Playing in SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 9)

by Crystal Perkins

  “What did you think?” I ask once we’ve broken apart to get some air.

  “It was brilliant. You’re brilliant. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then why were you hiding over here by the wall?”

  “I didn’t…I wasn’t sure…if it was okay.”

  I look at her in confusion. “You weren’t sure if it was okay to be with me? That’s always okay, Dree. I want you next to me whenever we’re in a room together.” How can she not know that?

  “Your fans won’t like it,” she says, nodding behind me. “And I know you’re still upset, even if you did send me that text.”

  “They’re going to have to learn to deal with it. As for last night, I don’t know how to make myself any clearer to you, but I’m going to try again right now. You’re it for me, Audrey Sanchez. Those aren’t just words to me. I want to spend the rest of my life talking to you, making love to you, and raising our children with you. I want to grow old with you, and still be shocking doctors when they walk in on us in the nursing home. Please believe me, please.”

  “I do. I want that, too. All of it. I’m trying to get past my old insecurities. I plan to work on them—maybe even talk to one of the Society shrinks—while you’re gone. Once you come back after your premiere, I hope to have made some progress.”

  I close my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief. Until part of what she just said hits me. “We’ll see each other at the premiere, won’t we? I mean, I just assumed you’d come. If you don’t want to…well, it’s not okay, but I’ll deal.”

  “There’s no way Misha won’t show up.”

  “So?”

  “So you never take anyone to a public event she’ll be at. You told me that yourself.”

  “You’re not ‘anyone’, and I want you there with me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. I planned something special for us, in fact.”

  “You did?”

  “I did, and all I’ll say is that if it doesn’t prove to you just how much you mean to me, I don’t know what will.”

  “I love you, Hollywood.”

  “Love you too, Dree.”

  “You should go back and talk to everyone. They’re waiting for you.”

  “We can go back over there, or they can come to us. I already told you, I want you by my side,” I remind her, taking her hand and kissing her one more time.

  “Okay. We’ll go over there since you’ve already taken time from them to come and get me.”

  I’m glad Audrey’s going to work on her insecurities where I’m concerned. I get why she feels the way she does, but she has to let go of our past if we’re going to have a real chance at forever. I could just settle for now, but she’s too perfect in every other way for me to do that. We have the best talks, the best sex—she’s so damn funny when she lets that side of herself out—and she has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. Not to mention that fabulous mind of hers. I would never be okay with giving her up, so forever is the only option for us, and I’ll do whatever I can to prove that to her.

  Chapter 25

  Audrey

  The last month has been hard. I miss Blake, and I miss Jeanne, who went on the press tour with him. We text throughout the day, and Skype when we can, but that’s all I get. Electronic versions of them are nothing next to the real thing. I watched every interview and stayed up late to see all the coverage of the overseas premieres, where Jeanne shined in the dresses Stella got her, but honestly, I’m usually crying by the time the story changes to news on another celebrity. I blame it on the hormones, but really, I just miss my man and his daughter.

  I decided to go ahead and get some outside help for my issues with Blake, and that’s been going well. Just talking openly to someone who doesn’t know me or him is like lifting a weight off of me. The doctor doesn’t judge me, she just listens to me talk and cry, and then asks me thoughtful questions. I know I’m in a better place than I was before—I’m not completely where I want to be, but it’s a good start.

  What’s not off to a good start is my wardrobe. I’m supposed to be flying to L.A. tomorrow for the premiere, but Stella hasn’t brought my dress over yet. All I know about it is that she and our friend Quinn Wilson worked on it together. Quinn designs retro looking clothes I love, so I know it will be gorgeous. I just really want to have my fitting today and then get on the plane tomorrow knowing everything is good. I know Quinn is busy, but I still worry that she won’t have the dress ready for me if it doesn’t fit today. I haven’t gained a ton of wait, but my bump is definitely there. I can’t be late tomorrow if it doesn’t fit, not when my date is the star of the movie.

  When my doorbell rings, I practically fly down the stairs. Stella is standing on the other side of the door with a smile on her face, but no dress in her hands, and no Quinn with her. “Ready to go, Aud?”

  “Where’s my dress? And Quinn?”

  “Quinn went on ahead with the dress, and everyone else.”

  “Why would she do that? What if it doesn’t fit? And why did everyone else leave today, too?”

  If it’s a mess, Blake won’t be able to take me, and then it will be like high school all over again. No. I take deep breaths, like the doctor taught me to, and bring my heart rate back down. Blake loves me, and we’ll make the dress situation work no matter what. Stella has too many connections for me to be without something to wear, and Blake will want me on his arm, no matter what I’m wearing.

  “Are you here with me, Audrey?”

  “Yes. I was panicking a little, but I managed to calm myself down.”

  “You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Everything is going to be amazing. I promise.”

  “Okay. I trust you. I really do.”

  “I know. Let’s go catch that plane, and get you to your man.”

  “I didn’t know I was going today. I’m not packed.”

  “Everything you need will be waiting for you. Now come on.”

  I follow her out of my apartment, even though she won’t answer any of my questions. Not on the drive, or the plane, and she even tries to dodge me once we land, too, but I stand firm. We didn’t land in Burbank like I was supposed to tomorrow. We’re in San Diego, and I want to know why.

  “Where are we going from here? I’m not getting in the car until you tell me, Stell.”

  “Fine. I will tell you where we’re going, but only that. We are going to your parents’ house.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Nope. I shouldn’t have even told you that much. Now get in the damn car.”

  I glare at her, but I get in. Neither one of us says a word as we’re driven to my old neighborhood. I don’t speak, because I know she won’t answer my questions. I think she’s quiet because she’s pissed off at me for not just going along with whatever plan they all have for me. I’m just so nervous, and being surprised scares me, but I shouldn’t take it out on her.

  “I’m sorry, Stell,” I tell her when the car pulls up to the house. “I’m just scared.”

  “It’s okay. You have nothing to be scared of.”

  “I trust you.”

  “I know. Let’s go get your dress on you.”

  We walk up to the door, and my mother opens it before we can ring the bell. She looks even more excited than Stella as she hugs me and leads us inside. I can smell tamales cooking, and hear muffled voices through the closed kitchen door.

  “That is not your concern,” she tells me, swatting my butt like she did when I was little and trying to steal a cookie. “We’re going to your room.”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  She opens the door, and then steps back. My mouth falls open as I see Quinn standing there with the dress in her hand. It’s not just any dress, though. Even though it’s been reworked, I recognize it as my prom dress from all those years ago. It’s now strapless with the ruffles turned into something more modern and asymmetrical, but there’s no doubt that i
t’s the same dress.

  “How? Why?”

  “While you’re still going to the L.A. premiere with Blake and Jeanne tomorrow, you’re also going alone with Blake to a special premiere tonight. This one was recently added to the original schedule,” Reina says from behind me. She’s got on an apron, and it’s obvious that she’s been cooking for at least a few hours. “It was twenty years ago today that he was supposed to take you to prom, Audrey.”

  “I know.” It’s part of why I’ve been freaking out today. I just wasn’t going to admit it to anyone—not even myself.

  “This is your do-over. You’re going to a movie premiere tonight, but it’s also your prom.”

  “The extra premiere wasn’t on TV or online. I would’ve seen it.”

  “Blake will explain everything to you once you get dressed and ready for him.”

  “Okay,” I say nodding. “Dress me up, Quinn. Hurry, please.”

  “There’s not that big of a rush, Aud. He’s not going anywhere without you. Trust me on that.” There’s a crash from the kitchen, and both Reina and my mother curse in Spanish. “I need to get back in there. See you soon.”

  I turn back to Stella and Quinn. Stella hands me a strapless bra with matching panties, and I run into my closet to put them on. Everyone in the room has seen me naked, and I’m definitely not shy, but I think my mother would be embarrassed if I just took it all off in the middle of the room. Once I have the lingerie on, I step out and into the heels Stella has waiting for me. They’re similar to the sparkly rhinestone covered ones I had originally, and I love them.

  Quinn nods to my mother, and I bend down so they can slide the dress over my head. I stand straight and feel as it molds perfectly to my body. “I knew we had it right,” Stella tells Quinn with a smile.

  “We are a great team.”

  “You’re both awesome, now hand me some jewelry.”

  “Impatient, Aud?” Quinn asks with a laugh.

  “Yes. I am.”

  Stella takes a jewelry box out of her bag. It’s Chopard, and when she hands it to me, I’m a little scared to open it. She nudges me, and I flip it open, my breath catching in my throat as I look down at the diamond covered links. It’s gorgeous, and although I’m sure I could afford it, I know that I didn’t.

  “Where are the guards that come with it? You borrowed it, right?”

  “No. I didn’t borrow it. Maggie bought it for you.”

  I look at my mom, worried that it will hurt her to see it, but she’s smiling as she takes my hand and slides a stack of thin silver bracelets on my arm. “Your father and I never gave these to you, because he was angry. We want you to have them now.”

  My relationship with my parents has gotten much better over the last couple of months. We talk at least once a week, and they’re planning a trip to Vegas soon. They still won’t take money from me, but Matt arranged for my dad to have a job with the new company that’s contracted with him. He’s actually getting better pay and benefits, which I know are probably coming directly from Matt himself, but he’d never admit it, and I’ll never ask.

  “I love them, Mama. Thank you.”

  “Would you like me to do your hair? I remember how you wanted it before.”

  “Yes, please.” I loved the way she put my hair up with some down all those years ago.

  My mother does my hair, Stella does my makeup, and Quinn adds some yellow to the manicure I had done yesterday. When they all deem me ready, I stand and follow my mother into the living room. I stop short when I see Blake there already, talking to my father. He’s got a sleek black tuxedo on, and for the first time since he’s been gone, there’s a thick coat of stubble covering the bottom of his face just the way I like it.

  “Audrey, I have given this young man permission to take you out tonight. I would warn him to keep his hands to himself, but it’s a little too late for that.”

  We all laugh. I called my parents and told them I was pregnant once all of my friends and Blake knew. They were happy, but I got a lecture about how I need to get married soon. I have a feeling Blake got the same lecture tonight.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  “You look gorgeous, as always.”

  “Thank you. You look very handsome, as always.”

  “I got you a corsage,” he tells me, handing me s wrist corsage made of white roses, which is just what I had hoped for all those years ago. I realize that my mother must have told him, and I squeeze her hand before holding out my bare wrist for him.

  “She got you a boutonniere,” Stella says, winking at me as she hands me a white flower. I pin it on his lapel, and then he catches my hand, kissing my palm as he smiles.

  “How long have you been here?”

  “All day.”

  “What?”

  “Cooking you dinner took a while.”

  “You cooked me dinner?”

  “No. I cooked you dinner while he failed miserably,” Matt says, smirking as he comes out of the kitchen.

  “He did not fail,” Reina says, smacking Matt on the back of the head. “You’ve just had more practice with tamales and tacos than he has.”

  “It’s okay, Reina. I know I suck. At least at the stuff we made today. I’m usually an okay cook.”

  “You tried,” I tell him. “That’s what matters.”

  “You mother told me that she had cooked dinner for me all those years ago, and I wanted tonight to be as close to what you wanted as I could make it.”

  “Thank you, but you didn’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, I did. For both of us.”

  “Okay, well you two have fun. We have to go get changed and head to the premiere. We’ll see you soon,” Reina tells me.

  “Thank you. All of you. You don’t know what this means to me.”

  “Yes, we do, and you’re welcome,” Stella tells me with a hug.

  They all leave, and then Blake holds out his arm to me. I take it and walk out into our small backyard with him, pausing to take in the twinkling lights in the trees, and the candles on the tables. “This wasn’t in my original plan.”

  “It would’ve been if you’d thought of it. And that’s what tonight is. Your perfect prom, only better. You deserve so much more, and I’ll give it all to you as we go through life together. This is just the beginning, Dree.”

  He’s right. It’s the beginning. A new beginning for both of us. One we’re going to explore together. I can’t even find my fear as I look into his eyes. All I can see and feel is love.

  * * *

  Blake

  Everything is going according to plan so far, but I know we’re about to face our biggest challenge. The red carpet isn’t easy for anyone, and since Jesse already called me with a heads up, I know this one’s going to be like the seventh circle of Hell. When the limo pulls up to our old high school, I turn to Audrey, because she needs to know.

  “Things are about to get ugly.”

  “Misha?”

  “Yeah. She’s been telling everyone how it’s the anniversary of our prom, and that’s why I picked the date. You know I did pick this date for a reason, and I won’t let her make people believe it has to do with her.”

  “I’m okay with it. I don’t need you to declare anything publicly. Everything you’ve already done today has shown me how important I am to you.”

  “You may not need it, but I’m going to do it anyway. Tonight is all for you, and the world should know that.”

  “Okay. I can handle her.”

  “I know you can.”

  Blake knocks on the privacy window, and a minute later the door is opening, and I’m following Blake out into the crowd. Flashbulbs are going off, and I can barely see. I hold up my dress with one hand as Blake leads me to the staging area at the beginning of the line, where I can at least see clearly for a minute.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “Blake, there you…are,” Misha says, her nostrils flaring when she sees me.


  “Nice to see you Mish. No, on second thought, it’s not. Now please excuse us. We have a carpet to walk.”

  “You can’t walk with her. I told them…well, things.”

  “I know exactly what lies you told everyone. I’m about to set them all straight.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “Move out of the way, or I’ll have security move you.”

  She steps aside, but as we walk by, Audrey starts to fall, and I realize that Misha has tripped her. I catch Audrey before she hits the ground and help her stand back up, making sure she’s okay before calling security over. They take a screaming Misha away, and I turn Audrey back to the cameras as I place my arm around her.

  “Hey guys, I have a statement to make. I’m aware that my ex-wife said some things to you before I got here, and I need to clear those up. I did add this premiere in tonight because it’s the anniversary of a prom I attended with Misha, but I didn’t do it for her. You see, all those years ago, on a dare, I asked the nerdiest girl in school to prom. I told her what time I’d pick her up, and asked her what color dress she was wearing, so she’d think I was getting her a corsage.

  “I’m not proud of the fact that I left that girl waiting for me while I went with Misha, and honestly, that night has haunted me for most of my life. I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway, even though, deep down, I liked that girl. A lot. I won’t ever regret that I had a relationship with Misha, because we wouldn’t have had our daughter, and I love Jeanne more than anything, but I did regret never following my heart all of those years ago.

  “Tonight, I’m trying to undo the wrong I made all those years ago. This brilliant and beautiful woman on my arm, Audrey Sanchez, is the girl I stood up twenty years ago. She recently gave me the chance to prove that I’m not that stupid boy from back then, and tonight I’m giving her the prom I denied her. I also want to announce that we’re expecting a child together, and once I figure out an impressive enough way to ask her, we’ll hopefully be getting married.”

  I put my hand on her stomach and lean down to kiss her. We kiss for several minutes as the flashes go off, and then we continue down the line. I don’t give speeches at every stop, but we do kiss. For the cameras, and for us. Questions are thrown at us, but I wave them all off. My agent has a document with all of the information they’ll need to know. I lead Audrey inside the hall and down to the theater where we’ve set up the film, stopping to grab her popcorn and candy before we take our seats.