Exposure Season 1 e-1

by Tonya Muir

Ah, there’s the voice I wanted to hear. "Hey you." I feel like a teenager, not quite knowing what to say.

  "So," I hear her pause and wonder if she’s feeling the same way, "what’s up?" she asks, sounding like a teenager. Oh yeah, she’s feeling it too. I smile at the thought. I prefer a level playing field.

  "You still up for dinner?" I ask.

  "You know it. Where?"

  "Actually, I thought maybe I’d stop, pick up something and come over to your place. We could have a nice quiet evening in."

  "That sounds nice. Especially after the plane food for lunch. Why don’t you come straight here and then we go out together to get the food? I’d rather you not be running around by yourself."

  "Oh yeah, almost forgot about all that." But she didn’t. That has to be a good sign, right? At least, she cares.

  Hopefully my little admirer has forgotten about me over the holiday. There wasn't anything new waiting for me at my apartment today.

  "So, does that work for you?"

  I can hear a noise in the background that sounds like something rapping on wood. "Works for me, Tabloid. What are you doing?" My curiosity gets the better of me.

  "I’m stretched out on the couch watching a video. Trouble’s fat ass is on my stomach and his big head keeps blocking my view. Why?"

  That’s a fun image, but not what I was wondering about. I do like the mental picture of her sprawled out on the couch waiting for my call. The cat will have to move though when I get there. "What’s that tapping noise?"

  "Un, oh that, I um was tapping my knuckles on the coffee table."

  What are you nervous about, Harper? "So when should I come over?"

  She laughs. "You’re a half hour late as it is."

  * * *

  There’s something about eating Chinese food straight out of the carton that I’ve always found fun. I can’t explain it, but it is. The fact that I’m giving Harper chopstick lessons is fun too.

  Truth be told, it’s a good reason to put my arms around her in an effort to help. Like I need a good reason. I’ll take a poor one or none at all, actually. She’s sitting on the floor, between my legs, and I’m leaning down from my spot on the couch. From my vantage point, I can smell the perfume she put on recently. And I like the feel of her skin against mine as I guide her fingers around the wooden sticks.

  She leans her head against my knee and groans pathetically. "I’m gonna starve before I get it to my mouth, Little Roo. This is why we invented forks. Was that really such a bad thing?"

  "There were chopsticks before there were forks."

  "Yeah, but have you ever noticed how skinny the Chinese are?"

  Laughing, I reach around and pick a piece of beef out of the carton with my fingers and feed it to her. She takes not only the food but the tips of my fingers too. I groan a little when she runs her tongue over them.

  "Now, that beats even a fork." She tilts her head back, smiling up at me. "I could eat Chinese every night if you’d feed it to me like that. Then again," she twists around and kneels between my legs, her eyes now level with mine, "they say you are what you eat. I could be you in the morning."

  God, that’s old, but it still so works. "Oh, you are bad." I shove against her shoulders, trying not to laugh.

  "That’s not what you said this morning or when we got off the plane. Do I need to remind you I very nearly had to carry you off?"

  "I know, I know. You’re so smug."

  This feels so good. Just being here. Being with her. I want a kiss, which I lean in and take. When I pull back our eyes meet and I bring my hand to her cheek. She turns her head slightly, placing a kiss on my palm.

  "So what are you thinking?" I know I shouldn’t ask, but I need to.

  "How do you mean?"

  "About us?"

  She draws a deep breath, her eyes growing guarded. She joins me on the couch, pulling me into her arms. Resting my head on her shoulder, I wait for her answer.

  "Don’t take this the wrong way," she begins.

  Oh, that doesn’t sound good. I resist the urge to pull away from her.

  "I’m kinda trying not to." she continues, placing a kiss on the top of my head. She must have felt the shiver that ran through my body. Her large hands rub my back gently. "Kels, when I start thinking about these things, I tend to panic. So, this time I’ve decided not to think and just enjoy it."

  "Hey, I kinda like that idea." I feel the relief washing over my body. I really like not having to think about this. I’d freak myself, I’m afraid.

  "Good. I think that’s what we should do."

  "Another Harper Kingsley plan comes together. I like it."

  "Of course, you do. You’d be nuts not to. I mean, what’s not to like?"

  I hear the smirk before I can turn around to see it. Yup, there it is. She should get that thing trademarked.

  "Now, you wanna hear my plan?" I tug at the football jersey she is wearing over a white tank top.

  "Oh, absolutely."

  "My plan is to get you completely naked and take advantage of you." I have become a nymphomaniac since the first touch of her skin against mine. But, if I gotta have an addiction, this is the best one I can come up with.

  "I must admit your plan is even better than mine." Her eyebrows rise playfully. She can really get some silly looks on her face when she wants to.

  "Would you like to be ravished here or in the bedroom?"

  "Decisions, decisions…."

  * * *

  We end up deciding on both the couch and the bedroom. This morning, we decide on the shower. We then share muffins and juice while reading the LA Times and NY Times Sunday editions. We’re news junkies. It’s scary.

  When I find the entertainment section, I realize I haven’t seen a first-run movie since the summer and ‘Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace.’ I’m still pissed off about that movie and all its wasted opportunity. Of course, the racist crap struck way too close to home. Mama and Papa walked out after the faux-Asian bad guys were introduced five minutes into the movie. I should have left with them.

  "Hey, Tabloid!" Kels calls out, interrupting my thoughts. I turn to see her toss the keys of the Mercedes at me.

  I catch them in my left hand and toss them in the air. "What are these for?" I ask. "You’re not giving me your baby, are you?"

  She laughs. "Hardly. But the way you’re staring at the movie listings, I figured you want to go see one. So, let’s go."

  "And I get to drive? That’s an awful lot of trust there, Little Roo."

  "I trust you." Her reply is soft and I definitely get the feeling that we’re talking about more than just her car. "So what movie are we going to see?"

  "I dunno." I shrug, turning the paper around for her to read what’s playing nearby. "We’ll figure it out when we get there. Nothing animated or touchy-feely though."

  She laughs. "No chick flicks, eh? So I guess ‘Anna and the King’ is out?"

  I start herding Kelsey out of the apartment, barely blocking Trouble when he tries to make a break for it. We take the elevator to the parking garage and head to her little red Mercedes. I open the passenger door for her and get her settled in before going around to my side. I wish the top were down and I hop over the door and into my seat. The stalker stopped that fun.

  "Nothing bloody or creepy," she says, as if she read my thoughts. She peers at me from over the top of her sunglasses. I love it when she does that. So damn cute.

  "’Scream 3’ doesn’t come out until January. It got pushed back from a December release, ruining my Christmas Eve plans."

  "Somehow I doubt Mama would let you get away with that."

  She called my Mama … Mama. "How about ‘The Insider’ ?" I suggest.

  She grimaces. "How about we just go back to work? Jesus, Harper, I have no desire to see a damn movie about a news room."

  "Good point." I pull out of the parking garage, running through movies the sounded good when I was reading the paper. "Hey, Tim Robbins has a new movie out. It’s a thir
ties period piece. A comedy."

  "I like Robbins, I could live with that."

  "I don’t think he’s in it, though. It stars John Cusack and Susan Sarandon, I think. The review looked good."

  "Sounds like a winner to me. And I love Sarandon. She’s wonderful."

  I nod vigorously. "She’s a class act all the way. Mama and Papa have worked with her on a lot of causes, especially after ‘Dead Man Walking’."

  "Very cool." She settles down in her seat. Then she reaches over and lays her hand on top on mine, which is resting on the gearshift. I could get used to this. If I were thinking about us, that is.

  * * *

  It’s a good thing Kels and I both make good money because the cost of going out to a movie is ridiculous. Of course, I pay for both of us. I’m a good date.

  We’re standing in line at the concession stand, waiting with all the other lemmings for our chance to buy severely overpriced popcorn and soda, having a very pleasant conversation about what is most likely going to happen when we get back to my place, when a woman in the line next to us recognizes Kels. I just groan when she interjects herself into our life.

  "Oh, wow, aren’t you Kelsey Stanton? The NBC news reporter?"

  Suddenly, my relaxed, happy, Little Roo is all business. She seems to have forgotten that we were having a good time. She’s steps away from me and is now barely making eye contact with me.

  "Yes, I am."

  "I knew it!" the woman squeals. "I knew I would meet some stars while I was visiting out here!"

  Of course she’s not from Los Angeles. A resident here would never bother us. Not when they can go over to the Scientology Celebrity Center and see all the big stars.

  "Where are you from?" Kelsey asks politely.

  "Kansas. I’m from the town that’s the exact geographic center of the United States."

  Well, there’s something to be proud of. Of course, I’m assuming she means in the forty-eight states. If Alaska and Hawaii were included, I bet the exact center would be somewhere in the fucking Pacific Ocean. Which is where I wish this Kansan … Kansian … Kansaser … whatever … was right now.

  "That’s terrific!" Kelsey says with a bit too much enthusiasm. "Let me introduce you to Harper Kingsley. She’s my field director."

  Wow, Kels, actually acknowledging my presence. How thoughtful of you. Nothing like being ashamed of being seen with me.

  The woman continues to distract her with more exciting tales of Kansas, until we finally reach the counter. "Uh," I clear my throat, "Ms. Stanton, what would you like?" I can do professional too.

  She gives me a puzzled look, wondering why the formality all of the sudden. Gee, you figure it out, Kels. And go away, lady. You are ruining a perfectly good day.

  Kels finally manages to break away and tries to get back in the swing of things. "I’m sorry."

  "S’okay," I grumble, tossing a twenty on the counter and gathering up a pile of food and a little change.

  * * *

  It wasn’t a bad movie. It definitely had it’s moments. And might have been funny if I wasn’t so tied up in knots inside. All the way through it, I wanted to find a way to apologize to Harper. I know I froze up when that woman recognized me. It was a gut reaction. I’ve been doing it all my life. The best I could do was sit there in that dark theater and hold her hand to try to convey how sorry I was.

  Her mood has definitely soured and I can’t blame her. Let’s see, yesterday Erik pulls his crap. And today I pull mine.

  Shit.

  As we are headed out of the theater toward the car, a woman calls her name. When she turns around, she finds her arms full of a very slender, very attractive brunette. She removes the woman’s arms from around her, but not before receiving a kiss on the neck. Right where I left a mark two nights ago.

  Oh God. What a day. We should have just stayed inside.

  In New Orleans.

  What am I doing? She’s never going to be happy with me. I’m way too uptight for her and she’s going to get tired of that fast. Not when she is so open about her lifestyle. Somehow, I don’t think sneaking around is in Harper’s bag of tricks.

  I feel the tears coming and force them back.

  I hear my mother’s voice ringing in my ears, ‘Don’t you dare cry, Kelsey Diane Stanton.’

  "God, you look amazing, Harper!" the slut exclaims.

  "Thanks." I note she doesn’t say the woman’s name. I bet she doesn’t even know it. I wonder if she’ll remember mine in another month.

  Snap out of it, Kels!

  "How have you been?" The tramp tugs at Harper’s jacket.

  Harper shrugs, glances my way. "Good, thanks. But, we need to get going."

  The hussy looks acknowledges my presence for the first time. She examines me from head to toe and seems to find me lacking. Bitch.

  "Well, when you’re through, give me a call. I’d love to go out with you again, take another ride on your Harley." She leans her whole body forward, pressing it against Harper. "We had so much fun that one time. We could do that again."

  I watch the scene with a huge lump in my throat. Will we ever be able to go anyplace and not run into a woman she’s fucked?

  "Nah, I don’t think so," Harper replies. "See ya around." She turns to me and takes hold ofmy arm lightly. "Come on, Kels."

  We take a few steps away, heading toward my Mercedes. I swallow hard and will myself to speak. "Look, Harper, if you want to go … it’s okay." God, that hurt to say. But I have to offer her to choice.

  Choose me, Harper. Please.

  She stops and stares at me intently. The afternoon sunlight makes her eyes appear even bluer than normal. "Do you really mean that, Kels?"

  Oh, God. I lost. Just hold it together until she leaves, Kels. I nod stiffly. "Sure."

  "Oh."

  The sound of disappointment in her voice clues me in. "You don’t want to go?"

  She shakes her head vigorously. "No. Not with her. Certainly not in front of you. Jesus, Kels, I think better of you than that. I would have hoped you had a little higher estimation of me by now."

  "It’s not that, Harper," I quickly protest. "It’s just …" I struggle to find the words to express what I feel. "I … I’ve never won against women like that."

  "Well, then, Kelsey, the people you’ve dated in the past have been damn fools."

  The afternoon just improved. "You think so?"

  "Dammit, I know so. I liked her idea, Kels, but I want to do that with you. Not her." Her tone is low and she sounds embarrassed. "I’m so sorry you had to see that, Kels. I didn’t mean to hurt you."

  "Not a stellar day for us, huh?"

  "Major understatement."

  "So now what?"

  She chuckles, gesturing to the vast parking lot. "We find the car."

  * * *

  I pull into the parking garage. Finding a spot, I park and shut down the engine. As I pull the keys from the ignition,, I offer them back to Kels draped over the end of my finger. "Do you want to come up? Or do you need to get going? I hate that we have to go back to work tomorrow."

  Of course, if you don’t, I’d understand. Nothing like being reminded what a dog I’ve been, eh? Who was that woman anyhow? Christ, I don’t even remember her name. I doubt if I even asked.

  Kelsey takes her keys slowly. Shit, she’s going to leave. So this is what it feels like to have your past bite you in the ass?

  "I’d like to. Do you really want me to?"

  Oh, wow. Got lucky. "Very much."

  She leans over and gives me a soft kiss since we appear to be alone in the garage. "I’d like that, Harper. And I’d like to spend the night too. Would that all right?"

  "That is so all right, Little Roo. I’m sorry about thatthing in the parking lot."

  She shrugs. "How could you know she’d be there, Harper? It’s not like you’ve been a nun or said you were one. And you certainly know about a couple of my relationships."

  Ah, yes, the Twice-A-Year Boink Beth. And my lo
okalike, Susan. Is it reasonable to demand she give them up even though we’re not talking about us? At my own request.

  Smart move, Harper.

  She didn’t even call them ‘past relationships’. You’re one of three, Harper Lee. That you know about. Don’t think about it. It’ll make you crazy.

  "I’m sorry though if she upset you," I say. "I really just wanted us to have a nice time at the movies together. Seemed like a simple enough plan earlier today."

  "Well, how about we do this? Go upstairs, kick Trouble off the couch, snuggle up on it and watch a video together? Later we can order in dinner and get to bed early."

  "To bed early, right, but not to sleep early?" I want to make sure we’re real clear on this.

  She smiles. "A good reporter always says exactly what she means. Especially about important things. Now, come on, good-looking. Take me upstairs."

  Okay, maybe today isn’t a total loss.

  Scenes from Next Week’s Must Read TV:

 

  Kels’ phone rings. Out of habit I pick it up. "Kelsey Stanton's office."

  "This is Dr. Susan Hamilton. Is Ms. Stanton available?"

  Speak of the fucking devil. "Hi, Doc. It's Harper Kingsley. I'm sorry, Kels isn't available."

  To you ever again, if I can help it.

 

  "What time is it?"

  "It’s only three. Go back to sleep," she says softly.

  "Come to bed," I growl, extending an arm her way. "And we can do more than sleep."

  She chuckles. "You’re insatiable."

 

  Now we’re in Texas looking into anthrax sales to possible terrorists. To make this little side trip even worse for Kels, it’s like a trip home that is tearing her heart out. She was nearly in tears when she got back to me tonight. I think a little too much reminiscing about grandpa went on at dinner.

 

  Episode Nineteen: Deep In My Heart In Texas

  I watch as Gail delivers a stack of mail to Kels’ office. Kelsey is in a meeting in the conference room with the rest of ‘the Talent’ right now. While I know I probably shouldn’t do it, I get up and head over to her office. I want to make sure there weren’t any surprises delivered from her little admirer. Kels seems to feel that maybe he’s forgotten about her over the holidays, but I’m not so sure. It’s just a gut feeling, but I’m going with it. Better safe than sorry. Especially where she is concerned.