The Widow and the Rock Star

by J. Thomas-Like

  “None taken,” Will replied, while Pepper only nodded. “Then I think if you want to go with EJR, you should, Vivienne. If the movie is a hit, you can pay back the foundation not only with the upfront payment, but also with the proceeds that come in from movie sales. It might take a little longer if the movie doesn’t do well, but I’m thinking it’ll be a hit if the public likes it as much as the book. The only way they’ll do that is if you go with a company who sticks to the story.”

  Jake glowered at Will, clearly irritated with the musician’s opinion on the matter. Seeing this, Pepper smirked and spoke up.

  “Yeah,” she threw a thumb in Will’s direction, “what he said.”

  Vivienne laughed and reached to take each one of their hands.

  “Thank you very much, both of you, for your input. I have to say, Will, your insight is amazing because I was thinking the exact same thing.” Turning to Jake and his unhappy face, she firmed up her posture and voice. “Make the call, Jake. Do the deal with EJR.”

  Jake sighed and his shoulders deflated a little.

  “All right, if that’s really what you want. Can I at least try to work the numbers more in your favor?”

  “Go ahead, but don’t piss them off. I want them.” Pepper was trembling in her seat, trying not to shout with glee, and Vivienne could see her excitement.

  “Geeze, Pep, you’re almost more excited than me!”

  “Oh, that’s my usual state,” Pepper breathed. “You know me, over the top all the time.” She brayed a fake laugh and then followed it with a real one.

  “Let’s have a toast,” Will suggested. He signaled for the waiter and asked for a bottle of champagne. While they waited for it, Jake’s cell jangled obnoxiously and he whipped it out of his jacket breast pocket. Excusing himself, he left the table to walk through the restaurant, talking loudly the whole way.

  Will fiddled with his hands, avoiding eye contact with Vivienne, but he spoke to her, anyway.

  “I hope you don’t mind me busting in on your party here.” His voice was soft and he sounded embarrassed.

  “Well, I was a little surprised to see you,” Vivienne admitted. “But it was a nice surprise. I missed you this morning.”

  “Should I leave?” Pepper waved her hands to remind them of her presence.

  Will smirked and flipped her off, causing both women to laugh out loud.

  “Besides, I know it was Pepper’s idea to bring you along. She orchestrates everything.” Vivienne waggled her eyebrows at Pepper, who pretended to whistle and look around the restaurant.

  “I’m sorry I left—”

  “That’s okay.” Vivienne placed a hand over one of his. “I was able to have a nice long chat with my Mom. That’s why I didn’t call you back.”

  Pepper watched relief wash over Will’s face and was glad to see him visibly relax, but thought Vivienne jumped to assure him a little too quickly. What’s going on with her? she wondered.

  The waiter returned with the champagne and four flutes, and Will took it from him, saying he would pour when their fourth returned. Nodding, the waiter left with a nod and a smile. Will passed the glasses around and then set the bottle on the table. Pepper was about to ask Vivienne what her plans for the rest of the day were, when her cell phone went off rather unexpectedly.

  I’m with all the important people, she thought. “Now who could that be?” she wondered aloud as she reached inside her purse. Her face instantly flushed red when she saw Gabriel Seigal’s name on the display.

  “Shit! I have to take this! I’ll be right back.” Jumping up, her knees struck the edge of the table causing silverware and dishes to tinkle and crash against each other as she rushed away.

  Chapter 37

  As Will and I watched Pepper bolt from the restaurant, Jake returned and was nearly bowled over by the departing blond.

  “Where’s Pepper going?” he asked.

  “Not sure,” I said. “She got a phone call, too.”

  “Well, you can fill her in later.” Jake sat back down and scooted closer to the table to place his elbows on the surface, his fingers laced beneath his chin. “I have some very interesting news.”

  I raised my eyebrows and then glanced over at Will, who shrugged and turned his attention back to Jake.

  “That was the police.”

  We both leaned forward with twin expressions of shock.

  “They think they know where Tony is.”

  “Did they trace the phone call?” Will asked. “Is he under arrest?”

  “Where’s the money?” I growled.

  “Hold on!” Jake laughed in spite of himself. “No, they didn’t trace the phone call. They didn’t have to. It turns out, one Lyle Anthony opened a credit card in his real name as an officer of the foundation and the police have tracked him to Amsterdam.”

  “What a fucking moron!” I yelled causing other patrons to glare at me. “His real name is Lyle Anthony?” Jake nodded. “And he opened up a credit card in his real name?” Jake nodded again. “I cannot believe anyone smart enough to get away with cashing a forged check would be so damn stupid!”

  Jake shook his head.

  “He didn’t act alone, either. His sister, Lola Anthony, was the teller at the bank the day he cashed the check. That’s why the forged signature went through.”

  “Good grief.” I sighed, lowering my face into my hands.

  “So what happens now?” Will asked.

  “LAPD is working with the Netherlands to apprehend him and extradite him back to the States for prosecution.”

  “Where’s the money?” I raised my head and peered at Jake hopefully. I thought the happy ending might not be so happy if Tony/Lyle had been able to hide the money.

  “They’re still looking into that, but if he was dumb enough to use his real name and his sister as an accomplice, he probably didn’t hide the money very well. But it doesn’t really matter because the bank’s at fault. They’re on the hook and will have to return the money, tout suite.”

  All at once, laughter began to bubble up from my throat and soon I was roaring with it, covering my mouth in a vain attempt to quiet myself. The thought of Tony, or Lyle, or whoever the hell he was, being brought back to the United States to stand trial was satisfying enough, but knowing all those dollars would be back in the foundation’s accounts regardless was icing on the cake.

  “Pour that champagne, Will!” I demanded, grabbing a glass and holding it out for him. Giving me a salute, he uncorked the bottle expertly and the frothing liquid squirted out, falling right into my glass. Raising it for a toast, I smiled at them.

  “This is truly a good day. I’m surrounded by people who do their best to take good care of me. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

  “And here’s to negotiating more money!” Jake added, drawing mirthless looks from Will and me.

  Will put his glass into the cluster and stared at me.

  “Here’s to a long and happy future full of storytelling for you, Vivienne.”

  My heart beat a little faster at that, and I clasped his free hand with my own.

  Chapter 38

  “All it says is, ‘I’m so sorry, something’s come up. I promise I’ll call you later.’” Vivienne read me the text message from Pepper with a growing look of concern on her face. “That is not like Pepper.”

  “Sure it is,” I scoffed. “She’s flighty as hell. Maybe she got a call for a job or audition or something.”

  “I don’t think so, Will. If I wasn’t here, maybe, but we haven’t seen each other in seventeen years. I wouldn’t think she’d blow me off like this.”

  We stood outside the restaurant waiting for the car to come around. Jake stood about five feet away, jawing into his phone again. I scanned the streets, just in case Pepper was still in the vicinity, spying on us. This definitely seemed like a stunt she would pull so that Vivienne and I would be left alone together again.

  “She knew I was here. It’s not like she abandoned you completely.
” I grinned at her and slung a friendly arm around her shoulders. She wore a pair Levi’s that hugged her curves perfectly and made her legs look longer, a yellow shirt and black, leather blazer. She seemed shorter and I noticed she had on flat shoes instead of the heels I had gotten used to in the last few days. Vivienne didn’t seem convinced because she kept staring at her phone.

  “Just call her then.”

  “I did,” she snapped, then looked up at me and frowned. “I’m sorry. I did call her when you were in the men’s room. I got her voicemail, then I got this text.”

  “So text her back and tell her you’re worried.”

  Marvin appeared at the curb and he leaped out to open the door for us. Vivienne climbed in and scooted across the seat, making room for me. Jake jogged up and got inside behind us to sit across, still arguing with whomever he was on the phone with. Settling herself into the seat, Vivienne tapped out a text and I watched her hit the send button.

  “I told her to call me to let me know she’s okay, and if I don’t hear from her, I’m calling the police.”

  “That’s a little drastic, don’t you think?” I tried not to laugh at Vivienne’s paranoia. She scowled at me, continuing to stare at the phone like she was trying to will it to ring. It must have worked, because it did.

  “Pepper?” she said breathlessly. I could hear Pepper’s voice on the other end, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. When Vivienne relaxed and smiled, I smiled, too, and looked out the window into the bright, cloudless day.

  “Okay, just call me when you get home. I don’t care what time. Bye.”

  I turned to look back at Vivienne and she was already gazing at me.

  “Well?”

  “She got a call from her date from last night and he asked her out again.”

  “So she dumped you for a guy.” I nodded, pushing out my bottom lip in an understanding pout.

  She reached over and punched me in the arm while giggling like a teenager.

  “Technically, I guess you’re right, but I’m not offended.”

  Jake finally ended his call and looked at us with confusion.

  “Where’s Pepper?”

  “She had another engagement,” Vivienne told him. “Marvin? Can you take us back to Pepper’s apartment so Will can get his car?”

  “Of course.” Marvin winked at us from the rear-view mirror.

  When I had hung up with Pepper in the dawn hours, I had not felt better at all. But I never did feel good when people told me the truth. I could be the worst kind of dumbass when I didn’t get what I wanted, especially if I didn’t even know what I wanted. So I’d made some strong coffee and sat out on my balcony drinking it, hoping I could have an honest conversation with myself. What I came up with was that I really liked Vivienne. I loved the sex, but it wasn’t the only reason I liked her. It actually made the liking better. I thought she was a smart, funny, caring person whose take on life was so different from mine, I wanted to spend time with her and learn from her. None of my past girlfriends ever inspired me to learn anything except their bra size or what position in bed they liked best. Vivienne made me want to use my brain, which thrilled me more than anything else. I was nervous when Pepper spontaneously invited me on the lunch outing, but I agreed because I knew I wanted to follow where this thing with Vivienne led.

  When we got to Pepper’s complex, Marvin pulled the car right up next to my Beamer, but I wouldn’t let him get out and open my door. I grabbed Vivienne’s hand and pulled her out with me.

  “What are you doing for the rest of the afternoon?” I noticed Jake move away to the far end of the seat and I was grateful for some privacy.

  Vivienne frowned.

  “Jake said he has a couple of magazine interviews for me.”

  “No I don’t!” Jake called from inside the car. Vivienne whipped around to stare at him with her mouth open.

  “But you said—”

  “Never mind what I said. Take the afternoon off.” Jake smiled and turned to speak to Marvin, then he reached over and grabbed the door handle. “I’ll talk to you later.” He pulled the door closed and Marvin gunned the engine, pulling back into traffic and narrowly missing a red Smart Car whizzing by.

  Vivienne feigned anger, placing her hands on her hips.

  “Now I’ve been abandoned. I guess you’ll have to take me home.”

  “I have a better idea.” I gave her my best sly wink.

  Chapter 39

  Will was driving his BMW, maneuvering through the traffic in LA with impressive expertise.

  “Where are we going?” I asked for the tenth time.

  “You’ll see.”

  “Come on! I don’t like surprises. Tell me!”

  Will laughed and grinned at me as he turned left onto Ventura Boulevard.

  “We’ll be there in a just a few minutes.”

  True to his word, about ten minutes later, he turned right into a parking lot and I craned my neck to see what was in the area. It seemed like a normal city block with drugstores and gas stations and the standard 7-11. He parked the car and then came around to open my door to help me out. I kept looking around for what might be our destination, but I wasn’t able to figure it out.

  Not until he walked me to the front door of Studio City Tattoo.

  “What on Earth are we doing here?” I asked, stopping short of going inside.

  “I thought it might be a good time for that tattoo.”

  My mouth dropped open and I took a step backward.

  “Oh Will, I can’t.”

  He touched my arm gently and pulled me to his side.

  “You don’t have to if you really don’t want to, Viv. But I’m in the mood for a little ink. How about you watch and see, yeah?”

  I looked up into Will’s face and was calmed by the patient look in his eyes.

  “Okay. We’ll see how it goes.”

  Opening the door for me, Will put his hand on the small of my back to guide me through. I was struck by the display of artwork on every wall and surface. A heavily tattooed girl stood behind the counter running the length of the shop.

  “Hi! What can we do for you today?” she asked, not looking up. She was placing a ring display beneath the glass. When she did make eye contact, her mouth opened wide and then she smiled.

  “You’re Will Foster!”

  “Yes, indeed.” Will reached to shake her hand. “And you are?”

  “I’m Max,” she said nervously. “How can we help you?”

  “Well, Max, I’m looking to get a piece for this arm.” Will shook off his jacket and pushed up the right sleeve of his shirt. “Right here.”

  “Okay,” she stammered. “Did you have an appointment? Uh, I mean, no, of course you don’t. You’re not on the books. But we can fit you in!”

  Will lowered his head slightly and gave her the sexy smile I knew all too well. I turned away so they wouldn’t catch my amusement. I busied myself looking at the display racks of various tattoos, while he and Max made arrangements for his piece. I liked flipping through the artwork, remembering how much I had wanted a tattoo of my own when I was younger. Pepper and I had talked about it a lot when we were sixteen and too young to get them, knowing our parents would kill us. She had wanted roses and flowers and butterflies. I had wanted Bugs Bunny. When she left for LA all those years ago, I knew eventually she would have her girly tattoo, and she did. But I’d never gotten my Bugs Bunny. My desire for ink was renewed when my dad died. I thought about getting a tribute piece with his initials and birthdate, but once again I had stalled.

  “Viv?”

  I turned to Will’s voice coming from the other end of the counter.

  “They’re going to take me right now.” He beckoned me over. He stood in front of a black leather chair. I walked toward him, but Max stopped me a few feet before I got there.

  “Are you his girlfriend?” The adoration mixed with jealousy in her eyes was disconcerting.

  “Uh, no, just a friend.”

&n
bsp; “Oh, okay!” The envy disappeared, replaced with determination. I backed away from the counter and continued to Will’s side.

  Placing a hand on his chest, I nodded for him to come close. “I think you have an admirer,” I whispered. Will chuckled and rolled his eyes.

  “Could you hold on to this for me?” He handed me his coat and shirt, standing before me in his plain white tee. He rolled up the sleeve, exposing his muscular bicep and pale, smooth skin.

  “What are you getting?”

  “A pinup girl. Right here.” He tapped the inner part of his arm. Then he grabbed a piece of paper from the tray beside the chair. On it was a tracing of what the tattoo would look like. It was much smaller than I thought. The girl was seen from the back, looking over her shoulder, with her hands on her hips. She had long, wavy hair and wore a vintage, polka dotted, two-piece bathing suit.

  “Very cute. What color will her hair be?”

  “I haven’t decided yet.”

  The tattoo artist appeared from behind a long beaded curtain, holding a piece of transfer paper with the pinup girl. “You ready, man?”

  “Absolutely,” Will said excitedly. He sat down in the chair and held out his arm. “Joe, this is Vivienne. Viv, this is Joe.”

  “Pleasure.” Joe nodded in my direction and then turned his attention back to Will.

  “Nice to meet you,” I mumbled as I watched him prepare Will’s arm. Within minutes, the noise of the tattoo machine filled the air. I was fascinated at first, watching the ink shoot into Will’s skin. After a while, the buzzing started to give me a headache, so I decided to get some fresh air.

  “You okay?” Will asked, concern furrowing his brow. I was amazed at his pain tolerance. He hadn’t flinched once that I could see.

  “I’m fine. Just going to get a little air. I’ll be right back.” When I stepped outside, the sun was still shining and the temperature hovered in the mid-eighties. Max stood outside on the sidewalk smoking a cigarette.

  “So how do you know Will?” she asked, tilting her head and blowing smoke into the sky.