Текст книги "Breaking Stars"

Автор книги: J. Sterling

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Текущая страница: 17 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

“This is crazy,” I said as I glanced back at the cars following dangerously close behind us.

“Don’t look at them. Ugh, Tatum, open the glove compartment.” She pointed, and I did as she asked. “There’s a pair of sunglasses in there. Put them on.”

“Damn. You really are bossy.”

“Nice to meet you too.” She glanced over and smiled, then turned her gaze back to the road.

I stared out at the ocean scenery whipping past us as Quinn drove. It was beautiful. Mesmerized by the waves crashing against the shore, I immediately saw the appeal of living here, especially if you got to see this view every day.

“I’m mad at you,” she announced, but I had figured as much.

“I know.”

“Do you even want to know why?”

“I’m pretty sure I already do,” I said, figuring it had to do with the way I left Paige.

“Then how come you’re in LA?”

Her tone wasn’t entirely friendly, but I assumed it could be much, much worse. Something told me that Quinn was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.

“I’m sure you can figure that out,” I teased gently, hoping to lighten the mood and sway her toward my side, even if just a little.

“Well, it’s about time you showed up. I mean, seriously, how long were you planning on going without talking to her? Not even a single text? Who does that?”

I burst out laughing. “Bossy and direct. I don’t have any excuse other than the fact that I’m a complete idiot.”

“We can both agree on that. Hold on,” she warned before turning the wheel sharply to the right. We cruised through a residential neighborhood and pulled up to a house unlike anything I’d ever seen before in my life.

The large iron gates swung open as she pulled her car inside, then ground to a halt before shutting with a groan when she pressed a button on her rearview mirror.

“This is your house?” I asked.

“Mine and Ryson’s,” she said offhandedly, as if I should know who she referred to.

I followed her inside as reporters gathered outside the gate, shouting our names as cameras click away.

“Babe, that you?” a guy’s voice shouted from somewhere deeper in the house.

“No. It’s a robber,” Quinn called out with a giggle as I followed behind her, unsure where we were headed.

“Do you have him?”

I stumbled to a halt as Ryson rounded the corner, his face instantly familiar, and I wanted to smack myself for not realizing who Quinn had been referring to. Immediately, I sized him up, unsure of what was about to happen. He stood about an inch or so taller than me, but we had a similar build. If he threw the first punch, I was fairly certain I’d be able to get the next one in.

He extended his hand toward me and I automatically reached for it; a gentleman never shies away from a handshake, no matter what.

I sucked in a deep breath as we both squeezed hard enough to break the other’s fingers if we truly wanted, which made us both break out into a fit of laughter as we pulled apart. I stood there, shaking out my already swollen hand as Ryson glanced at it, noticing the bruising around the knuckles.

“You need ice,” he said with a chuckle.

“What the hell are you two laughing at?” Quinn stomped her foot, and we both straightened up.

“I’m Ryson. It’s nice to meet you, man. It’s about time you got your Southern ass out here.” He cocked a grin at me as he pulled open the freezer and tossed me an ice pack. “Beer?”

“Definitely. After the way this one drives.” I jerked my thumb in Quinn’s direction, and she snarled at me.

“Tell me about it,” he joked. “We don’t let her out of the house much.” When she smacked his head in response, he shot back, “Woman! Don’t hit me.”

“Don’t call me a bad driver. You know how hard it is to drive on PCH with those assholes trailing me like hunters,” she said with a little pout, and he leaned down to kiss the top of her nose.

I shifted my weight, feeling a little uncomfortable at the PDA since we’d all just met.

Ryson pulled two bottles of beer from the fridge and popped the tops, handing me one.

I took a swig and swallowed it hard. “Thanks.”

“No problem. What happened to your hand?”

“Colin.”

“Did you hit him?” he asked, and I nodded. “I’ve always wanted to hit him. I’m so jealous.” He smacked me on the back, and I almost choked on my beer. “What’d he do?”

“Said something shitty about Paige.”

Quinn sneered. “I hate him so much.”

“Did you tell him why you kidnapped him?” Ryson brought the conversation back on track.

“I haven’t told him yet.” Quinn tried to glare at me, but I could tell she was already warming up to me. I was convinced that her boyfriend accepting me so easily might have something to do with it.

“Told me what?” I asked, downing another gulp.

“It’s a brilliant idea, actually. Hear her out before you say no, okay?” Ryson’s tone had turned serious, which worried me. “Let’s go sit down first, though.”

I followed them through the kitchen, loving how the natural light filtered in from every angle. A glimpse outside at their backyard and view nearly took my breath away. It was spectacular, the kind of thing that dreams were made of, and I was convinced only existed in LA for the rich and famous.

When we reached the dining room, Quinn and Ryson sat down next to each other, so I picked a seat across from them. It felt like a business meeting, not that I’d ever really been in one before.

“First of all, I need to ask you a couple of questions,” Quinn said, her hands folded on top of the table.

I shrugged my shoulders in response and waited, so she went on.

“I heard how Paige talked about you while she was in Hanford. She likes you, really likes you.”

My insides warmed with that revelation, even if I had already hoped for it to be true. “Good, because I’m in love with her and I want to be with her. That’s why I’m here.”

Quinn’s eyebrows practically shot up to her hairline. “You’re in love with her? Well, that will help things. And we already know how you feel about Colin, which is another point for you.”

The mere mention of that douche’s name soured my mood. “I want to kick the living shit out of that guy. He’s lucky I only hit him once.”

“I call dibs on the next Colin beat down,” Ryson said seriously as he turned toward Quinn and jerked his head my way. “I like this guy.”

“Me too. Maybe,” Quinn said to him before glaring back at me. “You really hurt her. She’s my best friend and you hurt her. Worse than jerk-off Colin did, I think.”

“I know,” I admitted honestly because I knew it was the truth. Something inside me knew that things with Paige and me were vastly different than they had been with her and Colin.

“So, what do you plan on doing about it?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know.”

She slammed her hands on top of the table, making me jump. “Did you really come out here without any sort of plan at all? Nothing? Just thought you’d show up and be all hot looking,” she waved a hand in my general direction, “and she’d take you back?”

“So, your girlfriend thinks I’m hot?” I directed the question toward a now-smirking Ryson.

“Apparently.”

“Will you two stop the bromance already,” Quinn said with a frown. “Your plan?”

“I didn’t come here with a plan at first. I just wanted to apologize and get her to give me another chance.”

“How’d that work out for you?” she asked, cocking her head to one side.

“Not great,” I admitted. “I know that I need a gesture, something that will prove to Paige that I can handle being here for her and that I won’t run. I know what she’s afraid of, and I deserve it. But I need to prove her wrong. I need to show her that this lifestyle doesn’t scare me, and that I’d go through all of it to be with her.”

“So you do have a plan, you just don’t know how to execute it. Fortunately for you, I do.” She rubbed her hands together as Ryson raised his eyebrows and took another sip of beer.

Quinn outlined the details of her idea, excitedly going through each point one by one.

When she finished, I looked over at Ryson, feeling a brotherly bond with him already. “You think this is a good idea?”

“I do, actually. It’s sort of brilliant, if you’re up for it.”

“I think I could pull it off.” Taking another swig of beer, I added, “I hope.”

“You can do it,” he reassured me as I internally freaked out. This was something completely out of my comfort zone, but I was willing to do it.

“And you think it will work?”

“Hell yes, it’ll work. Paige is a romantic at heart, and she’d never expect this from you. She knows that this will be a totally uncharacteristic thing for you to do, so she’ll fucking melt over it,” he added.

I nodded in agreement, praying this would be enough, then directed my gaze toward Quinn. “Why are you helping me?”

Her expression finally softened. “Because I love my best friend, and I know she wants to be with you, even if she doesn’t. She’s going through a lot of stuff right now, and she’s trying so hard to be strong in every aspect. I’m really proud of her, but this thing with you…I think she would regret it eventually if she let you walk away.”

I met her eyes and sighed. “I know that feeling all too well.”

Forgiveness

Paige

After seeing Tatum, I’d driven straight to my parents’ house. I was dying to tell my mom how he’d shown up unannounced, then ask for her advice.

My heart hurt and my head was confused. I didn’t know what the right thing to do was when it came to Tatum. I wanted to take him back into my life the second I saw him, but I knew I needed to stand up for myself when it came to him. It was hard as hell, but I had managed to survive it. Barely.

“I wish you hadn’t sent him away,” Mom said, practically pouting in her disappointment.

“Mom!”

She shrugged. “I’m just saying that it would have been nice to meet him.”

“You’re supposed to be on my side,” I complained as she wrapped her arms around me.

“Oh, honey, I am on your side. You can’t blame me for wanting to meet him.”

I let out a dramatic sigh and rolled my eyes. “Fine. I don’t blame you for wanting to meet Tatum, but I want you to tell me that I did the right thing.”

My phone started to ring with Quinn’s ringtone and I reached for it, my mom currently saved by my best friend.

“Hello?”

“Turn on Channel Seven right now.”

“What?” Nerves coursed through my body as what I assumed was more bad news about me being spread. “I can’t take any more bad press, Quinn.”

“Paige Lagertha Lockwood, turn on Channel Seven this instant before I hunt you down and hurt you!” she screamed into the phone before hanging up on me.

“Apparently we need to turn on Channel Seven,” I told Mom before looking around the living room for the remote. Pressing the power button, I switched the cable box to the right channel and felt the color drain my face immediately.

“Oh good Lord, is that him?” my mom asked as I all but fell back onto the couch.

Tatum looked stupid hot in his charcoal-gray suit as he sat across from Wendy Wong, a well-known entertainment reporter with golden skin and long dark hair.

“What is he doing?” I breathed out to no one in particular, knowing how uncomfortable he had to be.

I clicked the volume button up on the remote until I could hear him loud and clear, the drawl in his voice pinching my heart. I recognized the candles adorning the wall behind him, along with the other artwork that barely showed in the television frame. He was at Quinn’s house. Reaching for one of the couch pillows, I pulled it to my stomach and squeezed it against me.

Wendy: Would you care to clear up the rumors about you and Paige cheating long before Colin ever did?

Tatum: I didn’t even meet Paige until after she and Colin had broken up. He cheated on her, and not the other way around. Paige isn’t the type of person to do that, and I think you all know that. Colin, on the other hand, every time I see him, he gives me a new reason to dislike him.

Wendy: Is that why you hit him?

What? Tatum hit Colin? When had they even seen each other?

My mom turned to look at me, her mind clearly filled with the same questions as mine.

Tatum: I hit him because he said something horrible about Paige. He said things a guy should never say about a girl.

Wendy: So you admit to assaulting him, which is what Colin is claiming.

Tatum: No, I admit to punching him. Once. In the jaw.

Wendy: Would you do it again?

Tatum: If he talked like that about Paige, then yes, I would. I don’t understand why y’all always take his side.

Wendy: We don’t take Colin’s side.

Tatum: It sure seems that way.

Wendy: Well, I’m sorry we’ve given you that impression. Colin tends to speak out a lot.

Tatum: That’s because he’s a liar and he’s conniving. He gets pleasure out of throwing innocent people under the bus to save his own skin, and the only way he can do that is if he’s constantly in your face. Colin is the type of guy who only cares about himself, and he doesn’t care who he hurts in the process.

Wendy: Are you referring to Paige or yourself?

Tatum: (Laughs) Colin doesn’t hurt me. But I don’t like him hurting Paige or anyone else with the stories he tells. Especially when he gets caught doing something wrong. He can’t own up to it. Instead, he makes up a story and hides behind it.

Wendy: One of the girls from that original video spoke out earlier today and basically echoed your exact sentiments. But you know what? Let’s move on. How did you meet Paige?

Tatum: She got a flat tire when she was driving through my town. I run the only mechanic shop there, so it was on me to help her.

Wendy: And this was where?

Tatum fidgeted in his seat, the discomfort in his eyes growing, and I wondered what on earth he’d gotten himself into. For me.

Tatum: In Louisiana.

Wendy: And now you’re here in Los Angeles. Why exactly?

Tatum: Well, ma’am, I wanted to set the record straight because how y’all do things out here isn’t how we do them back home. And when a man loves a woman, he defends her honor. He stands up for what’s right, and that’s what I wanted to do here today.

Wendy: So you and Paige are in love?

Tatum: I’m in love with her. I’m not sure how she feels about me at this point.

Wendy: And why do you say that?

Tatum: Because I messed up, Wendy. I’m a man, and I make mistakes. I didn’t handle things well, and that’s why I’m here with you today. I want her to know how sorry I am.

My heart skipped a beat at his very public declaration. Of course, he’d made that very statement to me a few hours ago in the lobby of my apartment building, but this was on national television for the whole country to see and hear. Including everyone back in his hometown.

Wendy: What did you do, exactly? There weren’t other women, were there?

Tatum: No, absolutely not. It’s nothing like that. Let’s just say that when things got difficult, I pushed her away.

Wendy: I’m sure it can’t be easy for someone like you to date a world-famous celebrity. You seem so normal, Tatum.

Tatum: (Laughs) I am. And no, it’s not easy. But Paige is worth it. And that’s where I messed up, Wendy. I let her walk away from me. Things got scary, and I got uncomfortable and I let her go. But I was wrong. Because Paige Lockwood isn’t the kind of girl you push out of your life; she’s the kind of girl you run toward. The kind you fight for and pray like hell she’ll take you back after you’ve been an idiot of epic proportion.

Wendy: Wow. I hope all the guys across the country are taking notes tonight because this is how you do it. That’s one heck of an apology. I hope Paige accepts it.

“Mom, I have to go,” I said as tears streamed down my face.

“Yes, you do. Go accept that boy’s apology. And then bring him over here for dinner!” she shouted after me as I ran to my car.

• • •

After pulling to a screeching stop into Quinn’s driveway, I all but sprinted inside the front doors. The camera crews had already packed up and gone, but I could hear the sound of Tatum and Ryson’s voices filling the air as I rushed through the house.

“Tatum!” I shouted as the sound of a chair scooting across the tile floor hit my ears.

“Paige!”

We both rounded corners at the same time and stopped at opposite sides of the kitchen.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, then took a tentative step toward me.

I bolted toward him and surprised him by jumping into his waiting arms. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I squeezed him as tightly as I could.

“I can’t believe you went on TV,” I said softly against his neck.

He shivered, and I smiled to myself as his grip on me tightened. He pulled his head back, his eyes meeting mine.

“I did it for you. And Quinn helped. A lot.”

“Yeah, I did,” she shouted from somewhere in the dining room.

Tatum rested his forehead against mine, a smile on his lips. “I love you, Paige.”

“I love you too,” I admitted for the first time as my previously cracked heart clicked into place, making me feel whole.

“I’m so damn sorry for how I reacted. I can’t promise you that I’ll never act like a dumbass ever again, but I can promise that I’ll try. I meant every word I said tonight. You’re worth it. I should have fought for you, and I’m so sorry I didn’t.”

“Shut up. God, just shut up already.”

I crushed my mouth against his, all my feelings pouring out as I reacquainted myself with his mouth. I kissed him for all the days we’d been apart, as well as all the nights I’d dreamed of him, wishing we were still together.

As I unwrapped my legs from around his hips, he lowered me gently to the floor, his hands never breaking contact with my body, our mouths still connected.

“Jeez, get a room already,” Ryson pretended to complain as he walked past us.

We pulled apart, smiles on both our faces. “Maybe we can christen the Jungle room since you’re a boy and Quinn never lets me stay in there?” I asked loud enough for Quinn to hear, and she groaned.

“Damn it, Paige, what is it with you and that room?”

“Can’t we go home instead?” Tatum looked down at me, looking happier and more relaxed than I’d ever seen him.

“Home? Like my home?”

“Yes, Paige. Your home. Our home. Whatever. Let’s go home,” he insisted, and who was I to argue.

Epilogue

Paige

Six months later

Tatum moved in that night after the interview. Actually, he just never left. My family met him soon after. They not only forgave him for hurting me, but practically gave their blessing for our future wedding and kids, something Tatum and I hadn’t even talked about yet. It had been a little awkward, but secretly I craved their approval and was thrilled at how much they seemed to love and accept him.

Aside from flying back home once to pack a single bag of his things, Tatum refused to be away from me. It was during that trip home that his mom finally told him that his dad had left a life insurance policy for them. She’d put aside half the money for Tatum when the time was right, and when she presented him with a check for almost two hundred thousand dollars, he refused to take it. That was, until his mom reminded him that she had the other half and would not be hurting for money if he left her on her own.

Our moving in together might have seemed crazy to some, too soon to others, but it felt right to us. It still does. We both knew that if he moved all the way out here and I forced him to rent his own place purely out of principle, it would be a complete waste. Rental property in Los Angeles was overpriced and ridiculously expensive. And that was something I didn’t feel right about doing—wasting his family’s money when it wasn’t necessary. Plus, waking up in his arms each morning was the highlight of my day.

I got accepted into UCLA and started attending classes in the fall. It was a difficult adjustment, way harder than I’d anticipated, and I’m not sure how long I’ll keep attending. The students in my classes did a lot of staring at first, but no one really talked to me, so I ended up feeling very out of place and alone. People talked about me, but never included me in the conversation. It was as if they were too afraid to approach me, but weren’t afraid to stare at me and make things awkward.

Tatum promised me that it would eventually die down, and he kept encouraging me to give them more time. I didn’t believe him, but he was right.

Despite what Jayson said, my career didn’t falter. I still did the occasional audition when the part was too good to pass up, not wanting to put my career completely on hold while I went to school. Plus, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss acting at all. I missed it more than I ever thought I would, so with Madison’s help, we attempted to find a balance until I figured it all out. So far, so good.

Hiring Madison has been the best career decision I’ve made so far. Working with her is like a dream come true. Having her and Walker as good friends has been an added bonus, and when we all get together with Quinn and Ryson, it’s always a loud and fun time.

It’s been exciting to make normal friends and talk about normal, everyday things with people. But Tatum was also right all those months ago—my life will never truly be normal. Despite that, this experience that I’ve fought so hard for has been thrilling. Even the homework doesn’t bother me, much to the chagrin of my new friends who constantly call me crazy.

Hell, maybe I was, and maybe I am. I don’t care, though; I like the new me. Being crazy has its perks.

Tatum

After my interview, it didn’t take long for the press to find out exactly where I’d been born and raised. They bombarded Hanford with camera crews and reporters, taking over my tiny town. Paige had freaked out, feeling responsible for ruining the place, but the truth was that she helped give it new life. My mom’s bed and breakfast was filled to capacity on most weekends now, thanks to the busloads of tourists that Paige’s visit had inspired. Everyone wanted to sleep where Paige Lockwood had slept. Even the swimming hole had become a tourist attraction for families and couples.

My dad’s garage did more business in the last six months then we’d done in the last six years. Whenever I started to feel guilty about not being there to run the place, my mom reminded me that they were doing just fine and that I wasn’t missed.

I knew she was lying about the last part because she’s been out here to visit me and Paige three times already since I moved. As much as I love living here with my girl, I love it even more when my mom comes to visit. She claims that once she retires, she’s moving here. Nothing would make me happier than having both my girls in one place.

Yeah, I know, I’m a total mama’s boy. I don’t even care.

I’ve been working with Walker Rhodes at his studio. I never intended to let Paige pull any strings for me, but when her agent, Madison, set up a dinner at their Malibu house to welcome me to town, well, Walker and I bonded instantly the same way that Ryson and I had.

Creative people tended to gravitate toward one another, I soon realized. After several beers, Walker convinced me to play a couple of songs I’d written about Paige for him. He got on the phone with someone the instant I finished, and when he hung up, he shook my hand.

“We have a deal,” he said with a smile.

“A deal?” I asked, not sure what the hell he was talking about.

“I want those songs. Both of them. I’ll buy them, but I want you to produce them with me. Come up with a few more to show me next time we get together. You’re really talented, man, and your sound is fresh. LA needs someone like you, but I want you first,” he said with a laugh.

“Are you shitting me right now?” I couldn’t believe that it was happening this easily and quickly. But then I remembered that nothing in my life had really come easily to me. I had sacrificed my own dreams for years. When you’re so used to failing, success feels foreign. I suppose when things are meant to be, they fall into place effortlessly. This was the best I’d felt about life and my future since high school. And high school felt like a thousand years ago.

“Dead serious,” Walker said. “I want the songs. You help me produce. You’ll get writing credit on the album, which means you’ll make money on each sale of the songs you write for me that we release. I’m so excited, man. I want to go in the studio now and record this, but Madison will kill me if we don’t get back out there.” He patted my shoulder.

“Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I know you do. I like helping out good people, and Paige is good people. I can tell you are too. Welcome to LA, man.”

We walked out of his home studio and back to where our girls sat on the balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I’d only seen houses like this in the movies, and now I was having dinner in one.

How was this my life? I glanced down at my short-haired brunette beauty and smiled, wondering how on earth I had ever gotten so lucky, and promised myself that I’d never let her go, no matter what life threw at us. I would never walk away, push her aside, or leave her ever again. I planned on marrying that girl someday.

But probably not before Ryson and Quinn tied the knot.