Love After War

by Cheris Hodges

  “You know, I have passes for that screening as well. Why don’t we go together?”

  She shook her head no. Adrian furrowed his brow. “Why not?”

  “Because,” she said as she walked over to her bike. “I have a date.”

  As she hopped on her Harley and slapped her helmet on her head, she heard him call out, “With Hollywood Ken?” Ignoring him, she started her bike and headed to the hotel.

  As Adrian watched Dana ride away, he felt the old feelings of dread. His biggest fear about Dana on that or any other motorcycle had always been an accident. At least there was a little bit of protection in a car. Closing his eyes, he tried to shake the image of her broken body on the side of Santa Monica Boulevard. He didn’t want to think about her being with Ian either. But he was pretty confident that she wasn’t very serious about him. And if Ian Kelly had real feelings for Dana, then he’d better get ready to have his heartbroken. Adrian started for his car when his cell phone rang. Looking down at the number, he frowned, realizing that it was his father.

  “What?”

  “Adrian,” Elliot said. “We need to talk, just you and me.”

  “Now is not a good time. I have plans.”

  “I won’t take up too much of your time. I just happen to be inside the Starbucks you’re standing in front of.”

  Adrian turned around and saw the older man sitting at a table. When their eyes met, Elliot lifted his paper cup in acknowledgment. Clicking his phone off and shoving it into his pocket, Adrian crossed over to the man he considered his sperm donor.

  “Talk,” he said as he stood in front of the table.

  “Have a seat.”

  Adrian narrowed his eyes into snakelike slits.

  “Please,” Elliot said calmly. “There’s a lot to say.”

  “You said you wouldn’t take much of my time, so let’s get it done.” Adrian grabbed the chair, turned it backward, and straddled it.

  “Please understand that I loved your mother.”

  “Bullsh—”

  Elliot held up his hand and closed his eyes. “Pamela was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen and she was tender, sweet, and creative. She was the woman I should’ve married.”

  “But you were married when you met her. It’s not as if she had a choice. She couldn’t be with you because you’d already chosen someone else.”

  He nodded. “And as cliché as it sounds, my marriage wasn’t a happy one. We’d just opened our first hotel in New York and Pamela walked in applying for a job. She reminded me of Pam Grier, that big afro made her stand out in the crowd. She could’ve been a model. But when she opened her mouth and started talking, she was just as smart as she was she was beautiful.”

  “That was your thing, preying on young women looking for jobs because your wife wasn’t giving you what you wanted?” Adrian snipped.

  Elliot sipped his drink slowly. “It wasn’t like that.” He set his cup on the table and stared at Adrian. “Pamela was brilliant and treated me like a man. She was the backbone of that Harlem hotel. And she laid the framework for all of this—this Crawford empire. I wished for so many years that I could’ve shared this with her.”

  Adrian’s jaw was so tight that he thought it would snap. “But you didn’t have the balls to leave your perfect little family. Now you want the world to know how amazingly you mixed business and family?”

  “I would’ve lost everything if I had.”

  “But it was okay for my mother to lose everything and raise me alone? Freaking father of the decade.”

  “If I was penniless, how was I going to take care of you and your mother? Cynthia knew I loved Pamela, but when she found out that she was having my baby, I had to make a decision.”

  “You made the wrong one.” Adrian leaped from his seat. “And I’m going to ensure that you recognize that.” He stormed out of the coffee shop, stronger in his resolve to destroy his father.

  Dana pulled her motorcycle up beside the limo, which Imani and Raymond were going to head to the Dolby Theatre in. When Imani spotted her, she hopped out of the car and crossed over to her. “Thank God you have dreads, because you would have helmet hair on the red carpet. No one wants to see that. And God forbid you end up on Fashion Police with Joan Rivers. That woman is so vile.”

  “Hello to you too,” Dana said to her friend. “I thought I was late.”

  Imani shrugged and batted her eyelashes. “I figured if you thought you were late, you’d leave your—wherever you were—sooner. Where were you again?”

  “At Starbucks. Where’s Ian?”

  Imani tilted her head toward the hotel. “Having a drink with Raymond in the bar. Now, I was telling the truth about Ian waiting for you.”

  Dana ran her hand across her forehead and sighed.

  “What’s that look?” Imani asked as they walked toward the entrance.

  “I can’t see Ian anymore,” she whispered.

  “Oh. My. God. You fell for Mr. Slick’s shit!”

  Dana glared at her friend. “Keep your voice down, and I didn’t fall for anything. Adrian and I had to get some things out in the open. Now that we have, I’m not going to pretend that I don’t still have feelings for him or even that I don’t still love him.”

  Imani shook her head and walked into the hotel. “After what you told me about him, how can you even question whether you love him or not?”

  Dana expelled a frustrated sigh. “If I knew the answer to that question, my life would be so much easier and I’d be able to walk into this bar happy about a date with Ian Kelly.”

  “Instead, you’re walking in here thinking about the asshole who sent you back to New York with your heart shattered like glass,” Imani finished. She draped her arm across Dana’s shoulders. “At least you’re going to look cute on the red carpet.”

  Dana glanced at Imani’s canary minidress and nude heels. “I won’t be the only one. Trying to get on the Best Dressed list?”

  Imani fluffed her curls and beamed. “I have a secret. This is probably the last time I’ll be able to wear a short and formfitting dress for a while.”

  Dana stopped. “Are you pregnant?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “I think so,” she replied. “My period is two months late, that champagne from the other night made me so sick, and my husband and I have been—”

  “Spare me the dirty bedroom details,” Dana joked.

  “I just hope I’ll be able to finish my new movie without harming the baby.”

  “What movie? I feel so out of the loop with you these days.”

  Imani slapped her hand on her hip. “Because you are,” she said. “Still, this is what we wanted. A great career and being busy all the time. We deserve it.”

  “What’s this movie about?” Dana asked as they headed for the bar.

  “The working title is Flying Ace and it’s everything that Fearless Diva should’ve been. Look, enough about me. You have a serious dilemma on your hands.”

  Dana nodded and started to say something, but she locked eyes with Ian, who was smiling brightly at her. She liked him and in a different time and place, she’d be happy to get closer to him. But her stupid heart was in Adrian’s hands. What in the hell was wrong with her?

  “Hello, beautiful,” he said as he crossed over to her. Ian enveloped her in a tight hug. “Have you been able to resist the call of the road?”

  “Not at all,” she replied with a forced smile. “That’s why I’m running late now.”

  “It was well worth the wait. I have a surprise for you.”

  “What’s that?”

  Ian led her to the bar and handed her a black helmet. “We’re not riding in a limo.”

  Raymond laughed when he heard his wife gasp. “Now you two are just getting on my nerves with this motorcycle-riding mess.” Imani turned to Raymond as he sipped a whiskey sour. “If you even think about it . . .”

  “I told you, I’m waiting until my midlife crisis,” he joked. “Then I’m going to get o
ne of them to teach me how to ride it.”

  “And I’ll hurt whichever one of them teaches you.” Imani waved for the bartender and ordered a virgin strawberry daiquiri, then winked at Dana.

  “I’ll teach you, Raymond,” Dana exclaimed as she held up the helmet. “And Imani will just have to deal with it. As a matter of fact, once she sees the amazing riding outfits that go with motorcycles, she’s going to be happy to hop on the back of the bike with you.”

  Ian and Raymond laughed as Imani pouted. “Are you ready to go?” Ian asked. “We can take a spin for fun, then head to the theater.”

  “All right.” Dana and Ian told their friends that they’d catch them on the red carpet. Once they were outside and Ian had gotten his motorcycle, Dana slid her helmet on.

  “Well, let’s get a move on, doll,” he said as he gave her a smoldering look. “And I have to tell you one more time—you look amazing.”

  “Thank you,” she said as they climbed on the bike. Holding on to Ian, Dana actually felt a little guilty for thinking about Adrian so much. But she felt extremely guilty when she wished that she was riding with Adrian and holding him tightly. They came to a stop and a pack of paparazzi started snapping their pictures. This was a new feeling for Dana, being on that side of the camera. Ian, however, handled it like a pro, flipping up the shield on his helmet and giving them his trademark smile. She held on to him tighter as Ian revved the bike and tore off from the intersection. Once they made it to the theater, Dana relaxed a bit. She and Ian hopped off the bike, removed their helmets, and were mobbed by reporters.

  “Ian, who’s the lovely young lady?”

  “Are you two dating?”

  “Were the rumors of fighting on the set with Heather Williams and Imani Gilliam true?”

  “Guys, guys,” Ian said, flashing that smile and emphasizing his Southern accent. “Let’s just enjoy the movie.”

  A female reporter smiled at Ian. “How much of the movie includes you topless?”

  Ian winked at her. “At least half of it.”

  “Then I’m going to enjoy this.”

  Ian smiled as he wrapped his arm around Dana’s waist. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” She smiled as another photographer took their picture. Ian leaned in against her ear. “Having fun yet?”

  “Are all of your dates this eventful?” Dana grinned as they approached the red carpet and she started to step back from him, but Ian wouldn’t let her go.

  “This is part of the deal. You have to pose and smile for the camera,” he said.

  “You know this is way out of my comfort zone,” Dana said as they stood in front of the movie poster background. “I really like being on the other side of the red carpet.” Dana never realized how hot it was underneath those lights and how annoying flashes were. Keep smiling, she told herself as she and Ian posed for another set of pictures. Dana had to admit, she wasn’t the least bit disappointed when Entertainment Tonight pulled Ian away. One of the red carpet attendants was about to escort Dana over to the holding area when Imani called out her name.

  “You and Ian have to take a picture with me and Raymond,” she said as she crossed over to her friend, who pulled her in front of another group of photographers. Ian joined them and the cameras went wild. Reporters hollered out questions, asking Imani about her feud with Heather, asking her who she was wearing and if she was ready to tackle another action role. Then, in the same rapid-fire fashion, reporters started shooting off more questions about the movie, the motorcycle, and finally Dana.

  “This is the fabulous Dana Singleton,” Imani chimed in.

  A few of the legitimate photographers knew who she was and smiled at her. The other paparazzi just shrugged and continued snapping pictures. Then Ian gave them the money shot when he leaned in and kissed Dana. She was caught off guard and she was sure that it would show in the photos.

  “Your lips were simply irresistible,” Ian whispered in her ear. She could smell alcohol on his breath, which gave her pause. She was not going to get on a bike with an intoxicated Ian.

  “Well, that’s going to get the rumor mill going,” she replied with a smile as they headed inside to the screening. Dana had been to a few screenings before, but she had no idea that the stars got this kind of special treatment. Sushi, private seats, more alcohol than the law should allow, and those pesky reporters. Dana and Raymond ate and watched Imani and Ian work the press. “So, Dr. Thomas,” Dana said, holding her fork up as if it were a microphone. “How do you feel about getting ignored for nearly two hours?”

  “Ah, it’s wonderful. I get to eat and not worry about anyone caring that I got wasabi on my shirt.” They broke out in laughter. Raymond tilted his head toward Ian. “You two getting serious?”

  Dana shook her head. “Don’t tell Imani, though. Mrs. Matchmaker thinks she has hit it out of the ball park with this one and I think Ian is buying whatever your wife is selling.”

  “The club owner, you’re still in love with him?”

  “I really need to work on my mysterious side. Do you think I’m crazy?”

  Raymond shrugged and took another California roll from the server’s tray being passed around. “Listen, if you believe he deserves a second chance and you love him, then go for it. But Imani would want me to tell you to watch yourself with that guy.”

  “Adrian isn’t as bad as I led you guys to believe,” she said. “He’s had it rough since his mother died and . . . I know what I’m doing.”

  “All right,” he replied. “But I don’t want to see my wife’s best friend heartbroken.”

  “Because your wife will keep you up at night bitching about it?” she quipped.

  Raymond polished off his roll and shook his head. “Because I think you deserve better and I’d hate to have to kick his ass on your behalf. Don’t let the smooth taste fool you. I’m from Harlem.”

  Dana gave Raymond a sisterly hug. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime. But don’t break the news to Imani yet,” he joked as Dana grabbed a California roll of her own.

  When the movie started, Imani and Raymond snuggled up together, watching in rapt attention, and Dana sat uncomfortably with Ian’s arm around her. “Wow,” she said when his image filled the screen—shirtless, carrying a really big gun. “You look great.”

  “Six hours a day in the gym just to get this scene right.” The heat from his breath sent a tingle down her spine and she immediately felt guilty, as if she were cheating on Adrian. Ian could have any woman he wanted; he didn’t have to have her. He could understand that, couldn’t he?

  He leaned closer to her, as if that was possible, and smiled as he watched his scenes. The movie was good and Dana enjoyed watching Imani make up for that abysmal Fearless Diva in this action flick, but Ian was becoming a little too touchy-feely.

  “Ian,” she whispered. “I want to watch this.”

  “I can get a director’s copy later,” he said, and for the first time, Dana noticed the slurring in his words.

  “Are you drunk?”

  He flashed his smile, which was a little toothier now. “Just a little.”

  “You need some coffee, especially since you didn’t take a limo here.”

  Ian rested his head on Dana’s shoulder. “I trust you to take me back to the hotel. Maybe even spend the night with me?”

  She stroked his cheek. “I’ll get you home safely, but you’re sleeping alone.”

  “Are you sure about that?” He winked at her, then kissed her shoulder.

  Dana smacked his thigh. “In the morning, you can blame it on the alcohol, but right now, you need to pull it together.” She nodded in the direction of a couple of reporters. “We’re being watched more than the movie.”

  Ian held his head up briefly and gave the reporters a passing glimpse. “All right, let me find some coffee.”

  Dana waved for one of the sushi girls and whispered for some coffee. “And keep it coming, discreetly.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” she replied.

>   Ian kissed Dana’s shoulder again. “I like you. That was really cool what you did.”

  Dana tapped his knee. “Calm down. I’m just doing what any good friend would do. Besides, there are too many cameras around for you to stumble around drunk.”

  “Again, I like you. Dana, you’re a really cool chick,” he whispered. “Most women wouldn’t have come here on a motorcycle and you did. Now look at you taking care of me and trying to keep the reporters from knowing I’m shitfaced.”

  “You probably shouldn’t,” she mumbled, then focused on the screen. How was she going to deal with a drunk Hollywood Ken? She tried to quiet him down as the waitress returned with a cup of steaming coffee.

  Chapter 9

  The movie ended to thunderous applause. Imani, Ian, and even Heather looked happy with the response. She and Imani played nice in front of the media, but Dana could feel the underlying tension. Glancing at Ian, she was glad to see that he’d sobered up nicely. Still, she told him that he should ride back with Imani and Raymond in the limo. Ian agreed and allowed Dana to ride his Harley back to the hotel. And he made his intentions clear. “I hope you’ll stay when you drop the bike off.”

  “I don’t think so,” she said as she patted him on the arm.

  “I really blew it, huh?”

  Dana shrugged. If she’d been honest with him, Dana would’ve told Ian that he’d never had a real chance anyway. She wanted Adrian, even though she knew he was bad for her and that she was probably setting herself up for another heartbreak. But just like the Four Tops, she couldn’t help herself. She gave Ian a fleeting kiss on the cheek, then headed outside to grab Ian’s bike. She was surprised when she saw Adrian standing on the now-abandoned red carpet.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked him.

  “Waiting for you,” he replied as he crossed over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Did you and Hollywood Ken have a good time?”

  Dana shrugged. “Eh. You know how these things are. Stars, booze, someone gets a little too drunk and—”

  “If that son of a—”

  “Calm down, cowboy. Ian was a perfect gentleman, despite his overindulgence. That’s why I’m taking his motorcycle back to the hotel—to save him from a scandal.”