Eyes Wide Open (Healing Hearts #2)

by Renee Dyer

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Adriana

  “Thank you all for coming. As I’m sure you’re all aware, my name is Adriana. I’m willing to speak to you tonight, but only with the promise that tomorrow you will all be gone.” I look out amongst the men and women in front of me and watch as they nod their heads in agreement. I’m not totally naïve. I know they’ll say whatever they have to say to get a story, but I’m hoping when they get mine they’ll see there’s nothing left here for them. “Okay then. I’ve never done anything like this before so can we do this kind of old fashion like and have you raise your hands and I’ll point to you for your questions?” There’s a round of chuckles, but everyone seems to agree.

  I notice that several are taking pictures of me and my house and yard. I’m sure they want to be able to say this is where Tucker stayed when he disappeared, but is turns my stomach knowing my privacy is being so openly gawked at. Quite a few have their hands raised already and I look around for the man who had the nice smile earlier. When I find him, I point to him.

  “Adriana, I’m Clive Dexter. How about we start this easy? What do you do for a living?”

  I take a breath and let it out. It is an easy question, but I was hoping this part of my life would be left out of it. I don’t want my business dragged into the tabloids. “It’s kind of funny that you ask, Clive, I’m a photographer.”

  The next person jumps right to, “Are you sleeping with, Tucker?” to which I tell her that I already told them I wouldn’t answer any offensive questions. I pray I don’t blush and give the answer away. I knew that would come up so I tried to prepare for it. It’s just hard to believe that people think it’s okay to ask.

  I point to another man who doesn’t introduce himself and he asks me how Tucker came to stay with me. “Well, I can only answer my side of that. I told you earlier that I wouldn’t speak for anyone else. The morning Tucker drove into my driveway, he was in need of directions. I was unloading groceries and he helped me bring them in. His stomach started growling so I offered to make him breakfast. After talking to him for a little bit, it was apparent to me he could use a break from his life so I offered one of my guest rooms.”

  “Why would you do that?” a female with brown hair and green eyes asks me. I’ve noticed her watching me the whole time. She’s been glaring at me, but hasn’t raised her hand once. She didn’t this time either, just cut in.

  “Because, my mom always told me growing up that everyone deserves kindness, even from strangers. He seemed like he needed someone to show him some kindness.”

  “I’m sure you only wanted to show him kindness,” she says, rolling her eyes.

  “You must be the one Tucker dated. Makes sense. Next question.” I look out over the crowd and point to Clive again.

  “What’s that supposed to mean? What did Tucker say about me?” I ignore her outburst and point to Clive again.

  Clive looks at her, waiting to see if she’ll continue her tirade, but she stands there with her arms under her chest. “You said you would tell us your story, Adriana. I’ve done some research on you and your story starts well before Tucker, doesn’t it?” I look at him and I can see where he’s going with this. I feel my heart speed up. This is not what I expected. Why is he bringing this up? It has nothing to do with Tucker. “Can you tell me about Alex?” All the other paparazzi look at him like he’s crazy. They obviously don’t know what he’s talking about. I was never the story. It was always Tucker.

  I look at Clive and he’s still giving me that friendly smile. I don’t get him. He seems different than the others. Somehow, I feel like he’s trying to help me. I just don’t see how telling my and Alex’s story is the answer. I clear my throat and get ready to tell the parts I can to people I loathe.

  “Alex was my best friend. We met when we were six years old. We were inseparable our whole lives. We went to prom together and college. I married him.” I see them all look at each other in shock. They think they have their story. Tucker Stavros was sleeping with a married woman. “Alex designed this house,” I say, sweeping my arm around to show off my home. “He was my other half, my soul mate, until a car accident took him from me a little over a year and a half ago.”

  Although it’s killing me to share this personal information with these leaches, I work hard to keep my voice steady. I keep reminding myself that I’m doing this for the people I love. Alex would do the same thing. Mentally, I tell myself this over and over as I tell our story. I said I’d be honest and I stick to my word.

  “Alex was the kind of person everyone wanted to know. You were better for knowing him. He wasn’t the type to just give you the shirt off his back. He would give you every piece of clothing he was wearing, even if it was subzero temperatures and he was going to get frostbite. He had the biggest heart on any person I’ve ever known. He had green eyes that made you think of spring when all the leaves are new on the trees and he always smiled. He smiled so big, his eyes would crinkle at the edges. He went out of his way, always, to make sure everyone was happy around him. I called him my Superman.”

  I have to stop talking for a second and put one finger up. For a second, it’s too much. Other than the little I’ve told to Tucker and going to Alex’s grave, this is the most I’ve talked about him. And, these people don’t deserve to hear about him. Devon comes closer to me and I nod to him that I’m alright.

  “He donated to dozens of charities because he felt this world could be made better if more people gave a helping hand. I would laugh at him in grocery stores because he would try to buy things for kids he saw crying and couldn’t understand why parents would find him weird.” I chuckle a little at the memory. “I kept telling him when he got to be an old man he could get away with that, but as a young guy, he came off as creepy. He had a love for helping. His heart was too big for his body. And his visions… he was going to design so many beautiful houses and buildings. My house is nothing compared to what Alex was capable of. This was just the beginning.”

  “So, how do you go from a love like that to a cheap fling with a movie star?” I look up to see the woman that I know must be the paparazzi Tucker had the relationship with, hands on her hips, cocky smirk on her face, eyeing me down. I’m not getting in a pissing match with this bitch.

  “Who else has a question?” I hear her huff in frustration and I admit to myself that I get enjoyment from that.

  Another female asks, “Are you and Tucker a couple?”

  I said I would answer honestly and now I’m kicking myself because I didn’t talk to him before doing this. We haven’t come out and said that we are. “We haven’t made it official, but we’re enjoying getting to know each other.” It sounds rehearsed, but it is true.

  “So, you’re saying you’re only friends?” she tries again.

  “No, I’m not saying that. I’m saying we haven’t defined what we are. We’re seeing where things go, taking things slowly, and getting to know each other. I’m sorry I don’t have a better answer than that.”

  “Why don’t you just say you’re fucking him?” the brown haired, green-eyed bitch blurts out and all eyes go to me.

  “Well, that may have been your style, sweetheart, but I don’t choose to open my legs to any movie star willing to stick his dick between mine.” A round of laughter rolls through the group. She looks at everyone like they’re traitors and storms off. I know I haven’t seen the last of her and I’m sure there will be something nasty about me in whatever tabloid she works for. A few tell me they’re glad I said something to her because she’s a grade A douche. Funny how they turn on their own kind the second one is out of earshot.

  “What attracts you most to Tucker?” a portly gentleman with curly hair and big blue eyes asks me.

  I think of the many things that make Tucker attractive and what attracted me the most at first was his broken. I can’t say that. That’s his story to tell. So, I go with door number two. “His honesty. I was, still am, actually, completely broken over the dea
th of my husband. I stopped living, so to speak. I was here where you could see me, but I was only going through the motions. I wasn’t feeling anything and I didn’t want to. Tucker called me on that even though he didn’t know me. He didn’t take any of my shit. I’m sorry, can I say shit?”

  More laughter goes around and I get a lot of “yeahs” before I continue. “I couldn’t talk to my friends or family because I was afraid it would hurt them to hear about Alex. But, then Tucker offered to listen. All of the sudden, a fog lifted and I got a part of my life back. I don’t see Tucker Stavros the movie star, or the guy who’s on the T.V. show, when I look at him. I see a man who gives with all his heart. A man who saw a broken woman and wanted to fix her no matter how often I shut down and wouldn’t even talk to him. I see a good man. I don’t see the man in the pictures that everyone else looks at. That isn’t the Tucker I know.”

  Some “aww” and others heckle at the way I see Tucker. No matter how they feel about my feelings, it doesn’t change how I feel about Tucker. Things change from here though. They get bored with the one question at a time pace and start rapidly firing them, talking over each other. They’re obviously tired of the innocent questions that have been getting asked and start trying to slip in ones that there is no way I’ll answer. Questions about how Tucker looks naked, can I tell them about his tattoos, what’s under his pants. I can’t believe they think I’ll actually answer them and I pray I don’t blush.

  I field question after question for close to two hours. Clive continues to ask questions that I don’t understand. His aren’t like the others. He doesn’t demand. He’s well mannered and reserved. He asks questions that make him seem more interested in me as a person rather than as a way to get at Tucker. I don’t get what his angle is. He makes me feel comfortable and that thought is discomforting. I shouldn’t feel comfortable with any of these parasites. I can’t imagine how my words will be twisted tomorrow and I only hope it won’t damage Tucker. I pray he’ll forgive me for doing this, but I need to protect the people around me.

  My thoughts go back to Dee and I hope she’s doing alright. I want to go inside and call her. I’ve had enough of playing host to these people. The questions are turning to the raunchier side now no matter how many times I say I won’t answer. It’s time to end this tit for tat session. I raise my hands up and wave them around to get all their attention. “Thank you all for taking the time to chat with me. It’s been a long, stressful day and I’m spent. I’m sure you all got what you need from me and you’ve had enough of being in this boring ass town by now.”

  Lots of chuckles and head nodding goes on. I’m not so naïve that I think all of them will go away, but I’m hoping some of them do. Any break I can get and give to my friends and neighbors will be a relief. “Good luck in your future endeavors.” I don’t know why I add that last part. Maybe it was my way of saying, please fucking leave, but doing it nicely. I smile at them before I turn my back to them and walk back to my house with Devon at my side.

  Questions are fired at my back, but I ignore them and keep walking. Devon pulls his cell from his pocket, looks at it, and frowns. That face can mean only one thing. “Tucker?” I ask him.

  He nods his head yes at me. Words aren’t needed to tell me he’s in deep shit with the boss. This is my fault and I need to make it right. “Let me call him first.” He looks at me and I can see the argument in his eyes. “Please, Devon. I got you in this mess, let me try to smooth the waters.” He nods at me, but I can see the worry in his eyes and I feel terrible. I didn’t think of what would happen to Devon when I set out on this quest. All I was thinking about was protecting the people around me. I should have thought of the backlash.

  We walk into my house and Zack and Jake are standing in the kitchen, arms crossed, eyeing Devon down. When the hell did they get here? They never drove up the road while we were in the front yard with the paparazzi. Did they park at Preston’s and sneak through the back yard? Why would they do that? My head is spinning trying to figure out what the hell they were thinking.

  “You, come with me now!” Zack’s voice thunders at Devon, making me jump. But it pisses me off, too.

  I look at Devon who starts to follow Zack and Jake. “Devon, do not go anywhere! I will call Tucker and handle this. You are my security and you did as I asked. You had my back the entire time. Quite frankly, you all deserve a damn medal for how you handled yourselves today and I will not put up with any of you being reprimanded.” I look at three shocked faces. “Is that understood?” They stare at me, unable to find the right words to say, I’m sure. “Now, if you’re hungry, get some food from the fridge. You know I have plenty. Sit down and enjoy yourselves. I’m going to check on Dee real quick and then I will call Tucker and get this whole mess sorted out.” I give them a smile and walk to the phone.

  I keep smiling to myself as they do what I said. Even though I can tell they are uncomfortable doing it, they get some food and start to eat. I can see that Zack wants to tear into Devon, but he stays silent. I call Dee’s house and Kale lets me know she’s sleeping. She’s sore, but finding out the baby is okay put her mind at ease. His mom is going to stay with them for a week or so until she is feeling better. I feel myself relax at that news. I hang up with him and get ready for my next call.

  I walk back to the kitchen and grab a glass of water. Looking at the three men standing around my island, eating food, barely speaking, I feel bad for the spot I put them in. “I’m sorry if Tucker is upset with any of you.”

  I walk into the living room without waiting to see if they say anything. I know they won’t. They can be like statues. I drink almost all of my water before I dial his cell and part of me hopes that I get his voicemail. I don’t know that I’m ready to fight with him, but I do have to do this because the three guys in my kitchen shouldn’t be in trouble because of me. Especially Devon. I listen to the first ring and my heart speeds up. Ring number two. Maybe he’s taping right now.

  “Tucker Stavros’ personal line. This is his assistant Yvette. How may I help you?”

  “Hi, Yvette. It’s Adriana.”

  “Oh my gosh. He’s been a wreck about you. Hold on while I get him.” I try to tell her not to bother him, but it’s too late. The phone is muted before she hears me say anything. I wait, listening to static for several minutes. I’m beginning to think that he isn’t able to leave the scene he’s taping and wonder if I should hang up.

  “Sweetness.” His voice is heavy with worry and I feel guilty all over again.

  “Hi, Tucker.” It sounds lame as I say it, but I don’t know what else to say.

  “What were you thinking going up against those assholes? Why didn’t you call and tell me what you planned? I would have told you it was a bad idea. How awful were they to you?” I can hear his breathing getting heavier, like he’s walking somewhere as he’s talking to me. I think a door closes, but I’m not sure.

  “Where are you?”

  “I went outside so I can talk to you without ears listening in. Tell me what happened, Adriana,” he demands.

  I don’t like the tone of his voice, but I understand he was worried so I try to keep my temper in check. “They were taking pictures of Dee’s kids getting on the bus this morning. It freaked her out and she started screaming at them. She felt something pop in her stomach and thought she was losing the baby. Thank God she wasn’t. It ended up being a torn muscle or something like that, but Tucker, it could have been worse if this stress continued. She’s been so sick this whole pregnancy. All I could think was I had to do something. I had to stand up and try to make them leave somehow. It was the only plan I had. I know it wasn’t the best one, but I had to.” I start getting choked up talking about it. Tears form in my eyes, but I refuse to cry. I need to stay strong and defend the guys in the other room.

  “Oh, sweetness. They never go away. Giving them a story just gives them more to come after you for. What did they ask and what did you say?” Anger seeps through his words and I feel my
hackles raise. I don’t need shit from him on top of the day I had. I know he deals with these fuckwads on a daily basis, but I don’t. I made the best decision I could and I’d like a little understanding, not him acting like a condescending ass.

  “Devon had a recorder on him. Some high tech piece of equipment the guys brought with them. He’ll have that downloaded and sent to you tonight. You’ll be able to hear everything that was asked and all my replies,” I snap back. “Speaking of Devon and all of the team, everything they did today was under my direct orders. You said they are my security team. All of them had my back on a very stressful day. They showed me that I can trust them, which I wasn’t sure I could before today. Before, they were your team. Now, I know they will protect me and the people I love at all costs. Do not be harsh to my team, Tucker. They were amazing with Dee. And, you will have those recordings because of the quick thinking of MY team. Please think of that before you react out of anger.”

  I stop there, afraid if I say much more he’ll think I’m sticking up for them too much. I know what male pride can do and how it can create jealousy. Hell, female pride and jealousy can be just as bad. I can admit to myself that I get worked up thinking of him with his female cast members.

  He doesn’t say anything, just breathes into the phone. I swear I can hear the gears turning in his head, thinking of what to say to me. How to tell me that he’s sending me a new team because they broke his protocol. He pays for the team so I know he’ll think he gets the final say, but I have money too. I’ll pay for the guys to stay here myself if I have to. They shouldn’t be out of a job because they followed my orders.

  “You are fucking unexpected, you know that right?” A light chuckle comes through the line. Shock courses through me.

  “Huh?”

  He full out laughs at my confusion. “You, sweetness. You take on the damn paparazzi. You tell me how to run my security team. I should be pissed at you for the shit you pulled today, but all I can think is, if you were in front of me, I’d bend you over and bury myself balls deep.”