by Sadie Grubor
"Nothing," I say in a soft voice, trying to calm the panic on her face.
"Aside from the fucking media trap sitting on her front door," Jimmy adds.
"Thanks," I say, my sarcasm thick and eyes narrowed.
He shrugs, unapologetic.
"He's right," Una confirms in a gentler tone.
"I know," Liza responds. "They've been there for two days now, but the numbers had thinned out this morning."
"Yes, that was before tonight's show and the producer's decision. When this goes public, they are going to be even more ruthless," Una explains.
"But—”
"And we aren't sure what else Kristy has up her sleeve. If she’s the one—”
"It's her," I snap.
Una puts her hands up, palms out.
"I'd like for you to consider staying somewhere else until things die down." She drops her hands.
"Where are we supposed to go?" Liza asks, her body tensing against mine.
"I have an apartment," I answer before Una.
Liza turns in my arms, her chest almost pressed to mine. Her confusion is written in the frown lines on her face.
"You have an apartment? Here?"
Cupping her head, I use my thumb to smooth the lines between her brows.
"It's a three bedroom suite above the W in Hollywood. I just got it."
"We'll be fine at home." She shakes her head.
"What about Lucas?" I know it's a cheap shot, but I need her safe from the impending craziness. On a more selfish note, I want her with me. "They will surround him and harass him on his way to and from school."
Fear flashes in her eyes and she bites her lip. It's almost enough to make me feel guilty. Almost.
"School will be out soon." Her protest is weak.
"The W has security gates, cameras, guards, and I can arrange a car to drive Lucas and Sean to school with minimal harassment. It would only be, what? A thirty, maybe forty, minute ride?"
"But Kel—”
"Can also have a driver for school and work," I add before she can argue.
"Three rooms won't be enough for all of us." She tries to pull out of my arms.
"I had twin beds put in one room for the boys. Kel can have the other room. And I've had the media room arranged with a bed for Sid." I sweep her jaw with my thumb.
Her mouth pops open. She doesn't speak, simply licks her lips and closes her mouth tight.
Fuck, I want to suck the lipstick from her mouth.
"Sid and I already bunk together," Liza nods, focusing on my shoulder, "so I guess it would work."
I slide my fingers from her neck into the hair behind her ear and tilt her head, coercing her to meet my eyes. Leaning down, I bring my face so close, I can feel the heat of her breaths on my lips.
"You think you'll sleep with Sid?" I whisper.
"Yes." Her response is too breathy to match the slight narrowing of her eyes.
It's fucking adorable. She thinks she can resist us. The way we gravitate toward each other, feed off the other's energy.
"Okay." Fighting back a smile, I give a one shoulder shrug.
Her hands press to my chest and push. Straightening to my full height, I allow the space. When my hand slips from her hip, I don't like it. I cross my arms over my chest to stop myself from pulling her back into my arms.
"I'll need to get some things from my place." She turns to Una.
"We really need to get you and the boys to the penthouse—”
"Penthouse?" Lucas squeaks.
"Yes." Una looks between him and Sean. "As Jackson stated, his condo is at the W in Hollywood."
"Are you okay with this, Lucas? We can go home. You just say the word." Liza moves to her son, kneeling the best she can in her dress.
"No." He shakes his head. "I want to go to the penthouse." He sends a large smile my way. "Can I bring my Xbox?"
"Of course." I nod. "We'll have someone grab it for you."
"I can get our things," Liza says, trying to stand.
"It's best if we have someone else collect the things you’ll need. I'll go make the arrangements for cars. Hopefully, we can get out of here with little notice."
"Good luck with that," Jimmy snorts, shaking his head.
"Thanks, Jimmy, you just volunteered to help." Una's tone doesn't leave him much room to argue.
Grumbling, he pushes up from a chair and follows Una out of the room.
Liza covers her face with her hands and exhales loudly.
"I'm so going to regret this." She drops her hands and looks right at me.
I lick the metal hoop in my lip, smiling when she shivers and looks away.
Eliza
I don't have to open my eyes to feel him watching me. The only time his eyes haven't been on me was when I found the privacy to change out of the dress provided by the studio. And now I'm in the back of a dark limo, wearing the clothes I arrived in, with a man who draws me to him like a moth to a flame sitting across the way, and two boys vibrating with excitement. Keeping my head back against the seat and eyes closed, I try to make sense of everything.
My performance was supposed to be a polite fuck you and I guess I succeeded. I never expected to draw out crazed reporters, but dear God, I have. Nearly one hundred reporters and cameramen had to be waiting just outside the performer's exit. Thankfully, Una arranged an alternate exit route through a large garage, putting us into cars parked inside and out of the public eye. Before we shot off, she assured me our things would be delivered tonight.
"Liza?"
I open my eyes for him, like he has some power over me. Who am I kidding? He has a power—a key that unlocks me, leaving me open and bare.
"Yeah?" I breathe the word.
Leaning forward, he puts his elbows on his knees and places his palms on my thighs.
Damn his long arms and warm hands! Tingles travel across my skin, focusing their attention between my legs, which twitch to open for him. I tense my muscles to keep them shut. His fingers flex.
"I meant it when I said I'm sorry." His eyes search mine as they did before.
"I know." I want to reassure him with a smile, but I'm exhausted, my nerves are raw, and he's too close.
Our eyes lock and he drags his tongue over the ring on his lip. A breath catches in my throat. Christ, I want to suck the moisture from his flesh, dip my tongue into his mouth, and demand its submission.
"We're here!" Sean's shout breaks the moment.
Jackson sits back into his own seat and I squeeze my legs together tighter.
I need to get my body on the same page as my brain. No sex, I silently demand as the car comes to a stop inside a parking garage.
The limo door opens and Lucas and Sean shoot out in a flash of khakis and polo shirts.
Sliding to the open door, I slip out of the car and pause. The boys stand next to Julia at silver elevator doors. Taking a deep breath, I prepare to move.
His large, warm hands settle firmly on my hips. I stiffen when his legs stretch out on either side of me. When he stands, he allows the front of his body to slide over my ass and back until the length of him is flush against me. I melt, leaning against him, absorbing his heat and inhaling his scent—leather and sandalwood.
The warmth of his breath on my neck should cause alarm. Instead, I loll my head to the side, allowing him access. The feel of his teeth sends a spasm through my body. I fist the denim covering his thighs and he lightly sucks at my skin, turning the spasm into a pulsating firestorm.
A throat clears and I jump, putting half a foot between Jackson and me. Turning, I catch Jackson glaring at the driver.
"There's a car coming, sir." The driver nods toward approaching headlights. "It may be the other limo, but I'm not sure."
"Alright," Jackson says coldy.
His hand comes out, snagging the waist of my jeans and pulling me against his side. "Let's go." He guides us to the elevator.
Oh God! Craning my neck, I look around the parking garage. Lucas and Sean a
re nowhere to be found.
"Where's—?"
"Julia took them up," he answers before I finish.
Closing my eyes, I exhale sharply, pissed at myself. Jesus, I'm a horrible mom. So caught up in—
"Stop." His voice cuts through my thoughts as the elevator door opens.
"I'm not doing—”
He walks us onto the elevator.
"It's all over your face. Lucas and Sean are fine. You saw they were with Julia."
He presses a button with his free hand.
Unsettled by his ability to read me and by how easy it is to just be with him, I stay silently pressed against his side until the elevator reaches the penthouse. With his hand on my lower back, he directs me into a foyer with dark wood floors.
Jackson's presence at my back spurs me to keep walking. Following the dark wood slats, I reach a large open living space with an oversized taupe, U-shaped couch and a large flat-screen TV on the wall. To the left of the area is a bar and the right has a wall of windows leading to a balcony.
"One of the rooms is back there past the kitchen."
I follow where Jackson points to a door at the far end of large, open dining and kitchen spaces. The dining table seats twelve, the kitchen bar six. Swallowing hard, I simply nod.
"The other rooms are this way." He thumbs over his shoulder.
Walking around him, I follow the dark floors down a long hallway.
"Closet on the right, half-bath on your left. The next door on the right is the master bedroom." He pauses, but I don't give him the reaction he's waiting for. Instead, I keep walking.
"Another bedroom is on your left. That's where the twin beds are for Lucas and Sean."
As if summoned by their name, the boys emerge from a room at the end of the hallway.
"This place is amazing!" Sean shouts.
"There are two balconies and they have a rooftop pool." Lucas grins. "Please, can we go swimming?"
"You don't have swim trunks." I brush stray blond hairs from his forehead.
"With your permission, I'll have some sent up." Julia walks out of the same room.
I can't fight the scowl forming on my face. Her eyes drop to the floor in submission.
"If you would rather them not—”
"It has nothing to do with swimming," I keep my tone even, "and you know it."
Her wide eyes meet mine and I raise a brow in challenge.
She totally gets that this isn't about swimming. It has everything to do with her stupidity in dealing with Jackson. I'm surprised he's allowed her to continue working for him.
Tears form in her eyes. She opens her mouth, but closes it and only nods.
"Come on, Mom," Lucas begs.
"Yeah, Miss Campbell, please?" Sean pleads.
"Yeah, Mom," Jackson teases, "let them swim."
Twisting, I find him half grinning.
"Fine," I sigh, turning back to the boys. "You have an hour. Then you come back and get showers. Hopefully our stuff is here by then."
I doubt they hear the part about showering because they cheer loudly and high five one another before hugging me.
"If you’ll follow me, I'll take you two up and have someone meet us with shorts." Julia moves to walk around me.
"Are you sure you can handle them?" I can't keep the snark out of my voice.
She pauses and looks me in the eyes.
"I promise, they'll be fine."
I nod and she has the boys follow her.
"What the fuck was that about?" Jackson's question is a mixture of amusement and concern.
"Nothing." I shrug, turn, and try to walk by him, but his arm shoots out, stopping me.
"Not so fast."
He places both hands on the wall, fencing me between his arms. Turning, my back meets the wall.
"Tell me." He leans his face close to mine.
"It's nothing." I cross my arms over my chest, a useless barrier between us.
"Did she do or say something to you?" His eyes narrow.
Is he really this dumb? Doesn't he realize what could've happened to him because of her decision?
"You're serious, aren't you?" I drop my arms.
Confusion furrows his brow.
"Her decisions…that night…"
"The night I overdosed?" He drops his arms, crossing them over his chest.
I nod.
"Because they brought me back to the hotel instead of the hospital?" His eyes search my face.
Thinking about that night, my throat clogs with emotion and my vision blurs.
Clasping the sides of my face and tilting my head, his lips crash into mine. I fist his t-shirt, pulling him closer.
He slips his hands from my face, tracing the shape of my body. Releasing my mouth, he reaches down, grasps behind my thighs, and lifts me, pinning me to the wall. I wrap my arms around his neck; it's my turn to claim his mouth.
Breaking the kiss, I gasp for much-needed breaths. His forehead presses to mine.
"You're pissed at her 'cause of me?" His question is labored.
"I just think she's stupid and almost made the situation worse."
He grins, squeezing my ass.
"You're pissed at her 'cause you care about me." It's not a question this time.
I stiffen and change the subject.
"Did you buy this place?" I ask, trying to get back on my feet.
This is stupid. He's so new to sobriety and I'm sure there's a rule about relationships, even if they are purely physical.
"Leasing it." He reinforces his hold with another squeeze. "Stop squirming."
"Why?" I ask, pressing against his chest.
"Why what?"
Rolling my eyes, I stop squirming and purse my lips. "Why are you leasing the penthouse? The hotel kick you out?" I taunt.
He smiles wide.
"Just testing the idea and location." He presses his body further into mine. "I've found a pretty good reason to stick around." He holds my eyes.
"Liza," Sid calls.
I push at Jackson's chest, but he doesn't release me. Instead, he lifts his head and looks down the hall.
Sid finds us and grins. "Maybe I should just…" She points over her shoulder and starts to turn around.
"No!" I push harder at an immoveable Jackson. "We were just…" I don't know how to finish.
"Getting your freak on?" Sid humps the air, her tongue sticking out.
Jackson's laughter vibrates against my chest.
"No," I deny.
"Bow chica, bow wow!" she sings, swinging her hips.
"Will you stop?" I try not to laugh. "Jackson, put me down," I demand, going for a more annoyed tone with him.
He studies me for a brief moment, places a kiss to my lips, and releases me.
On my own two feet again, I sway—just a bit—as I walk away. Passing Sid, I wrap my arm in hers, dragging her out of the hallway and away from sex on stilts.
Chapter Nineteen
Eliza
"Tell me again why you aren't climbing Mt. Jackson while the boys are distracted by video games?" Sid pulls another shirt from Lucas' bag.
Looking around at the bags and boxes, I start to think they brought everything we own.
"You know why." I hang the shirt in one of the many walk-in closets.
"Oh, yeah, cause of his sobriety, your guardianship status, blah, blah, blah." She digs into the bag, pulling more clothes out.
"Blah, blah, blah?" I place a hand on one hip and raise a brow.
"Yep." She continues on to the next bag of clothes, not bothering to look up.
"I can't just…" My words fall away, unsure how to explain.
"You just can't what?" Sid finally looks up, meeting my eyes. "Can't let go of your neatly scheduled day-to-day and live for once?"
"I'd hardly call my day-to-day neat." I purse my lips, wrapping my arms around my middle.
She growls, plopping down onto one of the twin beds. "Liza, in the past ten years, the only semi-spontaneous, totally crazy thi
ng you've done is move across the country with a baby."
"Excuse me?" My voice raises an octave. "I just performed on a stage in front of thousands of people."
"Kel and Lucas entered you into the contest. You don't get to take credit." She lies back on the bed, her arms behind her head.
"I spent the night with Jackson," I say in a whisper.
She's already shaking her head. "He came to you."
Sighing heavily, she sits up, crisscrossing her legs.
"You deal. That's your thing."
"I deal?" I sit down at the end of the bed.
"Yeah, you run your day—school, house tasks and errands, soccer, dinner, work. When things come to you—Hidden Talent and your night with Jackson, for example—you deal with them because they happen to you." Leaning forward, she takes my hand. "I love you and who you are. I just want to see you live."
"When did you become the advice giver in this relationship?" I ask.
"I don't know, but I don't think I like it." She purses her lips. "So, take my advice so we can get back to you lecturing me about my bad choices in men."
"I don't lecture," I defend. "Though, you do choose guys who don't deserve you."
"They don't need to deserve me." She grins. "I just need him to be good with his mouth and know how to swivel his hips in just the right way…"
"Paul." It's not a question, it's a confirmation.
Her mouth forms an ‘O’ shape before she says, "That's a low blow."
Guilt riddles me and I slouch.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought him up." Paul is a touchy subject and I know I shouldn't have mentioned him. I just hate how much power he holds over Sid. He always has and I pray for the day when he no longer does.
"It's okay." She shrugs, but I know, deep down, I hurt her. I also know she won't talk about it anymore. Her defenses are up and there's no crashing through that barrier.
"You think I need to live?" I redirect back to our original topic.
The familiar tingle starts at the bridge of my nose and tears pool in the corners of my eyes.
"Yeah." She nods. "You adult way too much."
A tear escapes along with a laugh, breaking the tension.
"Come on." She pats my leg. "We have your entire apartment to fit into this one."
