Burning Up

by Marie Coulson

  Waiting for the elevator, Daniel rocked on his heels. He was clearly worried about what Jimmy had said, and I felt the need to get to the bottom of it growing stronger. When the elevator finally arrived, I was grateful for the seclusion. I watched as Daniel pressed the button for the nineteenth floor directly beneath the large ‘P.’ He caught my line of sight and swallowed hard. Bingo. “He has the penthouse doesn’t he? Of course he does. Why wouldn’t he? Mr. Made of Money would expect nothing less! God!” Throwing my hands in the air I growled in frustration. Daniel continued to stare at the closed doors, and as we came to a stop, he stepped out, walked a little way down the hall and waited for me to exit. I stood in the corner of the elevator and stared back at him. It was no good. My curiosity was getting the better of me once again.

  Realizing my next move, he jolted forward to try and stop me, but I was faster. Hitting the ‘P’ on the panel, I watched as he tried desperately to stop the doors from closing, but by the time he reached them, I was already on my way. I could hear him yelling my name and cursing. No doubt he would be hurtling up the stairs after me, but I didn’t care. I had to see it.

  The doors opened, and I cautiously stepped out. Directly in front of me, were a set of large white double doors and a keypad was fixed to the wall beside them. It was identical to the one at our apartment, and I wondered if the code would be the same, too. I was just about to test my theory when a hand caught me by the wrist. Panting, Daniel shook his head. “It’s not worth it. Come on. Don’t do it to yourself. It’s just an apartment.”

  I cocked my head and pulled my hand from his. “Oh really? If that’s true why are you so desperate for me not to see it?” He let out a loud sigh and rubbed his hands over his face. “Because it would only upset you, and I don’t like it when you’re upset. Let’s just go to my place, I’ll make you a coffee, and I’ll change. Then we can hit the city. Anywhere you want. What do you say?” I had to at least give him credit where credit was due. Daniel was a loyal friend. I glanced at the door. “Something is going on here, and I will get to the bottom of it.”

  He gave me a pleading look and I melted. Poor Daniel. It really wasn’t his fault and I was putting him in a tough position. “But not today. Come on, you can make me that coffee.”

  Chapter 5

  New York, New York

  Daniel’s apartment was relatively small considering the magnitude of the building. Throwing his keys on the table in the hallway, he smiled at me. “Mr. Garrett offered me a bigger one, but this one, has that view.” He pointed ahead at the enormous windows of his open plan living room and kitchen. I gasped as I looked out onto the busy streets of Manhattan. It was the closest to heaven I could have been. Literally. Nineteen stories up, I felt as though I were standing on a cloud. Below I could see the tiny specs of people and cars going about their day. It was breathtaking.

  “Wow. Oh my God, Daniel, this is amazing. I would totally take this apartment for that view, too!” I turned to find him standing beside the couch, beginning to remove his shirt. Holy fuck! Daniel had a rocking hot body! I always knew he had an impressive physique, but I had no idea it was that good!

  His arms were thick and a tattoo ran from his chest, over his shoulder and down his left arm. I gulped as I stared at him. I wasn’t into Daniel even slightly, but even I could appreciate the Adonis standing before me.

  He lifted his head and caught me staring at his hips. He had a deep V that rivaled Jared’s, and I wondered if they worked out at the same gym, and if they did, their trainer deserved a medal! Catching my line of sight, he chuckled and ran his fingers through his blonde hair, blushing profusely. Sliding his cell from his pocket, he placed it on the coffee table and smiled. “I’ll be in the bedroom changing. Make yourself at home.” He gestured to the couch and left the room, jogging slightly.

  Slumping onto the dark brown leather, I sat rigidly on the couch, staring at the ceiling. What was he hiding up there? Or worse, who was he hiding? What if he has a lover up there? A woman he keeps for his visits to New York. Rolling my eyes, I mentally chastised myself. Trust was clearly something we still needed to work on, but the way Daniel had so desperately kept me from going in there, made me highly suspicious. If Jared had taken that apartment for ‘entertaining’ women, why the hell did he still have it? He’d professed his love and devotion to me, and only me, almost a year ago. Why keep it?

  I was making myself stressed and wound up as I continued to think of more explanations for the empty apartment above me. At least, I hoped it was empty. I bit my lip and listened for any signs of life, but silence was all I heard. Humming against my thigh, I felt my cell vibrate from inside my purse. Pulling it out, without checking the display, I answered.

  “Layla! I have the most amazing news ever!”

  I smiled as Amy’s excited squeaks echoed down the phone. “Hey, Amy. What’s up?”

  “What is up, my little chickadee, is that me and Mel are moving into our own apartment! Daddy bought it for me!”

  I gasped and held my hand over my mouth. “Wow. I mean, that’s great, but don’t you think it’s kinda soon to be living together?”

  Amy snorted a laugh “Said the girl who left her life in L.A. for New York and Europe?”

  She had a valid point. “Touché, Amy. Will you still be in L.A.?”

  “Uh huh. Not far from Long Beach. It’s a really nice place. It’s got lots of room, but it needs some work. Ollie said he can fix it up for us.”

  My heart leapt at the sound of his name. Even after weeks of being apart, Ollie Green still had a vice-like hold on my heart. Do you ever stop loving someone? Can you make yourself stop? I wanted to for Jared, but part of me also wanted to hold onto Ollie and what we had. Thoughts of his heart breaking when he got my message were once again filling my mind.

  I tried to sound collected and unfazed by the mere mention of his name, but I got the feeling that no matter how I tried, Amy was going to see right through me. “Oh, that’s nice.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. I forget sometimes. Have the two of you spoken at all since you left?”

  I sighed loudly. “No. He hates me, Amy. I mean, how could he not? Look what I did to him. I told him I loved him, had sex with him in a bar bathroom, and dumped him over a text to be with another man. If I were him, I’d never want to see me again!”

  “You don’t know that he hates you, Layla. He loved you, and I’m betting he still does. He never says it or even hints it, but we know because he never talks about you. You only do that when it’s too painful to remember, or when you just need to forget. Maybe you should do the same. You know, forget.”

  Forget? Was she serious? How could I forget him? He wasn’t just some frat boy or a guy I met at Benny’s, he was Ollie. He was the guy who picked me up off of a dirty hallway floor. The guy who took me to Benny’s and got me to sing again. The guy who took me to a scary movie and let me bury my head in his chest the whole time we were there.

  I would never forget him. I couldn’t. I was still in love with him.

  “I still love him, Amy, and I know that’s wrong. I chose Jared and I should be able to give him all of me. I suck. This sucks and I hate that I did this to both of them.”

  She let out a long breath. “I don’t have an answer for that. I guess you’ll never have one. It takes time. It was a long year and you and Ollie were friends first, so it’s different than breaking up with a boyfriend. Maybe once you get to Europe, away from the states and Ollie, it will be better.”

  I hoped she was right, but deep down I wondered if I would ever get over Ollie. The sound of a floorboard creaking caught my attention and I glanced over at Daniel’s bedroom door. Emerging in a pair of faded jeans and a plain white t-shirt, he looked truly handsome. I’d never seen Daniel dress casually, and it was a breath of fresh air to see him more human. He gave me a quick smile, and I held my hand up indicating for him to give me a minute.

  “Amy, I gotta go, but I’ll call you later, okay? I’m really stoked a
bout you and Mel getting a place. I love you both and I miss you guys so much.”

  “We miss and love you more girl. Hurry up and get to Europe so you can haul ass back here soon.”

  Giggling, I said goodbye and hung up. Holding the phone tightly, I hugged it to my chest. Daniel gave me a puzzled look. “Everything okay?”

  I nodded weakly. “I just miss home, I guess. My friends are my family, and it’s hard being away from them.”

  He nodded in agreement. “Sorry. I know it must have been tough for you to come here. Leaving college, your family and your friends. Regret it?”

  I shook my head and smiled. “No. My only regret is that I still haven’t seen enough of this city. What do you say we get out of here and explore?”

  Grabbing his keys and cell, he held out a hand for me to take. Gripping it tightly, I pulled myself up off the couch and headed for the door. Daniel followed behind, locking up as we left. The elevator arrived almost instantly, and I couldn’t help but stare at that damn ‘P’ button the entire ride down.

  “It’s just walls, floors, and furniture. It’s nothing compared to what he shares with you. Trust me. I’ve known him a long time and he’s never let anyone, man or woman, into his home or the apartment that the two of you share. It’s not his style. But you, you’re different. He loves you. I can tell.”

  Taking my hand, Daniel gave it a light squeeze. “Seriously. Forget about it. It’ll only drive you crazy if you don’t.”

  He was right. It was already driving me crazy. It made sense that Jared would naturally have a place for entertaining, but it bothered me nonetheless. Especially when Daniel was so keen to keep me away from it. It was too suspicious, but in the name of trust and to keep my sanity intact for the day, I had to let it go.

  Stepping out of the elevator, we walked across the lobby to the doors where Jimmy was standing with a small poodle. He was yelling at it to ‘make,’ and I giggled as the animal cocked a leg against Jimmy’s pants. Daniel roared with laughter as we pushed through the doors and onto the busy street.

  “I hate this dog. I’m sure it does this to me on purpose you know. Last week I swear it shit on the floor by my desk deliberately. I slipped and skid in that pile in front of some of the most important people in the building. I hate this dog.” He shook his leg and gave the animal a stern look.

  “Dude, maybe your ex-wife trained it. I mean, she was always landing you in shit.” I laughed loudly as Jimmy gave Daniel the finger

  “Thanks, Dan. I’ll keep that in mind. Though, if it were my ex-wife, I’m pretty sure he’d be castrated, too. Poor mutt. That bitch was a ball-breaker.”

  Shrugging, Daniel chuckled. “Whatever, dude. We’re heading into the city. Finally doing some sightseeing.”

  Jimmy grinned at me and pointed at Daniel with his thumb. “Guy lives here four years and this is the first time I’ve seen him take a day off and see the place. You’re a good influence on him.”

  I smiled and hooked my arm in Daniel’s. “That’s what friends are for. Can we bring you back some lunch? I’m dying to get a New York bagel.”

  Shaking his head, Daniel tutted. “No, he’s watching his waistline. Gotta look the part in this job. Why do you think I work out so much?” I stood back and looked Jimmy up and down. He was muscular, but noticeably not as broad as Jared and Daniel.

  “We’re not just a concierge and a driver. We have to act as security, too. I’m never off duty in this building, and Dan is Mr. Garrett’s personal protection.”

  I stared at Daniel wide-eyed. I had often wondered if he was Jared’s bodyguard, but he’d always brushed off my comments. Seeing my reaction, he clarified.

  “I’m not his bodyguard. I make sure the house is secure, and it’s my job to keep track of anyone he doesn’t want to see. Like Alicia Felix and her husband …”

  I nodded. Felix. That was someone I didn’t want to see ever again. If he dropped dead it would be a service to the human population. “And, you know exactly where they are?”

  My voice quivered with a slight fear that I hadn’t expected as the question left my lips. Daniel placed his hand on my arm reassuringly and whispered in my ear.

  “They’re nowhere near anywhere that you are, and that’s all you need to know. I make sure of it and so does Mr. Garrett.” I smiled and nodded again.

  I wasn’t entirely convinced that Felix was the type to stay gone for long, but the way Jared had attacked him, and the fear in his eyes that night as he lay battered and bruised on the floor, gave me hope that he wasn’t stupid enough to come after Lucy or I again. Though, intelligence wasn’t really his strong suit. Jared had screwed him over, and since his attempt to rape me and attack Lucy, Jared had liquidated every business that Felix owned. First he withdrew funding and then promptly bought out the other shareholders leaving him with the majority. It was safe to say that it was only a matter of time before he dissolved everything and cashed in the profits.

  Felix had been plastered all over the media after he filed for bankruptcy. Lucy was immediately moved to a secure location that even I didn’t know the whereabouts of, so Felix was certainly not going to find her either.

  My stomach churned as I thought of Lucy and her growing bump. We’d both come very close to tragedy that night. My uneasiness must have shown on my face as Daniel quickly tightened his grasp on my arm.

  “I promise, you are completely safe.”

  I gave him a weak smile and nodded.

  “Well, we should get going and you …“ He nodded down at Jimmy’s pants, “should get those pants dry-cleaned. Dude, you stink!” Wincing, Jimmy glanced down at his wet pants leg and then back at Daniel.

  “Oh, yeah. Catch you later. Layla, it was great to meet you.”

  I gave him a smile and watched as he pulled the reluctant poodle inside with him. I turned to Daniel and chuckled. “Poor Jimmy.”

  He shrugged. “He gets paid pretty well for all the shit he has to deal with. Literally and figuratively speaking. So, where to first?”

  I bit my lip and pulled out my list of places I wanted to see while in the city. “Statue of Liberty?”

  He nodded and grinned down at me. “Lady Liberty it is. Huh, who’d have thought, small town girl, small town boy both in the Big Apple because of one guy.”

  I beamed back at him as excitement filled my body with adrenalin. “He’s a pretty special guy.” And I meant it. Jared was special, and I owed him a lot. Most of all, I owed him my whole heart, and I was determined to do whatever I could to give it to him.

  * * * *

  The line for the Statue of Liberty seemed to go for miles. We must have been queuing for at least three hours. By the time we were done, my feet were burning, and I was starving. Daniel, being a true gentleman, offered to carry me all the way back to the car, but I insisted that I was fine. The fact that my feet felt as though I were walking on hot coals was no reason for him to feel obligated to haul my ass around.

  Opening my door for me, he smiled as I slid into the passenger side of the Mercedes. He ran around and jumped into the driver’s side. Holding the wheel firmly, he grinned at me. “So, where to next?”

  I glanced at my watch and was amazed to see it was almost one in the afternoon. “How about lunch? I’m so hungry I could eat a mountain of pancakes right now.”

  His grin widened. “Then I know just the place.”

  We drove for about ten minutes before pulling up at a small diner. It was one of those that looked as though it had been there since the nineteen forties, and its interior almost confirmed my theory.

  Plastered across the walls were pictures and portraits of Hollywood stars from years past. Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Ingrid Bergman, Clark Gable, Gene Kelly and Bob Hope, were just a few that I recognized. The tables were wooden with a high gloss finish and it looked kind of pricey for a small diner.

  “This place looks fancy. You sure you want to eat here? I’m just as happy to grab something from the deli by Jared’s building.” I
offered.

  Daniel chuckled. “Which one? He has at least eight just in Manhattan.”

  My mouth dropped open. “He owns eight Manhattan skyscrapers?”

  He shook his head. “Skyscrapers? No. High rise apartment buildings? Yes.”

  My stomach dropped and I fidgeted in my seat. “Does he have apartments in all of those, too?”

  Grabbing a menu, he glanced over the top of it at me. “Nope. Just the one you share, and, you know, the other one.”

  I nodded in understanding. Its existence was something I couldn’t change, so being mad about it was pointless. But I was still unhappy about it, and until I got to the bottom of it, it was going to bug me.

  “So, kids, what can I getcha?”

  I looked up to a dark haired, middle-aged woman in an apron staring down at me through half-moon glasses. She had a pen in her hand, and, considering the décor, she seemed very under-dressed. Smiling, I scanned my menu. Daniel placed his on the table and began reeling off his long and detailed order.

  “I’ll have the tower of pancakes with butter not syrup, maple bacon, two eggs, sunny-side-up, and three sausage links. Oh, and a huge pot of coffee and cream.”

  My eyes widened and I shook my head lightly at him from across the table. Catching my eye, he shrugged and patted his stomach. “I’m starving. All this patriotism gets my appetite going. What are you getting?”

  Closing my menu, I grinned. “I’ll have the same.” Giving me a wink, the waitress wrote down my order and hurried across the diner to the bar.

  Leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table, Daniel chuckled. “The same? You sure you can manage that, little lady?”

  Little lady? Sitting up straight, I feigned insult. “I’ll have you know that I can eat as well as any man can. In fact, in my senior year of high school, Mel and I went to this awesome chili cook-off, and, as is customary at these things, they had a huge eating contest.”