by L. V. Lewis
“Strong enough for what?”
His eyes are so sad that he nearly breaks my heart in just one look.
“I can’t have you look at me like a villain. I don’t think I’m strong enough for that.”
I’m quiet for a while. I have to take my time to voice my words, because I know one wrong thing will send him backsliding into guilt and depression. I can see it on his face. These are the demons he never wanted me to see. Never wanted me to know. But before we can find any semblance of a life together, don’t we need to face those demons together?
I take his hand in mine. It’s cold and far from the warmth he always provides me. Now, it’s my turn to be his rock.
“Remember what I was saying about trust?” I asked him.
He simply nods his head.
“I didn’t just mean you trusting me. It goes both ways. I have to trust you too.”
He shakes his head. “That trust will shatter as soon as you see this video.”
“How do you know that, Brody?”
“I was weak and a complete coward back then. If you see it, I don’t think you’ll be able to see me in the same way. Not like who I am now. That’s what always happens. Anyone who knows about my past or have seen me at my worst can’t even look me in the eye now. Hell, even my band couldn’t look at me for too long without getting nervous. I get it. I do. I was an asshole and a bully.”
I think about his fight and a dark thought enters in my head. I hate asking, but I have to. “Did you ever…?” It’s hard to say, so I force it out. “Did you ever hit her?”
He shakes his head hard. “No,” he says, the sadness deepening. “I could never hit a woman. It’s not like that.”
“You were an addict,” I said. “There’s a difference. You have a disease, and I know that you have more control over it now, but it’s still there, hiding underneath the surface.”
He looks at me curiously.
“I did some research on addiction,” I tell him.
“You did?” he asks.
“I wanted to understand what you go through. As much as this part of you scares you, it’s not going away because you want it to. I know you have to struggle every day, and I don’t even begin to know part of what it’s like. I can tell you that whenever we face who you were together, it’s only going to make me appreciate who you are now.”
“You say that now—”
“No. I’m telling you this because it’s the truth. It’ll always be the truth.” I see him hesitate and know words aren’t enough. But how do I prove to him I mean what I say?”
A knock on the door interrupts us.
“Not now,” Brody says.
Malik pokes his head in the room. “Yes, now. We have to go. News crews are already covering all the exits. If we’re going to get out of here with minimal damage, we have to leave soon. You guys can talk at the hotel, but we have to go before it turns into a circus out there, or we’re not going anywhere.”
“I got to grab my stuff from my dressing room,” Brody says.
“Already done,” Malik says, holding up a duffle bag. “Help Sky with her things, and I’ll get the car.” Malik takes a quick picture of the mirror with his cell phone and places the box in a plastic bag. “I got this. Now hurry up. I’m not asking.”
There’s no time for us to do anything but pack. I don’t do anything but stuff things in bags and cases.
Then Brody’s phone beeps and makes me jump.
“We don’t need to look at it. It’s probably why the news outlets are here,” Brody says without checking it. “Fans have certainly uploaded video of the light almost falling on you.”
He grabs one of my shirts tight in his hand as if he can’t let it go.
“I’m fine, Brody. Alyssa and I both are because of you.”
“Maybe if I told you sooner, Malik and I would have caught the idiot by now.”
“Hey,” I say, turning him to me and holding him close. “I’m here. Just remember that. I’m still breathing. We both are.”
We walk out with Malik and Alyssa and get into the SUV with tinted windows. Cameras flash through the vehicle as we pull out of the secured garage, but it’s doubtful they’ll get any clear pictures.
I can still hear the questions they toss at us.
“Are you okay, Skylar?”
“Does someone want you dead?”
“Is this some new part of your show?”
“Do you think someone is after your boyfriend and trying to get to you?”
The last one makes me grit my teeth, but I still take Brody’s hand until we get to the hotel. We aren’t done talking, but when we get to our room, I fall asleep from exhaustion. Maybe my body is protecting me from the fallout if it doesn’t go well.
Nine
Flushing, New York
SKY
There’s been no time for Brody and me to finish our conversation. My schedule is too chaotic to deal with personal issues, since I’ve decided to keep the tour going. The police are involved now, whether we want them to be or not since the incident was recorded on video and uploaded to video sites all over the world. My fans are conflicted over it all with fear for the light being a real threat or a part of the show that still scares them.
During dance rehearsal, I miss simple steps in the routines I know by heart, and my choreographer eyes me with concern. I’m always one to try to out-dance the professional dancers, but this time I don’t have the drive to do it. It’s a miracle if what I am doing even classifies as dancing.
“Are you sure you want to keep touring, Sky?” Karen asks me. “It seems like a risk to keep going. You’re even having a harder time with the routines than you ever did before. It could be time to take a break.”
In all the years that she used to help me with my dance numbers and corralled the backup dancers, never once had she asked me a personal question about my life. I must really look like I need rest. Karen is a hard worker and doesn’t take slackers in her dances.
“I’m not letting my fans down, Karen. I’m not stopping because of them.”
She smirks. “I figured you’d say that. Your mother may not be your manager anymore, but you’re both strong-minded women.”
I arch my brow. “Why do I sense you mean stubborn instead?”
“Because you, my dear, are intuitive and savvy. Now, let’s work on that lift. It needs to work.”
That woman is honest to a fault. I can’t help but push myself to do the steps right. My fans paid for a show, and I don’t want to disappoint them.
Malik is extra cautious now, and that’s taking its toll on him. Although I should be grateful for his overprotective nature, the guy hasn’t rested since the light almost squashed Alyssa and me.
Alyssa is the only one who’s staying mostly positive. She thinks it’s better than a thriller movie and just needs popcorn and theater candy. I am grateful for her sense of humor, because it does keep me from throwing a pity party.
We’re halfway through the tour, but with the threats at every turn, it feels longer. Alyssa has taken over Brody’s duets with me, and we still both quickly glance up above us on instinct, although it’s unlikely whoever loosened that light would pull the same stunt twice.
After Brody and Malik’s insistence, we hire extra bodyguards and security detail. Malik is still the main one who looks out for me, but he has the men he trusts most take over when he has to see to managing things.
It’s my free day, and usually Brody and I try to do something together, but all I want to do is to stay in bed. It’s been two days since I saw part of that video from Brody’s past, and the more I try to forget it, the more curiosity gets the better of me, and I want a direct view into Brody’s darkness. I can’t push him. I won’t. He needs to volunteer to share it, or it won’t be the same.
Each day feels like we’re getting farther apart. Although we’ve had opportunities to talk, I think neither of us wants to do it yet for fear we may not like the outcome.
“
Get dressed,” Brody says, coming into our room with the first smile I’ve seen in days.
“No,” I cry. “I’m off.” I cover my head with a pillow.
“Exactly, beautiful. That’s why we’re going out. We’re in New York, and I’ll be damned if I let drama keep us from experiencing it together.”
“I’m not in the mood for touristy stuff. Besides, I promised I’d see Alyssa later. I don’t want her to be alone.”
“Good because I already thought of that. She’s coming with us, and she won’t be alone. I invited someone else, too.”
I remove the pillow and look at him.
“Don’t worry. Malik has checked this one out. He may not like him yet, but he’s for us getting out of here, so we don’t go stir crazy. Get a quick shower or we’ll lose time.”
It takes me getting a text from Alyssa to actually do it.
Get up or I’ll throttle you, woman. I need to get out of this hotel NOW!
I sigh and go to wash up. The shower feels good on my skin. It would help if I knew where I was going. It’s chilly out since it is fall but not freezing yet. I hope jeans and a sweater are good choices for whatever he has up his sleeve.
Malik rides with Alyssa, Brody, and me like always. Only thing different is the car tailing us to help if needed.
We drive for a good thirty minutes before arriving at the place I assume is our end destination. I get out, see the sign, and I can’t help but smile.
“A zoo?” I ask.
“What’s wrong with the zoo?” Brody asks. “I have it on good authority that you both like animals.”
“Hey, guys,” someone waves from the entrance at us. I recognize him as the drummer from The Savages.
“Here’s another animal now,” Brody jokes.
I don’t miss the joy that fills Alyssa’s face. If she’s happy to see him, then I won’t interfere, but that girl owes me a talk about this new infatuation, too.
“I told you she wouldn’t be lonely,” Brody tells me.
“Didn’t you fight with all of them?” I ask.
“Just Stephen. He’s Kim’s brother, so we’ve been at each other’s throats for a while.”
“That’s right. I forgot about that,” I say. I remember reading that in his bio online. I can’t imagine the tension that must still exist between him and Brody.
“Dylan is cool. We were friends long before The Savages, and I’ve known him longer than everyone else. He can be a little forward sometimes, but he’s a good guy.”
“Better be,” Malik says, “or he’ll be missing a limb that I’ll throw to one of the lions inside.”
I can’t stop laughing at Malik’s threat. I know he’s somewhat serious, so I shouldn’t find it funny, but it’s as if my body needs release. I continue to chuckle as Malik pats Dylan down.
“Having fun so far?” Brody asks, hopeful.
“Yeah,” I say. “I think I am.” I can’t help but look around and realize we’re the only ones in the parking lot. “Where is everyone?”
Brody grins down at me, and I realize I miss those smiles of his.
“I paid for part of the day, so it’s just the four of us, five if you include Malik and six if you group the other security detail into one. The whole place is ours for the next four hours.”
“So you rented us a zoo?” I ask with a mischievous smile of my own.
His laugh fills my ears. “I guess I did. Do you like it?”
“Hmm.” I absolutely love it, but I let him wonder a little. “I’ll love it more if you give me a piggyback ride inside.”
Hearing him laugh only makes me join him. He leans over. “Hop on, my beautiful Sky.”
I obey and jump up on his back. My arms wrap around his neck as he holds my legs around his waist. Just as I thought. Alyssa gets jealous and convinces the poor drummer to do the same for her. The smile on his face says he doesn’t mind one bit. I stick my tongue out at her for copying me.
I know it’s silly, and we probably look like crazy kids, but that’s what makes it so special. I told Brody of how I missed out on so many things children take for granted because I started working in the industry at such a young age. I know this is one of his ways of making it up for me. Alyssa missed hers, too, so we both enjoy it all.
Thankfully, Malik doesn’t toss any limbs to the animals, and Dylan is starting to grow on me a bit. As long as he’s good to my best friend, I’ll keep Malik at bay.
I know there’s a lot of shit to deal with, but for now, I just want to enjoy having fun with the people I love. Everything else can wait for one more day.
Ten
Baltimore, Maryland
M&T Bank Stadium
BRODY
It’s been days since I’ve seen Sky this happy. I miss seeing her smile. With everything happening, we seem to have lost part of ourselves. Work has taken all of our time, and fear has occupied the rest of it. Free time is few and far in between.
That’s why I planned the day at the zoo. When we first met, she told me how she grew up performing. It’s been her entire life. Although I know she loves it, sometimes she forgets to have fun.
That day was all about that, and I have more in store while we’re in Baltimore. I plan to make this a night before her performance one she’ll never forget. It has to be big and important to see her smile or laugh while she’s with me. I can’t imagine seeing Sky sad any longer. Whatever I do, it breaks my heart. Even if the world is going to hell around us, I will do everything in my power to make my woman happy.
When get back to our suite, a large box is on the bed just like I asked the bellman to place it.
“What’s that, Brody?” she asks.
I can’t get rid of the smirk on my face. “I guess you’ll just have to open it to find out.”
She moves over to it slowly, taking her time to examine it. Knowing her, ideas of what’s inside are probably flooding through her mind. She runs her hands across the smooth surface and looks back at me. “Well, it’s not going to open itself,” I tease.
Her fingers gently lift up the top and unfold the delicate tissue paper wrapping. Her hands go to her mouth as she stares down at her gift.
Although I can’t see it from here, I know exactly what it is. I’d rather be watching her staring at the gift with a mixture of surprise and excitement.
“Oh, Brody,” she says. “It’s beautiful.”
I shake my head at her. “It’s even more beautiful when you take it out of the box.”
Sky reaches for the material and pulls it out to reveal the royal blue dress. She holds it out in front of her before putting it under her neck to look down at it.
“Try on for me, baby,” I say. Even now, I can hear that my voice is deepening just at the thought of her in it. I know she’s going to look sexy as hell. That’s only one of the reasons why I bought it for her.
She looks up at me in a seductive way that’s purely Sky. Her captivating eyes never disconnect from mine as she steps out of her shoes. She sits on the bed to remove her socks then gets back up again. Her fingers play at the edge of her sweater before she lifts it up to reveal a tempting lace bra number.
Even from where I stand, I can see the outline of her nipples pressing against the thin material. My cock hardens against my pants almost instantly, but I don’t move for fear that I’ll miss a single second of her undressing before me. This is a show worth watching, and she’s going to get my undivided attention.
She slowly unbuckles her pants and slides the zipper down at a torturous pace. She knows exactly what she’s doing to me, and with each methodical movement, I’m tempted to storm over there and tear every piece of clothing off myself. It’s a fucking chore not to do that, but I resist it nonetheless. I’ve got to see her sexy ass in that dress so I can eventually rip it off her before the night is over. Sure, it was an expensive piece of clothing, but taking it off for her is going to be worth the price of destruction.
She slides her pants down her legs and went over to pu
sh them down to her feet, showing me the tops of her breasts.
I lick my lips on instinct. Oh, she’s enjoying this alright. I’ll let her have a little fun for now, because later she’s going to get it, and I want to make sure she knows how dangerous it is to tease me like this.
She stands there in just your underwear, and I can’t help stifle small groan as my hardness get bigger and confined inside my pants. She reaches for the dress, but I have an idea.
“Take your bra and panties off first,” the man. “I want you to be completely bare under me for me.”
Sky smiles and complies with my orders. She reaches behind her back and unsnaps the bra before sliding it down her arms and letting it fall to the floor. Her panties go next until she’s naked in front of me. I cross my arms and lean against the doorframe to keep from storming over there and taking her before she’s even tried the damn dress on.
She unzips the back steps into it. The material slides up her legs and over sides until she slips her arms through the two openings.
“Let me zip you up,” I say as a move closer to her. I don’t immediately do that. Instead, I lean over and put kisses on her bare back as I pull the zipper up. Even from behind her, I can feel her trembling from my kisses. I end at the back of her neck, and she tilts her head back closer to me. I quickly move back and laugh when I hear her growing frustration.
“Turn around let me see you,” I say. She obeys, and when she does, I am absolutely speechless.
It looks even better on her than I imagined when I picked it out. Her skin glows against the dark blue shade. The way I’m staring at her makes her skin flush. “You’re fucking gorgeous, you know that?”
I don’t give her the chance to answer me. Instead, I pull her up against me and crash my mouth down onto hers, tasting every bit of her sweet lips before porting them with my tongue. She’s so delicious and addictive and I could do this all night and day. So damn hard to pull away from her, but the night has just begun.
When I pull back, her eyes are still closed.
“I’m taking a quick shower,” I say. “Then we have to go, or we’ll be late.”
