Forever Box Set

by Wendy Louise

  I look into his eyes and watch them darken from a bright emerald to a deeper forest green in a matter of seconds. I place my hands on his strong muscular arms to steady myself against the effect he has on me, as well as the many bodies moving around us.

  The song is one of my favourites, Crazy in Love by Beyoncé. Once Grayson starts to move, I have no choice but to mirror his actions. Our hips move in unison as we bend and sway to the pumping beat of the song.

  Dancing has always come easily to me. Probably the years of dance classes I took as a child. If I wasn’t an actress, then I probably would have pursued dance instead.

  I really appreciate a guy who can dance. Most men I’ve been with have little to no rhythm. Ryan tried to keep up with me on the dance floor, but he always fell short. Grayson on the other hand has moves that even I can’t match.

  When he’s performing he has this innately sexual quality about him, and he oozes that when on the dance floor. My ability to resist him is wavering with every second I spend moving against him.

  To distract myself, my mind wanders back to our swim in Hawaii the day after Ava and Ethan were engaged. Grayson and I were flirting in the pool and I remember our conversation.

  “Tell me what you want Liv.” Grayson said in a low, seductive voice.

  I responded teasingly with, “That’s for me to know and you to find out Grayson.”

  I remember Grayson pulling me through the water and then up against him roughly, “Oh, I’ll find out Liv, and when I do, you won’t be able to stop me from fulfilling your every whim.”

  “Is that a promise?” I asked flirtatiously, batting my eye lashes at him.

  “Abso-fucking-lutely” he responded with a laugh.

  A shiver runs through me from the crown of my head, down my spine and ending at my toes. If I have any hope of keeping myself together I need to pull back from him and fast. I lean in towards his ear, “Let’s do another shot.” He nods and interlaces our fingers, pulling me back towards the bar.

  Too many shots later, we both stumble through the door of our apartment, after trying to make the key work in the lock for five minutes. I’m holding onto Grayson for dear life, trying to steady my steps, but I fear that he is just as unsteady as I am.

  Once I throw my purse down on the sofa, I realise that my stomach is roiling. I throw my hand across my mouth and mutter the word “sick” before rushing through the apartment to the nearest bathroom.

  Unceremoniously, I dump the contents of my stomach into the toilet as I groan. I hate being sick. I throw my arm across the top of the toilet seat and rest my head on top of it, trying to squash the sickness in my belly and slow my racing heartbeat. Grayson is at my side holding back my hair, trying to keep it out of the line of fire.

  I try to push him away, I don’t want him to see me like this, but my arms don’t have the strength to follow through.

  I feel Gray move away and I hear the water running in the sink. He is back a moment later, placing a cold face-cloth on my forehead and handing me a glass of water. “Drink this Liv; it’ll make you feel better.”

  I take the glass gratefully and take a small sip of the cool water, swishing it around my mouth to moisten it. Groaning again I place my head back onto my arm, before another wave of nausea hits and I’m at it again.

  It takes a ridiculous amount of time for my stomach to empty.

  Who would have thought that I could expel so much?

  Finally I feel like I’m okay to move my head away from the toilet seat, but not too far. I grab a towel and place it on the floor, lying down in the foetal position to feel sorry for myself.

  Before I know it, Grayson is lifting my head and placing it into his lap. He covers me with the towel and extends his long legs out in front of him, his back to the cold tile of the bathroom wall. He runs his fingers through the front of my hair, causing my eyes to close as he does.

  “Sleep now Liv,” he whispers.

  And I do.

  Wanna’ bet?

  I lift my head from the hard surface and adjust my eyes to the light. My skull is throbbing and my back is killing me. I look down to see long dark hair flowing across my thighs and see Liv fast asleep.

  She was so sick. I assume from the alcohol, but it was so bad that it may have been a stomach bug.

  I don’t want to wake her; she’ll need as much sleep as she can get today to get over last night.

  I shift her head slowly onto the towel that has fallen beside us on the floor, and slowly pull my stiff limbs out from under her. She groans but curls on her side and settles back to sleep. I place another towel over her body to keep her from getting cold. I should probably pick her up and carry her to bed, but I think the movement would wake her completely and I don’t want to do that.

  I move towards my bathroom to take a shower and try and wash away the base drum pounding in my head.

  I had such a deep sense of satisfaction looking after Liv last night. I don’t know where that came from. I’ve always been the type of guy to have fun with women but never take a relationship too seriously. It’s very rare for me to be with the same woman for longer than a few weeks. The women that I usually end up with are fine with that arrangement too.

  Last night while we were at the club, I couldn’t think of anything but taking Liv right there on the dance floor while she was moving against me. When we got home and she was sick, my caveman instincts kicked in big time and I just wanted to look after her, protect her and make things better. I’ve never in my life felt the need to do that before. I would never have pegged myself for the type of guy to spend the night on the cold bathroom floor, just to take care of Olivia in that state, but hey, I’ve surprised even myself.

  Feeling somewhat better after my shower and putting on clean, fresh clothes, I brew a pot of coffee and go to check on my patient.

  She still hasn’t moved from her prone position on the bathroom floor. I don’t think I can leave her like this. I move to scoop her up in my arms and carry her through to her bed. She curls in towards my chest and buries her face in the crook of my neck, snuggling close.

  For a moment I think about lying both of us down on the mattress and staying just like this. I don’t want to take advantage of her in this situation though so I force myself to pull back her covers and lie her down carefully, covering her up quickly.

  She rolls over and opens her gorgeous eyes, staring up at me. “Grayson...” she breathes and then closes her eyes again, sleep taking her.

  I take the opportunity to run the back of my fingers down her cheek.

  She smiles in her sleep at the contact. She really is so beautiful.

  How could I have possibly moved in here thinking that the two of us could resist the attraction we have? I’ve been here less that forty-eight hours and already it is fuckin’ unbearable.

  I move from Olivia’s room quickly and grab my jacket, guitar and keys. I have to make a rehearsal with the guys and I need to get out of here before I do something that we will both regret.

  The band and I always meet at Will’s place to rehearse.

  His apartment is an old converted warehouse in a district surrounded by businesses, so we can rehearse without upsetting any residential neighbours. The closest business is a cabinet-making factory and their power tools often drown out our music, so they never complain. There is plenty of room for us to leave the drum kit and a keyboard permanently set up, so it makes sense to practice here.

  Will is our drummer. He and I have been friends since college. He is the quiet one of the group. He’s always rehearsing and does a lot to promote the band along with me. He and I are usually the ones to set up gigs and rally the others, although now that we are signed we have people to do that for us.

  The rest of Awesome Rebel is made up of Matt, our bass guitarist, and Cooper who plays lead guitar and keyboard. He and I alternate, as I often play guitar while singing, and I love to get behind the piano too.

  Cooper is an Aussie like Ava and Liv. He w
as born in Sydney while Liv was born in Melbourne. They always have so many stories to share of life back home.

  Matt and Cooper went to the same college as Will and I, and answered an ad we put out for musicians. Once we auditioned them, we realised what a perfect fit the four of us would be, and the band was born.

  Matt and Cooper are a couple of years younger than Will and I and they’re wild boys. They both have a long line of ladies waiting for an opportunity with them after every show. They love it and take every advantage.

  Hey I was just like them when I was the same age, so I can’t talk. Truthfully, I probably still am like that in many ways.

  “Hey Gray,” Cooper calls out from behind the piano, “…what’s up?”

  “Lots and nothing,” I respond as always.

  I open my guitar case and pull my electric guitar out, plugging it into the amp. “What’s news?” I ask Will and Matt.

  “Shouldn’t we be asking you that question?” Will says, “…you’re the one with the hot new roommate.”

  “Have you tapped that yet?” Cooper asks.

  I glare at him, “Don’t talk about Liv like that man.”

  He holds his hands up in defence. “Sorry Gray, didn’t know you were so touchy, just kidding.”

  I didn’t realise that I was so touchy about comments like that either, but when it comes to Liv, the caveman continues to rear his ugly head.

  “Liv’s a good friend and a special girl; we’re serious about keeping things as just roommates - nothing else.” I state.

  The boys all look from me to each other and the three of them burst into laughter at the same time.

  “If you think you can handle that then good luck to you Gray,” Will says, as he holds his stomach. “We all know how much you two like each other, the chemistry is so thick you can almost touch it whenever the two of you are together. I think we should make a wager boys.”

  Will turns to Matt and Cooper. “Who’s in?”

  “I’m in,” Cooper says, as Matt also agrees.

  All three of them pull out one hundred dollar bills and slap them down on top of the drum kit. Will continues, “I say Gray and Liv are together before the end of the month, so what’s that…” he says as he checks his calendar on his i-phone, “… two weeks until the end of the month, so I say they’ll be together within the next two weeks.”

  Matt wages his bet, “I give them four weeks. It may take Gray a bit longer than two weeks to convince Liv to go there.”

  Cooper pipes up. “What are we talkin’ here? When you two say together are we talkin’ just sex, or more?”

  “Of course we’re talkin’ sex man. What else do you think Gray would be doing with Liv?” Matt says.

  “I’m right here guys and I don’t appreciate you betting on my odds with Liv.” I say with a frustrated edge.

  Cooper continues. “Then I don’t think they’ll even last two weeks. I mean aren’t you heading to Fiji for the wedding in a few days? If you don’t get it on with Liv over there then there’s something very wrong. I give you until the second night in Fiji; I think you’ll hook up by then.”

  Will gathers the bills and puts them in the cookie jar on his kitchen counter. “Here they will stay until we know who the victor is.”

  “What makes you all think that I will even tell you if anything happens with Liv?” I say.

  They all laugh. “What makes you think that we won’t be able to tell when something happens? We can all read you like a fuckin’ book Gray. Don’t tell me you aren’t as frustrated as all hell living under the same roof as her.” Will responds. “C’mon we need to rehearse. Pretty boy here is leaving us for the wedding and we need to get everything down before he goes.”

  I shake my head at all of them in frustration. Deep down I know that I don’t stand a chance at resisting Liv, but there is no way in hell that I will tell the boys that. I would never live it down.

  “C’mon you lot,” I say, “I’ve been working on something new that I’d like to get down before the tour commences.” I pick up my guitar and start to strum the chords of my new song. Will starts to tap out a rhythm, and just like that we start to put together our new tune.

  I often take for granted how well we all work together and how talented these three musicians are. All four of us have worked so hard for the rewards that are now coming our way, and we deserve every part of the success that we are finally getting. I owe a lot to all of them and focusing on our future is my best way to repay all of us for the hard work we have put in over the years.

  As we are getting into the music my cell phone rings. Checking the screen I see that it is our Manager.

  “Rafe, how are you man?” I answer.

  “Hey Grayson. Quick call. I know you guys are rehearsing. I’ve just got news from the label that you will be releasing Dark-haired girl as the first single. They want to get right onto filming the video clip when you return from Fiji. I’ll email the schedule to all of your phones. In the meantime, I need help.”

  “Anything Rafe, name it.”

  Rafe has been an amazing Manager for Awesome Rebel. He works hard at getting us noticed, and thanks to him we got signed.

  “I need you to convince that stunning roommate of yours to star in the video clip. She’s on fire right now and having her in the clip will create the exact attention that we need. Do you think she’d go for it?” he asks.

  “I’m not sure. I mean I’m sure she’d do it if her schedule allows. What exactly do you need her to do?”

  “She’ll be the Dark-haired girl in the clip, and will play your love interest.”

  “Wait, how did I get to be playing the role of the leading man?”

  “You’re the singer man; the singer is always the star of the film clips. So, can you get her to do it?” Rafe queries.

  I think Liv would do it, but how will I cope pretending to be her love interest on screen and pull back when the cameras stop rolling.

  Is this really a good idea?

  “Leave it with me Rafe, I’ll see what I can do and get back to you.”

  “Brilliant, thanks Gray. See you when you get back from paradise. Send Ethan my best.”

  “Will do. Bye Rafe.”

  I hang up with a sigh. The boys are all grinning from ear to ear after making sense of the one-sided conversation they just heard.

  Cooper chimes in, “I’m so going to win the bet. There is no way you two can film a love scene and not get it on in real life.”

  He high fives Matt as I shake my head at all of them and start to play the opening chords of the new song, hoping to distract them all enough to get off the subject of my non-existent love life.

  I call past In and Out Burger on my way home and grab two large burgers, fries and sodas. I figure that Liv will need the grease to help ease her out of her hangover.

  I see her sitting on the large sectional sofa as I enter the living space. She’s dressed in ripped jeans, a white shirt, and has her long hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. Her deep brown eyes are covered in a pair of dark rimmed glasses that make her look like a naughty librarian, a hot naughty librarian.

  As always, she’s breathtaking.

  She lifts her head from whatever she is reading and gives me a heart-stopping smile. “Gray, I’m so glad you’re home. I want to thank you for last night, for looking after me and holding my hair while I was sick. I really appreciate it.”

  “It was my pleasure, I couldn’t just leave you there on the bathroom floor, you were so unwell.”

  “Well as mortified as I am that you had to see that, I’m really grateful,” she says.

  I hold up the fast food that I’ve picked up. “Feel like some greasy food to help get over your hangover?”

  “Definitely,” Liv says with a smile.

  I take a seat next to her on the sofa and hand over a burger and fries. She unwraps the burger and has it to her lips in seconds, moaning at the taste.

  I swallow hard.

  “Liv,
I have a favour to ask you.”

  She looks at me over the top of her burger. “Go ahead,” she says cautiously.

  “I spoke to Rafe today and we’re filming our first video clip when we get back from Fiji.”

  “That’s great.”

  I nod. “I know, but here’s the thing, the first single is going to be Dark-haired girl…”

  “I love that song; it’s one of my favourites.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, how would you like to be our leading lady in the film clip?” I ask without taking a breath.

  She places her burger down on the wrapper and picks up a fry. She crunches on it once and says, “What do you need me to do?”

  Here goes!

  “I don’t know the detail yet but they need a dark-haired girl, namely you, to play the love interest.”

  “Whose love interest?” she asks, knowing full well that I am going to say, “Mine.”

  “Yours?” she questions.

  “Uh huh.” I respond, stuffing a fry into my mouth while trying to gauge how she feels about that.

  After another bite of her burger, Liv says, “Okay. Send me the dates and details and I’ll send them over to my Agent to make sure there isn’t a scheduling conflict.”

  “You’ll do it?” I ask trying to hide my excitement.

  She nods. “Of course I’ll do it. I’m an actress Gray, I’m sure I can play your love interest for a day without any hassles.” She shrugs and takes a sip of her soda. “Besides,” she continues, “how cool will it be to say that I starred in the first film clip released by Awesome Rebel someday? That’s something I can tell my kids about!”

  The thought of Liv with kids running about thrills me.

  I’ve never been one to think about anything in my future aside from the band and the success that we plan to have. Marriage and children have always been in the back of my mind, but never as more than a fantasy of what I may have one day.

  Sitting here with Liv, they shift to the forefront of my mind, and I want those things with her.