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Forever Box Set

Page 55

by Wendy Louise


  The only thing I can think of is to ask Ava to get one for me. She can disguise herself better than I can. “Sis, I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow to find out. I want to get a pregnancy test and find out tonight. I can’t go in and buy one though.”

  “It’s okay Liv; I’ll get one on the way home and meet you back at your apartment. Just give me half an hour okay?” I nod as Ava kisses me reassuringly again. “Don’t worry Liv, what’s meant to be, will be.”

  Ava grabs her handbag and her ipad and starts to leave my dressing room.

  “Ava?” I call after her, “Please don’t say anything to Ethan.”

  “Of course not Sis,” she says with a smile. “I’ll see you at the apartment in a little while.”

  I finish gathering up my things in a daze. I need to get to my car and get home.

  I hope Sienna isn’t there, the last thing I need is an audience.

  As I make my way to the car park my mind starts to drift.

  What will I do if I am pregnant?

  What will Gray do?

  Oh shit, I feel sick again!

  Ava has bought me every pregnancy test under the sun.

  I think there are six in total lined up on the counter top in my bathroom. Who knew there was such a variety to choose from? I even have one that can tell me how far along I am. I leave that to the side. I’ll take that after I find out whether or not I’m pregnant. I think that’s all I can handle at this point.

  I choose a simple one that just has one line to show if you have taken the test correctly and a second line that appears if you’re pregnant.

  “I’ll leave you to it Sis,” Ava says, patting my back as she walks out the door. “I’ll be waiting right outside in the hallway for you.”

  I nod and take a deep breath as I pull the small plastic wand from its wrapping. “Thanks,” I say.

  “You’re welcome Liv. Remember, that whatever the outcome of the test, everything will be fine you know.”

  I sit down and do what I have to do before I place the test on a tissue on the counter- top while I wash my hands.

  I check to make sure that the first line is appearing to indicate that I have done this correctly.

  It is.

  I can’t stand the tension flowing through my veins, so I watch the second hand ticking around the clock face on the wall while I await the verdict.

  After the right amount of time, and then some, I move my eyes to the wand and I sink slowly to my knees as I watch the second little pink line appear clearly in the window, confirming what I already suspected.

  I’m pregnant.

  Unexpected news

  I am exhausted.

  Both my mind and my body are spent. Who knew it would be so taxing to tour across the coast?

  I always thought that I was a pretty fit guy. I work out, I train whenever I can, but this tour is really taking its toll. I feel like I’m older than I was when we set off. I think my body knows that we’re almost done. It’s like it psychologically and physically prepares you for the end.

  We’re on our way to Vegas. This is almost the last dates of the tour and most importantly these are the dates that I am looking forward to ‘cos I get to see Liv.

  Something has been really off with her over the past few weeks.

  We went from talking to one another multiple times daily to barely being able to catch each other on the phone. She and Ethan have been really busy with filming, but that has never stopped her from contacting me in the past. We always make time for one another. To say that I’m not worried would be a lie.

  It is stressing me the hell out.

  Her texts have been short and full of little information. It’s like she is avoiding me and I don’t have a fuckin’ clue as to why. She says she is still coming to Vegas for the shows, but in all honesty I am shittin’ bricks, worrying over whether she is going to pull out at the last minute.

  I’ve decided to call Ava and see if she can shed some light on the situation. I want to be sure that Liv is going to be on that plane.

  I roll over in bed and grab my iphone from the cubby hole next to my bunk. I scroll through my contacts and pull up Ava’s details. I press the green call button and take a deep breath, as I wait for her to answer.

  “Hey Gray,” she says. Ava’s Australian accent is so much more pronounced than Liv’s, it always makes me smile.

  “Hi Ava, How’s things?”

  “Yeah, good. We’re all flat out with filming at the moment. It’s been long days on set, but we’re getting through it. Can’t wait to get on that flight to Vegas and have a few days off.”

  “I can’t wait to see you all too. I’ve been counting down the days to see Liv.”

  Ava takes a light breath but I hear it through the phone. It makes me anxious.

  “Ava, is everything okay with Olivia?” I ask.

  She puts on a bright voice and doesn’t miss a beat, “Of course, why do you ask?”

  “Well, we haven’t been connecting much lately and I feel as if she is avoiding me. It’s making me anxious. I want to be sure that she’s still coming and I don’t feel like I can ask her that right now, she’s been so distant.”

  “Gray, she’s fine. I’m sure she’ll talk to you when she sees you, but rest assured that she is coming with us tomorrow. I’ve booked the flights and we’ve already started packing. She’s excited to see you too. She’s just had a lot on her mind of late. Believe me, I run her calendar and she hasn’t stopped.”

  That makes me feel a little better, but I still can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong.

  “Why is she avoiding my calls?”

  “I don’t think she’s doing that intentionally Gray, I’m sure it’s just because of the schedule. Don’t worry okay. She’ll be with you tomorrow night and you can both spend some time alone and reconnect. Being apart is hard; it’s bound to create a little bit of distance in a relationship. But what you both have is strong. Don’t give up on that.”

  “I have no intention of giving up on Liv; I just wanted to be sure she feels the same way.”

  “She does. Hang in there, we’ll all be together tomorrow night and you’ll have her back in your arms.”

  “Thanks Ava. I feel better after talking with you. I’m glad I called.”

  “You can call me anytime you like. Can’t wait to see you in Vegas.”

  “Me too. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  I toss my phone down on the bed and stare up at the photo of Liv and I that I stuck overhead.

  This time tomorrow night, I’ll be in Vegas and Liv will be with me. Perhaps Ava is right, maybe the distance between us is causing my anxiety. Once I have Liv back in my arms that will all go away.

  The movement of the bus hurtling down the highway starts to loll me back to sleep. I decide to get up before that happens and shower for the day. We have a full day of travel today and I have a song to finish.

  One good thing about anxiety, it helps me to write. I’m three quarters through a new song that I guess has been inspired by how I’m feeling. I want to perform it for Liv in Vegas. I want her to know that she is everything to me.

  I throw back the covers and let my bare feet hit the cold floor of the bus. I want the first shower today. I’m sick of cold water thanks to Coop and his thirty minute extravaganzas. God fuckin’ knows what he gets up to in there! As long as he isn’t thinking of my sister while he jerks off then I can cope with that, but I’m sure that Sienna is front and centre in those fantasies, and that just pisses me off.

  I squeeze through the tiny shower door and lock it shut. I turn on the warm water and stand directly under the spray, letting it soak my hair. I close my eyes and think of Liv. Only one more day and we’re back together, and I can’t fuckin’ wait.

  The lights of sin city look amazing through the windows of the bus as we pull down the strip.

  We’ve all been here before, but I don’t think you can ever get sick of watching the tourists fill the si
dewalks as they take in the neon signs and spectacle of this playground. We’re performing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but we’re staying at the gorgeous Venetian.

  Ruby gives us all her usual briefing as we pull into the city limits: “Remember you are on show, remember that they can get photos of you at any time, and remember to act responsibly.”

  It’s like we’re all fourteen year olds and she’s our mother preparing us for a school field trip. We nod dutifully and pretend to take in what she says, but this is Vegas and if she thinks we’re all going to be tucked up in bed by nine o’clock, then she has another thing coming.

  What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.

  We don’t have a show until tomorrow night so the boys and I are hitting the town tonight. Just the four of us, no Ruby and no Rafe. We’re all in need of some drinking and gambling and some boy time outside the confines of the tour bus. I love these boys, but let’s just say that being on a bus with them twenty-four seven has been challenging in every way. I will not be sad to say goodbye at the end of this for a few weeks.

  We will all need to chill and have time to spend on the other parts of our lives, away from Awesome Rebel.

  For me that means Liv.

  Knowing that Liv, Sienna, Ava, and Ethan are on their way, I made sure to have Rafe book us into adjoining suites for this stay. I wanted something luxurious and special for Liv, but I also need some time with my best friend.

  I’ve missed Ethan too.

  I didn’t realise how much time he and I spend together until I didn’t have it anymore.

  I slide the key card in the door handle and walk into the plush room, setting my luggage down on the bed and opening the curtains to reveal Vegas in all its glory.

  I can’t fuckin’ wait til Liv is in that bed with me tomorrow night. I’m not just talkin’ about sex; I just want to spend the night with her in my arms. That’s the thing I’ve missed the most. That, and her toothbrush next to mine, and her skinny jeans lying on the floor next to the bed where she discards them every night before climbing in with me.

  Stupid I know, but those small gestures comfort me. They make up our simple life together behind closed doors, where she is not a famous Hollywood actress and I’m not the lead singer of a band.

  I love those times.

  I miss those times.

  The boys and I are meeting downstairs in half an hour to take on the town so I grab fresh jeans and a shirt from my bag and head to the bathroom to get ready.

  Vegas, here we come.

  My head feels like a brass band has taken up residence and shows no sign of stopping. My eyelids won’t cooperate, and my mouth is as dry as a desert.

  Man, why did I drink so much last night?

  The blackout curtains in my room show no sign of what time of day it is. A side effect of being in Vegas I guess. I roll gingerly to my side to get a look at the clock that sits on the side table. It reads eleven a.m.

  Shit!

  Liv’s flight lands in half an hour and I wanted to be there to surprise her. I jump from the bed and ignore the pounding in my skull. I pull my jeans on and grab the shirt from the floor that I wore out last night. One smell of it, and I toss it back to the ground again. There is no way I want to smell like a brewery when I see Liv. I rummage through my bag and pull on the first t-shirt I find. A quick brush of my teeth and a swipe of gel through my unruly hair and I’m ready to go.

  I place my aviators firmly on my face before exiting the hotel and jumping into a cab. Butterflies are chasing around in my stomach, and it’s not the effects of too much alcohol. I am nervous to see Liv.

  As I pull up outside the terminal, Liv, Ethan, Sienna and Ava are emerging from the airport. I throw a bill at the driver and jump out of the car to intercept them before they jump into the cab that waits at the curb near where they’ve exited.

  I come up to Liv from behind and wrap my arms around her waist tightly, pulling her back against me. I nuzzle her neck and pepper it with small kisses, all the while, telling her how much I missed her and how much I love her. She turns in my arms and throws her arms tightly around my neck, burying her face in my collar and squeezing tight.

  Something is definitely wrong.

  I pull back. “Are you okay Liv?”

  She nods, but I can see anxiety in her eyes. “I’m fine. I just missed you so much,” she responds, before placing a light kiss to my lips. “I love you,” she says simply.

  “Love you more baby,” I respond against her mouth.

  I look to Ava who is watching us with concern in her eyes, but she quickly recovers her face and smiles at me. I greet each of them in turn and we all load into a cab to make our way back to the hotel. I need some time alone with Liv. We have a sound check in three hours and I need to talk to her before then. Something is up and I’m not letting her keep it from me.

  I keep a firm hold of her hand while we make our way to the room. We have all agreed to have a few hours to ourselves before we head to the sound check. Ava is desperate to get out to the strip. My sister is desperate to get to Coop, and I don’t want to think any more about that.

  I’m desperate to be alone with Liv.

  As soon as I shut the door to the room I take Liv into my arms and just hold her.

  I don’t want to let her go.

  She holds me back tightly, burying her face into my neck again as if she is hiding from the world. I take her hand and sit in one of the luxurious club chairs, pulling her down with me and settling her on my lap. I want to hold her and be close to her, it’s been way too long.

  I place my hands on either side of her face and look into her eyes. She looks tired and there are dark circles under her eyes that weren’t there the last time we were together. Either she has been working way too hard or there is something really bugging her.

  “Talk to me baby.” I say.

  Tears well in Liv’s eyes and she blinks to keep them at bay.

  “I know there’s something wrong. You’ve been pulling back from me over the past couple of weeks and I’m going out of my mind baby. Talk to me.”

  Liv tries to stand up and get off my lap. I hold tighter to her hips and shake my head.

  “I’m not letting you go. If you have something that you need to talk to me about then I want to be holding you while you do it. Don’t pull away from me. Please.”

  She turns further into me and places her hands over mine. She takes my right hand and settles it onto her flat stomach.

  “I do have something to talk to you about and I’m scared of what it will do to us when I tell you, I don’t want you to leave me, but I need you to know that if you need to do that once I tell you this, then I will be okay with that.”

  I feel the panic bubble in my stomach and start to make its way up my chest. I feel like my breaths are constricted but I can’t get enough air in to make a difference. I don’t want to panic, but this doesn’t sound good.

  A single tear escapes Liv’s eye and runs down her cheek. I catch it with my thumb and look into her eyes, silently willing her to continue.

  “A couple of weeks ago I wasn’t feeling well. I was getting dizzy spells and feeling nauseous.”

  Oh God! Please don’t let her be sick.

  Liv continues, “One day in the Studio I nearly fainted in front of Ava. She got scared and insisted that I go to see a doctor. Before I got to the doctor Ava suggested that she may know what was wrong with me. It was something that I never imagined it could be, but Ava had it worked out.”

  “Just tell me Liv, you’re freaking me out here.”

  “Gray,” she says as she places her hand over mine on her stomach, “we’re pregnant.”

  If there was ever a time in my life where suffering from a hangover was a welcome thing, then this was it. My hazy brain is trying to compute whether it just heard Liv say that we were having a baby. I think it did but I don’t want to assume that I heard correctly.

  Liv is staring at me with wide frightened eyes while she wa
its patiently for me to respond.

  A broad smile breaks across my face. I can’t control it. I feel like my cheeks may split with the size of it. “Did you just tell me that I’m going to be a daddy?”

  She nods cautiously, anticipating my next move. I throw my mouth onto hers and seal her lips with mine. I kiss her with all the excitement that is now bubbling through my veins.

  I’m going to be a father, well fuck me!

  I never thought that I could feel so much happiness, but here it is.

  After placing kiss after kiss all over Liv’s face and listening to her giggle, I pull back and place my hand back over the precious cargo that now resides in her stomach.

  “I love you Olivia Lucas. You’ve made me the happiest man on earth. I can’t wait to watch your stomach grow with our child and I can’t wait to be a parent with you. Thank you for being mine, and thank you for the precious gift that you’ve just given me.”

  Liv runs her hands through my hair and scratches my scalp. She knows I love it when she does that. My eyes flicker closed and I sigh from the contentment of having her back in my arms.

  ”I’m sorry I‘ve pulled back over the past few weeks Gray. I was so scared to tell you that I was pregnant, and I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.” She runs her finger across my bottom lip.

  “I want you to know that I’m so happy to be carrying this baby, your baby. Even though I was so surprised when Ava suggested that I may be pregnant, there was not one minute where I didn’t want this baby, I am so excited to share this with you. There is no-one else for me; there is no-one else that I ever want to do this with, other than you.”

  Now it is my turn to blink back tears.

  I frame Liv’s face with my hands and kiss her square on the mouth. “I knew something was up. You weren’t calling me back, and when we did speak you were so distant. I even called Ava yesterday to make sure you were still coming to Vegas.”

  “I know, Ava told me. She’s the only other person that knows about the pregnancy. She hasn’t told anyone, not even Ethan. We both thought you may like to have the honour of doing that. The only thing I want you to understand is that I’m okay to do this on my own if you want me to. Awesome Rebel is just starting out, you have so much success ahead of you and I don’t want that to be held back by me or the baby…...”

 

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