He didn’t speak to her the whole ride to the airport. Instead, he spoke to the cabbie in the native tongue of the country. Ashleigh had no idea what they were saying. When they pulled up to the entrance, Spencer didn’t even say goodbye to her. He just motioned for her to go inside.
The sick feeling was still making her stomach turn. She left the cab and walked into the airport, a deep frown on her face as she searched for Natalie. When she found her, they checked in and waited for the boarding call as they sat in the terminal.
"Have you decided what you’re going to do?" Natalie’s voice was low as she spoke, a carry-on bag in her lap.
"I’m not sure yet." Ashleigh played with the tag on the zipper of her bag, a sadness to her voice as she avoided Natalie’s eyes.
"How ’bout you tell me more about this guy?" Natalie forced a smile, playfully nudging Ashleigh’s shoulder. "I saw him, but you never introduced me."
Ashleigh found her smile as she thought about Caleb, some of her sadness melting a little. "Here." She took out her phone and started flipping through her pictures. She found one of her and Caleb, turning her phone so that Natalie could see it. "This is him."
Natalie drew in a deep breath, shock on her face as she stared at the screen. "Holy shit! That’s—"
"Shh!" Ashleigh looked worried. "Not so loud."
"Caleb? He’s your new boyfriend?" Natalie was laughing now as she reached over and took Ashleigh’s cell. "Oh my God, girl, I take back everything I said." She looked down at the picture, her face filled with a giant grin. "I would die for a chance with this guy."
"So, you think it’s worth it?" Grabbing her phone back, Ashleigh admired the picture too. Natalie was hovering over her shoulder, watching Ashleigh switch to another one. This one was of Caleb shirtless and playing his guitar. It was a great shot, and a moment of silence passed between them as they drooled over the handsome man.
"Yes. Definitely yes." Her answer made Ashleigh laugh, both girls looking over at the other people waiting to board the plane.
Chapter Six
Beginning a long distance relationship with Caleb was easy for the first few days, but after that, it got hard
The pair talked on the phone constantly. He begged her to come on tour with him, but she refused. This was something that had become a slight sore spot between the two. He was playing a concert almost every night, and the busy schedule was draining on him.
Ashleigh wondered who the imposter Spencer had spoken of was, but because Caleb hadn’t mentioned anything, she didn’t think she had anything to worry about. Four months had passed by quickly, and Ashleigh had once again settled into her calm life in her small hometown. Spencer and Nathan would come to visit the girls sometimes, both their crushes on Ashleigh very apparent.
Now that she was dating Caleb, she didn’t give into Spencer’s advances anymore, and this made him try even harder to get her back. Her new book had also come out, and of course, her grandpa’s store was one of the first in the country to sell it.
Hannah was calling a lot now that it had debuted, informing Ashleigh of different things and to congratulate her on the book’s release. Because the arrival of this novel had everyone holding their breath, it was seeing great success in the stores and selling out all over.
Now, sitting in her grandpa’s store, Ashleigh read the text she had gotten from Caleb. It was a link to a video, but he hadn’t left a comment. Deciding to open it, Ashleigh waited for it to load on her phone.
A man walked into the store carrying a large bundle of flowers. "Is there an Ashleigh Brown here?"
"Here!" Smiling, Ashleigh paused the video and let it buffer on its own.
"Sign here." The man handed her a clipboard, watching her write. "Here you go." He sent her a smile and handed her the bouquet.
"Oooo…" Walking over to her, Natalie’s voice was cooing as she eagerly watched Ashleigh rip back the paper. "Are those from Caleb? He sure does spoil you, girl."
"Probably," Ashleigh laughed. She scanned the bouquet of blood red roses, some dark blue ones mixed in, and a black spray of small flowers surrounding them. There appeared to be about two dozen. "These are beautiful."
"Who’s it from?"
"Let me see." Ashleigh ripped the small envelope off the outside of the paper packaging. She opened it and read the enclosed card. "Miss you, babe. Lotsa love. Caleb." Ashleigh gave a pouty frown, blushing. "Awww…." She picked up her flowers and walked over to the bathroom.
"So, when do I get to meet this Caleb guy?" Gramps was sitting at the counter reading a book. It was slow right now, and they had no customers. Not that they normally had many, anyway. "You're always flying off to meet him, but he never bothers to come here. Sounds to me like he doesn’t like you very much. The guy probably has another girlfriend, and that’s why he never comes around. This internet dating stuff is dangerous, and—"
"Oh, stop, Gramps." Ashleigh’s voice was muffled because she was in the other room. She filled up a glass pitcher with water and set her flowers inside it.
"What’d ya say he did?" Gramps narrowed his eyes.
"He’s a rock star." Natalie laughed as she pretended to be strumming a guitar.
"That’s not a career." Gramps shook his head and turned back to his book. "Does he have a real job?"
"I’ve heard neither is writing." Ashleigh brought out the flowers and set them on the back corner of the counter.
"I don’t like this guy. A rock star? Those types of guys are known for being unfaithful, and he’s just going to break your heart. You should—"
Ashleigh’s phone rang in her pocket. She glanced down at the caller I.D. as she answered. "Hi, Hannah."
"Have you seen the news?" Hannah sounded angry.
"Huh?" Ashleigh’s smile quickly faded, her hand reaching out to touch one of the soft petals on the roses. "What happened?"
"Some woman claiming to be Victoria Allure did an interview in Belvada." Hannah let out an annoyed sigh. "Our lawyers are taking care of the issue, but I need you to fill some papers out, so I’m flying there to see you today. Is that all right?"
"Yeah, that’s fine."
"It’ll be just like last time, dear." Hannah forced a laugh, and Ashleigh listened to the sound of many voices in the background. "In a few weeks, it will all blow over. So, when do you want to meet?"
"I’ll be in the book store all day, so anytime, I guess." She sent a disappointed look over to Natalie, who was listening in on her conversation.
"Okay. I’ll meet you in ten minutes."
"You’re here already?"
"Yes. See you soon, dear." Hannah hung up.
"Hannah’s coming." When the call ended, Ashleigh looked at the video she still had on her screen. She pushed play, her finger slamming down harder then she meant to.
"For what?" Natalie quickly put away the book in her hand and made her way over to Ashleigh.
A voice spoke on the video. "I’m happy to be here, too, Anthony." Ashleigh studied the woman. She was dressed in a tight, black dress and nosebleed heels. She was very pretty, a little too scantily dressed, but pretty.
"Tell me about your new book," the man interviewing her said. "We all…"
"What’s this?"
"I don’t know. Caleb sent me the link." Ashleigh listened to the woman talk about vampires and how sexy the idea of eternal life with your true love would be.
The man spoke again. "The question on everyone’s mind is…"
"What the fuck?" Ashleigh shouted when she saw a subtitle appear at the bottom of the screen that read—
Victoria Allure—author of the Nightwalker series.
"Ashleigh!" Looking up from his book, Gramps yelled at her from the other end of the room, motioning for her to lower her voice.
"Sorry, Gramps." Calming herself, Ashleigh glanced at Natalie then continued watching the video. The woman went on to talk about where she had supposedly gotten her ideas and about how she had based her character of Lord Drake on a man named Ai
den. He was supposedly her lover, but she said she didn’t want to go into further detail.
"Wow." Natalie laughed. "That girl could actually pass as you."
"Yeah, right." Ashleigh typed a text to Caleb as she carried on a conversation with Natalie.
Wow.
"Now I know why Hannah’s coming." Natalie walked away from Ashleigh and sat down in a chair near the counter.
Caleb responded to her message, something that normally took a while.
A friend sent me that.
Thanx 4 sending it. Hannah is flying here 2 meet w/me 2day.
Bout the vid?
Ashleigh looked over at Natalie, who was rambling off about this new guy she was dating and about how he owns a bar and is hotter than the last one. Ashleigh wasn’t really listening to her and was focused on her conversation with Caleb.
Yeah. I got a call from her this morn sayin a woman gave an interview in Belvara. N who is Aiden?
He send me the vid.
"He’s so handsome. What do you think, Ash?" Natalie paused as she waited for Ashleigh’s reply.
"I think he sounds great." Ashleigh let out a nervous laugh as she looked up from her phone briefly then back down as she typed a message.
U no him?
A friend.
"I can’t wait for you to meet him." Natalie was still prattling on, her voice full of vigor and happiness.
"I can’t wait, either." Ashleigh sent another text.
Thanx 4 the roses ;)
Not just roses
"Excuse me?" A woman came up to the counter with a few books in her hand. "Can I purchase these?"
"Sure." Ashleigh put down her phone and rang up the woman. After small talk with her about how pretty she was and how it was a shame she wasn’t married, the woman left. She was a friend of her grandfather and would come into the bookstore every week.
"Hey there!" A large purse balanced awkwardly on her elbow, Hannah held out her arms as she rushed toward Ashleigh. "There’s my best-selling authoress!"
"Hi, Hannah." Ashleigh gave her a limp hug as she made faces at Natalie behind her back.
Hannah was dressed to the hilt, wearing a designer pink suit and high heels. Her face was painted perfectly, a little overdone, but she still looked fashionable.
"Let’s talk." Hannah took Ashleigh’s hand and pulled her over to a nearby table.
While they talked about various things, Hannah huddled over Ashleigh as she spoke, reading the legal papers she wanted Ashleigh to sign and explaining the actions the publishing company was taking. Natalie went to lunch with her new boyfriend, leaving Ashleigh alone with Gramps.
A few customers came in, and Gramps studied the large man dressed in a fancy black suit. He towered over the man with him, who was wearing a baggy, black sweater with the hood pulled over his head. They were looking through the books, and Gramps did not take his eyes off them. They were a little too dressed up to be normal customers.
"I’m gonna take care of everything." Hannah was hugging Ashleigh’s shoulders, Ashleigh forcing a smile as she tried her best not to shove her off.
"Thanks, Hannah."
"You just sit back and work on that new book. Don’t worry about all this legal stuff, we’ve got it all taken care of." Hannah squeezed Ashleigh tighter, speaking in her ear, even though her voice was still loud and excited. "We loved that preview you sent us. I can’t wait to read the finished manuscript. Ooo!"
Hannah laughed as she stood up, her arm still wrapped around Ashleigh’s shoulder, "This Radcliff character sounds juicy. Wow, my dear, you write a great love scene."
"Thanks." Looking down at the stack of papers in her hand as Hannah walked with her toward the door, Ashleigh’s voice was low.
"I’ve got a few appointments elsewhere, my dear." Now standing near the entrance, Hannah gave Ashleigh a giant hug then kissed both of her cheeks. "We’ll be in touch."
"Okay." Holding the papers to her chest, Ashleigh forced a smile. She was still upset about seeing the video but was trying not to show it.
"And if you ever want to do a real interview, tell us first." Hannah laughed, gesturing with her hand overdramatically as she spoke. "I’ll help you find a more suitable outfit."
"Good bye, Hannah." Ashleigh waved, holding the door open for her.
"Bye, dear." Hannah looked over at Gramps. "You take care of this little girl, Henry, and don’t work her too hard! Remember, we own her for two more years!"
"Good bye, Hannah." Ashleigh laughed as she glanced at her grandfather, who was helping a few women pick out some books for their grandchildren.
Hannah leaned over and gave Ashleigh another hug and a few more cheek kisses. "Climbing to number one in horror, my dear!"
"Shh." Putting her finger to her lips, Ashleigh sent Hannah an annoyed glare.
"All right." Hannah giggled. "Take care, and don’t worry, we—"
"Yes, yes…" Ashleigh opened the door wider. "You’ll take care of everything."
"Good bye, dear." When Hannah finally walked out the door, Ashleigh let out a heavy sigh.
Ashleigh strolled over to the register as she pulled out her phone, looking down at it instead of the people around her. She started to text Caleb, but her grandfather’s voice made her look up.
"Go see if those customers need any help," Gramps pointed. "And put that thing away. You kids and those electronics. In my day, we had our noses in books, not absorbed in this texting." He turned back to the ladies he was helping, putting on a big smile as he spoke softly to them. He wrapped his arms around the old woman’s shoulders.
"Stop flirting, Gramps." Ashleigh finished her message to Caleb.
What do u mean?
Then caught the nasty look she got from Gramps. "He’s not single ladies." She chuckled as she put her phone back in her pocket then walked over to the sharply dressed man. "Can I help you?"
"Sure."
Ashleigh quickly turned around when she heard Caleb’s voice. "Caleb!" She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a tight hug before pulling away to look at him. "What are you doing here?"
"Visiting you." Caleb laughed as he brought one of his hands up to her face, pushing back some of her long hair.
"Aww…" Ashleigh’s face filled with a glowing smile as she gazed into his bright eyes. "This is the best surprise ever."
"Is that your rep?" Caleb motioned toward the door with a nod of his head.
"Yeah." Ashleigh still had the papers in her hand, so she held them up for Caleb to see. "She gave me copies of the legal stuff about that suit over that video you sent me." She quickly put them down on a nearby table then turned her attention back to him, her voice filled with excitement. "So, what are you doing here?"
"I had the day free, so I thought I’d stop by and see my favorite girl." Caleb’s hands moved down to her hips, and he rocked her back and forth in his arms. "I’m performing at the Harlo Music Awards tomorrow night." Letting out a playful growl, Caleb rubbed his nose against hers. "And I’d love to have my girl there with me."
"You want me to come with you to the Harlo Award show? Are you sure? They put that on TV, you know."
"And in magazines." Caleb laughed, his hand reaching up to her face and stroking her cheek. "You can get all dressed up and hang on the arm of the sexiest rock star in the business." His words made her giggle, as one of his fingers traced the surface of her lips. "I told everyone my new girl was an editor, so you don’t have to worry about anyone finding out your secret."
"But don’t you celebrities like to keep your relationships secret?" Ashleigh was so absorbed in her conversation with Caleb, she didn’t pay attention to her surroundings. There was a great look of love on their faces, and any outsider could tell how much they desired each other.
"Usually, but…" Caleb’s smile grew as he leaned forward and pressed his nose against hers, speaking in soft, flirty voice. "I can’t hide that I’m in love with you, and I don’t want to be apart anymore. I want you in my bed every night
. In the crowd at every concert." He gave her a single kiss, his arms tightening around her waist. "I’m tired of this long distance stuff. I need you."
"What do you think we should do?"
"Right now, I wanna fuck."
"You must be Caleb." Gramps walked up to them, the customers he had been helping now leaving. He hadn’t heard what Caleb had said, but he did catch the naughty chuckle that had escaped Caleb’s lips.
"Hi." Caleb took one arm from around Ashleigh, leaving the other still wrapped around her waist.
Gramps held his hand out to Caleb, "My name is Henry Brown. I’m Ashleigh’s grandfather."
"Caleb Mason." Caleb shook Henry’s hand. "Nice to meet you, Gramps."
"I am not your gramps. It’s Mr. Brown, young man." Gramps regarded Caleb’s black painted fingernails and the silver rings he wore on his fingers disapprovingly. "Did she tell you what her job is?"
"She’s a writer." Caleb kept up a friendly smile as he held Ashleigh, his hand sliding into the back of her pants. Ashleigh glanced at him briefly when she felt him grab her ass, but he seemed very calm, and no one seemed to notice. "I know all about that Victoria thing."
"Really?" Gramps laughed as he took a few steps away and put a book back on the shelf. "Then, she must really like you."
"She does." Caleb sent Ashleigh a gentle smile.
Gramps started straightening some books on the shelf. "If you’ve read her novels, then you probably know she’s into all that vampire stuff. For a while there, I didn’t think she knew they weren’t real. I blame her mother for that, bringing those weird, blood drinking rituals into the house and giving her all those nightmares.”
"Grandpa, come on." Ashleigh pulled away from Caleb a little as she sent an annoyed glare Gramps’ way. Her voice was slightly whiney. "Don’t—"
Blood Kisses (Nightwalkers Book 1) Page 9
