by L. J. Swartz
I walk into work. "Hey sweetheart," Victor says. "Hey," I say dryly. "What's wrong baby you getting tired of dating a super star," he asks sarcastically. "Yeah maybe," I bark as I walk to my station. He walks up behind me meeting my gaze in the mirror saying, "Sade talk to me." I shrug as I pull out my chair sitting down. I look to my ring and twirling it on my finger as I say, "He's never home. He fought Declan today. I haven't seen him, but Declan looked like ass. His make up artist was excited though." He kneels in front of me saying, "It's just one movie. I'm sure he'll take some time off to plan the wedding with you." I look to him shaking my head. "Sadie talk to him. Tell him how you're feeling. Trust me sweetie you'll never make it in this industry together if you don't tell him when you're unhappy," he says calmly. "I'm not unhappy," I bark. His eyes go wide as he holds his hands up in surrender saying, "I wasn't saying that sweetie easy. I just meant you gotta communicate." I stand walking to the back to get ready for my first client. I get through three clients and am about to go on lunch break when Victor calls me to the front. My face lights up as I walk to the front desk asking, "What are you doing here?" Vance rounds the counter to me. He rests his hands on my hips searching my face. He looks gorgeous. I don't know what Declan was talking about. I'd say he was just mad Vance handed his ass to him. As far as I can tell the only damage he suffered was a split cheek. "Are we ok," he asks concerned. I'm shocked by his question. Then it hits me. I look over my shoulder at Victor. He smiles waving with his finger tips as he turns and walks away. I look back to Vance. I don't really know what to say at this point. I'm not prepared to have this conversation right here, right now. "Sadie," he asks sternly. I met his gaze and shrug. He touches my face asking, "Baby what's wrong?" I don't know what happens. I burst into tears. "Holy shit," he says as he pulls me to him. I wrap my arms around him sobbing into his chest. He holds me close playing with my hair. I don't know how long we stand like that. "Sadie, I moved your appointments around," Victor says behind me getting my attention. I turn to him. "Take the rest of the day," he says looking to Vance. I look up into his eyes as he nods at Victor. He keeps one arm wrapped around me as he digs his phone out dialing someone. "It's Vance, I will not be back today. Well too bad it's important. No it can't wait. This is fucking horseshit. I've been working my ass off. All I'm asking for is a fucking afternoon. Whatever no it's fucking fine. I'm bringing my fiancé though, so you better be ready to pamper her. As soon as the scenes done I'm leaving," he hangs up whispering, "fuckers." I touch his face saying, "Vance we're fine ok. I can finish my day here. You go do what you have to at work. We'll talk tonight." I try to be strong, but tears spring to my eyes again. He takes my face saying, "No fuck this we're going home." He walks around me to my station grabbing my purse. He walks back to me saying, "I will not let another movie ruin my life." I take his hand in mine saying, "I'll come with you. I wanna see what you've been doing." He looks pissed as he searches my face trying to figure out what to do. "Vance please. I don't know what Victor told you, but we're fine," I tell him meaning every word. It's hard yes. Nothing could make me want to leave him. I love him more than anything. "It's just one scene babe, I promise," he says sweetly. I smile asking, "Are you shirtless?" He chuckles saying, "Yeah actually." I run my hand up his arm to his bicep giving it a squeeze as I say, "Then we'll be just fine." He leads me from the salon laughing.
We walk on set. I know just about everyone. A beautiful blonde all made up walks on to set. I look up at Vance with my eye brow raised asking, "Who's that?" He follows my gaze asking, "Who?" I give him an are you kidding me look. He shrugs as I say, "The gorgeous blonde." He looks back over in the direction of her and says, "Oh that's uh, Kristy I think her name is. She's Tim's personal stylist. See I told you I coulda had you with me." I'm starting to wonder now if I should. She looks to us. Her face lights up. She waves at Vance then turns back to who I assume is Tim. Vance ignores her leading me off to a trailer with his name on it. We walk in. This one is a lot nicer than the ones we had n New York. There's a tv, full size couch, mini bar, fridge, and bathroom. The door opens. I beautiful man with bleach blonde hair, a pink sweater, and teal pants walks in. "Vance darling we need to get you ready," he says smiling at me. "Trent this is my fiancé Sadie," Vance tells him. He holds his hand out to me. I give him my right hand. He huffs saying, "Let me see the rock silly." I laugh as I hold out my left hand. He takes my hand in his saying, "Holy shit I'm in love. I LOVE pink. Obviously." He motions to his shirt. "Thank you," I tell him. "So wow you're who Vance is always talking about," he says giving me a funny look. "He is, is he," I ask looking over my shoulder at Vance. "Oh hunny he hardly shuts up about you," he tells me. Vance chuckles behind me. "I've never in all my years as a hair stylist worked with a more devoted man. They all pretend to be, of course, but they always end up with some little hussy on the side. Not Vance. It's like he doesn't even notice females," he tells me as he ready's his station. I love to Vance asking, "Really?" He looks up at me holding my gaze. "You're it for me baby," he says with certainty. I walk to him. He's shirtless now. Thank you Jesus, Buda, Jehovah, and who ever else all could be responsible. I wrap my hands around his neck pressing my lips to his. I can't help it. I moan as he deepens the kiss. Trent clears his throat then says, "Yep I'm gonna give you two a minute." The door opens and closes. I pull myself up his body wrapping my legs around his waist. My skirt slides up to my thighs. He groans against my lips as I grind myself against him. He pulls away hissing, "Fuck." He walks to the door with me still wrapped around him turning the lock then slams me against it pinning my back to it as he crashes his lips to mine. I grab his face plunging my tongue into his mouth. He slides his hands up my thighs to my ass. I can't even handle how much I want him right now. I hear his zipper then he hooks my panties slipping a finger through my folds. "Ummmmmm," I moan as I bite down on his bottom lip. There's a knock at the door. Someone tells Vance they need him. He takes his lips from mine to yell, "Not now." Then presses them back to mine as he slams into me making the door rattle. I moan loudly as he pumps inside me quickly. I'm instantly on the edge. Vance starts to grunt as he pumps in me. There's this undeniable need between us. I slide my hands down his neck, his arms, resting my hands on his stomach as he pushes he higher in pleasure. "Sadie," he groans questionably. I squeeze myself around him tightly. "Fuck," he hisses. I close my eyes as he pounds into me. I come around him hard squeezing his so tightly he can no longer move inside me. "God damn it," he calls out as he releases inside me. I can feel him pulsing. "Oh god," I call out as he rests his forehead to mine. "I love you, only you. You know that right," he tells me grazing his lips along mine. I shake my head slowly saying, "Yes." He pulls back a bit taking my face in my hands searching my face. "Good," he says simply then grabs my hips pulling from me. I groan as I unwrap my legs. I stumble a bit. Vance chuckles as he steadies me. "Wow," I whisper then giggle. He smiles saying, "I gotta get Trent to ready me now." I nod then walk to the bathroom. I look in the mirror. I look thoroughly fucked. I smile then clean myself up. I exit the bathroom and stop short as I watch Kristy do Vance's hair. Vance gives me an apologetic look as he says, "Sadie this is Kristy. Trent went MIA." I smile at her saying, "Hey." She smiles at me as she runs pomade into Vance's hair. "I could have done that babe," I tell him. Kristy gives me a funny look as a huge smile spread to his lips. "I know baby, but your here as my fiancé not my stylist," he says knowing exactly what he's doing. If there was any doubt in Kristy mine, she knows who I am now. "The two are one in the same now babe," I say as I walk to him taking his face in my hands pressing my lips to his. I will not let this bitch know her presence bothers me. I hear her huff as I pull away looking into his eyes. He winks at me as I stand saying, "I need a water you wore me out." Vance clears his throat then points to the fridge saying, "Help yourself beautiful." We're putting on quite the show. I love it. Kristy walks to the sink saying, "All done." Vance stands walking to me saying, "I gotta get out there babe. You ready?" I shake my head no saying, "I'll be
right there." He gives me a funny look before kissing my lips quickly then walking from his trailer. As the door closes Kristy turns to me saying, "Congrats on the engagement. Vance seems amazing." I look to her stone faced saying, "He is." She nods and walks for the door. "Stay out of this trailer. You're Tim's stylist not Vance's," I warn. She gives me a weak smile then exits the trailer. I finish my water before I go to find Vance. I walk on set. They're in the middle of a scene. Vance is hanging from the side of a building. He looks mouth watering. All his muscles are flexed as he pulls himself to the top. I watch as he gets to his feet just in time for a large Russian to punch him in the face. He punches him back knocking him down. I have to keep myself from yelling out my excitement. It's all staged of course, but it's exciting to watch. Vance walks into a room. A beautiful voluptuous brunette throws herself into his arms. He catches her then grabs her hand saying, "We gotta go." They run through a building. Vance keeps taking guys out as they go. "CUT," the director yells. The brunette says something to Vance. He starts laughing. She touches his arm. He says something then she looks over my way. She doesn't wave or smile she just looks back to Vance running her hand up his arm to his bicep. She's testing me. I will not lose. He steps back then walks to me. I smile at him saying, "This is awesome babe. I almost cheered for you when you were taking guys out." He chuckles saying, "Sade it's all staged. That guy could beat me to death." I raise my eye brow saying, "You did a number on Declan." He looks to the ground shaking his head. He looks back to me saying, "He told me not to hold back. I got a bit outta control. I think some of my anger from dealing with Mario's goons came out." I smile asking, "Who's the actress in this movie?" He narrows his eyes saying, "Sadie Hannah Day please stop worrying about all the woman. I do not care about anyone, but you. You're going to be Mrs. Vance Matthews soon." I smile then look to the ground mumbling, "Not soon enough." He tilts my head up asking, "What does that mean?" I shake my head whispering, "Nothing." I slide my hands up his stomach as he says, "Sadie I'll marry you right here right now if that's what you want. Call a minister right now. Is this what your tears were about earlier?" I look to the side. I don't know what's going on with me. I feel so emotional and scared that I'm going to lose him. "Sadie talk to me," he says concerned. "VANCE, we need you," someone calls out behind him. He looks over his shoulder holding his finger up. "Babe you have to go," I say as tears spring to my eyes. "NO fuck that. This is the second time you've tried distracting me from finding out what's going on. I'm not going anywhere, so you might as well start talking," he says sternly. I look down. He tilts my head back up saying, "Sadie you're scaring me. Don't think I won't beg in front of these people. I don't care if they know I'm your bitch." I laugh loudly touching his face. I take a deep breath. "I'm not sure what's wrong really. I feel like I hardly see you. When I do your asleep or exhausted. I get it, ok. It's what the movie calls for. I just feel like we got engaged and you basically disappeared from my life. I understand, I do. It just sucks," I say searching his face. "Sadie I'll quit right now if you're feeling doubts. I refuse to have you feel second in my life to anything. You are my 1st and only priority. I just thought with you be so busy at the salon....." he trails off then looks to me saying, "I'm sorry Sadie." I close my eyes. Tears build behind my eyes. He leans forward grazing his lips to mine. I gasp as he moves his lips against mine. He pulls away. I open my eyes slowly. "I can't believe you love me," I whisper without thinking. His eyes widen as he asks, "Why would you say that?" I search his face. I'm not sure what to say. I didn't say it meaning anything by it. He bends down looking me straight on. "I have never stopped loving you. Never. I'm sorry I let so much time pass before. It will never happen again. Everything, everything I do is to make our life better. If you're unhappy with any of it, I'll change it. I'll do anything you ask of me," he tells me with 100% determination. I wrap my arms around his neck and cry. He pulls me into his arms lifting me off my feet holding me close. I don't know how to describe what I feel, or what I felt earlier. All I know is this man loves me more than I deserve. "Vance we really need you," someone says next to us almost apologetically. Vance sits me of my feet ignoring them as he says, "Are we ok?" I shake my head yes. He wipes my tears with his thumbs then raises his eye brow at me in question. "Seriously babe we're fine. I just....we're fine," I tell him. He searches my face a minute longer then says, "Ok I should be done after this." I nod taking his hand in my bringing it to my lips placing a kiss to his palm. He closes his eyes a second then opens them. He removes his hand from mine slowly then walks off. "You two are like a fucking chick flick," Trent says as he steps up next to me. I giggle saying, "Yeah it's crazy sometimes." I look to him as he says, "It's incredible." Vance finishes up his scene. Of course, the director pushes for one more. I assure Vance it's fine. I like watching him run around all sweaty and sexy kicking ass. I don't particularly like the kissing scene I have to watch, but it's nothing compared to a sex scene. The director yells, "CUT." Vance unloads all his props them makes his way to me. He gets about 5 feet from me when his co-star, miss brunette, steps in front of him. He looks around her to me. I don't know what she's saying, but he stays locked in on me. She slaps his face. His eyes shoot to hers. My heart rate picks up. What the fuck was that about? He looks lethal. I walk to them saying, "Excuse me bitch did you just slap my fiancé?" She looks to me like I'm disgusting asking, "Who the fuck are you?" I chuckle saying, "Oh you know just his fiancé." She loses her bitch for a second. She didn't know. "Well I'm the girl friend," she says making me instantly ill. "What the fuck are you trying to pull," Vance hisses at her. I hold my hand up to him as I say to her, "You know what. You're not the first actress to think she can further her career by getting her hooks into MY fiancé. I know for a fact he wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole if it wasn't for you being his co-star. So good try, but you need to just move along. Vance Matthews is taken." She huffs then looks to Vance saying, "You told me you loved me." He rolls his eyes saying, "Yeah during scene because I HAD to. This woman," he says pointing to me, "owns me." She looks to me saying, "Whatever believe what you want." She struts off. I can't help but feel a tingle of doubt. He wouldn't do that, I tell myself as I meet his gaze. He searches my face not saying a word. Today has been so crazy for me emotionally. I just want it to be over. "Let's go home," I say as I take his hand in mine. He relaxes a bit, but not much. We get to his trailer. I don't know what happens really. He walks to the kitchen and starts throwing everything he can get his hands on. I back against the door watching as he completely rips the trailer to shreds. He stops then looks at me. "Fuck," he hisses. He takes a few deep breaths then walks to me. Not one part of me is scared of him. Worried, is the emotion I'm feeling. "I never touched her Sadie. I never laid a hand on her outside of a scene. I saw the doubt, I saw it. Don't even try to tell me you didn't feel it. I don't know why every one wants to fuck this up for us. He drops to his knees in front of me wrapping his arms around my waist." I slide my hands into his hair then slide down so that I'm kneeling in front of him. I take his face in my hands. I'm shocked to see tears in his eyes. "I didn't touch her," he whispers pained. "Hey I know. I wouldn't have come put her in her place if I thought you had," I tell him. He looks to me saying, "I saw it Sadie. A little part of you wondered if she was telling the truth." I swallow hard. He's right. "I don't know what to say, Vance," I whisper. I stand and turn walking from the trailer. He's behind me not even 10 seconds later. He grabs my hips pulling me to him whispering, "Come be my stylist. Let me show you there is nothing you have to worry about." I turn my head to him. He still effects me so deeply. I'm panting as he holds my gaze waiting for my response. Is it normal for your fiancé to drive you so crazy? "Ok," I tell him.
It's Friday night. Declan's fighting for Mario, so he and Rian can go home and prepare for baby Matthews. I look to next to me at her face. She looks like she's about to puke. Vance went with Declan to get him warmed up. We're riding in a cab to the arena. I guess Rian watched some old videos of Declan fightin
g. Bad idea. I'm pretty nervous about what I am about to see. The cab stops. I pay him and get out. I walk around to help Rian out. We get to the door. A man asks for our tickets. "We're with Declan Matthews. I'm his wife Rian," she tells the man. He smiles at her saying, "Ok ma'am you need to go to that window. They'll have a pass for you." We walk to the window and get our passes. We walk through the doors. The lobby area is super crowded. I never realized how big of a deal this was. Rian looks around then walks to the right. I follow closely. I have no clue where we are. She stops outside two large swinging doors. There's a huge bear of a man blocking them. He looks to our passes then steps aside holding one of the doors open. We walk down a long hall that wraps to the right. There's no door or anything. We walk right into a locker room. Declan and Vance are in both wearing boxing gloves going at each other. Declan see's us come in and just barely misses ducking as Vance throws a punch at his face. "Shit sorry," Vance says as he realizes why he got distracted. Declan walks to Rian. She throws her arms around his neck and starts to sob. I feel so bad for her. I can't imagine how scared she must be. The fact that she's due pretty soon, and super emotional isn't helping. Vance comes to me kissing me quickly then asks, "You guys have any trouble getting in?" I shake my head no. He holds his hand out to me asking, "Will you take this off?" I un velcro the glove pulling it off. He un does the other one and starts to un wrap his hands. Declan takes his gloves off. I watch as he takes Rian's face in his wrapped hands kissing her slowly. He pulls away saying, "It's almost over baby. We get to go home tomorrow." He wipes her tears as she shakes her head slowly. "Ok Declan we're about to get started," a guy in a black t shirt with Declan "Madman" Matthews on it says. I look up at Vance mouthing, "Madman." He nods saying, "It's his nickname. Wait til you see him fight. You'll see why." Declan gets a t shirt and hat on then starts to jump up and down. "Let's go find our spots," Vance says to Rian and I. "Hey take care of her for me," Declan says to Vance. He nods holding his hand out to Rian. She takes it stepping into his side wrapping her arms around his waist. Vance gives me a look holding his free hand out to me. He walks us down the hall through a door to the right I didn't notice before. We are in a huge room with a fucking cage in the middle. "What kind of fighting is this," I ask quietly. "Declan was an MMA fighter for a while them he got in trouble with drugs. He started doing this after meeting Mario one night in a bar. It's MMA on steroids," Vance explains next to my ear. I nod up at him. We get to a spot that's roped off. Vance holds it up for us. We stand there for about 1 minute when loud music booms through out the room. People are screaming and yelling. "We got a surprise for ya'll tonight," A mans voice calls out a loud speaker. "We got Madman Matthews in the building," he calls out. The crowd goes crazy. I look up at Vance. He smiles at me then looks to Rian. She's got her hands linked holding them to her mouth. I walk around Vance to stand next to her. She takes my hand in both of hers. "It's gonna be ok," I whisper as the music changes. "Here he is, Declan Madman Michaels," the announcer calls. The music changes as Declan exits a door from the far right. He walks out looking lethal. Wow that's my brother- in- law. I was worried until right now. He looks in his element. I have no doubts he's going to be amazing. "His opponent this evening is none other than Nick "The Kid" Miller. I look up at Vance in shock. It's the same Nick who came to our house. He's not big at all. Declan's gonna kill him. They both get into the cage. There's a ref inside with them. I notice Declan's not wearing gloves. The music fades out. The referee says something to them. They bump fists as a bell dings. Rian squeezes my hand tightly as they circle each other. Declan throws the first punch connecting with Nick's face. I flinch. After that it's just full on constant punching and kicking until the bell dings again. I couldn't take my eyes off them. It was almost beautiful the way they moved around each other. Does that makes me a sicko to think that? I look to Rian. She looks ok so far. Declan looks over his shoulder at us. Rian waves at him yelling, "I love you baby." He smiles at her then turns around taking a drink before walking back to the center of the cage. Nick looks pretty rough. His guys are taking a bit longer trying to get a cut on his head to stop bleeding. He finally comes back to the middle of the cage. He and Declan bump fists again as the bell dings. Declan moves quickly taking his legs out from under him. He gets on top of him throwing one punch after the other. A bell dings as the ref throws his arm up. Declan moves off of Nick growling like a wild man at the ceiling. The crowd goes absolutely nuts. Nick isn't moving. I look at Vance. He's cheering and clapping. He looks down to see the panic on my face. "He's just knocked out baby. He'll be fine," he tells me. I look to Rian she's clapping and jumping up and down. I reach out to her. She starts laughing as she pulls me into to hug. "Babe get up here," Declan yells. Vance holds the rope up helping Rian to the cage door. Declan grabs her hand then touches her stomach placing a kiss there. The crowd goes even crazier. I start to jump up and down yelling. "Declan Madman Matthews wins by way of knock out," the announcer yells. The ref grabs his wrist raising his arm into the air. Nick's guys finally have him up. He holds his hand out to Declan. He walks over shaking it giving him a bro hug. Declan helps Rian from the cage making his way to us. As soon as he steps up in front of the rope I throw myself at him saying, "I knew you'd be amazing." He holds me to him chuckling as he says, "thanks Sade." He puts me down. Vance holds his hand out saying, "Still got it." Declan rolls his eyes saying, "Yeah." A handsome young Italian man in a designer suit walks up to us. He hands Declan a handful of cash saying, "I will miss you greatly." He looks to the money but doesn't take it. He asks, "Are we good now?" Oh this must be Mario. He shakes his head holding the money out further. Declan takes it saying, "Thanks." Mario looks to Vance then says, "I apologize for the mix up. I heard one of my men followed your lady. Rest assured he was punished." He looks to me and nods. I watch as he saunters off through the crowd. "Holy shit babe," Rian says taking the money from Declan. He smiles at her saying, "Remember how you said you wish we had money for a house. How about a down payment," he says touching the money. Her face lights up. I look up at Vance and smile. I'm just glad we don't have to worry about anymore surprise visits from Mario's goons.
