if we’re going to be living under the same roof, then that could get awfully messy. Not to mention the fact that I am soon to head off on tour and she’ll be busy filming here in LA.
I pull my car up outside the restaurant that Liv and I have agreed to meet at and hand my keys to the valet. He looks over my mint-condition, black, two-door ’64 Mustang with an appreciative gleam in his eyes. “Take care of her man, she’s my baby,” I say in warning.
“Yes Sir,” he says enthusiastically as he climbs behind the wheel.
I enter the Mexican restaurant, which is one of my favourites, and scan the room.
It’s not hard to find Liv.
She’s sitting in a booth towards the back of the room with a male waiter talking very animatedly to her. She has a shy smile on her face as he gushes to her. She is really gorgeous, so I can’t blame him for trying, but really, if he gets any closer to her, I’ll knock him out. My caveman instincts are kicking in.
I make my way towards her as he pulls back and writes something on his notepad. Olivia looks up and her big, brown eyes lock onto mine, while a smile breaks out across her stunning face. It lights up the room.
“Hi Gray.”
“Liv.” I nod.
The douchebag waiter hasn’t left us yet so I turn my attention to him and order a beer, hoping that will send him on his way. He gives Liv another stare and then turns towards the bar to fill our drink order. I slide into the booth on the opposite side of Olivia and give her a smile. She’s perusing the menu as her pink tongue swipes across her bottom lip in concentration.
What I would like to do to that tongue….
“See anything you like Liv?” I ask. She doesn’t miss my double entendre.
She smiles up at me and says, “Yes” without missing a beat, her eyes roaming over my face from my eyes to my lips and back up again.
“What’ll it be then?” I ask flirtatiously.
She folds the menu and places it down on the table, folding her hands over the top of it.
“Gray, we need to set some ground rules before you move in. This…” she says gesturing with her fingers between us, “… can’t happen. The flirting that we do needs to stop. If we’re living under the same roof, we need to agree to keep this as friends.”
Her body betrays her words.
All the while she is telling me that she wants to be friends, her chest is rising and falling with her increased heartbeat, her pupils have darkened, and she continues to run her tongue over her bottom lip in a nervous gesture. We both feel the crazy attraction that we have towards one another, but she chooses to deny it. Me, well I would quite happily pursue it. I want to respect her wishes though so I agree. “Sure Liv, if that’s what you want.”
“It is,” she says with finality.
“Okay, well just friends it is,” I state. I can’t help but tease her a little though, so I add, “…but you’re missing out.”