by Renee Porter
I turned to her as she leaned against the kitchen sink. Her gaze never left me as I took in my surroundings. “It’s awesome.” I meant it, too. I always wondered what Maddie had done in between shooting scenes, and picturing her here, in this homey space, made my heart warm.
I heard her chuckle as she closed the distance between us. “You know, from anyone else I would think that they would be lying. But you really do think it’s awesome, don’t you?” I felt her hand cup my cheek as she leaned in and gave me a small, sincere kiss on my lips.
“Of course I do.” I rasped. I knew that the kiss was meant to be just a ‘hello’ but her lips would always have a certain effect on me.
“I like the glasses,” she whispered and gave me another kiss, this one deepening as my toes curled inward. She pulled away and smacked her lips. “The retainer will take some getting used to though.” I chuckled as I shook my head, staring into her green eyes.
“I only have to wear it for a few more days.” Those words seemed to make her remember the reason why I had to wear the retainer and her fingers grazed over the barely visible bruise on my lower chin.
“It doesn’t look that bad. Does it hurt?” The worry in her eyes was present.
“Not at all. I told you,” I shrugged my shoulders, “I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.” She bit her lip wanting to say something but I could tell she was holding it back. She moved away, allowing the fog in my head to clear a little bit.
“Okay, so tell me.” She sat down on the small bed and looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“Tell you what?” I leaned across from her against the small vanity desk and cocked an eyebrow up.
“Come on B, you must have a good story. You’re wearing a wool sweater in 80 degree heat and I know you don’t own a pair of Birkenstocks.” She pointed to my shoes and I chuckled as I removed them from my feet.
“You want the long story or the short one?” She smiled as I huffed out loudly. “Let’s just say my plane was delayed and they lost my luggage that I managed to have my makeup, contacts and credit cards in. The only place that was open that had anything decent for me to wear was a thrift shop and I had to do it all on forty bucks. So please tell me that you have an extra set of clothes here and a shower in that bathroom.”
She laughed as she looked at me. “It’s really not that bad. Kind of reminds me of…” I lunged forward and put my hand over her mouth.
“Don’t say it,” she mumbled something from behind my hand and I released her, her lips sporting a wide smile.
“What? I was just going to say that it kind of reminds me of this girl I used to know in high school.” That seemed to set something off in me as I tackled her onto the bed and started to wrestle her into submission. Maddie was stronger than me but still allowed me to top her, pinning her arms down above her head.
“It’s not a bad thing you know. I definitely missed the glasses.” She bit her lip as her eyes traced my own and then darted to my lips. My breathing grew heavier as I leaned down and took her lips in between my own. Our kiss deepened into something primal, the weight of the distance and time between us gradually loosening and as Maddie’s leg found its way between my own I let out a low guttural moan of pleasure.
“God, I’ve missed you,” I said between kisses. She hummed in my mouth and suddenly the awareness that we were in her trailer and someone could walk in at any second, hit me like a ton of bricks. I quickly sat up as she lay there stunned, her mouth still open and now looking at me as if I was crazy.
“What’s wrong?” She asked. She grabbed for my hand but I stood up quickly and diverted her advance.
“Nothing.” She lowered her eyes at me and I huffed out a frustrated sigh. Running my hands through my tangled mess of hair I finally relented. “What if someone walks in?”
“B, they won’t. They know that when the door is shut that I don’t want to be bothered.” She gave me her best slow, sexy smile as she grabbed for my hands again. “Don’t worry. Plus, you said you wanted to take a shower anyway, right?” My eyebrow cocked up at her invitation. “So let’s take a shower.” She stood up as she took the hem of my wool sweater and brought it up over my head. The cool air graced my skin as Maddie’s hand roamed the muscles of my stomach.
“Unless, of course, you want to take one alone.” I shook my head quickly as I brought her head down to kiss me. “No. You can keep me company.” She chuckled as she walked me backward to the small bathroom. Turning on the shower, I realized that I was beginning to really like New York.
***
“So how did the brainstorming session really go?” I looked up at Maddie, slurping a Lo Mein noodle into my mouth. We had lucked out with Maddie’s schedule. Her scenes had been pushed back until tomorrow afternoon and we decided to have an early dinner of Chinese takeout in her trailer before going back to the hotel. I eyed her warily not wanting to tell her exactly what I thought of Dana, seeing as the two women worked together closely.
“It went well.” I shrugged my shoulders and wiped my mouth with my napkin, making sure that I didn’t get any soy sauce on Maddie’s white top. Luckily she had a few collard blouses and an extra pair of jeans that I could wear. We were close enough in size to where the clothes fit nicely, although I had to roll the cuff of the jeans twice since she was taller.
She gave me ‘that look’ that told me she knew it didn’t go as well as I said and I sighed at being caught. “I don’t think Dana Couch likes me very much.”
Maddie was quiet as she took in my words. Her gaze was fixed on her food as her brow turned down in thought. “She’s a very intense person.”
Okay, I guess that was a good way of putting it. Something in Maddie’s demeanor changed and I could tell that she was holding something back. Her shoulders were tense and she couldn’t look at me. That only meant one thing.
“How long were you two together?” The words were easier to get out than I thought. Maddie and I had never discussed our past relationships. She coughed as she took a sip of water. Handing her a napkin she smiled tightly and shook her head.
“We weren’t really together, per se.” I studied Maddie, trying to think of the best way to ask my next question.
“How long were you sleeping together?” I tried to stay calm as I imagined Maddie in the throes of passion with another woman. My stomach churned and I immediately felt sick.
“About a year.”
I breathed in silently. So Maddie had been with an incredibly beautiful, talented, rich screenplay writer who was obviously good enough in bed to have her stick around for a year. That wasn’t so bad, right?
“What happened?” I pushed away the noodles from in front of me and Maddie finally was able to meet my eyes.
“I think you could tell that Dana isn’t the nicest woman on the planet.” She smirked and my smile wavered. “It was fine at first but I just didn’t…I couldn’t…” she sighed. “Dana wanted more and I couldn’t give her that.”
“Why not?” I asked. Maddie tilted her head at me, regarding me and then answered the question. “I wasn’t in love with her. And like I said before, she’s an acquired taste.”
“Even after a year?”
Maddie shook her head as I tried to get the vision with her and another woman out of my mind. “Have you ever been in love?” Maddie asked it in a way that was just an extension of the conversation. She was calm and collected and sounded like she honestly wanted to know.
“No.” I answered untruthfully.
“What is the longest relationship you’ve ever been in?”
“Deanna. Nine months.” Maddie waited and I realized she wanted me to continue. “She was a Ph.D. student studying physics when I was getting my credential at UCLA. She was nice.”
“Why didn’t it work out?”
Because I compared everyone to you. I sighed trying to think of the many reasons why it didn’t work out with Deanna. But only one came to mind. “It just didn’t feel right. We eventually
became more like close friends than girlfriends. There wasn’t any passion. It was something I hadn’t even felt in the beginning but I sort of forced myself to at least try. She was incredibly smart and very pretty. But I just couldn’t see her in my future.”
“That’s a good reason.” Maddie almost whispered her words and something inside of me flipped. She felt distant, her tone almost sad.
“You okay?” I reached out and squeezed her hand as she nodded in affirmation.
“Yeah. It’s just weird. I don’t like thinking of you with other women. I mean, I know it’s your past but…”
“But it makes you feel sick to your stomach?” I cocked an eyebrow up as her mood lightened.
“Yeah, exactly.”
“Then let’s just leave it at that. It’s our past Maddie. There isn’t anything we can do to change it, but at least we were able to find each other again, right?” I smirked, wanting her to smile as well. She did, not the brilliant, million watt smile that I was used to but still just as stunning.
“Oh, I almost forgot to ask you,” Maddie shook her head as she pulled out her phone. “Ross really wants us to go with him to this little bar downtown after he is done for the day. He told me he wants to pick your mind about the inner workings of Blake.” Maddie’s eyes twinkled and I chuckled, remembering his enthusiasm. “Do you want to go?”
I shrugged my shoulders not really caring either way. As long as I was with Maddie, I didn’t care where I ended up.
Chapter 18
Maddie and I landed in front of what looked like an abandoned building. Sirens wailed from the distance and the taxi drove off leaving behind a billowing cloud of exhaust. I shifted uncomfortably in Maddie’s boots wondering why Ross would choose such a rundown meeting place. I shifted a glance over at Maddie who walked confidently over to a gated screen door. She wrapped three times as I shuffled closer, not wanting to be left alone on the darkened street.
Maddie smiled at me quickly, her eyes holding a mischievous glint but quickly looked away at the sound of the creaking door. I could barely see the man standing in the doorway, thanks to the broken, rusted screen, but I could tell that he was large and intimidating from the sound of his voice.
“What do you want?” The deep tone emanated from a hollowed chest and I fisted my hands at my side to steel myself from grabbing Maddie’s in pure fear.
“Hey Tony, it’s Maddie. We’re meeting Ross.”
“Maddie? Girl, where have you been?” The large man unlocked the screen and pulled Maddie into a bone crushing hug. Maddie humphed as she was placed down and patted the large muscular arm.
“This is my friend B.” Tony looked over at me, eyeing me up and down warily. He then lowered his gaze on Maddie. Maddie rolled her eyes and then said, “Or you may know her as Randle Gooding?” Tony’s eyes widened as he smiled wide.
“No shit! You’re the author chick who blew everyone’s mind? It’s a pleasure to meet you, B.” He held out a large hand and I graciously accepted, although still incredibly confused at what we were still doing here.
“Can you sign her in?” Tony nodded as he grabbed a clipboard, wrote down something and then handed it over to me. I took it from his hands and peered down at what looked like a contract.
“What am I signing exactly?”
Maddie opened her mouth to explain but Tony spoke first. “The terms of agreement for entering the establishment. It’s a nondisclosure agreement. Basically, anything you see here cannot be spoken about outside of these walls.” I furrowed my brows as I looked at him for an easier explanation. He smiled sweetly, which looked strange on such a burly man. “Our motto is ‘what happens at ‘The Bar’ stays at ‘The Bar’…or fines and imprisonment will occur.” I looked over to Maddie with a slightly agape mouth. She nodded at me and I signed, placing the pen on the board and handing it back over to Tony.
“Ross is in the back, along with some other peeps.”
“Thanks Tony.” I felt Maddie grab my hand as I waved a hurried goodbye. I followed Maddie up a red carpet lined flight of stairs. The stairs ended at the opening of a large, gorgeously decorated lounge. The floor to ceiling red velvet curtains hung straight against closed off VIP rooms. The floors were a glossy oak and the large horse shoe shaped bar in the center housed a dance floor where a few bodies were already gathered, gyrating to the rhythm of the music over the speakers.
“How many times have you been here?” I wasn’t sure why I whispered it, but Maddie squeezed my hand in reassurance.
“A few. After the first movie was so successful, I wasn’t able to go out to normal night clubs or bars without being recognized. Ross happens to know Kelsey Blackstone who had taken him here before. When I told him that I wasn’t interested in going out anymore because it was becoming more of a hassle than fun, he invited me to come here.” She took a breath. “Anything goes here. You can be yourself and not have to worry about anything showing up in the tabloids the next day.” Maddie’s cheeks reddened and I realized that she had probably come here to pick up women. I opened my mouth to ask a question but was quickly disrupted by Ross shouting our names from across the lounge. He was waving us over and as soon as he saw us I dropped Maddie’s hand. She looked at me with an understanding smile.
“He doesn’t know, does he?” I asked as we started to make our way over to Ross and the small group. Maddie tilted her head back and forth, trying to find the right words to respond.
“In a way he does. He’s only seen me with women but I’m not sure if he thinks it’s just for fun or my actual preference. He’s never asked directly but he’s also never judged me for it. We have an understanding.” I nodded my head as I stared directly in front of me, not wanting to give away the slight pang I felt when thinking of Maddie with another woman on her arm. I felt her hand stop me and I turned to her. “Look, I know that we decided to keep things quiet for now and I understand if you want to keep it friendly tonight. But just so you know, we can be just be us here.” Maddie traced my face for any sign that I may want to act as a normal couple. The thought of us being able to hold hands without the fear of anyone finding out that we were together made my body warm. I wanted to tell her ‘okay’ and grab her hand, kiss her right there in front of everyone, but as soon as I went to grab her hand I stopped. My eyes fell on a familiar face walking towards us from the entrance.
Maddie’s face scrunched in confusion as she followed my gaze over her shoulder. She turned back to me as she blew out a breath.
“Wishful thinking,” I muttered. Maddie gave a sad smile as she turned again when her name was heard in greeting.
“Madeline, I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.” Dana Couch pulled up short to me and Maddie and blatantly checked her out. My hands fisted at my sides as I was rudely ignored. Maddie cleared her throat as she motioned toward me.
“Dana, you remember B, don’t you?” Dana looked over at me as her eyes slightly widened. I was sure she was still expecting me to see the frumpy woman that she had met earlier. I had opted to take out my retainer for the few hours that we would be out, not wanting to fumble over the metal and plastic during any conversation I had throughout the night. I was still wearing Maddie’s white button up collared blouse that I had rolled into three quartered sleeves. Maddie’s jeans fit nicely and I was able to roll them back down when she handed me her three inch heeled black boots. I nodded my head in greeting as I ran a hand through my finger styled hair.
“Ms. Montgomery. You clean up nicely.” She looked between me and Maddie trying to understand the connection between us, but I was too fumed about the back handed compliment she just gave to notice her tightening jaw. Maddie defused the situation by starting to walk over to Ross and the rest of his group, making sure that I was following her. She had probably already guessed that I had wanted to run for the door as soon as I saw Dana walk up.
When we made it to the table I could tell that our party was already three sheets to the wind. Ross’s eyes were glossed over and his pr
evious nervousness faded into boldness as he grabbed me into a tight hug. I squealed with a genuine smile as he placed a sloppy kiss on my cheek. I caught Maddie from the corner of my eye frown in disapproval but I gave her a smile letting her know it was okay.
Ross introduced me to the rest of the group. I had already met most of them earlier today and also a few from Maddie’s Labor Day party. I had a distinct feeling of being watched but as I quickly took a chanced glance at Maddie she was already fully immersed in discussion with one of her costars. My head twirled to catch cool blue eyes boring into mine and my spine shivered. I wasn’t sure why Dana was so open with her distaste for me. If she had known about me and Maddie I would consider an understanding for the hate but in everyone’s eyes we were just close friends. I exhaled as I took a seat next to Ross. Maddie had chosen to sit across from us and I was almost thankful for it. I wasn’t sure if I could handle her sitting so close and still trying to remain just her friend.
The conversation between the groups flowed easily. I had discovered that Ross was from a small town in Ohio and if he hadn’t discovered his talent for acting would probably be plowing a corn field and milking cows. A few of their costars hounded him for his slight accent that seemed to come out as he drank more and even I had to admit it was funny to hear his twang as he spoke about something he was excited about.
A few times during the night Maddie would chime in on our conversation, which was her way of checking in on me. I tried to stay calm as she would also enter, albeit, a disinterested conversation with Dana who seemed to be getting more talkative, and handsy, as the liquor flowed more thoroughly through her veins. It had become increasingly difficult to not speak up as I saw Dana trail a finger over my girlfriend’s arm or place an errant lock of hair back behind her ear. In Maddie’s defense, she would always flinch away from the unwanted touches but Dana just wouldn’t get the hint. Finally, Maddie excused herself to go to the bar when Dana leaned in a little too close. I caught a pleading look in her eye letting me know she was ready to go, and soon. I nodded my head as Ross brought me into a conversation. She held up a finger indicating one more drink and I agreed with the nod of my head. As Ross discussed something that had to do with Blake’s inner dialogues, I kept one ear on his words and two eyes on a retreating blonde and an annoying brunette quickly following after her. I pursed my lips into a thin line as I tried to answer Ross’s question but failed desperately at multitasking between him and Maddie.
