Finding Love's Wings

by Derrick, Zoey

  I know that he loves me and that I'm going to love him back.

  We stay in the pool for what seem like hours. Jessie keeps our glasses full, which helps keep the conversation going. As usual, Naomi quickly becomes the life of the party. I watch as Travis is frequently taken aback by Naomi's boldness, but he keeps up with her. He seems more surprised maybe that they have similar personalities. Beau regales everyone with stories from our college days. At some point Jolene initiates a game of volleyball. Tyson and Tristan are rather quiet, which concerns me at first, but they're smiling and laughing a lot, so I decide that they're just taking a step back to allow us girls a chance to have some fun.

  At around two-thirty in the morning things start to wind down. Jessie comes by and asks if we need anything else, but I think we're all beyond done at this point. It may only be two-thirty in Tarah, but it's about five-thirty in the morning back home and everyone's exhausted.

  Tristan and I eventually retire to our room, and we explore each other’s bodies with newfound desire and a desperate need to be close to one another.

  Thursday finds us girls on a major shopping spree downstairs, Sasha and Mike trailing after us. We see Layla and her entourage of people and bodyguards, but she wisely keeps her distance. Thank goodness for that because Beau is just the type to open the can of worms Tristan and I are trying desperately to avoid.

  After our shopping spree, we all spend a few hours in the spa getting buffed, waxed, and massaged. It's really nice to have some serious girl time.

  Upon our return late in the afternoon, we enter the suite to find that the men have put out champagne and roses. The gesture is very sweet, but it's odd that the boys are nowhere to be found. Inside each of the bouquets of roses are cards with each of our names on them. Quickly opening mine, I find Tristan's ruggedly elegant script.

  On our bed you will find an outfit I would like you to wear tonight. At precisely 5:45 this evening a group of women from the salon will come by to help you and your friends get ready. See you at 7:15. –Tristan.

  I hear the squeals as the other girls read their cards. We all scatter to our rooms.

  Laying on my bed is a beautiful Gucci strapless dress with large pink, red, white, and green flowers. The material is full and the dress soft. When I pick it up and hold it to my chest it reaches the ground and then some. Next to the dress on the bed are two boxes. One obviously contains shoes, but the other is more of a mystery. The shoes are Jimmy Choo peep toe pumps in suede black. Also in the shoe box are stockings, black lacy boy-shorts, a garter belt with suspenders, and a sheer lace strapless bra, all of which are my size.

  At the bottom of the box is an envelope addressed to me, inside which I find six satin ribbons – three pink, one red, one green, and one lavender – and a note.

  My dearest Cami, please have someone help you string these. –Tristan

  I smile. They match the dress almost perfectly and are more than long enough to be strung through my corset.

  The other box is wrapped in pink wrapping paper. Written on the paper is another note:

  This is on loan from downstairs.

  On loan? I shrug it off and rip open the paper.

  "Oh! That's why."

  It's a black velvet jewelry box that contains a choker: an elegant set of platinum rings intertwined with a black ribbon and studded with diamonds. Front and center on the choker is a bow. There are also a matching bangle and platinum hoop earrings with diamonds hung in the center. The diamonds on the earrings have to be at least half a carat. They are beautiful and will match the dress perfectly.

  I admire the jewelry for a few minutes before heading into the bathroom for a shower. I open the door to find candles surrounding the bathtub, more flowers, and a card addressed to me.

  Think of this as the start of an epic birthday weekend. Sit back, relax and enjoy a nice long bath.

  As I put the card down, I see that the water has already been run. It's steaming slightly in the coolness of the bathroom. I quickly strip out of my jeans and tank top and climb into the tub to enjoy some relaxation time.

  At precisely seven o’clock Leroy enters the suite to find the four of us dressed in outfits that look better suited for the red carpet than whatever it is the men have planned for us. Naomi and Jolene look amazing with their hair done up, and the dresses they're wearing are very flattering for their figures. Naomi is rocking a cocktail-length, leather contoured dress with studded accents and shoes that have the same studs. Jolene’s dress is a strapless number, white with a black lace overlay, that accents the curves she has. She really is beautiful with her gorgeous green eyes and soft lines. Beau is something else entirely. She had presented herself last night as rugged in her jeans and v-neck shirt, but tonight her hair is pulled up, makeup’s on, and she’s wearing a floor-length, high-slit dress topped with a modified halter top that comes over her right shoulder in a thick strap. It’s held over her left breast with a silver chain strap that matches the belt around her waist. The shoes peeking out from under her dress match perfectly, too.

  "Ready, ladies?" says Leroy, who is smiling at us. I take it as a good sign.

  We all nod or say yes in unison.

  Leroy nods in return. "Now, if you will go down to the lobby, you will find Sasha and Mike awaiting your arrival," he says.

  We dutifully follow him to the foyer, where the elevator is already waiting for us. We file in and Beau hits the button for the lobby.

  "I wonder why all the mystery," Naomi says as soon as the doors close.

  Beau answers before I do. "I would imagine it has to do with keeping Tristan hidden from the public. Having Layla Brooke in the hotel certainly isn't helping that at all," she says. She's absolutely right of course. No doubt the boys left the suite at a time when they wouldn't be seen and have been hiding out ever since.

  "Why isn't Leroy escorting us downstairs?" Jolene asks.

  "That's a good question," I say. "I'd imagine because we haven't yet been seen with him, and Mike and Sasha have the market on our escort services." I laugh and everyone joins in.

  "Honestly, Cami. Is all this really worth it?" It's Beau asking the question.

  I know what she's implying. She knows what kind of life comes with celebrity, and I think she's questioning my motives for wanting to be with Tristan. Being thrown into the spotlight of Hollywood for being someone's girlfriend has never been high on my list of priorities in life.

  I shrug.

  Thank heavens we've reached the ground floor and I have an excuse not to continue the conversation. The doors open, and Mike and Sasha are standing in front of the elevators.

  "Good evening, Sasha. Mike." I step out first, followed by Naomi, Jolene, and Beau bringing up the rear. "To where do you have the pleasure of escorting us?"

  Mike's shoulders shake with laughter. "Dinner, á la Tristan," he says quietly, but his voice is dripping with humor.

  I blush and look at the girls, shrugging. They all laugh.

  We start walking toward the entrance of the hotel. As we get near the doors I can see two white Jeeps, much like the one Tristan and I were in the other night.

  "What in the world?" I ask aloud to no one in particular.

  Sasha is the one to respond. "Your chariots await." And she ushers us through the doors and into the Jeeps.

  PART THIRTY-SEVEN

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  "They're close," Tyson says.

  "Oh, thank God." Travis's voice is exasperated.

  "Oh please, Trav. You have been waiting for all of ten minutes," I jab back at him.

  "Trey, you and I both know that I am not a patient person. Ten minutes is like an eternity in my book." He is laughing and he's right, he doesn't do patient well.

  Although, this whole evening is his idea and on his dime, I told him what my plans were for Cami's birthday, therefore providing the opportunity and he acquired the means of how to get there.

  We're back on the boat that Cami and I had taken ou
t a few nights ago, only this time it's lit up with stings of lights and lanterns. The hot tub is covered, at least for now. Unbeknownst to the girls, we have packed each of them an overnight bag, and Leroy is staying behind to make sure everything in our suite is packed up.

  I'm extremely nervous about Cami's reaction to my birthday idea. She brought it up once before, but we never discussed it further. I'm sure she'd been thinking were going to spend her birthday quietly in Tarah.

  Headlights approach the parking area, and the two white Jeeps come to a stop. I watch as the doors open and, one by one, they all get out. I look around at Tyson, Travis, and Mick, and the looks on their faces say it all. We have done well. Tonight is going to be amazing.

  When Cami climbs out of the car my heart immediately starts sending blood racing through my body. The electricity that has always sparked before is present again. Her hair is pulled back into a vertical bow with curled tendrils framing her soft face. Her tattoos are on display in glorious elegance. Her dress is so long that when she walks the toes of her simple black Jimmy Choo's can be barely be seen.

  The girls turn and take in the size of the boat. Cami catches me staring and smiles, and her smile is like turning on a lamp that lights up the whole world. Okay, maybe just my world, but a world nonetheless.

  The girls start to make their way toward us along the dock, careful not to catch their heels in the planks. One by one, Travis, Tyson, Mick, and I step off the boat and line up to greet them as they approach. The air is charged with energy and excitement as they walk toward us. As soon as Cami's within reach, I grab her arm and pull her close to me.

  "You look stunning," I whisper in her ear. I kiss her cheek.

  "Me?" she says. "Look at you, all dressed up." She smiles. "So, what's this all about?"

  I speak a little louder so that all the girls can hear. "We wanted to treat you all to a nice dinner, and we figured the best way to do that privately would be to take the boat out."

  Jolene laughs. "Then swimsuits would have been appropriate."

  Tyson joins in her laughter. "Yes, they would have, and we have those too, but for now your dresses will do."

  "Ladies and gentlemen," says the captain from above us on the boat. "If you would be so kind as to climb on board, dinner is ready and we will set sail."

  I turn to lead Cami onto the boat, but a movement catches my eye. I do a double-take. Oh no.

  "Ty," I growl through clenched teeth.

  Tyson instantly places Jolene behind him, and I do the same with Cami. Then Tyson shifts, bringing Jolene with him, in an attempt to shield me.

  "You son of a bitch!" shouts the woman charging toward us along the dock.

  "Please, good lord, tell me she is unarmed," I say through my teeth.

  In an instant Mike is in front of us. Sasha intercepts Layla and grabs her in a bear hug, clamping down on her arms.

  "Let me go!" Layla shouts.

  "What are you doing here, Layla?" All I can see is red, bright red, as rage washes over me. I feel Cami grip my arm, and Tyson stands further in front of me.

  "I knew it. Last night, I knew you were here. Your little girlfriend back there did a mighty good job of covering for you. But I knew you were here."

  "So what, Layla. We're done, we're through. There's no reason whatsoever for you to be stalking me."

  "Tristan, I'm sorry," she says to me, and the change in her tone of voice is so sudden it momentarily throws me for a loop.

  For a second the red falters, blinks, and then rages on again in full force.

  "You're sorry? You're sorry?! If you were sorry, Layla Brooke, you would have loved me. You would have been there for me. But you weren't. You were too busy fucking for your next role. Too busy caring about no one but yourself. Now that you have nothing, that you've washed it all down the drain, you want to come crawling back to me? Forget it. I'm done."

  Layla stops struggling against Sasha's hold. I step out from behind the line of people protecting me.

  "Tristan, don't," Cami pleads with me.

  "It's all right," I say over my shoulder.

  I stroll up to Layla, Tyson on my flank. As I get closer to her, the lights from the boat reveal that her pupils are dilated. She's high on something. Figures.

  I lean in close to her ear, and when I speak my voice is pure venom. "Get out of here, Layla. Do not come back. Go home, Layla. Go home and get your shit straight. Clean up. Do not let me see your face again." I straighten up. Tears are streaming down her cheeks. "Go home, Layla." I repeat.

  I nod to Sasha. "See that she gets back to her suite. Find Chanty and have her get Layla's shit together and get her back to the States. You'll have to rejoin us tomorrow with Leroy."

  "Yes, Tristan," she says and turns, taking Layla, still in a bear hug, with her.

  I walk back to the boat. Cami comes back to my side in an instant, taking my hand in hers. I look at her, and she at me, and in her eyes I see the closure that is reflected in mine. I finally got to say my piece.

  Slowly, Travis helps Naomi up the ladder, followed by Mick and Beau. Tyson helps Jolene climb up, then turns to Cami and me.

  "She won't be able to follow us," he says. "Odds are she'll make another attempt on the suite, but I'll text Chanty and tell her what happened. Once she knows you're here, she'll persuade Layla to leave."

  Cami nods, but doesn't say anything. Tyson looks to me. I nod hesitantly, and he turns to climb up.

  Once he's reached the top, I turn to help Cami. "Are you all right?" she says before I can even open my mouth.

  I give her a half smile. "Is it bad that the only thing that's bothering me is that I'm worried she's put a damper on our evening?"

  She smirks, then laughs. "She certainly likes to try to do that. But I'm fine, so long as you're okay."

  I smile at her and raise my elbow so she can take it. As her hand slides into the crook of my arm, I say, "I've never been better." And it's true. The weight I've been carrying for days, maybe even years, is finally lifted from my shoulders. I'm free of Layla at last.

  We make our way to the bar, where Jessie has two glasses of Bolli waiting for us.

  "Jessie, do you ever sleep?" Cami asks.

  When I'd spoken with the hotel manager about taking the boat again and having one of his bartenders accompany us, he told me that Jessie was more than willing. I tried to give the poor man a night off, but the manager insisted that Jessie wanted any and all available opportunities to assist us.

  Jessie laughs. "No, Cami, not with you guys around. Though I'm really beginning to enjoy bartending your parties."

  "Good." She smiles at him in appreciation.

  The maître d’ emerges and addresses us. "Due to the cooling temperature and increased winds on the open waters, dinner will be served inside this evening," he says. "If you all will please follow me."

  We follow him through the sliding double doors of the main cabin. Inside is a large table set for eight with wine glasses, porcelain plates, and elegant white linens and garnished with two small vases of white and yellow roses. Unlike the hull of the boat, which is black, the cabin is white with dark wood accents. There are five plush chairs and a comfortable-looking bench seat.

  Once we are seated, two servers bring us our salads and some white wine. I don’t catch the label, but it has a unique tropical fruit taste to it. My guess is that it is a locally made wine. It's delicious.

  We all carry on the conversation at dinner without much effort. Everyone is getting along really well, laughing and joking and having a good time. I'm grateful to see that Layla's interruption hasn't spoiled the mood for the night.

  After dinner we sit around the table talking and drinking wine, champagne, and eventually our own favorite drinks. Jessie is attentive enough to make sure our glasses are never empty. Eventually we feel the boat slow. I look at my watch; it's nearly eleven. I'm guessing we're at about the halfway point of our journey.

  "Are we back at the dock already?" Naomi asks.

/>   None of us men can hide our smiles.

  "Why don't we go take a look?" Travis says. He nudges Naomi to slide off of the bench.

  Escorting our ladies through the door, we all step toward the railing, looking out into the darkness.

  "Oh, wow," Cami says. "It’s gorgeous out here."

  The moon is high and huge against the blackness of the ocean. The lights strung around the boat reflect off the water. All the other lights are off outside except for two very large spotlights under the water, gently illuminating the boat from below, softening the blackness.

  "How would you ladies like to sleep here tonight?" I ask.

  Jolene is the first to speak. "Um, I am not sleeping in this dress."

  Tyson chuckles. "No, baby, you can sleep naked for all I care, but we have some clothes and bathing suits for each of you in your cabins."

  I feel Cami lightly smack my arm. "You are too much sometimes, you know that?"

  I turn to her and look squarely into her eyes. "No, not too much, just thorough." I watch as she smiles.

  Speaking loud enough for all to hear, but intimately enough for Cami to capture the unspoken meaning, I say, "We are not returning to Tarah until after a weekend in Bora Bora." Cami gasps. "The boat will take us there in the morning," I tell her.

  Her smile stays on, but I sense her hesitation. I think I can guess why. "No worries, Sweets, Leroy is getting all of our things packed up. He'll have them brought over in the helicopter." As I tell her this she relaxes and her smile grows wider.

  I watch as she visibly starts to bounce, and the excitement is palpable. She throws her arms around my neck, almost throwing me off balance, and crushes her lips to my cheek – once, twice.