Bulletproof

by Melissa Pearl

  Ashlee jumped to her toes and pecked my cheek, kicking her leg up in the air. I laughed at her playfulness, holding my arm around her waist to keep her steady.

  “You are such a fool.” I looked down at her.

  “Just putting on a show.” She winked. “You know how they lap this shit up. Smile for the camera, Seany.”

  She grabbed my chin and pulled a face, making me laugh. Thank God she was here. This night would have been unbearable without her.

  It took forever to make it in the door and once we were inside, more cameras were there clicking. The charity dinner was more of a charity ball. The big dance floor in the middle told me that.

  “Let me guess, we’re doing a number later, right?” I pulled out Ashlee’s chair.

  “I thought you knew,” she said over her shoulder as I pushed it into place.

  I sat down beside her and shook my head. “Rhonda probably told me,” I muttered.

  “Yeah, I notice you’ve been extra tired at work since Christmas. Did you have an energetic break, Mr. Jaxon?” Her eyebrows wiggled and I cringed.

  Morgan was usually the only one who called me Mr. Jaxon in that flirty tone...and I kind of wanted to keep it that way.

  I gave her a half-smile and she giggled.

  “I thought so.” She poked my side. “Who is she?”

  Clearing my throat, I looked away and shook my head.

  “Oh, come on.” Leaning toward me, she pressed her lips close to my ear. “I won’t tell a soul, I swear.”

  I gave her a sideways glare. “Like I’d trust you with that information.”

  “You know you can.”

  “Nah, she’s too precious.” I gave Ashlee an earnest smile, and her expression softened to marshmallow.

  “That is so beautiful.” She touched her chest. “Oh my gosh, Sean, you’re totally in love.”

  My smile grew.

  Ashlee touched my arm and gave it a gentle squeeze, and then she didn’t say another word.

  Cameras clicked throughout the night. I was pretty much over it within the first hour. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so much and after all the champagne toasts, I was feeling a little buzzed. All I wanted to do was drive to Morgan’s place, pull her against my body, and fall into a blissful sleep. No such luck for me though; the band was kicking in, and it was time for yet another performance.

  I held out my hand to Ashlee. She took it with a grin, and I led her onto the dance floor where we performed a couple of numbers from the episodes that had already aired. Something inside me shifted as I spun Ashlee around the floor. The crowd loved it, enraptured by our performance; you could feel the frisson as Ashlee and I moved together. She was no Morgan Pritchett, but she was great to dance with, her moves confident and sharp. As my body lost itself to the power of the music, I was reminded once again why I loved my job so much.

  I got to dance, party, and act for a living. It was pretty freaking amazing. As a kid, I never thought I’d catch a break like this.

  I held Ashlee for our final pose and the music thumped to a finish. Thunderous applause filled the room as we separated and took a bow. Ashlee was lapping it up; she loved the limelight, and I couldn’t deny that the thrill was pretty kick-ass.

  On the way back to our table, I was stopped by numerous donors, telling me how wonderful I was and how much they enjoyed the show. A marker was placed in my hand at some point and the evening was whittled away signing autographs and laughing with strangers.

  At around three in the morning, the limo dropped me off at my pad. Part of me wanted to head to Morgan’s right then, but I was too buzzed to drive, and after a day of running around doing last-minute prep for Travis, she needed as much sleep as she could get. Stumbling into my apartment, I shrugged off my jacket and threw it over the armchair in the corner of my room. Slipping off my shoes, I fell onto the bed with a grin.

  Damn, my job was cool.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  MORGAN

  Reynold’s pub was busy, as usual. Ella was working the bar with Cole. I sat on a stool at the end, chatting to her when she had a few minutes to spare. The two waitresses bustled back and forth from the kitchen carrying trays of gluten-free food. I still couldn’t believe they’d pulled it off. Provided a menu that was ninety percent gluten-free, just like Cole promised he would. I grinned as I scanned the tables. The non-typical bar food obviously didn’t bother any of the patrons. The waitresses looked rushed off their feet as they moved from table to table while a solo artist in the corner calmed everything down with her acoustic guitar.

  I sipped my coffee with a quiet smile, soaking in the atmosphere. These two had done an amazing job, turned the place into an LA version of Quigg’s. The Chicago bar, owned by Cole’s foster parents, was a place Brad and I had frequented. I wished Sean was here with me, but he didn’t like going out to such a public venue. He always joked that he wouldn’t have been able to keep his hands off me. Someone was always watching and we didn’t want to get caught.

  Frankly, I no longer cared who was watching or if we got caught, but I did care about Sean and so I’d keep relishing the private moments we had together.

  Ella smiled at a patron while he swiped his card to pay. In her usual style, she kept a sweet banter going with the man and passed him his receipt. No wonder people loved coming here. I caught Cole glide past her, gently squeezing her waist and kissing her forehead before grabbing a glass and deftly pulling a beer.

  They worked around each other as if they were doing some kind of dance. I’d been watching them for the past hour and not once had they collided or unintentionally touched. They seemed to work in sync, a quiet repartee flowing between them, punctured only by laughter and the odd kiss. Their open displays of affection sent a knife of envy shooting through my middle. I sat up straight and rubbed my stomach.

  Ella slapped her hands on the countertop beside me. “Sorry about this, I should have warned you how busy Sunday lunchtime gets.”

  “That’s okay.” I rubbed her hand. “I love that you guys are so busy.”

  She looked over her shoulder and took in the bustle, turning back to me with a beaming smile.

  Cole approached her from behind, his hands nestling on her hips. “Hey, why don’t you go take a quick break? I’ll hold the fort so you can two can chat.”

  “Are you sure?” Ella gazed up at him.

  “Of course.” He nipped her nose with his lips and patted her butt before returning his attention to the bar.

  “Come on.” Ella beckoned me with her hand, lifting up the bar so I could duck underneath. We wove past the steaming kitchen and up the narrow staircase.

  Ella opened the door and fell straight onto their threadbare two-seater, her arms flopping onto the cushions.

  I sat down next to her. “You look exhausted.”

  “I am.” She turned her head and gave me a tired smile. “Things are going so well since we opened...and I may be tired, but I do love it.”

  “It must be nice working with Cole.”

  “It is.” Her eyes sparkled. “But you know that already, you get to work with Sean.”

  “Hardly.” I didn’t usually let myself pout, but this was Ella, and I could be whomever I wanted around this girl and she’d love me regardless. “I’m so busy and he’s busy. We don’t get to see each other as much as you might think. Plus, with having to hide it all the time...”

  Ella squeezed my knee. “That part must suck.”

  “Yeah, it’s...” I shifted on the couch, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees. “I get why we have to do things this way. He wants to protect me, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like that. I wish he wasn’t so put off by that one threat from Travis. I mean, Superstar is huge, and the audience would be livid if Travis wrote Harley off the show. The guy might be an asshole, but he’s not stupid.”

  “So why do you think Sean’s hesitating?”

  “Because of his stupid manager!” I shot from my seat, the unexpected burst o
f anger surprising me. I took in a breath to lower my voice. “Ella, he does everything she says and again, I get why, but her influence over him really bothers me sometimes. I feel like she has this clandestine plan for his future that not even he knows about! Like he’s her little puppet or something.” I huffed, rubbing my temples. “I just really hope that all her advice is in his best interest and not only hers. She gets a pretty damn big cut of every deal she secures for him. The bigger his name, the bigger her paycheck.”

  Ella listened in empathetic silence like she always did. I glanced at her, knowing I could rabbit on for the rest of her break if I wanted to.

  With a heavy sigh, I slumped back onto the couch. “I know she doesn’t like me. I know she wants me out of the picture. It’s pissing her off to no end that I’m still around.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  I threw Ella a sad smile, letting out a heavy sigh before launching into my pre-Christmas natter with the lovely Rhonda Dickens.

  “Oh my gosh!” Ella’s mouth dropped open when I’d finished. “When did that happen?”

  “A few days before Christmas.” I spun the ring on my finger, rubbing my thumb over the sapphires.

  “Well, did you tell him?”

  “I tried.” I flicked my hands in the air. “But he brushed it off as nothing. I mean, he did call and follow it up, but apparently I misunderstood her.” I put on a snarky voice. Crossing my arms with yet another huff, I threw my head back on the couch. “I didn’t want to argue with him over the holiday break. Everything was perfect, and I just wanted to forget the outside world existed.”

  “Since when has Morgan Pritchett ever shied away from a fight?”

  “Since it could mean destroying my lover’s career and possibly losing him in the process.”

  Ella’s smile was soft. “He’s different, isn’t he? You really love him.”

  “Yeah. Sometimes I wish I didn’t, but then...” I shrugged. “The idea of him not being around kills me, like I can’t live without him.”

  Ella shuffled along the couch, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing tight. I rested my cheek against the top of her head, and she gave me one more hard squeeze.

  “Okay, I get it. I love you, too.” I squeezed her back and let go, holding her at arm’s length and smiling.

  She didn’t smile back and my gut clenched.

  “What?”

  Ella pressed her lips together and stood, walking over to the little table parked against the wall and lifting her laptop screen.

  The photos hit me first; they were bright and vivid and made my insides want to fall out my backside.

  I lurched up and stumbled toward the screen, taking a seat at the table and soaking in the images of Ashlee and Sean. It was a full-page spread, and in every single photo they were touching. If she wasn’t kissing his cheek, she had her arm around his waist. There were two images of them dancing together and then a series of three. They were sitting at a table and she was whispering in his ear. Then he was smiling at her and she was touching her chest and giving him a mushy smile.

  I slammed the lid closed, feeling sick.

  “It’s probably nothing.”

  “Ella, the headline says, ‘Superstar’s next hot couple.’”

  “Yeah, but it’s all for show, right? I mean, you’re smart enough to know that.”

  I cleared my throat and gave a firm nod, trying to convince myself it was true. Crossing my arms, I held them tight to my chest and stood, needing to pace.

  Ella nibbled her lip. “I wasn’t sure whether to tell you or not, but after what you just told me about Rhonda… I don’t know, do you think she’s trying to manipulate this somehow?”

  I scraped my nails through my hair and closed my eyes. “I don’t know! Maybe!” I spun around and pointed at the laptop. “Damn it, she’s probably right. They look amazing together.”

  “Don’t say that. You look way better with him than she does. Anybody can see how into each other you are.”

  “Anybody?” I scoffed.

  “Anybody close to you guys. You know what I mean,” Ella muttered.

  I slumped onto the couch, squeezing my eyes shut. “I wish you hadn’t shown me.”

  “I’m sorry.” She nestled down beside me and rested her head on my shoulder. “I just felt like you needed to know, so you could talk to Sean and hear his side. It’s most likely nothing. Headlines are crap anyway, right?”

  “Yep.” I nodded, clipping the word short.

  “Morgan, I know you don’t want to fight with Sean, but this whole secrecy thing is obviously getting you down. Maybe you need to try telling Sean again, about Rhonda.”

  “He doesn’t want to hear it.”

  “It’s doesn’t matter. He needs to.” Ella kissed my cheek and then glanced at her watch. “Sorry, babe, I gotta get back down and help Cole. You’re welcome to stay.”

  “No, that’s okay. I should probably swing past Dad’s anyway. Make sure he’s taking care of himself.”

  Ella’s smile was soft and kind. “You’re really good at doing that, you know.”

  “Doing what.”

  “Looking after everybody.”

  I shrugged. “I guess it’s what I do best.”

  “Just as long as you look after yourself, too.”

  My laughter was dry and hollow. “That’s what boyfriends are for.”

  A sad anguish crested over Ella’s face. I turned away from her, snatching the keys out of my jacket pocket and standing from the couch.

  “Don’t work too hard.” I brushed past her and headed down the stairs first, trying to outrun her sorrowful gaze.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  SEAN

  Morgan bailed on me. She didn’t say why, just said she’d see me at work on Monday. To say I was disappointed was an understatement; I was looking forward to telling her all about my night. Well, I was, until I ended up at Helena’s house and she started teasing me about Miss Ashlee Johnston.

  “What are you talking about?”

  She slapped down the entertainment section and wiggled her eyebrows.

  I read the headline. “Aw, shit.” Then glanced at the photos. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

  “Watch your mouth.” Helena clipped the back of my head. “My babies are in the next room.”

  Kip chuckled, shoving an entire chocolate chip cookie in his mouth and brushing the crumbs off on his jeans.

  “The trials of fame, lil’ brother.” Residue cookie popped out of his mouth as he laughed, a fine dust sprinkling the counter.

  I wrinkled my nose and shifted away from it.

  “Wonder what Morgan’s gonna say.” He guffawed.

  I pulled out my phone and spent the next hour trying to reach her, before calling Rhonda.

  “Don’t worry about it, honey. I think this is great.”

  “Ashlee’s not my girlfriend, this isn’t great.”

  “Calm down. Andrew and I have already talked; we’re doing a spin on it, saying how well the cast of Superstar gets along. It’s really no big deal. You know better than to read headlines; that’s my job.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know. I just...”

  “You’re worried about Morgan’s reaction, aren’t you?”

  She took my sigh as a yes.

  “Don’t be. She’s a smart girl. She knows there’s nothing going on between you and Ashlee. It would be irrational for her to think otherwise.”

  “I should have taken her. Travis said we could bring partners.”

  “Not her! That never would have flown with him and you know it. How many times do we have to talk about this, Sean? You want to protect her, remember? Last night would have opened her up to all kinds of exposure. She’s not ready for that. You’re keeping her safe by keeping this a secret. You’re protecting her from the likes of Travis and all the other media. You’re doing her a favor.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I can’t get in touch with her.”

&
nbsp; “You know what I think would be best? Let her cool off. She’s a sensible woman, but she is a still a woman. If she has seen the paper, she might just need a little time and space to process it. Come tomorrow, she’ll be dying to see you again. I know what you two lovebirds are like.”

  Rhonda’s chuckle made me grin.

  “Thanks. You’re a great manager.”

  “Hey, I’m only doing what’s best for you.”

  I hung up feeling better. Rhonda was probably right; Morgan could get pretty fired up, and she probably needed some time to cool off. She would have seen my calls and heard my messages. She would know I wanted to talk to her. Now I just had to be patient and let her come to me.

  *****

  “Hey.” My face lit with a grin as she slipped into my dressing room and shut the door.

  “Hey.”

  Just seeing her made my insides stir. I didn’t care that we were at work; stepping around my chair, I gathered her into my arms and placed a sweet kiss on her glossy lips.

  She reciprocated, but her usual passion was amiss.

  I pulled back. “You okay, baby?”

  Her head tipped to the side, giving me a cynical smirk.

  “Hey, I wanted to clear this up yesterday, but you wouldn’t return my calls.”

  “I got caught up at my dad’s place. It was mess. There was laundry and dishes and he’s been eating such crap food, so I had to go shopping and cook him some meals and clean the bathroom and...” She poked out her tongue. “I didn’t really have the time or the energy to deal with you and Ashlee being a hot new couple.” She rolled her eyes.

  I gave her waist a light squeeze. “You know that’s not true.”

  “Yeah.” She sighed. “It’s still not very fun seeing it though.”

  “I can’t control what the papers write. Ashlee and I are friends; that’s it.”

  “I know.” She held up her hands and backed away from me. “I’m glad you guys had a good night.”

  “No, you’re not.” I grinned.

  She made a face and flipped me off. I clasped her finger and pulled her toward me, kissing the tip of it before running my finger over the promise ring.