Bright Lights: Book One of the Talia Shaw Series

by Darcy, Christine J

  “Tell me you’re okay,” she demanded.

  “I’m fine.”

  “That jerk,” she said, referring to Easton. It made me smile that this was the word she thought to use. “I can’t believe he did that to you. I want to scream at him.”

  “Mom, it’s okay.” The emotion in her voice, it felt like it had just happened. Of course, I shouldn’t have ignored her. It would feel as if it was something that happened to her as well. Her daughter had been humiliated on international television.

  “It’s not okay. It’s not okay,” she insisted. I thought she might cry.

  “Is everything okay at home?” I asked. I had seen the pictures. I knew there were people bothering her.

  “There were a couple of guys the day after but they’re gone now,” she answered. “So you can come home.”

  I almost laughed. “You know that’s not how it works.”

  “Both of our birthdays are coming up.”

  “I know.”

  “So, come home,” she pleaded.

  I let out a breath. “I don’t know.”

  “We’ll stay in. Or we’ll go visit Nan in the country. No one will bother us there. We can just play board games and do puzzles and watch movies.” I laughed a little. “Come home, sweetheart.”

  The country sounded nice. Maybe it was time, rather than trying to live normally in Los Angeles, that would make things settle down. I couldn’t convince myself of that but it sounded better than staying trapped in my house and in the little bit of yard beside my pool. I didn’t want to get on another plane. But, I felt like riding a horse. And, talking to Mom made me miss her so much. And Dad. And Saffy. If she hadn’t started to hate me for ignoring her.

  “Okay,” I said, giving in.

  Mom took in a breath. She sounded so happy. “When are you going to come? I’ll get you from the airport.”

  “I’ll let you know when I’ve booked a flight,” I assured her.

  “Okay. I’ll tell Dad you’re coming. He’s going to be so happy.”

  “I love you, Mom,” I said.

  She took a moment. “I love you, too, sweetheart.”

  I found a flight leaving the next morning and booked it. I sent Mom a text and started packing. I was half way through when a ringing sounded through the house. I walked out to the balcony at the top of the stairs. Leif was looking through the window. “Laurie,” he said.

  I walked down the stairs and looked out the window. His new black car, a 60s style two seated roadster, was surrounded by photographers, shouting at him, snapping his picture.

  “Okay,” I said. Leif was already out the door and rushing toward the gate. I pressed the button and it started to open. I walked to the closed door, turned the handle but keeping it closed. Leif kept the paparazzi at bay while Laurie came through. He drove up my driveway and parked. He looked back at the paparazzi and shook his head minutely. He walked to the door. I opened it just an inch and took a step back.

  He walked in and closed the door behind him. His eyes found mine.

  “Hey,” he said gently.

  He moved close and hugged me tightly. It took strength not to melt into him. The feel of him, the smell of him, was so familiar and comforting. But I didn’t want him to think I was feeling apart. Laurie ran his hands up and down my arms, as if to loosen me up. “I’m so sorry.”

  “For what?” I asked with half a laugh.

  Teddy came in from the living room. “Laurie,” he said.

  Laurie was surprised to see him. “Hey man,” he said. They shook hands. “You alright?” Teddy nodded. Laurie looked back at me. Lucy came in behind him.

  “You have nothing to eat,” she said, pointedly ignoring Laurie. It bothered her, too, that it had taken him so long to finally get here.

  “We’ll go get some dinner,” Teddy said. “Leif!”

  Leif came back up the driveway.

  “You’ll come back later?” I asked. They didn’t know I was going home.

  “Yeah. We’ll get some In and Out or something,” Teddy answered. Lucy and Teddy shuffled out the door. It closed behind them and everything was quiet.

  “So, how are you?” Laurie asked. I walked toward the living room. The lounge had blankets thrown over and cushions placed just so. Junk food littered the living room table and a game was paused on PlayStation. It was very obvious how we’d been living.

  “Fine,” I said. I got myself a glass of water. “Would you like one?” he shook his head. I drank.

  “So, you’re mad at me,” he said, appraising me.

  “I’m not mad,” I said, finishing my water and setting down the glass.

  “You seem mad,” he responded. “You never responded to my texts or calls. I didn’t know if you were here or I would’ve come over sooner.”

  “Where else would I be?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. After something like that happens, people usually get out of town.” I wanted to tell him I was planning just that. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

  I shrugged. He approached me, reaching for my face. He held my cheeks, held my gaze. “What are you doing?” I asked, touching his forearms.

  “I want to touch you. I haven’t seen you in a long time. I hate what he did to you.”

  “Is that why you’re here?” I asked. “You feel bad that I was humiliated?”

  “I’m here because I care about you,” he answered, furrowing his brows. “I’m sorry. I’ve been crazy busy,” he added.

  I didn’t know where this anger was rising up from. I just loved him and he wasn’t there for me when I needed him most. Not just after what happened at the Grammies but in the weeks before it. I knew he was working but I was working, too. And I knew the kind of time I had. I reminded myself of the difference in our careers. Something was going on with him, with us, and I didn’t understand it.

  “I know,” I said.

  He huffed. “This is the world we’re in. Sometimes we get busy.”

  I looked at him. He was so certain. Looking at me fiercely. “On the phone--”

  “I’ve been distracted. And I’m sorry. But I have time off now. And I miss you.” He touched my jaw and I let him. He kissed me softly and then deeply. My knees went weak. “Have you missed me?” he asked, his hands running down my back and pulling me closer. I nodded.

  “That scene outside is crazy,” he said into my ear. I nodded.

  “Go away with me?” he asked. I pulled away and looked at him. His piercing green eyes were staring into the blues of mine. “Like we talked about.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I haven’t seen you in a week. Or two weeks... And I’ve needed you.”

  “Shaw,” he started. “I said I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not just about being busy though, is it? You get weird with all the media attention on us. And now there is a mountain of it on me.”

  “That’s exactly why we should go away. Escape all of it,,” he pleaded.

  “I am going away. I’m going home for a while,” I answered.

  He furrowed his brows. “When?”

  “Tomorrow morning.”

  “You think you’ll be left alone there?” he asked, like he knew the answer. “I know a place we can go. A friend of mine has an island in the Bahamas.”

  “What?” I asked, incredulous. He had to be joking.

  “He’s always offering it to me. There’s a great house, beach, jet skis.” A private island, I thought.

  I shook my head. “No. I’m still mad at you.”

  “So, stay mad at me. Let’s go anyway,” he argued. I smiled. He had way too much charm for any one boy.

  “How would we get there?” I asked. He smiled as he felt me agreeing. “Not a private plane,” I insisted.

  His fingers played with the waistband of my jeans. “We can fly commercial to a nearby port and then go by boat.” I pushed his hands away. He put them behind his back. He looke
d like he knew my answer would be no. He looked disappointed, a little sad. I hated it.

  “Okay,” I said.

  “Okay?” he asked, the smile returning. I nodded. He lifted me up in a hug and kissed me quickly. He set me back down and picked up his phone. “Pack your things,” Laurie said, looking to the stairs.

  “I’m already packed. I have to call Mom.” Surely, they would understand, I thought. The privacy of an island as compared to home. I rushed upstairs and dialled. Mom answered quickly.

  “Hello, sweetheart. Have you booked?” she asked.

  “Actually, I’ve decided to go away for a bit.”

  “You’re not coming home?” she asked, she sounded hurt.

  “I’m sorry. I got an offer to go on a private island. Away from everything.”

  “Oh,” she said, as if she could understand. “We were really looking forward to seeing you.”

  “I know,” I answered. “Me too. How about I come back to Sydney afterwards?”

  “When do you think that’ll be?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure. But I’ll keep you and Dad up to date.”

  “Okay,” she said, a little fatigue in her voice. “Have fun.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “I love you,” she said quickly.

  “I love you, too. Talk soon.” I hung up.

  I moved to my suitcase, took out the jeans and sweaters and added swimsuits and shorts and sunscreen and sunglasses. I was closing my suitcase as Laurie walked in. “You ready?” he asked.

  “What? We’re going now?” I asked.

  “Yeah, we’re all set,” he answered. “Plane leaves in three hours.”

  “But Lucy and the guys--”

  He stopped me. “They’ll be fine without you. Call them on the way.”

  He picked up my luggage, grabbed my hand and brought me with him down the stairs.

  The paparazzi were roaring as Laurie and I ran for the car. The gates opened and we sped down the driveway and away. The paparazzi stepped aside, maybe the speed frightened them. Just as we were turning out of my street, I saw the car with Leif and Teddy in the front seat, Lucy in the back. They saw us. Teddy’s expression was confused. I dialled his number. He didn’t answer. I guessed he’d left his phone at the house. I texted instead that we were going away and I wasn’t sure when we’d be back. I told him to feel free to stay at my house and that Leif had the time off. I waited for a response as we drove to the airport. It came just as we arrived. ‘Ok.’

  * * *

  The flight was long. Laurie distracted me with explanations of the island as we took off. “There’s a walking track, and all these beach toys. And the weather is supposed to be incredible. No signs of anything but sun.”

  I asked him about the paparazzi, why he was so lovely and charming with everyone except them. I didn’t think they deserved that side of him but I was curious.

  He explained it this way, “Most of the time it’s okay-there are some nice guys, but there are some horrible ones. Guys that would take pictures as you lay dying in the street. They’re dangerous. I don’t like being around them. I don’t like you being around them. It worries me thinking of you being followed by them. That this relationship means more of them are after you.”

  “That’s why you didn’t like going out?”

  “Partly,” he answered. I was glad to know.

  He asked me about Teddy, how we’d become so close. I told him that we just clicked. “Musically, and as friends. He’s one of my favourite people in the world.”

  He didn’t have anything more to ask about it. I hoped I’d done enough to assure him that friends was all we were.

  After that, we mostly we slept. We flew across the US to Exuma International Airport in the Bahamas. A car took us to the Marina and there was a black and gold panelled speedboat waiting.

  “Good Morning, Mr Siler,” the Captain said as he helped us onto the boat. Our driver delivered our luggage. Or my luggage and Laurie’s overnight bag.

  Laurie sat on the cream leather seats and I nestled in beside him. The boat took off and Laurie put an arm around me to protect from the wind. The sun was out but the breeze was cool. The water was a clear blue. Laurie touched my hands and traced around my nails which were still coloured baby blue like my Grammies dress had been. “You looked so beautiful,” I thought he said. The wind was whipping around us loudly. I looked up at him, his eyes were soft. I smiled at him. “I’m so glad you said yes.”

  I pulled at his neck and brought his lips to mine. We kissed a little before the water became too rocky and we had to hold on. Then there was an island on the horizon. It was low, not mountainous, and a deep green. “Is that it?” I asked Laurie.

  He nodded. “I think so.

  If I thought the water in the marina was blue, I had no idea. The boat took us into water, more blue and more clear than any I’d seen. The sand at the bottom was white and bare. No rocks, no fish, just fine white sand. I looked over the side as the boat slowed down and neared a dock. A small shed, with a padlock on it, sat beside the dock. I wondered what was inside it.

  “You’re looking the wrong way,” Laurie said, directing my gaze along the timber dock and up the white sand beach toward a palatial house hidden beneath the trees. It had thatched roofing and white exteriors blending perfectly into its surroundings. There was a deck with Adirondack chairs and day beds along it. Long windows lined the exteriors and it looked like lights were on inside.

  The Captain made a move for our luggage. “We got it, mate,” Laurie said and handed over a tip.

  “Thank you, Sir. Enjoy your vacation,” the Captain said.

  Laurie grabbed my luggage and his shoulder bag. “Let me take that,” I said, grabbing his bag. We stepped off the boat and onto the dock. We waved off the Captain who sped away. “Are we here alone?” I asked.

  “Staff come to clean and restock when we’re ready. I don’t think they come unless we call. I think we’re alone.”

  I felt such a rush of relief. I let out a breath and smiled.

  “Shall we?” he asked. I nodded. We began our walk up the dock and up the stand. I tried for the door but it was locked.

  “Do you have a key?”

  Laurie looked confused. “No.”

  I bit my lip. “Should we try a window?”

  Laurie laughed. “Under the mat.”

  I furrowed my brows. “No way.”

  “Go on,” he pushed. I bent over and checked. There it was. I laughed. “Seriously?”

  I unlocked the door and held it open for Laurie. He walked in and I followed.

  “Oh my god,” I said, dropping Laurie’s bag.

  It was open plan with Balinese style dark bamboo furniture. The living room was lowered into the ground with the white cushioned lounges encircling the space. There were a number of bookshelves filled with novels, an abundance of plants through the house, yellow pendant lights hanging from the ceilings, light marble floors and fluttering thin white curtains hanging over the long windows. It was breathtaking. Laurie grabbed my hand. “This way,” he said.

  I picked up his bag and followed him as he rolled my suitcase past the living room and the modern kitchen and the sixteen seater dining table. Out the back of the house was a pool surrounded by deck chairs, a fire pit, barbeque and pizza oven. Beside the pool was a timber hut with a shed sheltering a golf cart and two quad bikes.

  “Where are we?” I asked. Laurie turned a corner and there was a stairwell. He carried the bag up and I followed. At the top of the stairs was a bedroom, almost the size of the whole lower level. The furniture was deep brown timber with pale blue and white accents. A grand canopy bed with that same sheer white material hanging down over it sat on a platform in the centre of the room. It looked out a huge window over the beach and the blue water. Laurie put down my bag and moved to the window. He pressed a button beside it and soon it was opening and rising out of the way, letting in the cool breeze.

  “Seriously. Where are we?�
� I asked.

  “Are you tired?” Laurie asked, coming toward me and taking the bag from my hand. He set it aside. I shook my head. “Are you hungry?” he asked. I shook it again.

  Laurie took my hips and guided me back to sit on the bed. I watched as he got down onto his knees and unzipped both of my boots. I realised how long I’d been wearing them for as he took them off and I felt a mountain of relief. He rubbed my feet a little as he set the boots aside. I started to take off my sweater, but he stopped me. “I’ll do that.”

  He took it off and threw it aside. He put a hand on my breast, feeling the skin then and moved it a little to the centre to push me back. He unbuttoned my jeans, unzipped them and dragged them down my legs. It was starting to feel torturous, in the best way. I felt myself getting ready. It had been too long. My body had been craving him without me knowing it. He hadn’t been there for me when I needed it but he knew how to take care of me now, I thought.

  He pulled my underwear down next and spread my legs as a breeze came through the window. I shifted a little at the simple pleasure.

  He stopped moving and just looked at me. He appraised every part of me as I lay there waiting, open for him. He eyed my lips, down my neck, my chest. He looked at the scars on my legs and arms but I didn’t care. I didn’t hate them when he was looking at them. He started to undress himself, kicking off his shoes and dragging off his socks. It was my turn then to look. He lifted the shirt from his torso and there my necklace was.

  “You still wear that,” I said. I’d given it back to him after the performance.

  He gave me the smallest of smiles as he unbuttoned his jeans and kicked them off. He wore black Ellen briefs and I remembered seeing him on the show. How sweet he seemed and how much I was crushing on him before we met. And now I was lying naked on a bed in front of him. It was unbelievable.

  He dragged the briefs down. His cock was still the most gorgeous thing I’d ever seen. He was hard. He was just as ready for me as I was for him. And I didn’t want to wait for anything.