“Thank you. You’re such a thoughtful person. But don’t worry about me. I’m fine. And, Tessa, I can’t tell you how grateful I am. For everything.”
“That’s what friends are for. Good night.”
Sindy zipped off her sweatshirt, spread the sheet on the couch and pulled the blanket over her. She rubbed the chenille between her fingers and admired its softness. And the pillow . . . it smelled fresh, like lavender. She stared at the ceiling with the comfy blanket up to her chin, not thinking about anything. All she wanted to do was revel in the peace she felt at this moment. For once, she didn’t want to worry about money or the future. The content and cozy surroundings enveloped her with security. Tears filled her eyes, not from sadness or self-pity – from the relief of well-being that she hadn’t felt in a long, long time. Tessa had taken care of her tonight. Actually, it was Lucas who was behind the hospitality, she realized, and the tears trickled down her cheeks at how unfair she’d treated him.
Tessa’s TV clicked off and the glow coming through the partly-opened doorway disappeared. Now that it was quiet, she heard music coming from down the hall – Lucas’ room. Although she was humiliated that he had barged into her private space, she was glad that it was out in the open and she didn’t have to constantly worry about them finding out.
Lucas could have left her at the self-storage place. She threw him out. She yelled at him, pushed him into the hallway and slammed the door in his face. He could have gone home and said nothing. He didn’t have to tell Tessa. But he did. He told his sister because he knew she was the one person Sindy would listen to. Ultimately, she had Lucas to thank for this warm bed she slept in tonight. She had a bathroom and running water. She wasn’t cold. She felt safe. And she felt loved.
Sindy slept like the dead. When she woke, it took her a moment to remember what had happened. Part of her wanted to run and never return, but she couldn’t disregard the kindness that was shown to her. She needed to face everyone and figure out how to move forward.
“Good morning!” Tessa was far too cheerful, but waking up in a place this wonderful could easily do that. “Do you want to go down to breakfast? It’s kind of a tradition that the whole family gathers for meals in our house, but I understand if you don’t want to.”
Sindy felt her cheeks redden. She couldn’t sit across from everyone, even if they didn’t know why she was here, and she doubted she could eat anything. Her stomach was a rolling bundle of knots. “I really just want to take a shower, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. You don’t have to ask. Go ahead. Everything you need is in the linen closet in the bathroom. Towels. Fresh soap and body wash. All kinds of shampoo and conditioner. I’ll bring you back some breakfast. And there’s a Keurig in the kitchenette so help yourself to coffee. See you in a bit.”
It took several moments for Sindy to figure out how to turn on the water. There were nozzles and jets on every wall inside of the shower. She had never seen anything like it. The giant square shower head pulsed hot water with strong, welcome pressure, unlike the lukewarm sprinkle that the showers at the gym offered. She stood under it for a very long time and let the water rain down on her. Closing her eyes, she envisioned the humiliation of last night wash away. When she exited the shower, she felt renewed. Maybe Lucas and Tessa finding out that she was homeless didn’t mean it was the end of her career with Prodigy, and she felt as if she might actually get through this difficult time in her life.
Tessa returned with a plate in her hand just as Sindy finished drying her hair and getting dressed.
“On today’s menu, revoltillo de chorizo.” Tessa tilted the plate to show Sindy. “It’s a scramble prepared with bacon sofrito, russet potatoes, chorizo, garlic roasted peppers, and, of course, tostado, which you’re supposed to dip in your cafe con leche.”
“My what?”
Tessa smiled. “Coffee.”
“Oh. Do you speak Spanish?”
“Claro yo hablo Español. Soy mitad Cubano. That means, of course I speak Spanish. I’m half Cuban.”
Sindy’s stomach grumbled at the aroma coming from the dish, and she took it from Tessa, greedily. This was an authentic home-cooked meal, not the greasy diner food she ate on a daily basis. “Thanks. This looks incredible.” She stuck a forkful into her mouth and moaned at the flavor. She’d never tasted anything so fresh and hearty. It was gourmet comfort food, exactly what she needed right now. By the time Tessa retrieved a small serving table for Sindy to eat on, she practically finished the plate.
Tessa stopped, with the table still in her hands, and smiled. “I guess you liked it.”
“I didn’t know I was so hungry. It’s fabulous.”
“I’ll be sure to tell Papi.” Tessa sat next to Sindy. “He wants to see you in his office.”
The delicious meal turned to lead in Sindy’s stomach. The anxiety that she thought had vanished washed over her like a tsunami. Obviously, a decision had already been made about her pending recording contract. She stood, nausea turning her stomach queasy. “Let’s get this over with.” She took the plate and utensils and washed them in the little sink, thinking about how her life constantly flip-flopped. One minute she was on top of the world. The next she was at the lowest point of her life. Just when hope lifted her spirits with a bright ray of light, darkness obliterated it.
“You don’t have to do that,” Tessa said, watching from the archway.
“It’s the least I can do. Thank you again for last night.” Sindy placed the wet dish on the counter, then saw the dishwasher underneath and put the plate and knife and fork inside. When she turned around, Tessa still stood in the doorway, empathy clear in her eyes.
“It’s not that bad, Sin.” Tessa extended her hand. “Come on. Me and Lucas are coming with you.”
Sindy slowly blinked, feeling relieved and embarrassed at the same time. She took her friend’s hand and they walked down the long corridor. When they got to the bend, she saw Lucas standing in the doorway to his room, which, she imagined, had the same setup as Tessa’s suite. She lowered her eyes, but raised them as the distance closed between them. His gaze bore concern and worry as he studied her face. She wanted to thank him. Tell him she was OK with whatever happened, but she couldn’t get her mouth to work.
Lucas fell in stride with them, placing an arm around Sindy’s shoulder. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to pull away, or fall into his body. His hand felt so good on her shoulder, comforting and supportive. Tessa still had her by the hand, and the three of them walked together that way until they reached the winding stairway that led to the first floor.
Sindy had never been more nervous as she walked down the long foyer that led to Angel Garcia’s office. She had only spoken to him a few times, and she was still enamored by his presence, which made her twice as anxious. When she walked into his office, she expected to see Angel sitting behind the desk, but the room was empty.
“He’ll be here in a minute,” Tessa said, as if reading Sindy’s mind.
She fell into one of the chairs facing the ultra-modern black desk and let out a deflated sigh. “I just want to get this over with.”
“Get what over with?” Tessa sat next to her. “That’s the second time you’ve said that.”
“I failed the background check. He’s not going to offer me a contract.”
Tessa looked at her as if she were crazy. “Don’t be ridiculous. My papi has a heart as big as the universe.”
Lucas pulled up a chair and sat on the other side of Sindy. “And we’re offering you a recording contact. Not my papi. You’re gonna get through this Sindy. If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to make sure you’re OK.”
His words and the kindness and compassion in his voice, and in his expression, filled her with solace. How could this sweet, sweet man be the same person who she thought was cocky and overbearing? She placed the palm of her hand on his cheek and whispered a barely audible, “Thank you.”
The door to the office opened, and not only
did Angel Garcia enter, but Tommy Blade followed. Sindy sucked in a breath. Sitting in the same room with these two icons left her stupefied. And then the shame hit her. Again.
She noted that Angel was all business, acknowledging everyone with a nod instead of the lighthearted greeting he usually bestowed upon his kids. He sat behind the desk, and Tommy stood next to him. As if he suddenly realized Tommy didn’t have a chair, Angel shot to his feet. “Sit, mi amor.”
“No. I’m fine, A.”
“Nonsense. I will not have my husband stand while I selfishly sit in comfort.” Angel relinquished the oversized leather chair to Tommy and retrieved an adjacent chair for himself. Angel sat in the center, commanding the large desk. He looked at Sindy and his expression softened with compassion. “There’s nothing to be worried about. This is a business meeting, but it’s very informal. There is no judgment in this house.” He clasped his fingers together in front of him. “Tessa and Lucas have told me what’s going on, but I want to hear it from you.”
He was going to make her say out loud that she was homeless and living in a self-storage unit. She couldn’t take the humiliation. Not again. Not in front of two superstars that she idolized.
Lucas placed his hand on Sindy’s arm. “Relax. It’s OK.”
“I only want to hear your story firsthand,” Angel said.
Sindy took a breath to calm herself. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain. She was never ashamed of who she was or where she came from. She was just embarrassed. Wealth was all around her, and she was the poor girl fighting for her next meal and struggling to keep a roof over her head. She didn’t know where to start, so she started from the beginning. “I grew up in the ghettos of Baltimore. I moved to New York to get away from it and escape my dysfunctional parents. I wanted to make something of myself.” She wiped her sweaty palms together. “I didn’t expect it to be so hard. I don’t have more than a high school diploma. No trade to fall back on. So I got a job bartending and another waitressing. I worked my butt off. I still do. But the club cut back on staffing, and I was one of the first to go. That was the job where I made decent money. Then I got sick. The flu. I had doctor bills. I have no health insurance. I got behind on my rent and my landlord threw me out. It was an illegal rental, so he didn’t have to go through a formal eviction process. I got tossed out in three months with nowhere to go.” Reliving it left a pain in her chest, but she forced herself to continue. “I tried to get another place, but everything is so expensive. I’m trying, though. I’m working double shifts at the diner and playing my guitar on the street for tips. I’m saving every penny. I can afford something fairly decent, but it takes a lot of money up front to move into a new place. I’m almost there. In maybe two more months I should have enough. I have a plan. I have hope.”
Angel kept nodding as she told her story, but now he was quiet. “Thank you for your candor,” he said, after a long pause. “All I ask for is honesty. It’s a quality I hold very high.”
She didn’t have much, but she had her sincerity. She hated liars and refused to be one herself.
“Whatever the problem,” Tommy Blade said. “We work it out. We help each other. We stick together in this family.”
“OK,” Angel said. “I’ll advise our attorney to proceed with your contract.”
“Really?” Giddiness filled Sindy’s head with lightness, outweighing her shock.
“Of course. Expect a written offer on the table in a few days.”
A nervous laugh floated from her lips. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” She wanted to jump up and hug someone, but she told herself not to get too excited until the offer was in front of her. She also knew she needed a lawyer. “Um. Excuse me. I hope this doesn’t sound out of line, and I assure you I don’t mean any disrespect. I don’t have any money for a lawyer, and I don’t know anything about contracts.”
“Oh.” Angel wrinkled his brow.
“Can we get her someone pro bono?” Tommy asked Angel.
“I think I can find someone.”
“You mean someone will do it for me for free?” Sindy asked.
“Yes,” Angel replied. “It’s a simple contract. I’m sure I can get you trusted representation to work pro bono.”
“Thank you.” Everything happened so fast. Her head was spinning. In the last 24 hours her emotions had been all over the place. Once again, she went from thinking all of her dreams had been shattered to finding out they were still in place and moving forward. A deep breath reminded her to slow down. Everything could still flip-flop again. She was so tired of this fucking yo-yo lifestyle!
“If you’ll excuse me,” Angel stood up. “We need to take our wife shopping.”
“We?” Tommy let his arms fall over the sides of the chair and his head fell back as if he passed out. “I have to go, too?”
“Of course, my prince. Who’s going to tell me and Jessi how wonderful we look?”
“You don’t need me for that. You tell each other. I stand there and hold all the packages.”
“You see?” Angel smiled. “We do need you.”
Tommy leaned across the table and reached for Lucas. “Help me. Help your old man.”
Lucas laughed and shook his head at his father. “Sorry, Dad. You’re on your own.”
“Tessa,” Tommy pleaded. “Don’t you need me for something?”
“Yes, I do, Dad. I need you to pick me out a new pair of shoes. Please.”
“What?” Tommy sat up straight. “Oh my God. You’re just like your mother.”
Angel grabbed Tommy by the hand and pulled him out of the chair. “Nice try, mi amor, but I’m not leaving you behind. We need you with us so we don’t buy the entire store.”
Sindy watched them with intrigue. She loved the way this family interacted with one another, especially the love that was so apparent and freely expressed for one another. It was something she wasn’t used to, but something she craved to be part of.
“I have to run, too. I have a Pilates class.” Tessa placed her hand on Sindy’s arm. “I told you not to worry. I’ll see you in a little while.”
“I have to leave for work in an hour,” Sindy replied.
“I’ll see you later then.”
Sindy was left alone in the large office with Lucas, neither making a move to leave the room. “Lucas, I just want to say—” Why the hell was he smiling at her? She was about to thank him. To tell him how much it meant to her that he helped her, and he was being smug and cocky again. God damn him. She pushed those feelings aside. Now wasn’t the time to be argumentative. She was humbled. “I want to thank you for being so nice to me. I never expected you to go out of your way and help me the way you did last night.”
“Why not? I’m not a bad person, Sindy.”
“I know you’re not. You’re smart and handsome and sometimes you can be really sweet.” She started to smile. “Other times, like when you’re sitting there staring at me, gloating, you really get under my skin.”
“I’m not gloating.”
“Please. I don’t want to argue.”
“Who’s arguing?”
“Oh my God.” She rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. This man always made her head spin.
“You’re the one who’s—”
“Stop talking.” She put the tips of her fingers over his lips to silence him. Their eyes locked on one another, and something passed between them. She quickly dropped her gaze, but instead of looking at the floor or her feet, her gaze went to his lips and her fingers that still touched them. They weren’t making eye contact any longer, but she felt the heat of his stare and a hot tingle filled her body. She quickly pulled her hand away. “Thank you, Lucas. Just . . . thank you. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Please don’t say anything else. Not one word.”
He displayed a cocky smile. “You’re welcome.”
God damn him.
Tessa showed up at the end of Sindy’s 12-hour shift at the diner and insisted she spend another night at the mansion. She did
n’t want to take advantage of her friend’s hospitality. Tessa had already offered so much, but it didn’t take much coercing. The idea of sleeping on the cozy couch in a warm room with an accessible bathroom was a dream come true. And after the harrowing night and morning, followed by a day of filling cups with coffee and endless trips to and from the kitchen, she was too exhausted to argue.
The house was quiet again, except for the music coming from Lucas’ suite, and she imagined that in a home this size it was easy not to cross paths with one another, for which she was grateful. Still embarrassed that they knew her situation, she didn’t want to see any of Tessa’s parents.
“Do you want to use the shower again?” Tessa asked.
“Maybe in the morning. I’ll just wash up before I go to sleep. It’s been a helluva day.”
An array of facial scrubs and body lotions lined the marble counter in the bathroom. Sindy twisted the cap off one of two twin bottles with purple flowers on the label and sniffed the contents. A multitude of floral scents made her feel as if she stepped into a field of fresh flowers. It tickled her nose and invigorated her senses. After she washed her face with the cleanser, she rubbed the matching lotion into her sore muscles. The botanical oils made her feel alive, when she was ready to drop only ten minutes earlier. Her skin tingled and glowed from pampering. So this is how rich people stayed so beautiful, she mused.
When she exited the bathroom, Tessa was on the computer at the desk. “Sorry I took so long. It was heaven in there.” Sindy sniffed her forearm. “I hope you don’t mind that I used some of your lotion. Whatever it is, it’s divine.”
“Isn’t it? My mom brought it back from Milan when she was there for Fashion Week.”
It probably cost a fortune, and it was a gift. Sindy immediately felt guilty for not asking before helping herself to the lotion. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”
“It’s OK. I have tons. She gets all kinds of stuff like that in the swag bags she receives. I can give you a bottle if you want.”
“I couldn’t. It’s not right. You’ve already done—”
LUCAS BLADE: Radical Rock Stars: Next Generation Duet Book 1 Page 11
