Charmed

by Woods, L. R.

  “Fine, then we all need to get back to LA ASAP. That includes you, Evan.” He’s waiting for confirmation that I’m coming back to deal with this.

  “Yeah, I know. I’ll figure something out with Wildfire. Despite what some assholes think, I am proud to be in this band and won’t abandon it.” Alex eyes me and nods. No one else acknowledges it and I guess that’s that.

  I down my glass of orange juice and throw out some bills. “Breakfast is on me. I’ll be ready to head out in the morning.”

  I start to walk out, but before I can get to the door, James calls out, “We are all flying, Evan. No buses.” I don’t acknowledge him as I walk out the front door towards home.

  Chapter 27

  Kimber

  “You sure about this? Two weeks is a long time. Last chance to back out.” I smile as I turn to face Evan, giving him one last chance to tell me he doesn’t want me to come to LA with him. It’s a little scary because, although I feel like we’ve known each other our whole lives, I don’t know him at all. This is kind of like going on a vacation with a complete stranger that you’ve slept with, but never talked to.

  We were rolling around in bed after he got home from the diner and I thought it’d be fun to do one of those stupid quizzes online that is supposed to tell you if you are with your soul mate. Let me tell you, it wasn’t fun. We only got a 10% chance for staying together long-term. Ten effing percent. We didn’t agree on hardly anything other than we both like the same music. Guess that’s a good thing, considering.

  I made him take several other quizzes after that and the hard truth is, we know absolutely nothing about each other. I’m not sure we ever did. I mean, how much can you really learn about a person in three months. Especially when you are twenty and in love.

  “Wildfire, I will never back out when it comes to you again.” He leans down and kisses my lips.

  “You are such a softy,” I tease, letting him move to my ear. He grabs my hand and presses it against his crotch, whispering, “Does that feel soft to you, Wildfire.”

  No. No it does not. I jerk my hand away because even though we are in first class, there are still people all around us.

  He continues his lip assault again, whispering in my ear, “Want to join the mile high club, Wildfire.”

  Now I stop and look at him with disbelief, saying way too loudly, “If you think I’m getting naked in some germ-infested, piss-covered, herpes-giving airline restroom then you, sir, are out of your mind.”

  He starts laughing and the people around us are giving me disapproving stares. I slap his shoulder. “You did that on purpose, you jackass.”

  He replies, “Not me, Wildfire.”

  We settle in and I try to assure myself that everything will be fine. It’s Evan, after all. We belong together. I glance back over to him and he has his head back and eyes closed. So different but still the same.

  I return to staring out the window, waiting for something to be out there, but it never is. Damn Twilight Zone movie.

  There was security waiting on us when we landed, and I’m thankful because the minute we exited into the terminal, four reporters were on us, snapping photos and yelling out questions about the shows in Mills Point. The boys mostly kept walking and ignored it, Evan keeping his arm around me, holding tight. Alex has some unsavory comments for one of the female reporters, but from the drool coming out of her mouth, I can tell she didn’t mind.

  Two black SUVs are waiting outside the terminal and the boys split into pairs as if they’ve done this a hundred times and I guess they have. Alex and Drew in one and James, Evan and me in the other. No one says goodbye or even speaks a word for that matter. I try to wave, but Drew and Alex are already pulling out. Alrighty then.

  We drive for about fifteen minutes as I take in my new surroundings. I laugh a little to myself because, for a girl who wanted to see the world, I’ve seen nothing but Mills Point. Sure, Penny and I would go up to Dallas for a weekend every now and then, but somehow this place feels bigger.

  We pull up to a high rise and a doorman immediately comes over and opens the passenger door. James moves to get out and I have just enough time to see a pair of sky high stilettos attached to a set of tanned toned legs walking towards the limo waiting behind us. I look down at my jeans and beat up converse. This is not good.

  James raises a fisted hand to Evan. “Don’t be late for the meeting tomorrow. We need to at least look like we know what we are doing.”

  He turns to me. “Kimber, make sure he’s not late.” I nod as Evan reaches out and bumps, saying, “I’ll be there.”

  James gets out and we continue on our way. “Ok, so I’m sure this is all normal, but why not all just go together.” Evan is on his phone typing, but answers, “Alex and Drew live together on the other side of the airport. James lives here and I live a little further out. It’s just easier this way so no one has to backtrack.”

  “Oh,” is all I can manage. For some reason, in my head they all lived in the same place and spent their days jamming while eating chips and salsa and pizza. I guess that’s because it’s how it used to be. Once again, I’m reminded of how different things really are. Well, no, I’m not different. Just these guys.

  And that is made even more clear when we get to Evan’s place. Again, I was expecting some little apartment with a broken door and peeling wallpaper. But this…this is something else entirely.

  The building is not as tall as James’s but it’s just as fancy with modern architecture. I gaze up, trying to count the floors.

  I’m still staring up at the top when I hear a high-pitched, “Watch where you’re going!”

  I immediately move my head down and take a wide step to the left, barely missing an older woman coming out of the revolving front door. She views me with contempt but continues on with the world’s smallest dog on a diamond-studded leash. “Are those real?”

  “Probably,” Evan answers as we enter.

  A security guard nods to Evan, asking, “Does she need to be put on the list, sir?” Sir? I almost start to laugh but Evan replies like it’s nothing, walking over to him, “No, she’ll have her own access credentials. Wildfire, this is Mac. Mac, meet my Wildfire.”

  Mac smiles a big toothy grin, laughing so hard he throws his head back. “Ah, Miss Wildfire. How nice to finally meet you.”

  Uh, ok, that is kind of freaky. Why would the security guy know anything about me, but I respond, holding out my hand, “Most people call me Kimber. Nice to meet you, Mac.”

  “Now, Miss Wildfire, if you need anything, you just give me a ring. I’ll do anything for a beautiful young lady such as yourself,” he woos as he lifts my hand up, placing a kiss on the top.

  I smile at him. “Well, aren’t you charming.”

  Evan laughs. “I have her here one minute and you are already trying to steal her away.” He turns my shoulders and walks us towards the elevator, grinning. I hear Mac yell out as we enter the cab, “If I was trying, she’d already be mine.” I’m stifling a laugh as the doors close.

  Evan scans a card and pushes the button for the 16th floor. I barely notice as we start making our assent. He is rubbing my back and seems as excited as a kid in a candy store. When the bell dings, he runs out, leaving me standing alone with a confused look on my face. He turns around and comes back over to me, laughing. “I’m playing this real smooth, huh?”

  I sort of laugh and he continues, “I’m excited to finally have you here. I’ve never had anyone here before.”

  I squint my eyes at him skeptically. “No one?”

  “Besides the house manager and the guys, no one has ever been here but me.” I don’t know if that makes me happy or really sad.

  There are only two doors that I can see and we move to the one on the right. He unlocks it with a card scan and what awaits on the other side, I was not prepared for once again.

  There are floor to ceiling windows spanning the whole of the living room, giving way to a spectacular view of the city. It’s d
ecorated in light modern furniture opening to the kitchen with only an island bar separating the two. The kitchen too, is built with simple lines and appliances that look as if they have never been used. Nothing looks used, for that matter. And nothing looks like my Evan.

  “So, you can see the living room and kitchen, spare bedrooms are to the right, along with the office and workout room, and our room is to the left.” I’m speechless, but he keeps on talking, tossing his card and wallet onto the island.

  “This phone,” gesturing to the one sitting atop the granite island, “will call down to Mac if you need take out, a car, anything. It’s better to go through him because everyone goes through a security check anyway. Martha should be here sometime this afternoon. We can have her pick you up anything else you need; toiletries, clothes, food, whatever.” He stops to look over at me and I can’t do anything but stand in place, silently freaking out.

  “Wildfire? You ok?” he asks, coming over and wrapping his arms around me. I embrace him, talking into his chest, “So, you are like really rich and famous.”

  He laughs straight from his belly and holds me out to see my face. “I guess that depends on who you are asking.”

  “I’m asking you,” I reply, trying to get a grasp on my new reality. It was easy to think of him as my Evan when we were at the bar or in my home, but this new Evan is a stranger. A stranger with a whole life that doesn’t include me. A tear escapes before I have time to rein it in.

  “Hey, hey, hey,” he says, wiping the tear with his finger. “No tears, Wildfire. What’s going on in that head of yours?” I bury my head back into his chest. “Uh uh, talk to me,” he commands, allowing me to keep where I am, but making me answer.

  I keep my forehead rested on his chest, unable to meet his eyes. “You have a whole life here. A life without me. You have friends and lovers and hangouts and favorite restaurants and a hundred other things that you’ve built for yourself. Look at all this? Why would you want to hang around some tired old bar owner with nothing to offer you?” I’m really crying now, and I don’t know why I’m so emotional all of a sudden, but it’s overwhelming seeing his real life.

  He picks me up and carries me into his bedroom, setting me on the king-sized bed. “Wildfire, I want you to look around this room. This is my life. This is the only life I have ever wanted.”

  Through my blurry eyes, I start to scan the area. This room is probably as big as half my house. There is a gaming console in front of the biggest TV I have ever seen. Bags of chips are lined up in the cabinet below it and remotes and headsets are all over the carpet.

  Along one wall, the old green couch we used to make out on sits, a guitar propped up against the arm. Strewn across one of the cushions are pages from his old notebook, a pencil with teeth marks resting on top.

  On the other side of the room is a dresser lined with pictures of us making silly faces. There are a few of my parents and he is giving Mom a kiss on the cheek in one of them. There are a few more of the band from when they were starting out and a few I don’t recognize, but the biggest picture is one I remember him taking. It’s the one he took to keep him company while he was away. We were kids. Nothing like who we are now.

  Now I really am crying, but for a completely new reason. “Wildfire, you are going to have to tell me what to do here.” Evan is standing a few feet away, looking nervous and worried.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Just so much has changed, hasn’t it?” I ask, not really wanting an answer.

  “Wildfire, my living style has changed but I’m still me and you are still you, and that’s all that matters.”

  “But you aren’t you. In my head, you are still the twenty-year-old boy that plays for some band that no one knows. But in reality, you are another man. One who is on TV and walks the red carpet. One who dates models and probably has a girl who’s glad you are finally home. You are someone everyone wants a part of and how am I going to fit into that world. I’m still that silly girl working in a bar, dreaming of a man that no longer exists.”

  He comes over to me and gets on his knees so he is eye level with me. “Wildfire, I am not that man. It’s just who I pretend to be sometimes. The man I am is the one who came for you. I’m the man who ran off that elevator, excited to have his girl in his condo for the first time. I’m the man who will piss you off just to see those crazy blues every day. You don’t need to fit in my world, Wildfire, because you are my world.”

  “Oh, Evan, you say that now, but what’s going to happen the first time we are seen together and I’m made fun of for wearing jeans to a formal event or I say something stupid to a reporter without realizing it. I shop at Target and drink Coors Light for Pete’s sake. I don’t even belong in this beautiful apartment, let alone the world of the rich and famous. I’ll probably spill red sauce on your white furniture or something.” I’m really crying and I can’t make myself stop.

  He stares me in the eye for a minute and then states matter of fact, “You may have a point. I don’t think I can date a girl that pairs Coors Light with a red sauce. Should I call a cab to take you back to the airport?”

  I crack a smile. “You know what I mean.”

  “Yes, I do, and I’m glad you pointed out all these horrible things about yourself. I mean, I can’t believe I wasted seven years of my life dreaming of a girl that would actually wear jeans. Christ, you’ve really saved me here, Wildfire.” He stands up and holds out his hand.

  I take it, asking, “Where are we going?”

  He leads me back into the living room and grabs my suitcase, continuing to pull me forward. “I’m throwing you out. I can’t have those Target clothes cramping my style.”

  I pull out of his grasp. “Ok, ha ha. I get it,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

  “Do you, Wildfire?” he asks. “Do you really, because if you don’t, then we have a serious problem here.”

  “I get it, Evan. Just forget I even said anything.”

  “I don’t want to forget it. I want you to understand.”

  “I understand, Evan. I’m your whole world. Nothing else matters.” I roll my eyes again, and although he doesn’t respond, I know he wants to. “Let me get settled in. I’m sure I’ll feel better then.”

  He takes my suitcase and puts it in the bedroom and stays in there for a minute. He comes back out, giving me an ultimatum, “This is up to you, Wildfire. I’ve made my intentions clear. But I can’t change that I’m the lead singer of 23 Strokes. I can’t change that there will be award shows and interviews and tabloids telling lies. I can’t change that you will be put into the spotlight right with me, especially when we are out together. That is a part of my life and will be for some time. If that is something you are not willing to accept, then do us both the favor and tell me now.”

  He looks distraught and angry and a million other things. “Evan, just forget I said anything. I’m just a little shell-shocked, ok?” I don’t know what else to say to him. I want Evan, but I don’t want all those things he just said. I like my simple life and it never occurred to me that I couldn’t have both until right now.

  Chapter 28

  Evan

  I lift a piece of her hair away from her face and kiss her on the lips. She smiles and opens her eyes. “Hey, beautiful, I have to get going. Martha will be here soon to help you get settled in. If you feel uncomfortable, just ask her to leave. She understands, ok?”

  I sent Martha away yesterday and ordered us a pizza, some beers and pulled up Netflix. I tried to make everything as normal as I could, hoping to ease some of Wildfire’s concerns.

  This morning I had a more extensive conversation with Martha explaining the situation. She is going to try and make Wildfire feel comfortable and not throw too much at her at once. She is also going to call me the second Wildfire decides to leave so I can stop her. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I’m not sure where we stand and she is a proven runner.

  “I’ll be fine. I’m sorry I freaked out yesterday. I’ll proba
bly get out and see what LA has to offer.” She is acting like everything is ok, but I’m not so sure it is.

  “Ok, but be sure to let Mac order you a car.” She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I know, but you know I don’t have a license, so I don’t have any cars for you to borrow. I can have a rental brought over if you prefer.”

  She starts up in a horrible British accent, “Oh, yes, please do have a rental brought over. I would so hate disturbing Mac every time I wished to get about town. And send in my serving maids, I need to get dressed.” I didn’t miss this side of her. Wait, yes I did.

  “Real funny, but seriously, do you want a rental?” I mean, I get she is making fun of me, but I don’t know if she really did want a car.

  “Go, Evan, I’ll be fine.”

  I hope she really will be fine. It never occurred to me that she might be intimidated by my life. The truth is, I only use about twenty percent of this condo. Everyone insisted that I needed an investment, so this is it. Those models she thinks I date are usually just friends of the label I screw around with sometime. Can’t tell her that though. As for the limelight, yeah, she’s going to be in it. I can’t help that, but maybe I can help her feel more like she belongs.

  I still can’t get a read on her, but I can’t be late for this meeting either, so I have to go regardless. I give her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be back in a few hours.” I stand there, waiting for it, but she responds, “Ok, see you later.”

  “I said, I’ll be back in a few hours.”

  She starts grinning big. “Yeah, and I said I’ll see you later.” I lean over and flip her to her stomach and start spanking her ass, holding her down at the waist. She is laughing so hard she snorts, but I keep spanking her until she says, “I will wait here for you.”

  “That’s better!” And thank God she said it soon, because giving her that spanking was getting me worked up. I’ll have to put that in the memory bank for a reenactment later. I give her one final swat, adjust myself in my jeans, and head out to meet the guys.