Fame & Consequences

by Reese A. Stephens

  In true Clarissa form, she stomps her foot and growls as she grabs her son, mumbling, “We’re not wanted in this family. It’s all her fault.”

  She stomps off the porch and jumps in her car, peeling out of the driveway, flinging gravel everywhere. Everyone on the porch sits quietly until my sniffles breaks the silence. Elijah pulls me into his lap as my sobs overtake me. I hate myself for crying. I hate it more than her words could ever hurt me.

  “You don’t pay her no mind, flower,” Pop tells me, sitting down on the swing beside Elijah and rubbing my back.

  “I’m sorry. I just don’t know what I’ve ever done to her. To make her act so cruelly to me all the time.”

  “She’s just unhappy with her life and lashes out on others. You, more than anyone else, because she’s jealous,” Bonnie explains.

  “Why is she jealous? She’s married and has a child. I don’t even have a house. I have no privacy. I have to have a bodyguard just to stay safe. Why is she jealous of that?” I take the handkerchief Elijah gave me out of my pocket and wipe my eyes.

  “Oh, sweetie. It’s not the negative she sees. She only sees you’re famous, wealthy, and you have a handsome man who treats you better than any man has ever treated her, and mostly because you got out of this town. You did something with your life.” Bonnie smooths my hair.

  Elijah kisses my shoulder and pulls me to him tighter. “Will you be okay?” he asks.

  I nod. “I’m fine. Thank you for standing up for me.” I wrap my arms around him and kiss him chastely.

  “None of us believe what we read or see,” Jared states seriously.

  “I hope not.” I sniffle again.

  “We don’t.” Liam confirms. “I personally try to avoid all that, but sometimes you just can’t help what you see in the checkout lines, or flipping through channels.”

  I know that’s the truth. It’s another thing I hate, but will endure forever if it means I get to keep Elijah. He’s worth any kind of discomfort or lack of privacy.

  “Why don’t we go in and eat; it’s getting late,” Gran says as she stands.

  We all follow her back inside, taking the food she had brought out earlier and gathering around the kitchen table. As we all sit down and join hands to say grace, I’m reminded of how much I love my family, and I vow to not let another four years go by before I see them again.

  6 Meeting the Family

  W ith Clarissa gone, we’re able to have a nice family dinner. My grandparents seem to like Elijah, and Jared seems to get along with Josh, like they are long lost brothers. It’s a little odd, but I like it.

  There’s a lull in conversation as dinner draws to a close. “Uh,” Jared says rubbing the back of his neck. “Soph,” he pauses, seeming to be embarrassed. “I should have told you this earlier, but I’m not engaged anymore. We broke up about a year ago."

  My mouth hangs open in surprise. “What? Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

  “You were busy and I was a little embarrassed about it …” He trails off with a shrug.

  “I’m sorry. What happened?” Jared groans, but says nothing.

  Liam snorts, elbowing him. “Tell her what happened, Jare.” Jared shakes his head.

  “Nah, it’s better just left at ‘we broke up’.”

  I roll my eyes at my brother. “No, you can’t just leave it at that. I’ll be wondering and imagining all sorts of craziness. I’m a writer, remember?” I point to my head. “It’s full of ridiculousness.”

  He chuckles. “Don’t we all know it? It isn’t a big deal, really. She met someone else.”

  I frown. “She cheated on you?” He nods. I grab his hand. “I’m so sorry.” What’s wrong with people? I swear no one can be satisfied with what or who they have.”

  He shrugs. “I guess, it’s really not unlike what happened between you and Carter. I mean, we’ve known each other since we were kids. We’re still friends.”

  “You’ve seen her since?”

  “Yeah, she works at the station, but I put in my two weeks a week ago. I just needed a change.”

  I gasp. My brother’s lifelong dream was to be a police officer, both of them. “But … I thought.”

  He holds his hand up. “No, it’s fine. It’s not because of her. I’m tired of all the B.S. that comes along with the job. I’ve applied at a few places. I’m just waiting to hear back.”

  I turn to Elijah pleadingly. He smiles, seeming to read my mind, then turns to Jared. “What about coming on our team? We’ve been interviewing for bodyguards for Sophie’s next release. I need both my guys for my next stint of promos, and Josh needs some help.”

  “Jare, that would be perfect. You and Josh already get along. What do you think?” I look at Josh.

  He swallows the drink he was in the middle of taking. “Yeah, it would be perfect really. You’re comfortable with him, and he obviously knows self-defense and weapons.”

  “Jare?”

  “Really? You’d offer me a job, just like that?” he asks Elijah.

  “Of course. You’re Sophie’s brother. It’s kind of perfect. Only downside is that we’d need you to come back with us when we leave here.”

  His eyes grow wide to that. “Wow, uh … yeah, I could do that. My last day is Friday anyway, and I’m living here. I was living with Sarah, so I had to move out. I’ve been looking for a place, but hadn’t found anything yet. You’ll be here until the end of the week, right?” I nod. He bobs his head considering. “Yeah, I can manage that.”

  “Perfect! So you’ll do it?” I ask excitedly.

  “Of course, I will.” I jump up and hug my brother tightly. This will be great. I’ve missed him so much. It suddenly dawns on me that there are a few of my family members missing. “Li, where are the boys, and Macey and Tiffany?”

  “Oh, she’s visiting her mom this week. I hated that it fell on the same week, but it was her only time off.”

  “Oh, that’s a shame. I wanted to see them.”

  “She’ll be back before your party.”

  He looks a bit uncomfortable, but I don’t point it out. I’m honestly afraid to ask. He and Tiffany have never been stable. They’ve been together since college (about ten years, since Macey is almost nine) and in all that time, I’ve seen them fight more than they get along. Macey happened their sophomore year. I honestly think they got married because of her, which is definitely not a reason to marry someone, then the boys came along a year later. I bet he feels trapped, but that’s just my opinion.

  “Why don’t we take this to the porch,” Poppy says as he stands from the table. Pop, Jared, and Liam follow as Elijah and I start to clean up. Josh, Brody, and Hutch all pick up their plates, bringing them to the sink.

  “Y’all go out on the porch,” Gran says, shooing them away.

  “I don’t mind helping, Mrs. Parker,” Elijah tells her.

  “You can call me Beth or Gran. Everyone does. Thank you for your offer, but we need to have a little girl time.” She winks at him.

  Elijah smiles. “I’ll be on the porch if you need me then.” He kisses my cheek and I smile as I watch him walk out.

  “You’re smitten,” Gran says, putting a dish rag into my hand.

  Sighing, I turn to the sink with a ridiculous grin on my face. “I am. I love that man more than I can even express, Gran.”

  “Good. It looks as though he feels the same. I can see that boy making an honest woman of you before the year is out.”

  I blush. “We aren’t un-honest.” She cocks her head to the side and lifts an eyebrow in confusion. “Isn’t that what people say when the couple is living or sleeping together?”

  “I suppose it could be said in that situation, but I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “I know, I just wanted you to know that we are waiting to live together and have intercourse until we get married.”

  Gran smiles widely. “Well that’s very noble of you. I’m not surprised though, you’ve always wanted that.”

  That’s true. As a
teen, I was terrified if I did anything with Carter that we’d get pregnant. I didn’t want to be like my parents. Then to hear that camp message, it sealed the deal for me. Even now, I’m terrified. Yes, I understand birth control, but it’s not one-hundred percent. My grandparents raised us in church, where we were taught to save ourselves for marriage, and though that’s the biggest reason I want to wait, there’s also fear of getting pregnant and dying. I don’t want to leave my kids like my parents left me. I’m probably being unfair to Elijah but we’ve talked about it, and he says he is okay with everything. I still worry though. He doesn’t have the same beliefs in that area as me, and we do live in L.A. Not to mention, he’s an actor and they live by a whole different set of rules than I’m accustomed to. Yes, I’m definitely concerned he’ll grow tired of waiting. I shake off my dark thoughts and turn back to my grandmother.

  “Where will the guys sleep tonight?” I ask.

  “The boys helped get the guest room ready. We have three extra beds. Jared was convinced Elijah would stay in your room, but we can rework that.”

  I have to say I’m a little shocked. “You’d let him stay with me?”

  She shrugs. “I wouldn’t tell your Pop or Poppy, but yes. I figure you are both adults. If you wanted to stay in the same room, I’d keep my mouth shut.”

  I hug her. “Thank you. We have shared a bed before but only for sleeping. It’ll be fine.”

  “I don’t want to tempt you.”

  I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. We talked about everything. We set our boundaries.”

  “Well, don’t tell the old twins.” She winks.

  I laugh loudly. Gran loves to keep secrets from them because they, like my brothers, have this weird twin language that is super annoying. Not that they have made up words, but it’s like they know what the other is feeling and the way they communicate at times is creepy. Gran and I chat for a little while longer, and when we are finished cleaning, I head out on the porch, and Gran goes to her room.

  “Hey,” I say to Elijah as I take a seat beside him. I glance around, then ask, “Where are the twins?”

  Liam answers, “They went to check on one of the cows. She’s pregnant.”

  I nod my head. “Gran said you guys could stay in the guest room. There’s three beds in there.”

  “So one of us can take the couch?” Elijah asks.

  I shake my head and smile. “No, you can stay in my room.”

  Jared throws his head back and laughs. “I guarantee you Poppy doesn’t know anything about that.”

  “Oh shut up.”

  “What?” Elijah asks.

  “Carter still has nightmares.” Jared says.

  I roll my eyes at him. Then face Elijah. “You want to get settled in?”

  “Uh, sure, but what’s he talking about?”

  Jared snorts. I glare at him. “It’s nothing. Just kid stuff.”

  I stand and pull Elijah up with me. He doesn’t say anything as we leave the boys, Jared still laughing childishly. Elijah and I start up the stairs with our bags in tow.

  “It was nothing,” I finally say. “Carter has been my best friend since we were five. He was always in my room to play. We had an ‘I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours’ moment, and Pop walked in. Carter was never allowed in my room again.”

  Elijah laughs. “I see. So, even when you were dating, he didn’t go up here? Because I seriously don’t accept that’s what Jared was on about.”

  “I didn’t say that.” I roll my eyes and walk briskly up the stairs.

  “Soph, you gotta tell me now.”

  He laughs while my face burns with embarrassment. I don't know why I still get so embarrassed talking about things of a sexual manner with him, but this is worse, this is about something with my ex for crying out-loud. Besides, I basically told him the other night when we talked. I stop outside of my closed bedroom door. I shake my hair out of my face and stare him in the eyes.

  “Carter snuck into my room once. We made out and there was some over the clothes touching. Poppy walked in as Carter was undoing the buttons on my shirt as he kissed me, and my hands were not in safe places.” My face feels like an inferno.

  Elijah tries to hold back his smile, but he’s failing miserably. “Well, let’s hope neither one of them walks in on us, because I can guarantee you my hands will not be in safe places.”

  He leans forward, nipping at my ear and kissing my neck. Our bags fall to the floor as he pulls me into his arms. He lifts my leg, hitching it around his thigh. He presses me into the closed door as his lips descend to mine.

  “I’m not sure if I’ll take this job if this is what I have to look forward to,” Jared says casually.

  Elijah and I jump, breaking apart as we breathe heavily. Jared just smirks at us. “Shut up,” I tell him. He cackles as he leads the guys to the guest room.

  Elijah and I don’t move until all the guys have disappeared into the room. I straighten my clothes and clear my throat. “Um … please don’t judge me by this room.”

  He smiles broadly. “Why would I judge you?”

  My face burns again. “Uh … well, you know I was a fan of yours growing up. My room makes me seem a little stalker-ish.”

  “We’ve been together for a year. You’re not a stalker freak. Not in a bad way, anyway.” He winks. I smile, but the worry is still showing on my face, because he pulls me to him. “I don’t care what’s on the other side of this door. It’s your past. I’m your present and future.”

  It’s sweet, but he has no clue. I snort. “I hope this doesn’t change your mind.” I blow out a breath and open the door, leading him into the room. I can’t take my eyes off his face. I’m so afraid he’ll leave me when he sees that there is a whole wall dedicated to him and his movies.

  His face shows shock, but he quickly washes it away. “Um, wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many posters.”

  He looks up at the angled ceiling, which is also littered with them. I had a slight obsession with posters as a teenager, and Gran fed into that. She also refused to change my room when I left for college.

  I run my hands through my hair. “Yeah, I kind of collected them.” My face is so hot! “Gran goes a little overboard buying stuff for me.”

  “So, you didn’t put up these Shift posters?” he asks, pointing to the wall dedicated to his work.

  “The first one, yes. The rest, Gran did.” He nods as he walks around looking at everything. It’s nerve-wracking.

  “You did not tell me you were a Johnny Freckles fan!” He gasps in surprises. I blush but grin.

  “My obsession was overboard.” I walk over to my closet and pull out a box from the top shelf and set it on my bed. I glance up to his curious face. “Please don’t freak out.”

  He laughs and pulls me into his arms. “I love you, I’m not going to freak out.”

  I take a deep breath and move to open the box. He moves around me and peeks inside. “Oh, wow!” He looks at me with a smile. He starts taking the packages of the Johnny Freckles, from the Equestrian Club TV show, and the gang out of the box. “You have them all?” I nod.

  “This is worth a lot of money, Soph.”

  “Yeah, but I won’t sell them. Gran spent a lot of time tracking them all down. I couldn’t sell them. Well, maybe the Johnny Freckles.”

  He looks at me with gaping mouth. “You’d sell my character?” He holds the box against his chest.

  I giggle. “I have two.” I pull the second out of the box.

  He mouths “Oh!”

  I smile. “So, now you know I’m a crazy fan.”

  He puts Johnny Freckles back into the box and wraps his arms around me, pressing his front to my back. “You were what, fifteen, when Equestrian Club aired?” I nod. “Tell me, did you wish you were his girl?” I nod. “Did you think about what it would be like to kiss him?” I nod again. His voice is low and silky and does crazy things to me. “Do you think about it now?”

  I shake my head no. “Not u
ntil just now.”

  He turns me around to face him. “You wanna kiss Johnny Freckles?”

  I shake my head no. “No, I want to kiss Elijah James Stone.” His lips press to mine. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. And no, I don’t think you are a crazy stalker chick.”

  He continues to explore my room, smiling and pointing different things out, telling me how fascinating he finds it all. I blush continuously, which makes him laugh. Finally, he stops at the group of pictures I have taped to the wall beside my vanity.

  “Who’s this?” he asks.

  I walk over and see that he’s pointing to a photo booth strip of Carter and me. “Carter.”

  His face is passive, but there’s a hint of jealousy in his eyes. “You think you should keep up the ones of you guys kissing?”

  “Nothing in this room has changed since I was in high school, but if it bothers you, of course I’ll take it down.” I reach for it, but he grabs my hand.

  “No, it’s okay. I just get insanely jealous seeing you with someone else, but that’s really selfish of me, when you literally have that thrown in your face on a daily basis.”

  I shrug. “I get it. What you do is fake, but Carter and I were real.”

  “You still shouldn’t have to see me like that all the time. I’m sorry.”

  I run my fingers down his arm. “It’s your job.”

  He smiles. “Maybe we could find a photo booth sometime.” I know he’s changing the subject, and that’s okay with me.

  “I’d love that.” He kisses me again.

  “For the love of Pete!” Jared said at the door.

  I groan, dropping my head onto Elijah’s shoulder. “My brother is a pain. We should rethink that job offer,” I tell Elijah in a staged whisper.

  “Hey, no take backs.” Jared grabs me around the waist and pulls me out of Elijah’s arms. I squeal at the sudden movement. “Jared!” I yell.

  “You can’t change your mind on the job.”

  “Fine!”

  He starts to tickle me and I shriek. “Fine! Fine! Stop!” He drops me to the ground unceremoniously as he laughs. I land on my butt.

  He looks at Elijah as I glare at him. “If you ever need her to do what you want, tickle her. She absolutely loathes it.”