Page 20 of Vegas Love (Love 1)
"My mom and I don't have a relationship, really. Part of me thought she would be proud of what I've accomplished, but all she cares about is the next hit. Our only contact is when that's in jeopardy. We've only seen each other once since I left. And it didn't go well.
"It wasn't always bad, though. When my dad was alive, we were a normal family. I'm not sure what exactly happened in the accident that took his life, but I think she blamed herself. Although, sometimes I think she blamed me. She was either crying or mad. I would go to sleep to the sound of her sobbing and wake up to the sound of her breaking things.
"Eventually, she self-medicated her grief with alcohol. The tables turned and at the ripe age of seven I started taking care of her. She didn't work. My dad had some insurance money and it kept a roof over our heads and her in booze. She would go to my parent teacher conferences drunk.
"When I was a junior in high school, she started adding prescription drugs to the mix.
"The crazy thing is that's why I learned to act. I had to act like I wasn't devastated my dad was dead, because my mom got mad if I cried about it. I had to act like everything was fine at home when I was at school even though it was falling apart.
"I think that's why it was so easy for me to finish filming after Bart attacked me. Pretending is sort of second nature."
"Where is your mom now?"
"She used to live in the small town I grew up in. A few years ago, she moved to Idaho with some guy. He left her but she stayed there."
"When was the last time you spoke to her?"
"Last week. She needed money. Dad's insurance ran out a long time ago. My point is that just because I look perfect on the big screen, doesn't mean I'm perfect in real life. The makeup and lighting hide all my cracks."
"Can I ask you a question?" I say, taking her hand in mine. "One that's really important to me."
"Sure."
"Do you want kids someday?"
"You'd think with my background that I wouldn't, but I do. I'm going to be a good mother and my kids will always know they are loved."
"Since I'm going somewhere important with you tomorrow, is there a chance you might go somewhere important with me today?"
"Of course. Where?"
"My family is getting together to watch a college football game. I really missed my family when I was living in Seattle and I want you to meet them."
"Why?"
"Why. That's a really good question."
"And do you have a really good answer?"
"I have a couple of answers. Depends on which one you want to hear."
She squints her eyes at me. "I want to hear them both."
"Well, the easy answer is that my sister told me I had to come because she wants to meet you."
"And the hard answer?"
"Because I want them to meet you."
"Really?" She starts crying and runs her hand across the shell. "You know, I think you've been smoothing out my edges since I met you."
I stand, pulling her up with me, then take her to the house and kiss the hell out of her.
Which leads to a whole lot more.
We're lying in each other's arms in bed, after what was by far the best sex of my life. There was a tenderness to it that I've never felt before. It was more than just hot sex. It was like love.
Is she falling for me?
Could she already be in love with me?
Could I ever possibly be so lucky?
I'm trying not to stare at her, but it's hard not to.
"What?" she says, busting me.
"Nothing."
"Why are you staring at me? Is my mascara a mess?"
I brush her hair off her face. "No, I was just thinking how beautiful you are." I slide my hand down her hip. "And trying to figure out how I got so lucky."
She leans up and gives me a kiss. "You got lucky because you were looking to get lucky. I was drunk and an easy target. If you would have called me Hotass when I was sober, I probably would have flipped you off and walked away."
"That would have been hot. And I totally would have followed you."
She laughs. "It's weird now to think that when I kissed your brother it felt all wrong. It's almost like the universe knew that I was going to end up with you."
"End up with me? Like forever?"
"It would definitely make for a good story, huh? A one-night stand, resulting in a marriage, and a happily ever after. Sounds like something out of the movies."
"Maybe you should write the script. Start a production company."
"Ha. I'm not Keatyn Douglas. I seriously don't know how she does it."
"I know when Cade signed her it was a really big deal."
"And there are not very many actresses who would be in that position."
"What do you mean?"
"When you start out, one of the hardest things to do is to get good representation. I got lucky because I landed a role first. Usually, it's the other way around."
"How did you end up with my brother?"
"Palmer Montlake recommended him. She told me he was smart and honest. I mostly signed with him because I thought he was really hot."
"What? I'm crushed!"
"Hey, I was seventeen. Give me a break. When Keatyn's agent retired and she hired your brother after interviewing practically everyone in town, I knew for sure that I made a wise decision."
"I remember when that happened. My parents were really proud of him. Keatyn says that the reason she's able to accomplish so much is because she surrounds herself with people she trusts."
"You and your brother are helping me get to that point. I'm very grateful for your help with my manager and publicist. Although, I'm not sure what I'm going to do now. Brandi was more than just a publicist. She managed my schedule, arranged my travel, and made sure I had milk in the house."
"Cade was going to talk to Vanessa Flanning for you. He says she's the best."
"She is. She handles publicity for Keatyn Douglas, Captive Films, and recently took on Jennifer Edwards too."
"They are all my brother's clients, so hopefully she will add you to her roster. But she's probably not going to get you milk. I think you need an assistant."
"Yeah, you're probably right. Someone young and fun who is meticulous and can keep me on schedule. So, what time do we have to be at your parents' house? And what should I wear?"
I point to our clothes scattered across her bedroom floor. "I'm wearing what I had on. And I'd love to leave soon. I thought we'd take the long way. Drive down the coast."
"That sounds fun," she says. "I'll go get dressed."
A few minutes later, she comes out of her closet wearing a flirty little dress that makes her look like a co-ed.
"Will this work?" she asks as my eyes trail down her body. "Ohmigawd."
"What?"
"I feel like you're undressing me with your eyes."
"Probably because I am," I say with a smirk.
"You're bad. I'd like to know if I am dressed appropriately for meeting your parents."
"Yes, you are." I pull her down on the bed with me, giving her a kiss.
"Get up and get dressed, or I'm going to end up back in bed with nothing on."
"That's very tempting," I say. "But we better get going."
As I'm throwing on my clothes, I tell her, "I need to buy a car soon."
"Is the Escalade not yours?"
"No, Carter is letting me use it. I sold my car to a friend in Seattle. Figured it was one less thing to have to deal with, but I'm already sick of parking that big bitch."
"You can borrow one of mine," she says with a grin.
"One of yours? Just how many cars do you have?"
She bites the edge of her lip. It's sexy as hell. "Four." She grabs my hand, pulls me to her garage, flips on a light, and says, "Pick one."
"Oh, wow. You have good taste. I gotta warn you, though. I wreck cars." I hold up my hands. "Actually, I don't wreck--people crash into me."
"Hmm, well then you prob
ably shouldn't drive this one." She carefully sets her hand on the hood of a pristine, white, late eighties Trans Am GTA with a big gold bird on the hood, matching gold rims, and T-tops.
"Tell me about this car," I say, pulling her into my arms. "What made you buy it?" Emotions cross her face, so I give her a hug. "You don't have to tell me."
"No, it's okay. I love all my cars, but this one is special. My dad was driving my mom's car in the accident that took his life. His car was just like this. I remember he was so proud of it." She shakes her head. "It sounds stupid, but when I missed him, I would go sit in the garage in his car. One time, I fell asleep in it and my mom was so upset because she couldn't find me. She sold the car not long after that. It took me years to find one in such good condition."
I run my hand through her hair and kiss her temple. "If I tell you something, do you promise not to freak out?"
"Maybe."
