Just an Illusion, Side A: Side A

by D. Kelly

  Her heartfelt words burrow into my soul, but I have one more question I need to ask her.

  “You don’t think it’s too soon?”

  She leans back against the bathroom counter and takes me in. “Your parents really did a number on you, didn’t they?” It’s a rhetorical question, but I’m positive I see her blink back her own tears.

  “Amelia, love is infinite. It is the one constant thing that makes the world a better place. You come in with it and you hopefully die with it. There’s no limit on love, not on the amount you can give, the amount you can receive, and surely never on how fast you can feel it.

  “The only way I can explain how strongly I feel about that is by comparing it to having a child. For nine months, you walk around pregnant, rubbing a growing stomach and wondering what it will be like when that baby comes to you. How can you take the fears you have about becoming a parent, about all the things you can possibly do wrong to screw up an innocent life and earn the love and respect of this child? Even though you love being pregnant, love the idea of having a baby, you really don’t know how that emotion is going to translate. Not the first time, at least.”

  I assumed all pregnant women loved their baby instantly.

  “What I’m trying to tell you is that all the pain you go through in delivery is gone when you hear that baby scream, or if they don’t scream, you’re instantly concerned. Fearful. In a split second, your mothering instincts kick in, and that baby has just become your everything. You’d push your own husband in front of a speeding train if it meant saving your child without a second thought. And when the doctor puts that child in your arms, there is no love as pure as what you will feel in that instant.

  “That right there is how I know there’s no appropriate time frame for falling in love. If it’s instant with your child, surely it can be instant with the man who will eventually give you that child, don’t you think?”

  Suddenly, Belle’s words flash back at me.

  “I still can’t really describe it, but it was like, at that moment, he reached in and grabbed a part of me that had never been touched. I didn’t want to lose a second of that sensation out of fear I would never feel it again. I think he felt it, too, Mel. Whatever it was that possessed me that night on the beach, I think it reached out and took him as well.”

  I know she wasn’t talking about love, but after listening to Karen, maybe she was and didn’t even realize it.

  “Thank you for sharing that with me, you make some excellent points. You mentioned fear. Did one of the kids have issues?”

  With a reflective look, she nods. “Sawyer did. Noah came out screaming away, making his presence in the world completely known. And six minutes later, when Sawyer was born, he didn’t make a peep. I’d never felt fear like that before. It only lasted a few seconds and then suddenly, it was like he needed to out scream Noah. We got Noah in our arms first and he calmed immediately, but not Sawyer. It wasn’t until we put him next to Noah, bodies touching, that he calmed down. They’ve been best friends since the day they were born, and I’m sure it’s a bond that started at conception.”

  “That’s beautiful.” I wish I could see that with them. I’d give anything to see their true friendship shine.

  After brushing my hair, I exhale loudly as Karen rests her hand on my shoulder.

  “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  Karen leads the way to the other side of the house. She stops outside of an open door, and I hear him before I see him. There’s a loud crash preceding his words. “God dammit, I want her safe! I don’t care what you have to do to find the crazy bitch, just do it!”

  Karen’s eyes lock onto mine, and she squeezes my hand before going back to the kitchen. I duck into the room quietly and observe as Noah and Warren work out details and answer questions. There’s a man taking notes, a man in a police uniform, two men in suits, and Mac.

  After a few minutes, Noah looks up, his eyes softening. “Baby, come here.” All eyes turn to me as I cross the room, feeling more uncomfortable by the second. “Gentlemen, this is my girlfriend Amelia Greyson. Mel, this is my attorney Tony Hastings, Detectives Marsh and Johnson, and Officer Lawrence. Officer Lawrence is the local PD liaison who will be working hand in hand with our security team and helping to coordinate local police backup.”

  I nod with each introduction—shaking hands as prompted—but refrain from exchanging pleasantries because there’s no need. This is not a happy circumstance.

  “Ms. Greyson, do you have anything you can add to Mr. Weston’s statement? Any personal experiences you may have had with the suspect. Perhaps any past history you may have with her?”

  We quickly recap the two times I’ve seen Sara and the fact I was sleeping this morning. I let them know before Vegas, I’d never seen nor heard of her before. After a bit more information from Warren and Noah, they stand to make their exit.

  “We’ll be in touch tomorrow, Mr. Weston. Please try and enjoy your holiday. We’ll have cruisers patrolling the neighborhood tonight and over the rest of the weekend as well. If anything else happens, or if you receive any more unexpected deliveries, don’t touch them. Call us immediately and we’ll get someone sent here as soon as possible.”

  “Thank you for all your help. Happy Thanksgiving.” Warren escorts everyone out except for Tony, who remains seated. Noah motions for me to take the seat next to him now that the room has cleared.

  “Alright, Noah, you don’t need me to tell you this isn’t a good situation, but it could be worse. My assistant got the judge to sign off on the emergency restraining order a few minutes ago, according to her text. It’s effective now and will be filed with the courts tomorrow. It’s up to you to get your PR team on this to do damage control. The second this gets filed, you know the media is going to be on you like flies on shit.”

  He looks at me apologetically. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m not easily offended.”

  Tony nods and looks back down at his paperwork. “I don’t have to tell you it would have been better if you’d put this restraining order in place a few years ago. Your stalking evidence was much stronger back then. Right now, we only have a few unpleasant instances …”

  “She was in my fucking hotel room!” Noah roars, slamming his fist into the desk. I’ve never seen him so angry.

  Tony runs his hands through his hair and drops his pen onto his paper. “Look, I get it. She’s crazy. But you know the industry. She didn’t leave any souvenirs in the room, she didn’t come on your sheets, she didn’t take anything, either. Right now, she’s a nuisance. Let’s hope the restraining order will be enough to keep her at that.”

  “Yeah, let’s hope.”

  “I’ve got to get going. My wife wasn’t happy I had to leave, and as much as I appreciate the reprieve from my in-laws, I do need to get back. Ten a.m. tomorrow, be at my office. We’ll go over the official documents and take care of that other paperwork you asked me to draw up. It shouldn’t take more than an hour. I know you’ve got a big night tomorrow. Now, so do I.”

  “I’ll see you there. Go see my mom on the way out and she’ll give you some cookies.”

  A smile lights up his face. “Don’t tell my wife. The cookies are mine. She gets the concert tickets for tomorrow. It was nice to meet you, Amelia. I wish it would have been under more pleasant circumstances. I’ll see you tomorrow night at the show. Maybe you can autograph my wife’s book, she’s a big fan.”

  “Of course. It was nice to meet you, too.”

  He leaves, closing the door behind him. In an instant, Noah is pulling me from my chair and onto his lap. His mouth covers mine as his tongue parts my lips with a desperate need. Our tongues meet in a forceful dance, our hands exploring and gripping each other’s bodies as our kiss fuels our desire for each other. I’m desperate for him. I need to feel him inside me—a physical reminder we’re okay.

  “Stand up,” Noah commands, and I comply. “
Bend over the desk and pull your pants down.” He walks quickly to the door and locks it, tossing his shorts off on the way back to me. My hands work triple speed to rid myself of my pants as I watch Noah pull a condom from his wallet on the desk. Knowing he needs this as much as I do completely turns me on.

  He leans over my body with ease, lining his cock up against my entrance. “Are you wet for me, Mel?” he asks huskily against my ear.

  “So wet …” The words are barely out of my mouth before he slides in and fills me completely.

  “This has to be quick or we’ll be interrupted.” He presses his thumb onto my clit. The eroticism of the moment, coupled with his movements, is enough to already have me on edge. Adding his finger to the fire brings me over the edge faster than I’d ever have imagined. Noah covers my mouth with his hand, catching my screams before they hit the air. With one final push into me, his release fills me while he chokes down his own cries.

  His mouth meets my neck as he places decadent open-mouth kisses against my skin.

  “If you’re not ready to go for round two, you need to stop that because you’re really turning me on.” His chest moves against me as he laughs at my words. I can’t hear his heartbeat with him pushed up against me this way but I can feel it, and for right now, that’s everything.

  “There’s nothing I want to do more than lock myself away in our room and fuck away this day. But it’s Thanksgiving and I want to spend time with the people I love most in this world and watch some football.”

  Noah stands up and disposes of the condom in the trash can under his desk. I wipe off with a couple of tissues and put my pants back on. Before we leave the room, he pulls me into a hug and we stay that way for a while. He’s holding onto me tighter than ever. I understand the feeling; I don’t ever want to let him go, either.

  “Christ, Mel, can you make these on the bus? Like, every day for every meal?” Wyatt asks through his food orgasm.

  “I’m with him, these are the best!” Darren wholeheartedly agrees.

  Dinner is amazing. Karen pulled off a feast even amid all the stressors of the day.

  “I’m not sure I can pull them off on the bus, but I’ll make them for Christmas if you want. And if you’re really nice, I’ll make enough to freeze to take on the road. Karen, this meal is delicious. Thank you so much.” I turn my attention to her, making sure she knows how much I appreciate her hard work.

  A chorus of thanks echoes around the table, and she waves her hand like it’s not a big deal. Her smile shows otherwise; she likes being appreciated and taking care of her family. Owen kisses her sweetly, his eyes dancing with mischief. I’m pretty sure someone is getting lucky tonight. It warms my heart seeing them so happy and in love after all their years together.

  Darren’s parents, too. They’re frisky, hands constantly touching some part or another of each other. Anna and Wyatt’s moms are both here, and Warren and Sam as well. I’m sure Belle is missing Veronica as much as I am tonight. She might be Belle’s mom, but she’s been a surrogate to me for twenty years.

  I know Belle hates the idea of telling her she’s pregnant over the phone, but she’s got no other choice. This news is going to seep out faster than any of us can control it. Especially with the rock that graces her finger now.

  “Grandma, can I have the wishbone now?” Saylor pleads in a sing-song voice with the excitement only a child could have for a bone that comes from inside a turkey carcass.

  “Sorry, Say, but Grandma promised it to me tonight,” Sawyer teases her, and for the first time, I wonder if Saylor is named after Sawyer.

  “No, she didn’t, Uncle Sawyer. My mom already told me you were going to try and trick me. You’re being sneaky.”

  “He’s just jealous, Say. He’s worried you won’t want to make a wish with him,” Noah tells her, and she hops out of her seat and up into Sawyer’s lap.

  “I will share with you, Uncle Sawyer. But can I have the big side? I need to wish for a baby brother really bad for my daddy.”

  Diane and Rob watch the exchange like any adoring parents would, and Sawyer is like putty in her hands. I wish he wouldn’t keep this side of himself hidden; it’s the best part of his heart.

  “How about even if I get the big side, I make the same wish so you have an even bigger chance of it coming true?” Saylor’s eyes grow wide and she nods enthusiastically as she high-fives him.

  “What if I wanted the wishbone tonight?”

  “Grandpa, don’t be silly!” she says, giggling hysterically. Noah’s hand squeezes my thigh, and when I turn my attention to him, he’s looking at me adoringly.

  “That could be us one day.” He leans over, speaking low in my ear so only I can hear. And maybe it’s the day—or the wine we’ve been drinking with dinner—but when I reply, my words don’t scare me.

  “Mm, maybe it could be.”

  Those words spark a fire inside of him. His hands come up from under the table and grip my cheeks, pulling my mouth to his. He kisses me firmly in front of everyone, and my cheeks heat. Once he releases me, I’m flustered and the table around us is silent.

  “That was much better, Uncle Noah, thank you,” Saylor tells him thoughtfully and proudly, and I’m so grateful for this four-year-old right now as the embarrassment of the moment fades away. It’s funny how outgoing and spontaneous Saylor is and how quiet and reserved Emme is. I realize Emme just turned two, and Saylor is actually going to be five next month, but they’re like night and day. At least from what I’ve seen so far.

  After dinner, Belle and I offer to clean up the dishes and put the food away before dessert. At first, everyone offers to help, but we convince them to go rest and have some time together. I think the two of us could use a little normalcy for a minute.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Better. I told you I needed potatoes and rolls and all would be right with the world.” She places a hand against her belly.

  “I hid some for you. They’re already in the freezer, disguised as a bag of okra.”

  “Okra?”

  Her quizzical look brings a smile to my face. “Yeah, I know. Who eats that crap? But your future husband said it’s been in the freezer for as long as he can remember, and he thinks it’s because one of them got it from a random girl’s house after taking a punch to the eye when her boyfriend came home and caught them in the act. He just couldn’t remember if it was him or Sawyer who took the hit.”

  “Life of a rock star.” She rinses a pan off and places it in the dishwasher.

  “Speaking of … You’re going to have to talk to Darren about releasing an official statement first thing tomorrow morning on the Slammed blog before the restraining order gets leaked from the courthouse.”

  “I know,” she says with a sad look on her face. “Everything is going to be okay, Mel. They’re going to get this crazy bitch.”

  “Yeah, I know. You know what’s weird? Of all the crazy things that happened to my parents, random deranged fans and whatnot, there were never any stalkers who were clinging to my dad like this girl is to Noah.”

  I’m wiping down the counters when she finally answers me. “That’s because there was never anyone for Joey except for Iris. And maybe because back then we didn’t have the advantage of social media tracking our every movement all the time. It’s a lot easier to stalk anyone now. As sad as that is, it’s the truth.”

  “You’ve got a good point there.”

  “Oh, before I forget to tell you, I decided to tell Mom about the baby tomorrow. Darren and I are going to Skype her in the morning.”

  “Seriously? Why? I thought you wanted to wait.”

  “I did, but he pointed out something I hadn’t thought about. Tomorrow night, we’re making our first real appearance as a couple and I’m wearing this massive rock on my finger. We don’t plan on confirming or denying any suspicions, but my mom is going to hear news of it and flip.”

  She would, too. Veronica wouldn’t
put up with not knowing her daughter is pregnant and engaged before the rest of the world does.

  “So is Slammed getting the exclusive of the two of you?” I ask, bumping her playfully against her shoulder.

  “Maybe someday, but right now we are kind of in love with the idea of letting people speculate whatever they want to. When I start showing, it will be pretty obvious, but until then, let them guess.”

  “Are you two done yet? I’m ready for my dessert.” Noah comes up behind me, nibbling on my neck. Belle laughs at him and points her finger back and forth between us.

  “You two, seriously, are the cutest couple ever. I know I keep saying it, but I can’t help it. I think all that anticipation you made her go through was the best thing you could have ever done.”

  “Told you,” Noah says to me. “Anticipation is key.”

  Belle wipes off her hands and leaves us alone.

  “Well, Mr. Weston, I anticipate whipped cream and pumpkin pie making an appearance in our fun tonight after our door is locked and our clothes are off. Care to make that happen?”

  My eyes travel down to the front of his slacks, where his cock is eagerly agreeing with my words. “I’m pretty sure we can manage that.” He adjusts his pants around his package.

  “Can’t wait.” I leave him standing there while I set up the kitchen island with all the preparations for dessert.

  Belle’s Post-Thanksgiving Announcement

  Slammers!

  It’s your girl Belle again. Today, I have a post for you from BAD themselves. Things have been a little hectic for our favorite guys over the past twenty-four hours, and I know they could use your love and prayers if you’ve got them.

  Dear Slammed Readers,

  On Thanksgiving morning, we had an unfortunate incident occur. As part of our ongoing partnership with Slammed Magazine during the Just an Illusion tour, we wanted our Slammed readers and followers to hear about this from us first.