Instead, they’ve knuckled down to work out a way around it.
If you can love a group of friends, then I love this one.
Chapter Twelve - Danny
“Is it bad, Hannah?” Tina stares straight ahead, her attention on her call, while I struggle to step into the rabbit outfit on my own. “How many pages of coverage? Did they rehash everything?” I wiggle into the feet and then put both hands in the holes for the arms. Tina smirks as I struggle, then she tucks her phone between her shoulder and ear, and helps me pull the outfit over my shoulders, before zipping up the back. “Okay. I can be there on Tuesday. Put in a good work for me, yeah?” She puts the phone away and helps me pull the head on. “Do you think you can get permission to bring this costume home?” A pink basket stacked with chocolate eggs appears in my hands. “It’s kind of sexy, in an odd way.”
I lean as close as I can in a giant bunny head with mesh eyes. “You’re right into the props, aren’t you?” I want to make a joke about us going at it like rabbits but I’m mindful I’m in a hospital staff room and there could be kids around. That joke will keep until later.
“Enough.” She clips a spotted, pastel bowtie around my neck and takes my bunny paw hand. “Let’s go treat those kids. I bet they’re wondering where the bunny is.”
“Wait. What did Hannah say?”
Tina groans. “We’re all over the newspapers. My real name. The whole sordid backstory. Some interest in my date, too. I’m so sorry.”
“Eh. It’s done now. I wish you’d worn the wig today. I’d feel better if we didn’t have to worry about a film crew showing up while I’m dressed as a rabbit. It’s really hard to run to the car when you’re in animal form.” I lift up one giant foot to make my point.
“Well, the hospital sure got the extra publicity they were hoping for. I just hope the record label doesn’t get rid of me next week. Hannah says they’re pretty annoyed about the article and my lack of transparency.”
“We can grab a copy of the paper on the way home. I’ll hop,” I jump, and an egg falls out of my basket, “into the store for you.”
She picks up the chocolate and sighs. “No more hopping, funny guy. I don’t want to see any news. I’m going to bury my head in the sand, just like I’ve been doing, and hope it all goes away. This egg is cracked, by the way.” She unwraps it and pops a piece of chocolate into her mouth. “Mmm. It’s good. Do you know how long it’s been since I had chocolate?”
“Last night at the fundraiser?”
“Ha. Come on, you. No more talking.” She pulls me into the corridor. I can’t see a damn thing in this headpiece, and I have to rely on her to steer me the right way. We enter the first room and three small voices let out a cheer.
I knew this would be a good gig.
“Easter bunny, Easter bunny! Come to my bed first.” Tina leads me forward and I hold out my basket and turn my head to the side, trying to see through the mesh gap where the bunny’s eye is supposed to be. I reach out my hand and Tina guides it to the child, who is thrilled to meet me. We move to the next bed, and the next, before returning to the corridor.
“You okay in there, bunny?” Tina asks.
I nod my giant bunny head, even though I’m starting to heat up inside my costume.
We visit three more rooms on this side of the corridor, then we cross the hallway and make our way back. I hear Tina growl and then the sound of a camera clicking. She stands behind me and puts her hands on my shoulders. “Just stand there. They want to take your picture with some kids.”
I’m under strict instructions not to talk or make any sounds under my costume, but I badly want to laugh as I find myself smiling for the camera inside the suit. A lifetime habit. Unlike Tina, I quite like having my photo taken.
Three hours pass quickly, with me handing out treats, and Tina refilling my basket from the chocolate stash in the staff room. By the time we’re finished, my shirt is slick with sweat and glued to my back. My knees wobble as she leads me down the corridor for the last time. When I’m safely out of view I lean forward and tip the head off, then slump into a chair.
“Look at you,” Tina says. “You should work out more. And I don’t mean working out your credit card on the internet.”
“You’re right. I should use my gym.”
“You have a gym? Where is it?”
“I have a room at home with all the workout stuff.” She stares at me and shakes her head a little. “What?”
“I don’t know why I’m surprised.”
“Me either. When it comes to shopping, I have form.”
Chapter Thirteen - Danny/Tina
Danny
“Damn. Cross just cancelled on me. Said the tax office is harassing him.”
Tina and I are standing in the record company foyer and Hannah is due any minute. Tina is on edge—I’d never mention it, but I’ve noticed she’s a bit shaky. Her hands are jammed into her jacket pockets to hide the tremble that comes and goes. It upsets me to see her so worried. Her whole career is on the line for the second time in just a few years.
I’m searching places to hang out while she has her meeting, when Hannah arrives.
Tina does the introductions and Hannah says, “Ahh, the mystery man. I’ve been wondering why Tina was so chirpy. Now I can see why.” She laughs and Tina blushes. “Are you ready to go up?”
“Not really. How do you think it will go?”
“I’m quietly confident. It’s not just you they’re annoyed at so be prepared for that.”
“Call me when you’re done. I’ll find somewhere to get a coffee.” I kiss her cheek and prepare to watch them walk toward the elevator. I like watching Tina walk. I have since the first day we met.
Hannah raises an eyebrow. “You’re not coming up?”
“Err… I thought it was a private meeting. I was supposed to have lunch with a friend, but he cancelled.”
“It is private, but if Tina doesn’t mind you coming up, you’re more than welcome. We could do lunch afterward to celebrate.”
I glance at Tina and it’s clear she’d like me to come. Her face is less pale, and she even attempts a small smile. I pull her hand out of her pocket, slip it into mine and give her a reassuring squeeze. “I’m there if you want me.”
She nods, and Hannah says, “Good.”
We follow her into a lift where she punches the button for the sixteenth floor. Tina leans against the wall and closes her eyes, her fingers holding tightly to mine. She inhales slowly, holds the breath, then exhales in a measured way. When she opens her eyes she seems ready for anything.
The doors slide open and we follow Hannah down a narrow corridor where all the offices have glass walls. People go about their business, ignoring us as we walk by. At the end of the hallway the area branches into multiple meeting rooms and Hannah chooses the nearest one. She flicks on the light and sits on the same side as us. We only wait a minute before two men enter and introduce themselves as Don and Peter. Of course, Tina and her agent have already met these men and they waste no time getting to the point.
“We were shocked to see the weekend paper, Tina. Or should we say, Trudy.”
“I know, I’m sorry—” Tina begins, but Hannah holds up her hand.
“This is really my fault,” she says. “When it all blew up, I was so angry that Trudy was treated the way she was that I quit my job, and, as you know, you quickly snapped me up. Not long after that I signed Trudy under her new stage name. She’s good and I didn’t want to lose her. We’d worked together for two years and I was just incensed that she was taking all the blame and he was getting away with nothing. We didn’t tell you because I didn’t want her to have the stigma attached to her forever. Her output is amazing, and you have some very happy,” she tilts her head, “and successful artists because of this girl.”
“We understand that, Hannah.” Don nods. “It makes us look silly when we don’t know who’s working for us, though.”
“It’s hardly an employee relationshi
p. Tina has signed contracts, just like anyone else.”
Peter raises a hand and smiles. “We don’t want to argue the case. We just want to be able to reassure our own team that there’s no more skeletons in the cupboard.”
The conversation flows around me, leaving me to my own thoughts. Tina has calmed right down, and it seems she’ll leave here today with a positive outcome. I want to pull my phone out and scroll the internet while I wait for her to be done, but that seems rude. Instead, I peer through the glass, wondering what so many people do at a record label.
A girl walks up the hallway carrying a stack of paper, and I watch her glance behind her, and then pick up her pace. She veers into an office and turns back to stare at her doorway. I can see the shadow of several people moving in her direction and I watch to see what got her moving so fast.
I’m quickly sorry.
There, loping down the corridor like he owns the place, is none other than Gareth Hashem—multi-married rock god, known womaniser, father to at least eight children at last count, holder of multiple Grammy awards, and known to play a killer guitar riff. He must be pushing sixty now, but he’s dressed in leather pants with a cream leather vest over a white shirt. His vest bears a distinct resemblance to the creamy leather of my sex chair and that would be funny if this were any other man.
“Shit,” I mutter to myself. I duck my head and turn my back to the glass as he strides past, followed closely by two women.
Tina notices and leans over to me. “You okay?”
“Just peachy. Keep talking while I avoid my father.”
“Your dad?” Tina cranes her head but he’s already out of sight. Don and Peter glance over, too, but there’s nothing to see.
I let out a huge breath and sit up straighter in my chair. “Sorry. Don’t let me distract you. We don’t talk that’s all. He’s the last person I expected to see.”
“I think we’re done here, anyway. Hannah, I trust we won’t have this problem again. You don’t have any other secret clients we don’t know about?”
She laughs and stands up. “Not that I’m aware of Don. Trudy is the only one I’d stick my neck out for.”
We shake hands and Peter pulls the door open before he turns back. “If we’d known you could sing like you can, you’d be doing a lot more than writing songs for other big stars, Trudy. Let’s talk soon about you moving back in front of the mic. I’ve listened to your tracks and I like what I hear.”
“I’ll be in touch,” Hannah says, and then we’re on our way back to the elevator.
Tina smiles at me and it’s like I’m seeing her for the first time. Without the weight of the world on her shoulders, she’s even more gorgeous than before. She’s still grinning at me when her eyes skate to the side and go wide. She blinks and takes a step back and I turn to find myself face to face with one very surprised, Garreth Hashem.
“Danny. Long time no see.”
“Yep.” I can’t even muster any words for him. It’s been more than eight years since we were in the same room together and I’d have been happy to extend that record for another eight.
When the silence continues, he looks at Hannah, and then at Tina and me, our hands still clasped together. An incredulous laugh is the next sound and he says, “I see you found my sloppy seconds. Good for you.”
Tina gasps and I frown, screwing up my face and glaring at him. I don’t want to talk to him. Don’t want to even give him the time of day, but I can’t seem to stop myself from asking, “What are you talking about?”
“She didn’t tell you about us, eh?” He leans in and chucks me on the shoulder. My whole body stiffens, and I’m reminded why we don’t see each other. Last time there was a punch-up. “Trudy likes to play innocent but she’s a tiger between the sheets, eh?” I hear a strangled moan from behind me before my father continues, “I had her young. Taught her a thing or two. I hope she’s treating you to those skills after hours.” He laughs and sets his sights on Hannah. “Still kicking around with the second rate agent, too. It’s a real shame she couldn’t be more original, but you know. We can’t all have the star factor. Even though she sure had it once the lights went out.”
“Danny, it’s not true,” Tina says, grabbing my shoulder. “He’s lying. Just like he did back then.”
I’m blinking and shaking. I want to believe her, and I badly want another chance to punch him, but he’s so sure of himself. So glad to tell his story and assume that there’ll be no blow back.
“Oh, it’s true, baby doll.” Dad turns his attention to me. “I bet you did the business real quick, right? She hooked you in fast didn’t she? Did that with me, too,” he tells the room, though there’s only the four of us standing here. The elevator doors ding and as soon as they open, he steps inside. “I hate to love you and leave you.” He grins at Tina. “Again. But I have something pretty sweet waiting for me downstairs. Catch ya.”
The doors slide closed and the three of us stare at each other. Tina has tears in her eyes and her hands clutch at her cheeks. She looks like she might vomit, and I notice her hands are shaking again. “Danny, I swear. I’ve never even been in a room alone with him. He’s lying.”
I suddenly leap forward and shove my hand in the small gap where the elevator door is almost closed. There’s a clunk and the doors slide open. My father looks surprised, then he glares right at me.
“What—”
“Shut it.” I hold up my hand. “Just shut your mouth for a change. If you really slept with Tina, and I have to say, I doubt you one thousand percent. What tattoo does she have on her hip?”
His smug smile sends all my blood crashing to my feet. The bastard has slept with her. He knows the answer. I can see it all over his face.
“She didn’t have any tattoos back then, boyo. I told you, I had her young, and innocent. You’re getting her a little soiled. Taught her what she knows, though.” He glances at his own tattooed arm. “Obviously she got a taste for it while I had a taste of her.”
His last words snap something inside me, and I launch myself into the elevator. In seconds we’re a mess of angry words, fists, and flying elbows. I vaguely hear Tina and Hannah shouting at us but all I can focus on is causing him pain.
The same pain he’s caused Tina. The pain he’s inflicted on me over the years. On his ex-wives, and countless children he doesn’t spend any time with. My final punch hits him squarely in the stomach and he doubles over trying to catch his breath.
I step backward through the doors, shaking my hand. Tina sobs and runs her hands over my face, but I only have eyes for my father. “I know she didn’t sleep with you.” I spit the words at him, just as two security guards burst through the stairwell door. “She does have a tattoo, and it’s been there a long time. I’ll never tell you what it is, but trust me, I know you’re lying. Soon everyone else will know it.” The doors choose that moment to slide shut, and I’m left with the security guards, Hannah, and Tina staring at me.
TINA
“You okay?” I squeeze Danny’s hand, trying to put every ounce of sympathy and support into that action. His face is grey, and his eyes telegraph every bit of the unhappiness he’s keeping inside. “Can I do anything?”
“Yes.” He touches his lip and says with a smile, “Stop squeezing my punching hand.” I quickly let go, and he declares, “I’m gonna need a drink. Maybe several.”
We’re in a tiny hotel just a block from the office. Hannah made her excuses and left us alone. She filmed the fight so I can just imagine where that footage will end up. Danny’s fingertips graze the small of my back as we move to a table. It’s a gesture I equate with romantic movies and it makes me smile. No matter what we just endured with his father, Danny never forgets his manners. It’s something I love about him.
Our drinks arrive and he makes short work of his. After another round he finally relaxes and our conversation flows. He tells me about his nomadic childhood, and I share my best song writing tips with him. We laugh for hours and when we leave
it’s dark outside.
We hold hands tightly as we walk up the street. “I’m glad we were together for this today.” His tone is thoughtful—nothing like it was when we arrived. “Now we can put it behind us.”
“You don’t want to talk about it at all?”
“Nope. Do you?”
“Not really. I just have one question.”
He waits as I gather my thoughts. “Why didn’t you believe him about the tattoo? I could have had it done any time since, but you immediately told him no, he was wrong. Why?”
“Remember when Everett and Jill had their fight outside the limo and you made me get out and referee?”
“Yes.”
“Jill and I had a few minutes to speak while Everett calmed down. She started talking about Ev’s latest tattoo, and she randomly told me about matching tattoos that winners of contests get. Like the grand final of the football. Or the finalists in a television show.”
“Okay.”
“After the drama of the fundraiser I searched online and saw yours. Done before you even met him and shared by six other people.”
“That’s a stretch, Danny. I could still have had it done later.”
“Well, it just so happens that I believe you as well.”
Knowing he believes me is the second weight off my shoulders today. As we walk, I imagine what life will be like if I can just be me. It’s a long time since I’ve done that.
“He’s not worth your time, Danny. You know that, right?”
“I do know. But it’s the secret that really allows me to let go any feelings I have about him.”
“He doesn’t know about the secret billionaire’s club?”
“Not that secret.” He grins at me and raises his arm to hail a taxi. “Dad has a production business back in London. What he doesn’t know is that my real estate trust owns his building.”
Chapter Fourteen - Tina
The Billionaire’s Treat: The Secret Billionaire’s Club Page 7
