“No, he never said anything to me about us being together hurting my career or really anything at all. He seemed indifferent, but that’s how he’s always been about my relationships, unless it was with somebody he could use for publicity. Not that I would’ve given a damn if he had said anything. But I know he didn’t mention it to me because he knew it wouldn’t have done any good,” Bryan replied, his rising anger evident in his tone.
“Well,” Callie said resignedly, “I should have been expecting this. I know how people are.” She paused for a moment. “Did you tell Tonya about this?” she asked sharply. She’d be deeply hurt if her friend had kept such earth-shattering news from her.
“Good God, no! What do you think I am, nuts?” He couldn’t miss the irony of that comment. “Okay, so I am nuts, but I do actually function quite well despite my assorted personality disorders. Besides, even Charlie Manson would be sane enough not to tell Tonya something like this. It was all I could do to get her to talk to me in the first place. If I’d told her about B.T.’s involvement…” He shuddered. “It’s too awful to contemplate.”
Still confused, Callie frowned as she struggled with the niggling little inconsistencies in the story. “But, Bryan, he called me, he told me how to deal with the reporters and everything. What was that all about?”
Bryan was mesmerized by the hint of cleavage visible above the rose-colored fabric of her robe.
“Bryan? Are you going to answer me?” she asked insistently.
Bryan wiped a hand across his face. “Sorry, baby.” He grinned sheepishly. “I just got distracted for a moment.” He frowned as he recalled her last question. “Yeah, B.T. had to come back around. Dude didn’t really have any choice in the matter. Maria had him by the short hairs.”
“Maria?”
“Yeah, believe it or not she threatened to divorce him if he didn’t make things right.”
“Wow.” Callie couldn’t think of anything else to say. During their encounter in L.A., Maria had given her the impression that she was blindly devoted to her husband. So much for first impressions.
“I know, I couldn’t believe it, either.” Bryan continued ruefully, “Old boy hunted me down in Houston and asked me to help him. Then he got us on Saturday Night Live and all the gigs on the talk shows. He also called off the reporters.” He held up his hand to silence her when she opened her mouth to speak. “And no, he didn’t have Lainie Ellison kidnapped to take the heat off us.”
Chapter 22
Callie screeched in amazement, “Good grief, Bryan! I never thought he had!” Had things really gotten that bad? Did Bryan truly believe his manager was capable of such a monstrous act? Or was he just seeing his manager through his anger and pain?
The television mogul’s daughter had been returned that morning, unharmed. The situation was very mysterious, and rumor had it that her father had paid a monstrously large ransom to get her back. The family had made no comment, other than that they were happy to have their daughter back. It was shaping up to be much more than a seven-day wonder, with speculation running rampant that she’d been sent to drug rehab, or had run away to escape her father’s overbearing management of her life. There was even some talk of a secret boyfriend, or maybe even a pregnancy, but those rumors were summarily dismissed because Myron Ellison kept very close restrictions on his daughter. Whatever the circumstances, Callie could truly empathize with the girl and her family. She hoped they’d be able to rid themselves of the paparazzi quickly. Surely Myron Ellison’s money would help in that area.
Callie studied Bryan’s wan features. Though he tried not to let on, the pain he felt from B.T.’s betrayal was obvious. Bryan was wearing his hair down tonight, and it hung like dark silk halfway down his back. It was mussed from the rough towel drying and his repeatedly pulling at it as they worked through the complex emotional issues that were keeping them apart. Bryan’s feelings and loyalties ran deep. He and B.T. had always had a strong relationship, and he’d tolerated behavior from his manager that no one else could have gotten away with. She had no doubt that Bryan had a great deal of respect for his manager, but she also knew that Bryan loved B.T. deeply. This had to have been a hellish situation for him.
“Bryan, how are you feeling about all this?” she asked quietly.
Bryan took a deep breath, raising his shoulders, then lowering them, as if forcing himself to relax. He moved to get up as he tried to change the subject. “You got any food around here? I didn’t get a chance to eat and I’m starving.”
Callie grabbed his arm, pulling him back down onto the sofa. She gave him a disapproving look. “Bryan, you know better. I know you’ve got to be hurting. B.T. is like a father to you. Has been for years. You can’t just tell me that he’s betrayed you this way and you’re perfectly okay with it.” When he still didn’t respond, she gave in begrudgingly, muttering under her breath about his obstinancy as she got up from the sofa. “Okay, I’ll make you a sandwich, but you know we’ve got to talk about this.”
By the time Callie returned from the kitchen with a ham and cheese sandwich, piled high with lettuce and tomato just as she knew he liked it, Bryan had moved over to the window. He pushed the light muslin curtains aside to stare out at the streetscape below. Maple Fork was, of course, bedded down for the night. The rain had finally ceased, and the town gleamed wetly under the illumination of the artificial gas streetlights. When he realized she’d returned with the sandwich, he moved to the sofa and sat down. He took several bites and chewed for long minutes. Then he took a couple of sips from the fresh mug of coffee she’d brought with the sandwich. He had used the food as a distraction, but he really was hungry. The meal served on the airplane had been inedible and he hadn’t wanted to take the time to eat once he arrived in Atlanta. Consequently, his last meal had been early the previous day. Finally, when he was about halfway finished he glanced over at her expectant face. He had no choice but to resume the conversation.
“Damn it, Callie, there’s just some things that are better left alone,” he replied irritably. Why did Callie have to continually probe at his feelings? The last thing he wanted at this moment was to expose himself any further. Besides, she was using this as a distraction, just as he’d done with the sandwich, to keep from having to address their own issues.
“Between us, Bryan? Are you saying that there are things that shouldn’t be discussed between us?” Her hurt feelings were evident in her soft tone.
Bryan gave her a speaking glance. “What us, Callie? Is there an us?”
Callie lowered her head but didn’t answer.
Bryan reached over and put a finger under her chin and raised her head until her eyes met his. “Is there an us, Callie?” he asked forcefully.
Callie’s eyes pooled with tears. “I don’t know, Bryan, I just don’t know.”
Bryan gave a snort of disgust, then resumed eating his sandwich, taking sips of coffee between bites. Apparently she still wasn’t ready to talk about what was going on with her. He’d be patient just a little longer. “I don’t know how I feel about B.T. I think the man saved my life, Callie. Matter of fact, I know he did. If I’d stayed out there on the streets like that, God only knows what would’ve happened to me. Everything I am, everything I’ve ever wanted to be is because of him. I don’t know if I can do this without him and Brodie too.”
He shifted on the sofa, his voice tremulous with anger. “I thought he cared about me, Callie. I thought he really gave a damn about me as a person. Now I know that I’m just another product to him. He was willing to ruin our lives to protect his interests.”
Callie moved over closer, wrapping her arm around his waist and laying her head on his shoulder. She searched desperately for words to console him, but none were forthcoming. The situation was so overwhelming, everything she could think of sounded trite and meaningless. “Sweetie, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say.”
Bryan pulled her against his chest. “There’s nothing much to say. I fired him, but I know I’ve g
ot a hell of a legal battle ahead. And then there’s Maria, the one person who actually does give a damn. This is going to be awful for her. She’s going to be so hurt, I don’t know if she can take it. God, what a mess!”
Callie nuzzled into her favorite position beneath his chin. She knew what she had to say, but it was a major struggle to utter the soothing words. “You know, maybe it wasn’t just his interests he was protecting. Maybe he really did think he was taking care of you too. I mean, you’ve told me that over the years you’ve pretty much let B.T. run the show. He’s never interfered with your love life before, but maybe he really was just desperate and did what he thought was right.” Much to her surprise, she found that she could overlook her own issues with B.T. if it would give Bryan some measure of relief from the emotional burden he was laboring under. Reflexively, she wanted to agree with Bryan’s decision to cut B.T. out of his life. It would certainly be a more comfortable existence for her, but it would undermine the closest thing he had to a family. Could she let him do that, especially when he’d already lost the man he considered a brother? Unfortunately with family, sometimes a person had to take the bitter with the better, as her mother would say. She reflected on B.T.’s very real grief the night of the tribute party. The man had not been mourning his balance sheet. He cared about Bryan, and more importantly, Bryan loved him. B.T. was not the ideal manager, but he had been considerably better to Bryan than many of the other managers out there would have been. She shivered as she recalled the shifty men she’d met at the tribute party. B.T. stood head and shoulders above most of the managers in the music business. Bryan could most assuredly do a whole lot worse. Another of her mother’s sayings ran through her mind: better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. All in all, Bryan would be better off holding pat with the hand he’d been dealt.
Bryan perked up as her statement sank in. “Do you really believe he thought he was looking out for me?” Despite his anger, he couldn’t keep the hopefulness out of his tone.
Callie nodded. “Bryan, I really don’t think B.T. intended to hurt you. I don’t think he’s evil.” She snorted with laughter. “Twisted as all get out, and definitely amoral, but I really do believe he thought he was looking out for you.”
Bryan shook his head, awed by her defense of a man who had caused her so much pain. He’d never known anyone with such a capacity for forgiveness. “I can’t believe you’re willing to forgive this guy. You’re incredible.”
Callie could only smile in return. She hadn’t exactly forgiven B.T. for his involvement in this whole mess, but she did believe that he’d had Bryan’s best interests at heart. Besides, a break with him would probably hurt Bryan much worse than it would B.T., and Maria would be wounded more deeply than either of them. Callie had no doubt about Maria’s love for Bryan. She had put her marriage on the line for his sake. She could understand Bryan’s reluctance to hurt her. They would tangle with this issue for a while, but as long as they handled B.T. carefully, there was no real reason to dissolve the relationship. Despite his anger and pain, Bryan would eventually see the wisdom of this course of action.
They sat comforting each other for a long time, simply absorbing one another’s presence after their long dry spell.
After a while, Bryan stirred. “So, Callie, now that we’ve dealt with everything else, what about us?”
Callie frowned. She’d put this off for as long as she could, but apparently her hour of reckoning was at hand. Bryan would not be put off any longer.
She pursed her lips as she formulated what she needed to say. “Bryan, do you remember those women we saw in L.A.? You know, the ones who are always looking for the next celebrity to attach themselves to?”
“Yeah, Callie, I’m passably acquainted with the breed,” Bryan responded dryly, wondering what the hell this had to do with them. Surely Callie didn’t think he was still involved with those women.
Callie spoke rapidly, her words rushed, as if afraid that if she didn’t say it now, she never would, “See, Bryan, I’m not like them. I’ve got my own life. I’m a businesswoman. I can’t be like those women in L.A., just following you around from place to place, like some type of accessory. I don’t want to live off you and be rewarded with extravagant shopping trips and expensive jewelry. I’ve got my younger sisters and the rest of my family to think of. I just can’t act like that.” She paused, looking up at him tremulously, not sure of his reaction. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she couldn’t live that way. But then again, giving Bryan up would be devastating. She wanted both and hoped he would understand.
Bryan frowned in puzzlement. “Callie, what on earth are you talking about? When did I say I wanted you to do that? I think it’s a good thing that one of us knows how to make money. For God’s sake, haven’t you seen all those broke-ass ex-rock stars on Behind the Music? In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve got one crafty sonofabitch for a manager. Hell, by now he’s probably got more of my money than I do and in a few years I’ll be lucky if I can get a gig playing ‘Freebird’ at a Holiday Inn in Eastaboga!” he roared, infuriated that Callie was still hung up on the notion of being his kept woman.
Callie doubled over, unable to contain her laughter. Bryan was truly incensed. She could all but see the sparks flying from those deep blue eyes.
He continued at full rant, “I may not be too terribly bright, but I do know the difference between a good woman and a pay-to-play girl. Please give me some kind of credit, okay?”
Callie was still gasping with laughter and couldn’t respond.
Bryan calmed down, unable to maintain his anger in light of her silly response. When she finally stopped laughing, he captured her face in both his hands. “Callie, you are the woman I fell in love with all those months ago. That’s who you are, and that’s who I want you to be. My own personal budding tycoon. You know I love it when you’re all in your business mode negotiating deals; it’s so goddamned sexy. You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to slide you right out of your tastefully tailored pants and take you right on top of your desk, especially when you have a pencil behind your ear. It’s probably given me a fetish.”
Callie gaped at Bryan in amazement. She’d never had any inkling that he’d been thinking that way. A pencil behind her ear was sexy? Who knew? She thought back to all those late nights Bryan had been in the store with her while she ordered books. Perusing long printouts from the various publishers, she’d frequently had a pencil behind her ear. When things were really frantic she’d sometimes have pencils behind both ears. She shivered delightfully as she thought about her response if he’d followed through on his inclinations.
“You’ve got your own gig, baby, and that’s great. Go take over the world, give Bill Gates a run for his money. I never thought for one moment that I’d just be able to attach you to my life. God, Callie, I could’ve had that years ago with dozens of women. That’s not what I want; I want us to make a life together, as partners, as equals.” He looked into her luminous brown eyes. “Is that what all this was about? Were you going to dump me because you thought you were going to have to give up everything to be with me?”
Callie nodded, her eyes now sparkling with tears, moved by the wonderfully beautiful things he’d said. He was offering her everything she’d ever wanted. He was giving her the world. But did she dare take it? “I thought it would be better if I just let it go. I’m not sure I can handle all the reporters and stuff and I don’t want to give up everything I’ve worked so hard for. I know it was wrong of me not to talk to you about it, but I—I didn’t know what to say. I knew I couldn’t look you in the eye and tell you how I felt, so I thought if I refused to talk to you you’d eventually stop calling.” Callie shook her head, shamed by her cowardice.
Bryan leaned his forehead against hers. “God, baby.” His voice choked with emotion. “Please, please promise me one thing. Always at least talk to me first. I’ve been going out of my mind worried about you. I know I probably drove Tonya crazy calling all the time
, but I had to know you were okay. I can’t promise you that the paparazzi won’t bother us. Sometimes little things you do get a lot of attention, especially on a slow news day. They’re unpredictable, but I promise I’ll do a better job of taking care of you.”
“I’m sorry, Bryan. I’d already realized that I’d have to talk this out with you, but I didn’t think I could do it. It was so unfair, I really am sorry.” She moved away from him to look into his face. “So is it okay if I take some time? I mean, I won’t stop talking to you again, but I just need to think things through.” She lowered her eyes, then looked up with a tremulous smile. “Besides, you still haven’t told me exactly what type of relationship you want with me.”
Bryan grinned down at her, then shifted to remove something from his pocket. He took her left hand in his, and slid a ring on her finger. “I thought that was obvious. I’m asking you to marry me.”
Callie gave her ring finger an astonished glance, dazzled by the beautiful heart-shaped pink sapphire ring that now adorned it. She looked back up at Bryan, speechless with wonder.
Bryan continued determinedly, “I bought that when I bought the bracelet. I’ve always known you were meant to be my mate. To be with me forever. Have my children and kick my ass for the next fifty years. It’s a pretty big order. I need a woman, Callie, not a little girl. Which one are you going to be?” He paused to give her a chance to respond. When no answer was forthcoming, he continued through clenched teeth, “You take all the time you need. You make goddamned sure of what you want, because once you’re mine, I’m never letting you get away from me again.”
Chapter 23
Callie lowered her head to the kitchen table. “Oh, no, Mama, not you, too. Just for the record, I haven’t the foggiest notion what I’m going to do about Bryan. I swear as soon as I do, I’ll put it on a billboard, okay?” Relocating to the South Pacific and living in a thatched hut in the middle of nowhere was becoming more desirable by the second. She probably wouldn’t even look too bad in a grass skirt. Snap back to reality. Knowing her luck, some intrepid Fijian would trek endless miles into the jungle just to inquire about her love life. Callie had known she was in trouble when her mother showed up on her doorstep a few minutes ago with the ominous statement, “We need to talk.” But then again, what else was new?
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