They were both silent for a while.
“I really wish you could be here,” he said wistfully.
“What day is the release?” she asked.
“Next Thursday night,” he said.
“Well,” she said, reaching for the shooting schedule for that week, “I’m only scheduled to be on the set until three that day.”
“Well, if you can make it babe, I’d love it,” he told her honestly.
“Then I’ll make it,” she said.
“Thank you,” he said warmly.
“You’re very welcome,” she said, grinning.
They talked for a few more minutes.
“Just be careful tonight,” she told him, “but have fun.”
“I will, babe, I promise,” he said.
“Good,” she said.
They hung up and Tommy went back into the bar and located Greg who was making serious time with a girl at the bar.
“Was that your girl?” Greg asked.
“Yup,” Tommy replied, signaling the blond bartender for another round.
“Is all well?” Greg asked.
“She’s coming to the release,” Tommy said, thanking the bartender, and dropping a twenty on the bar.
“Ah, the little woman,” Greg said, sighing dramatically.
“Don’t make me fuck you up, man,” Tommy growled, even as he grinned.
Tommy drank, and had a good time, getting eyed by a number of women in the process. He had a great build, and the dark, dangerous looking bad boy thing always attracted women in bars. Greg was always joking that he needed to bulk up and lose the hair. Not that Greg ever had problems getting women, but Tommy tended to get the ones that were wild. The type that would do you in the parking lot if that’s what you wanted. Greg always got the “nice” girls. It was ironic to Greg that Tommy had fallen for a “good girl.”
At one point during the night, a woman sent Tommy over a drink. He took it from the bartender and threw back the shot, then inclined his head to the woman, mouthing a “thank you.” He hoped that would be the end of it but naturally, it wasn’t.
She walked over a few minutes later.
“Hi,” she said, smiling at him.
“Hey,” he replied politely.
She was definitely cute, with blond hair and blue eyes. She had the look of a classic California blond. She also looked like she had money, from the look of diamonds at her throat and on her wrist. Her outfit screamed money too. Tommy wasn’t used to this kind of woman. So he was wary instantly.
“I saw that you’re here alone,” she said, her blue eyes looking up at him. “I just thought you might like some company.”
Tommy nodded toward Greg who was busily talking to the woman he was trying to score with.
“He’s the only one making time tonight,” he said.
“Oh,” she said, reaching up to touch his chest demurely, “you aren’t trying to make any time?” she asked him innocently.
“Uh,” Tommy stammered, glancing at Greg who was now watching him expectantly.
“You aren’t sure?” she asked, canting her head to the side.
“I have a girlfriend,” Tommy said.
“Is she here?” the girl asked.
“No, she’s in Arizona,” he told her.
“Filming a movie,” Greg put in.
“She’s a movie star?” the girl asked, sounding like she didn’t believe them.
“Yeah, she is,” Tommy said.
“Who is she?” the girl asked in a highly cynical tone.
“Shannon Teary,” Tommy said.
“The girl from that movie, The Coming Storm?” the girl asked.
“Yeah,” Tommy replied, while Greg nodded affirmation.
“You’re dating her?” the girl asked.
“Yeah,” Tommy replied, thinking this girl wasn’t getting it, was she?
“So, you must be that Tommy Timmerman,” she said, smiling brilliantly.
“Uh, yeah …” Tommy said hesitantly.
“I read all the tabloids,” she said, as if it was something to be proud of.
“Well, don’t believe everything you read,” Tommy said.
“So, you’re not dating her?” the girl asked.
“I am,” he said, “but I’m just saying not everything they write in those things is true.”
The girl nodded, not looking convinced.
“That picture they had of you in the paper didn’t show you being this hot,” she said, sliding her hand up his arm.
“Well, thanks,” Tommy said, his tone chilling slightly.
“I bet she wouldn’t mind sharing you,” the girl said seriously.
“Uh …” Tommy began, his look incredulous. “I might mind being shared.”
“Come on …” she said, laughing. “I’ve never known a guy to turn down great sex,” she said, winking at him.
“I don’t,” he replied smoothly, “as long as she’s giving it.”
She stared at him for a long moment, obviously unable to believe that he was actually turning her down.
“You’ll have to forgive my friend,” Greg said. “He’s in love, you see.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Thanks for the drink,” Tommy said, then turned his back on her.
The girl walked away in a huff. Tommy didn’t care. Greg punched him in the arm.
“I can’t believe you turned that down!” Greg exclaimed.
“Believe it,” Tommy said, grinning.
“Fuckin’ nuts!” Greg said, shaking his head.
“Maybe,” Tommy said, his grin widening.
“Definitely,” Greg said, still shaking his head.
Tommy just laughed and continued drinking and enjoying himself.
The next day it was in the paper how Tommy Timmerman had been seen out having a good time with women hanging all over him.
He talked to Shannon, and she told him she didn’t care what the papers said, she’d believe what he told her. He told her what had happened with the girl, and she was once again astounded by him. She knew enough to know that a lot of men would have gone for the girl they had in front of them. Tommy wasn’t like a lot of men though, and she was glad.
****
Tommy stood leaning against the wall next to the gate. He had an extra-large frozen Frappuccino in hand, with a few extra shots of espresso in it. He and Greg had gone out every night for the last four days. They drank and partied till the wee hours of the morning. Then Tommy had found that he couldn’t sleep and felt the need to get back to the gym. He spent hours in the gym and would get home to find that he needed to handle things with his apartment, fixing leaks, cleaning, restocking his fridge and cupboards. Sleep hadn’t happened.
He also had taken the time to dump his old truck and buy himself a new Dodge Ram1500 truck. He spent $25,000 on it and got the best of everything he’d always wanted. It was black with black leather interior. What he loved most was that it had a premium sound system with seven Infinity speakers, and a six CD changer in the dash. He was in heaven.
He was also exhausted, so the super-espresso Frappuccino was his current crutch. He waited patiently, knowing that the paparazzi was waiting and watching not ten feet away. One of them walked up to him.
“Who are you waiting for?” the guy asked, his camera filming the entire time.
“My drug connection,” Tommy said, his face passive.
The guy laughed. “You waiting for someone special?”
Tommy looked at the guy, raising a pierced eyebrow. “It’s your business, why?”
“Come on man, I’m just doing a job here,” the cameraman said.
“Really?” Tommy said, pushing off the wall as people started coming out of the gate. “I don’t pay people to ask me inane questions, so I’m betting you’re not working for me.”
With that he walked away from the guy and to the gate. Shannon came off the plane, followed by Tammy. Shannon spotted Tommy right away and squealed with delight as s
he rushed to him. He picked her up off her feet, hugging her close, and leaned down to kiss her deeply.
“Hey Tammy,” he said, leaning down to kiss Shannon’s best friend on the cheek, while keeping his arm around Shannon’s shoulders.
“Hey Tommy,” Tammy replied, winking at him.
Taking Shannon’s hand, he led them toward the baggage claim. The paparazzi filmed every moment.
“Shannon, are you happy to be home?” one of the guys asked.
“Very,” Shannon said, glancing up at Tommy.
“Tommy are you glad she’s back?” the same guy asked.
“Exceedingly,” Tommy said in a low growl.
Shannon laughed softly, shaking her head. Tommy always had a way of putting people in their place. They made it to baggage and collected their bags. Tommy handed Shannon his cup and hefted both of their suitcases, leaving only the two smaller bags for Shannon and Tammy to carry.
“Isn’t that heavy?” Shannon asked him.
He grinned. “It’s my work out for the evening,” he said.
He led them out to his truck.
“Oh wow …” Shannon said, her eyes widening. “Tommy’s it’s gorgeous!”
He’d told her about it when he’d bought it two days before. Tommy smiled proudly.
He put their bags in under the locking bed cover, but not before opening the doors for both of them. Both women were awed by the soft leather interior. It had the heady combination of new car smell and the scent of leather.
“This is really nice, Tommy,” Tammy said, looking all around her in the roomy back seat.
“Thanks,” he said, getting in on the driver’s side, and grinning like a proud father.
“Okay, let’s hear it,” Shannon said, knowing that his very favorite thing about the new truck was the sound system.
Tommy laughed, liking that she knew him that well already.
He started the truck. It had a very pleasant rumble to it, with a Magnum V8 engine under the hood. It sounded like Tommy, very strong, manly, and powerful.
The stereo came on; he had been listening to Disturbed, so it blared from the speakers. He turned it down with the controls on the steering wheel. Shannon grinned. He’d been thrilled about that aspect of the truck. He changed the CD to something a little less aggressive. Queensrÿche’s Operation Mind Crime came on. The song was “Spreading The Disease.” Shannon nodded approvingly at the sound system.
As he drove out of parking lot, she handed him his cup back.
“What is that anyway?” she asked, pointing to the cup.
“Life,” he said, grinning.
“Life?” she asked.
He nodded. “I’ve been up for about three days now,” he said.
“Tommy!” Shannon said, looking shocked. “You’ve been partying for three days?”
“Well, that and being an adult and handling other stuff,” he said, grinning.
“And living on caffeine,” she said giving him the evil eye.
“Yeah …” he said, grinning like an unrepentant kid.
“So, you’re going to be out like a light soon, right?” she asked.
“Nope,” he said, raising his eyebrows at her lecherously.
“Oh, God, how much espresso is in that thing?” she asked.
“A lot,” he said.
“Should I even taste it?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said, grinning as he reached for his pack of cigarettes. “You mind?” he asked her and glanced back at Tammy.
“No,” Tammy said, grinning, “in fact, give me one.”
“You don’t smoke!” Shannon exclaimed.
“I’m learning,” Tammy said, laughing.
“Don’t give her one,” Shannon told Tommy.
He laughed, shaking his head.
“You ladies had dinner yet?” he asked.
“Uh, no,” Tammy said, “Shannon wanted to pack and get her butt back here.”
Tommy grinned, glancing at Shannon as she blushed.
“Well, how about I take you two to dinner,” he said.
“That would be great!” Tammy said.
“Aren’t you tired?” Shannon asked Tommy.
“Babe, I’ll be up half the night anyway,” he told her, “might as well feed my best girl and her friend, right?”
Shannon smiled at what he called her, and then nodded.
“What sounds good?” he asked.
Shannon shrugged. “Whatever you want,” she said.
“Hard Rock?” he asked.
“Great!” Tammy chimed in.
They had dinner at the Hard Rock, and then Tommy took them back to Shannon’s apartment. He carried in their luggage. Shannon asked him to stay to visit. She didn’t have to ask twice. They ended up on her couch, watching TV for a couple of hours. When she saw that he was getting tired, she touched his chest.
“Tommy,” she said softly.
“Mmmm?” he asked drowsily.
“Come on,” she said, getting up and tugging at his hand.
He got up and let her lead him to her bedroom. She sat him down on the bed, kneeling at his feet to take off his boots. She reached into his pocket and took out his wallet with its attached chain. She set that aside and reached for his keys in his other pocket and set those aside too. Tommy observed all of this with a bemused grin. She pushed him down to lay on her bed, then went about getting ready for bed. She came to bed wearing a long T-shirt. He grinned when he saw that it was from the concert she’d attended in New York.
“What, no Fast Lane shirt?” he asked tiredly.
“There was no Fast Lane shirt,” she said, giving him a dirty look.
“I know,” he said, grinning.
She laid down next to him. He put his arm around her, hugging her close, and leaning down to kiss her forehead. She snuggled against his chest happily. They fell asleep that way. The rocker and his movie star girlfriend.
****
The afternoon before the release party, John found Cassie in the bathroom with dye in her hair.
“What are you doing?” he asked, leaning against the doorjamb and looking at her quizzically.
“Something different,” she said, grinning.
“Shock value?” he asked mildly.
“No,” she said, giving him a scornful look, “I don’t do that, I’m just in the mood to shake things up a bit.”
His eyes examined her head. “So what color are we talking?”
“Um …” she said, “kind of a deep plum color.”
“Plum?” he queried. “Is that like purple?”
“Yeah,” she said, grinning.
John rolled his eyes.
“Relax!” she said, laughing. “It’ll look good.”
John shook his head, grinning, not looking the least bit convinced by her words.
“If you say so,” he said, turning and walking out of the room.
Cassie watched him go, smiling to herself. John was a very conservative man. He didn’t go in for wild spur of the moment stunts, like Cassie was given to. She had to admit though, he took all her craziness in stride. As far as she was concerned, he may be thirty-five, but he acted much older, and she found that she counted on his more mellow, stable side. Fortunately, he had the wild side in the one area where she needed it most, sexually.
John was willing to do anything she wanted to do. They’d ended up having sex in some of the most unlikely places because of that. On the tour, they’d made it in the back of the bus while everyone else was having dinner, in her dressing room, at a couple of clubs in the very dark corners no one paid attention to. They’d even made love in the bathroom at the airport coming home from New York. Cassie never seemed to be able to get enough of him, and whenever she wanted it, he was ready to deliver. And deliver he did, in spades every time.
Later that day, she came out of the bathroom, having rinsed and dried her hair. John was sitting on the bed, flipping through the channels on the TV. He glanced up, canted his head to the side, and narrowed his
eyes.
“I like it,” he said, nodding.
“Yeah?” she asked, smiling at him.
“Yeah,” he replied, “it’s different.”
“Like I said,” she told him, moving to lie on the bed next to where he sat.
John’s eyes followed her, she wore nothing. He’d found that he couldn’t keep his eyes off her most of the time. She was a tiny doll of a woman, but very definitely a woman, with just enough curve to make her sexy, but in very petite proportions.
She reached out to put her arm around his waist, snuggling against his hip. His hand smoothed over her back.
“You going to try and get some rest before your party tonight?” he asked her.
“I should,” she said.
“I know,” he said, “you tossed and turned all night.”
“Did I?” she asked, glancing up at him.
“Uh-huh,” he replied.
She moved to sit up, facing him.
“I’m sorry, John,” she said, touching his face. “I know when I do that, I keep you up half the night too.”
He nodded, grinning. She knew him well enough to know that he always sensed her movements during the night. It was the bodyguard in him. So she knew that when she wasn’t sleeping well, tossing and turning, neither was he.
“I am sorry,” she said, giving him a petulant look.
“You keep giving me that look and neither of us are going to get any rest this afternoon,” he told her, putting his fingertip to her lips.
She kissed his fingertip, then slid her mouth down over his finger seductively, her violet eyes staring up at him provocatively.
“Evil, evil woman,” he muttered, sliding his hand around behind her neck, and pulling her to him.
They made love, as usual bringing down the house with their yells. They were sure someone was going to call the police on them eventually. Although the young man on one side of them seemed to be very enchanted with them, and the young woman on the other side had eyes for John big time. Cassie joked constantly that they both probably got off when the two of them did, so that’s why the cops had never shown up at the door.
They slept that afternoon after making love. Cassie was wrapped in his arms, her back against his chest, with his body curled around her protectively.
John drove Cassie to the release party in his car, which he’d had shipped out from New York. It was a black 1996 Chevy Impala with tinted windows. The black leather interior was immaculate. The car itself was well taken care of, he usually kept it in a garage with a cover over it when he wasn’t in town. It was long and sleek, and very powerful. It was how she thought of John, and she thought his car fit him very well.
In the Fast Lane Page 17