by T L Bradford
“Don’t take it out on me okay, this is not my fault.” I’m getting angrier at his attitude by the minute.
“Not your fault, right, okay.” He mutters again, seemingly unconvinced.
“I had absolutely nothing to do with this. Just ask Steph and Genie; this was their brilliant idea.”
“I’m not doing this. The last freakin’ thing I need right now is more people up in my damn business. Does nobody get this!?! Or is this one of their ridiculous media stunts they want us to pull again?”
“Would it be that bad?” I ask. Noah draws up his back. A menacing look I have never seen before crosses his features. I quickly follow-up with, “Nobody is trying to hurt you or intrude in your life; we just want to help.”
“You know what? Helping? Never helps.” He nearly snarls at me.
Then he grabs his jacket and storms out of the room, slamming the door on his way out. I am left standing there looking like a fool and feeling betrayed.
In an effort to find a fast fix for their franchise, Steph and Genie have Jace and Max break up temporarily before the show hiatus while we deal with our issues. The reason on the show is Jace is having second thoughts about going public with their relationship and Max is hurt. I have no idea if they think we are an actual couple or not, but this is a little on the nose, even for me.
“Who turns down a free vacay to Hawaii?” Olive says. She is between breaks and chewing the fat with Ash and me in the common room.
“Noah that’s who,” I say.
“The honeymoon is over then, eh?” Ash questions.
“I have no idea what is going on in his head these days. It’s like he switched some button in his head from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. It’s been weeks now, and I’m sick of it,” I lament.
Ash says, “He’s messed up over those pictures. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal to him though. He and Gemma had crap written about them all the time and he rolled with it. Every other week there was some article about one or both of them cheating on each other. He’s got to know this will blow over in a few weeks.”
“That’s what I keep telling him, but he’s hell-bent on sabotaging his career over something so minor.”
“Was it…you know, minor?” Olive asks haltingly. I give her a don’t go there glare. She shuts up immediately. Then I get up and start pacing again.
“You know who may be able to convince him, right? Have you talked to Gemma?” Ash says.
“No, I haven’t,” I say. I’ve been leery about getting too close to Gemma. It’s a little too weird for me given my close relationship with Noah lately. She seems sweet, though.
“Ash, when are you going to tell Noah about you and Gemma? It’s been a while. The longer you wait, the worse his reaction is going to be.”
He sighs. “I know… it’s just so hard. Gemma was his world. This is going to crush him.” He sits forward and runs his hands over his face. “When Gem and I started out, it was just for fun. But I don’t know, over time real feelings came into play. I can’t stop thinking about her.” His accent is getting stronger as his emotions come in full force.
“I say bite the bullet and tell him,” says Olive. “He’s already in a bad mood, what’s one more thing?”
“Ever the empathizer, aren’t you, Olive?” I say flatly to her.
“It’s the truth,” she contends.
“Although stated in less than poetic language, I think I‘ll give Olive a point. It’ll be better to get it over with, and he’ll take it better if it comes from you. Otherwise, it’s lying by omission.”
“What does Gemma have to say about this?” Olive asks.
“Gemma has wanted to tell him. I’m the coward,” Ash states, pulling on his sandy strands.
“Ooh! I’ve got an idea of how to break it to him, and it’s foolproof!” Olive says, very excitedly.
“What’s that?” Ash says.
“Say it to him in cake frosting! That way he gets the bad news, but hey, he still gets a cake!”
“Olive? Point withdrawn,” I say, rolling my eyes.
Chapter 18
Noah
Ihate to admit it, even though I have been acting like an asshole to him, I’m missing Josh’s company. It’s amazing how quickly my life and needs have changed in such a short period since knowing him. I want to go over to his place, but it’s just not possible. Well, actually it is, I’m just not up to the consequences right now, especially after the disturbing phone call with my father…
Josh looked so confused and hurt when I left him earlier today. Deep inside, I know he would never do anything to hurt me. I’m just not ready to deal with all the attention and hassle that could come from us even possibly being a real couple.
Jesus, we haven’t even said anything to each other about the shift in our relationship. Maybe we are both in denial. I’m not even sure how to approach the possibility to him. I don’t think he would deny me. I get the feeling he is attracted to me as well.
Gemma came over a little while ago. We are sitting around the kitchen island. I keep waiting for her to ask the question I see burning in her eyes. She hasn’t broached the subject yet, so neither will I.
It’s been a while since we’ve had one of our Netflix and take out nights. She is seeing her new mystery man and has yet to bring him around. I don’t know what the big deal is. She’s got to know that I won’t Hulk out on the guy. I only want to know that she is properly taken care of.
“So, I heard a rumor around the set that you might be taking some time off.” She raises an eyebrow when she asks me this, waiting for confirmation.
“Where did you hear that?” I ask.
“Just around. Are you thinking of doing it?”
I sit back and regard her, then consider making this a game. If she wants information about me, then I’m going to need some info about her as well.
“How about this, you tell me something, I tell you something? Quid pro quo. Five questions each. Let’s say we each get two black cards, meaning two questions we do not have to answer. How’s that?” She looks up at me. I can’t quite tell if that was apprehension or a moment of fear in her eyes or what, but I can tell this is going to be interesting.
“Game on, but let’s raise the stakes.”
Hmm. I wasn’t expecting this, but I’m game. I got this.
“Whoever answers more questions has to do one thing of the other persons bidding.” She gets a wicked glint in her eyes.
That’s one thing I always loved about Gemma, her competitive spirit. We always used to play this game where we dare each other to go beyond our boundaries. We are both competitors and know that neither of us can turn down a tempting challenge.
“Are you sure you’re ready for that? I have a pretty good imagination.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” she has a determined look on her game face.
“Okay, first question. Are you in a committed relationship?” Figured I might as well dive right in.
“Yes.” She has no hesitation.
She turns around on her stool and addresses me. “Is it true that you and Josh were offered an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii together?”
“Yes.”
“Are your feelings for him at least as strong as your feelings were for me?”
“Yes.” Her answer burns a small hole in my chest.
“Were the pictures of you and Josh taken out of context?” She is raising the stakes now. She is waiting on my reaction to see if I will cave. But instead, I will play along to get the answers I want.
“No.” I see her eyes widen. She thinks she is on the trail now.
“My turn. Is he someone I might know?” I see her skin deepen red. I’m hitting a nerve now. What the hell is she keeping from me? I was playing before, but now I’m concerned about this secret affair of hers.
“Yes.” She looks less sure now that she wants to play this game.
“Is your father an influence on why you’ve been so distant lately.” Now she’s firing back.
<
br /> “Black card.” There is no way I’m getting into that topic with her.
“Does he work on the show?” I drill the question out where it sounds more like an interrogation, but I don’t care.
She stops. The answer is already there. She figures she may as well keep playing.
“Yes.” She breaks eye contact with me and stares at the countertop now, playing with her glass. Who is this asshat anyway? I’ve got to find out now.
“Are you purposely avoiding contact with Josh because there is truth to the pictures?” She strikes back just as hard.
“Yes.” I am undeterred.
This is my last question, so I go for it. “What is his name?” I ask pointedly.
“Black card.” She holds my gaze and enunciates the words.
Then she swings for the fences and asks, “Do you love Josh?”
“Black card.” I stay completely neutral.
“That’s five questions each. So, per our agreement, you must go on the retreat to Hawaii with Josh. Game over.”
I just got played.
The next day, I head up to Steph and Genies office to tell them my decision. “So, what’s it going to be Noah?” says Steph.
“I still hate this idea, but I will do it if certain conditions are met.” They turn to each other, then back to me.
“Shoot,” he says.
“First of all, there will be no media coverage or leaks to the press about it. Second, I will only meet for three sessions, and that is it. Third, I will not share a room with him at any time while we are there.”
“We will make sure there are no leaks. Everyone in the session must sign an NDA. You will have your own room. But Noah, you may want to reconsider the therapy sessions. Dr. Harris will be conducting the sessions. This could be incredibly helpful—”
“Three sessions. That’s it.” I’m not backing down.
He looks disappointed, but he agrees to my terms. The following week, I am on a flight to the islands.
Part 2
Lovesong
Chapter 19
Josh
Worst. Flight. Ever. Six hours of awkward silence. Noah has spoken all of maybe ten sentences to me. Our resort is on the island of Kauai. I’ve never seen such lush tropical vegetation. It’s like being in a dream. The place we are staying is up on an isolated green mountain range. Only the rich and elite could know about a place like this. The studio must be pretty heavily invested in us to set us up here for a week.
When we go to check in, there is a problem. There is only one room available. The other has damage from a recent rainstorm. Monsoon season has taken a toll on the island. We were booked so late that the other rooms were already taken by the therapy group and other paying guests.
Noah, who was already on edge, is absolutely furious. He gets on his cell and talks with Genie. From his conversation, it appears he made some conditions for his agreeing to come. One of which was apparently to have a private room. That sonofabitch… He goes back outside the resort where I cannot hear the remainder of what is said. After about five minutes, he comes back in, and he agrees to share the room. I can only imagine how that talk went. Clearly, some deal with Satan was made.
The hallways are open-air walkways with ceiling to floor windows through much of the other buildings. It’s understandable to have little need for walls as the area is so remote and isolated. There are very few people at the resort. A limited staff takes care of the few residents. We put down our things, and Noah leaves almost immediately, saying he’s going to go check out the resort. Right. Whatever.
It was later when we finally arrive, so I go downstairs to get some food and check things out as well. There is a small bar on the lower level of the resort. I nearly walk headlong into a gigantic bird of paradise. It reminds me of home. There are a handful of people milling around and chatting. Three separate couples, a dude who may or may not be a server, a guy is playing the ukulele and a stunning dark-haired woman sitting near the bar.
Feeling bold, and maybe needing to prove something, I go right up to her.
“I know you,” she says with no preamble whatsoever.
“Really, what gave me away?”
“No woman in her right mind forgets a handsome face like that.” Hmm… I like where this is going.
“My name is Josh, nice to meet you…” I draw out the last part waiting for her to supply her name.
“Katie.”
“Very nice to meet you, Katie.” It’s been a while since I was in this position. I’ve always had it pretty easy with the ladies. Most of the time, I never need to make the first move. They are perfectly willing.
“Josh, Josh Hill, you’re on that show Americana, right?” She tips her head to the side. I could never figure out why women did this, was it to make them think better?
“Yeah, that’s me.” I’m still not used to being recognized out in public.
“I watch that show all the time. It’s gotten to be my addiction since you joined.” She practically coos this last line. She is quite the straightforward one, isn’t she? This won’t take long at all. I do some math in my head. If I take this to another level, I’ll need a Plan B for where to take her. Noah will be back in our room, so it has to be her room.
“Glad to hear it.” We engage in a little chit chat about nothing in particular, making sure to keep personal details to a minimum. Over time and about two drinks each later, we are seriously starting to get our flirt on. I ask her if she wants to continue our talk in her room, but she says we cannot go back there. I’m feeling horny as hell and do not want this evening to end so soon, plus I have no desire to go back to the room and deal with Noah’s lousy mood. I suggest we head out to the garden pool area. It’s a beautiful setting for a beautiful woman.
As we make our way outside, I take note of her appearance; she must be around five foot nine because she’s almost as tall as me in heels. Her long dark hair is gleaming clean, so the moonlight reflects from her. She is in a casual black spaghetti strap dress with a yellow plumeria flower in her hair tucked behind her ear. Her dimensions are everything I look for in a woman, curvy, and soft.
We sit over on the padded benches by the pool. She takes her hand and puts it on my thigh. I stare into her dark brown eyes and am transfixed by the flawlessness of her skin, even this close. She smells like heaven, sweet and citrus. Then she brings her lips to mine. I respond right away. I bring my hand around to cup her head and guide her in for another, deeper kiss. She feels so good. I feel myself growing hard.
My attraction to her spurs me on.
She pulls away to catch her breath and opens her eyes. “And here I thought you might be gay.”
“Trust me, rumors of my gaydom have been greatly exaggerated.” I smile, and she giggles. I grab her again, and we start making out hardcore under the shady palms. The only way anyone could see us was if they jumped in the pool. I don’t see anyone coming, so I take my other hand and run it up her thigh. I kiss her neck and feel her drop her head back. I take that as a go and continue to let my hand travel even higher. I can feel the edge of her thong on her upper thigh. Her skin is so smooth and creamy I start to lose myself, which is too bad because if I hadn’t, I would have heard someone approaching the pool.
By the time I look up, it’s too late. From across the pool, I can see Noah, who looks like he came out to take a late swim since he is in his trunks. He sees me, and I see a scowl so fierce on his face that I jerk back from Katie and put my hands down in my lap like I just got caught with my hands in the cookie jar. I see him snatch up his towel that he had just put down and spin on his heel to go back into the building muttering f-bombs the whole way. He slams the glass door, nearly breaking the poor thing.
I turn around to look at Katie, knowing the moment is ruined. “I should have known it. The best ones are always gay.” With that, she stands up, smooths out her dress, and gives me a light kiss on the forehead. Then she makes her graceful exit.
I am seething mad by th
e time I make it back to our room. When I’m inside, I see Noah pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. He’s gotten himself so worked up, he’s got red blotches on his cheeks. It’s obvious he’s been throwing things around the room given the disarray.
“What the hell, man!” I yell as soon as I enter the room. “You made a complete scene out there! Oh yeah, and by the way, if you wanted to keep your straight persona, you just blew that to hell!”
Carefully ignoring my jab, he says, “Do you even have any idea who that was that you were with!?!”
“I just met her. What difference does that make? This is my vacation, and I can do whatever and whoever I want!” I scream.
“Katie Gibson!” he shouts, as though that has any relevance to me whatsoever.
“Okay, so what? She’s a celebrity or something?”
“Jesus Christ!” he yells. “Katie Gibson of Katie and Charlie Gibson? The singing duo?” I’m still at a loss. “Do you know anything?” He says this as if I’m the stupidest person on the planet. Then it dawns on me. I have heard that name before. But it couldn’t be, could it?
“No way.” He picks up his cell phone types something on it and then turns it around so I can see the image. Oh shit! Katie Gibson is the other half of the country duo singing sensation Prairie Land. They officially broke up not long ago citing irreconcilable differences, namely, he drinks, and she cheats. They are literally living their own country music songs.
“They announced their separation a few weeks ago. It’s been all over the TV and the internet. You know, right underneath the stories of us!” I’m starting to freak out, but I won’t let him see me affected. Hold it together, Josh.
I make some random comment, “Well, she’s a grown woman, she can make her own choices.” Weak, I know, but a valid point.
“Do you not get it? They are here for the same reason we are. Couples mother fucking therapy! And I’d say, they are definitely not off to a good start!” Damn it. I hadn’t even considered that.
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, okay, nothing happened. You saw to that.” I throw that little dig in at the last minute.
