by Jess Bentley
As there was no need to reopen the shop, Rory worked on a couple of new designs and then went off to bed rather early. She was stuffed beyond belief as Martha had seen her off with a whole bunch of goodies. Rory couldn’t resist but munch on cupcakes on the way home and was far too full to have dinner.
I gotta start working out soon, she thought as she tried to go to sleep. Arsen’s offer was still ringing in her mind. He had wanted to lease a part of her house and convert it into a temporary studio where he could write songs. He was willing to make it worth her while as well. The idea of having him around was tempting, but a no had popped out of her mouth on autopilot.
Arsen had tried to convince her, but she had rejected his appeals every time. She simply didn’t like the idea of Arsen and his rowdy band members, especially Mickey Nicks, in her house.
Arsen was interesting, he was charming, and Rory now had no qualms in admitting that he intrigued her, but his bandmates… God only knows what kind of damage they would inflict, not to mention the amount of drugs that would be involved. Of course, she didn’t want to insult Arsen by bringing that up.
What Rory didn’t admit to herself freely however, was that she was also afraid of getting close to Arsen. An afternoon spent with him had confirmed her belief that he wasn’t like other celebrities. Neither was he like the other members of his band. Often he seemed like a regular guy, except that he was sexy like a Greek god and possessed a talent that comes once in a generation. It wasn’t that difficult to be attracted to a guy like that, but the last thing Rory wanted was a short-lived romance with a bad-boy rockstar.
Their meeting had played like a movie in her head a hundred times since that afternoon. She was almost sure that there was a spark of attraction in his eyes for her. Even when he was trying to convince her, his hand had landed on hers, caressing it gently. She could see why she would be attracted to him, but what she couldn’t fathom was why he would be attracted to her. He must have a million girls running after him. Why me?
In the end, she convinced herself that it was all a figment of her imagination and Arsen was probably being overly charming only because he wanted to lease her house. Going to and fro between these thoughts, she somehow drifted off to sleep.
A slight drizzle greeted her when she woke up in the morning. As she looked out her window, she could see a whole lot of water still splashed out on the road. A couple of trees had broken branches too. Nothing that would concern a resident of Montcove. Thoughts of Arsen and his handsome face entered her mind and she found it difficult to sweep away the smile that came upon her face. Rory realized that she had forgotten how it felt to be attracted to a man. Especially a man who could get her pulse racing fast simply by just being there.
She had forgotten about her need to feel loved. To have a man there for her, teasing her, spoiling her, caressing her. She loved the tingles Arsen sent down her spine and the non-judgmental way he looked at her. He seemed to cherish her for who she was, and the gleam in his eyes every time he looked at her told her this much. The attraction was strong. But Rory wanted a man who could be a part of her life every day, someone who wouldn’t leave like others had. Arsen wasn’t that man.
She lazed around in bed for a long time, thinking of Arsen and how he made her feel, and decided to head downstairs to open the bookstore only when the rain had stopped completely. Maybe someone will want to read a new book on a nice cloudy day like this.
After half an hour, the door to the shop opened up and a man entered. Though Rory was initially disappointed that he was not a customer, she was relieved that he was the guy Don had sent over to fix the wall. In all the excitement of the past few days, she had forgotten about the wall and Don’s promise to fix it. She was glad that he had kept his word and didn’t leave the job to her. There was no way Rory could’ve found the money for repairs.
Soon the sounds of hammer and chisel were echoing around the quiet periphery of the house, and Rory was relieved that at least something was getting fixed in her life. She was sitting at the computer watching a Pilates instructional video on YouTube when the door to the shop opened again. Rory casually looked up, thinking it was the handyman who had come to ask her for something, but instead it was a chubby man in a baseball cap with a camera around his neck.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“As a matter of fact, you can.” The man smiled in a way that made Rory feel weird.
“Are you interested in a particular book?” She smiled politely.
“Well. Not really, but I will buy something if it means that I can ask you a few questions.” He looked around the bookstore in a disapproving way.
“Questions?” Rory crossed her arms and sat on guard. Clearly, this man was not a regular walk-in.
“About our mutual friend, Arsen Ford.” That greasy smile was back on his face.
“You are a friend of his?”
“Well, he doesn’t think so, but after having photographed him so many times, I feel as if I’ve known him forever.” He grinned sleazily.
Rory looked him up and down and then it struck her—the man was a paparazzo.
“I spotted you with him yesterday, but you guys disappeared before I could get some shots. What’s the story there? Are you guys an item?”
Instead of getting angry, Rory broke into a chuckle. It also gave her immense satisfaction to know that they had successfully managed to throw off the paparazzi by heading into Martha’s bakery yesterday.
“If you want to buy a book then it’s fine, otherwise I suggest that you leave,” she replied. The man didn’t budge.
“All right. I see you want to play hardball.” He smirked. “How much do you want for the information? I pay better if you have any personal pictures or videos.”
Out of curiosity, Rory wanted to ask how much he would pay, but there was no way she was going to rat out Arsen. She remained silent.
“There is good money in this and let’s face it, even if you are his new plaything, it won’t last long. Wouldn’t you rather get something out of it? Something more than just the achievement of having a fling with a rockstar? They’re all scumbags anyway.” His distaste for Arsen was apparent. Rory wasn’t sure if that was because of jealousy or plain hatred.
“I think you should leave,” she said flatly.
“You think he’s a good guy and that he will be the love of your life? Naive girl. Nothing like that will ever happen, so cherish it while you can before he pumps and dumps you.”
That greasy smile on his face was driving her up the wall, and his words weren’t helping either. Rory wanted to smack him.
“If you change your mind, contact me here.” He threw a business card on the counter. “I am Hector, by the way. There is money to be made here, and who knows, if you give me a sex tape, we could make you famous.” Hector threw a cigarette in his mouth and started walking out.
Rory would’ve surely hit him had he not been out of reach. The guy was a scumbag through and through, and it didn’t take a special power of insight for her to see that.
Poor Arsen. This is what he has to deal with on a daily basis in LA. No wonder he hates this scene and wants to get away from it all and rent my house. Should I? There was a small part of her that wanted to help Arsen, but the trouble that would come with it would be far more than she could handle.
There was no telling what his band members would do to her house. The story of them driving the limousine into the hotel pool came back into her head. There was no way in hell she was letting them mess up her grandmother’s beloved home. Besides, it would also mean paparazzi parked outside her house all the time. She wasn’t prepared for that kind of attention. As bad as she felt for Arsen, Rory knew she couldn’t take that on.
Chapter 57
“Why don’t we have Mickey’s biography in here?” Lizzy asked absentmindedly.
“Mickey has a biography?” Rory laughed out loud.
“Yes. I checked online and we don’t have it in stock. What kind of boo
kstore are we?” Lizzy was miffed.
“The kind that does not stock garbage books,” Rory joked.
“That’s not funny. It is a shame that we do not stock the biography of the best singer the world has ever seen.”
“Best singer, Lizzy? Well, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, and Michael Jackson would like to chat. Not to mention Freddie Mercury.” Rory was cracking up now.
“Well Frank is dead but Mickey is not.” Lizzy was irritated, something she wasn’t very often.
“Lizzy—you don’t even read books.”
“Which makes it even more important, don’t you think? I need to know more about Mickey and I need to read this book.”
“Why? The man is shallow as a puddle. His biography is probably nothing but a story of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll.”
“No, Rory, that is what you don’t understand. Mickey is a complex man who has never been loved and that is why he turns to all those… things. To fill the empty void within him. I read about this phenomenon in Cosmo once.”
“Okay, so now you’re a psychiatrist, Lizzy?”
“Don’t make fun of me, Rory, I’m serious. A talented, good-looking man like that needs true love in his life to turn it around.”
“And you think you are that true love?” Rory raised a brow.
“Why not? What’s wrong with me?” Lizzy asked angrily.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Rory smiled, warmly now. “But there are a lot of things wrong with that guy.”
“That is just a matter of personal perspective and on that, I do not agree with you at all. I have seen a side of him that maybe no one else has. He’s not what he seems.” The dazed smile was back on Lizzy’s face and Rory was sure that she had gone back to dreamland.
“Lizzy…” Rory was just going to start a lecture when the door of the shop rang open.
“Uncle Don!” Lizzy exclaimed and Rory wondered why she was calling Don “Uncle.”
“Mickey’s been telling you all the nicknames he has for me, eh?” Don asked Lizzy, who was blushing red with childish guilt. “But you are a sweet girl and it sounds much better coming from your pretty mouth than his,” Don laughed.
“Don. Nice to see you again. Looking for some books, are we?” Rory smiled.
“No, my dear. Not me, personally. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to lose myself in a good book as long as I’m the manager of that rowdy bunch.”
“I know what you mean.”
“Do ya?” And he broke into a big laugh again. Dressed in his casual clothes, Don could’ve passed off as an elderly tourist on the island, but Rory had no doubt that under that cool demeanor, he had a lot to worry about.
“I came to see if the wall was getting fixed and pay the guy.”
“Thanks, Don. I appreciate it.”
“No. Thank you, my dear. If it weren’t for you, Arsen probably would’ve gone to jail and the resulting media storm would’ve made matters much worse. I, personally, really appreciate you taking him in that night.”
There was no doubt in Rory’s mind that Don was genuinely grateful. Not just as the manager of the biggest rock band in the world, but as a personal friend of Arsen. What is it about Arsen that makes everyone take care of him? Why did I look out for him and take him in that night?
“On second thought, maybe I will take a look around the store. Maybe something will catch my fancy.” Don looked around thoughtfully, rubbing the scant stubble he wore, in a thoughtful fashion.
“Be my guest. We’re right here. Give us a shout if you need anything.”
After about twenty minutes Don was back at the counter with about fifteen books in a pile.
“Whoa! You surely did take a look around,” Rory exclaimed.
“Oh well. It’s not every day that I go to a bookstore. Might as well stock up.” He smiled and pulled the wallet out of his pocket.
As Rory put the books in the bag, she wondered if Don really was going to read all of them. They were on various obscure topics and were without a doubt some of the most expensive books in the store. Did he really want books or is he just trying to help me out?
There was no way Rory could bring that up with him without it being awkward. Don was a worldly guy, and perhaps he had realized that she had financial difficulties.
With every new book that Rory put in the bag, she grew more certain that he had picked them out solely based on their price tags. Her conscience tugged at her tongue to say something, but at the same time she did not want to insult the generosity of this kind old man. She was distracted out of her thoughts by Lizzy’s excited voice.
“How is Mickey, Uncle Don? I haven’t heard from him since yesterday.”
“Well, Lizzy my dear, why don’t you come and see for yourself?”
“Really?” Hope was sprinkled all over her voice, coupled with an ever-growing excitement.
“We’re throwing a goodbye party at the villa tomorrow and I’d like both of you to come.” Don looked at Rory. He wants us to come. But does the band want us to come? Besides, who knows what kind of wild parties they are throwing in there?
“And Arsen told me to extend the invitation on his behalf as well.” Don smiled a knowing smile at Rory.
“Well. You know I am not really a party sort of a…” Rory started then stopped. “Wait. A goodbye party?”
Then it sank in that Arsen was going to be leaving Montcove.
“Yeah. The band has to head to LA for an award show, and sadly our stint here is at an end. Given the fact that we are soon going to head on a world tour and probably won’t be back here for a long time, the boys decided to throw a goodbye party for all the new friends they’ve made here. You have to come. Have a couple of drinks, eat some lobster, some nice caviar, though I prefer a nice, juicy steak myself, and you dance and you make merry. What’s not to like about that?” He grinned.
As much as Rory wanted to see Arsen again, a party full of rockstars and their celebrity friends was not her idea of a great time. Besides, the idea of being around so many popular, successful people intimidated her. But worse still was the idea of not meeting Arsen again. It was not like she was expecting something out of it, but she felt that they both had built a connection the few times that they had met.
“I don’t know, Don.”
“Well, what I know is that all of us would really like it if you two lovely ladies would make an appearance. We think of you guys as friends of the band.”
“Really?” Lizzy exclaimed. “Rory, c’mon. You have to come. It’ll be so much fun.”
“You ladies let me know and I’ll send a car around to pick you up.” Don slid his card on the counter, picked up the bag of books, and waved them a quick goodbye. His generosity had eased things for Rory and for that, she was thankful to him. Don had no need to buy books but he still had. Rory only wished now that he would take the time to read through all of them.
“Oh my God, Rory, you gotta come. It’s not like we are invited to these kinds of parties every day.”
“Lizzy, you know I am not a party girl.”
“But I am and I want to party with you. Oh, please! Come along with me,” she begged.
“So you’d go without me, Lizzy?”
“Uh. I mean… I won’t… If you don’t…” Lizzy stammered.
“I’m just kidding, sweetie. You go have a ball.” Rory smiled.
“No, Rory, you have to come.”
“But I have nothing to wear.”
“Don’t worry about a thing. I will put together an outfit for you. I will even do your hair and makeup. You know how good I am at that. I even have six hundred subscribers on my YouTube beauty channel.”
Rory remained silent. There were reasons why she had run away from LA and she knew that this party would be the embodiment of everything she hated about that town. Now Lizzy wanted to drag her into the midst of a place where she would feel nothing but uncomfortable.
She wanted to see Arsen, there was no denying that. He was special to her and she
had to say goodbye to him. Maybe I’ll just go say a quick hi. If it’s too much, then I can always leave. The thought of saying goodbye to Arsen was making her heart sink. They had just gotten to know each other, every moment with him was more beautiful than the last, and Rory hated to see it all end so soon. What else was I expecting? That he’d stay here forever for me?
“So will you come?” Lizzy made puppy eyes at her.
“Okay. But you will have to do all the legwork.”
“Yay! I will take care of everything—don’t you worry about that. I’ll be here first thing in the morning. We’re about the same size and you can borrow some clothes from me. I’ll have to carry all the makeup too and the shoes. Shit, there’s so much to do!”
Rory had no doubt that Lizzy was going to stay awake half the night thinking about the party and comparing outfit possibilities. Rory just didn’t want her to make a fool of herself because of her growing infatuation with Mickey. He was going to leave soon, and Rory was scared that Lizzy was going to be heartbroken if that pompous rockstar did anything stupid.
Later in the night, Rory sat alone doing her bills. Inspiration just hadn’t struck her that day and she had given up trying to sketch anything. She put the cash Don had spent at the shop in the money box, and while it did get her closer to her monthly target, she was still well short of paying all the dues.
Is there nothing I can do to fix this?
Every day, she spent a big part of her day thinking about ways to make money or ways to better her financial situation, and she felt claustrophobic at the thought of not being able to find a solution. Where thinking about losing the house brought her to the verge of tears, the idea of borrowing money from her parents made her furious.
Another day, the same struggle, she thought as she tried to drift off to sleep. At least she would get to see Arsen tomorrow. Arsen the garbage contractor. A smile spread on her face as she once again thought back to that charming afternoon they had spent together at Martha’s bakery. And with that smile, Rory was off to sleep.
