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The Tessarae Inn |
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Dreams In Amber Refrains
CHAPTER 18 Blair tried to reach Todd again but he phone was still not working. She called The Sun and his secretary reassured her that he had checked in a few hours ago. The children were fine according to Emily and Sheri. When Todd was in the midst of a big story or an investigation, he often turned off the phone. He was obviously knee deep in something. She didn’t need to know what. She just needed to hear his voice and know that he was all right. There was something disconcerting about the amount of trouble she was having lately trying to reach him and about the dread eating away at her. The fact of the matter was that she couldn’t shake a weird sense that he was in trouble—in danger—and he needed her. She dialed Toni’s number and caught her at JStarr. “Nope. Not one disaster that I know of. No accidents or explosions, Blair. Todd is fine. Relax. Enjoy the city. He’ll call when he comes up for air.” “Comes up for air? What are you talking about?” “I have no idea. RJ just mentioned several days ago that he talked to Todd and Todd was working on some business deal. He didn’t say what and I didn’t ask.” Blair exhaled. So it was business. She felt ashamed for having doubted him. Why was it they she couldn’t just let go and trust that the bad times were behind them? “Thanks, Toni. Everything okay at JStarr?” “If things were any better we’d probably raise suspicious of having happy gas pumped into the building. Nothing to worry about, Blair. Everything is under control for the next few days but when you finish being a celeb you need to roll on in here and man the ship again.” “You just want me to think I’m missed.” “Damn straight. Have fun, kiddo. This ride is probably only coming around once. Enjoy the hell out of it. Bye.” As soon as she broke the connection with Toni, Travis walked into the room. “He’s on the hotel line.” Blair exhaled and reached for the phone on the desk by the window. “I’ve been trying to reach you, babe,” he said as soon as she picked up. “Your cell phone has been busy.” “Trying to find you. Are you okay?” “Fine. Never better except I miss you and the kids. Feel better knowing you got there safe and sound. What kind of name is Artemis Crumb? Travis sure has some imagination. You sharing a room with him?” “There are six bedrooms here so I get to have my own at least until the band gets here. Who knows what happens after that.” “Don’t play with my head, Blair. I’ll catch the first thing smoking and come up there.” “Nothing would make me happier.” He ignored the catch he heard in her voice. “I’ll be there for the show. Promise. Just a few more days. Look, I got to run. I’ve got another meeting. I’ll call you in the morning.” “Wait. What kind of meeting?” “Just a story, Blair, but you know phones have ears. I’ll talk to you in the am.” Click. Blair placed the phone back into the receiver base with exaggerated gentleness because she felt like smashing it hard enough to send it crashing straight through the desk and into the room below. Her Todd antenna was picking up a strange vibration. He was up to something. Maybe she should go home. She exhaled. Or, maybe she should just trust him. “Is he okay?” “Fine.” “Okay, good. Maybe you can relax now. Get dressed. We’re meeting some of my friends for dinner.” “I’m a little tired, Travis.” “The PR train is relentless, Blair. We’re on the clock for the next two days. Got be seen out and about. Welcome to my world.” ======= Sometimes going to The Palace felt like stepping in a Roman arena as a gladiator. He had to fight Renee first then Nora and Bo came in as the second string closely followed by Hank and some woman he was dating. All of them had something to say to him that he was not the least bit interested in hearing. Finally, he fought his way to the private room Shuttlesworth had reserved, only to be greeted by Heather dressed in virginal white with flowers in her hair. She immediately swept next to him and stood way too close for anyone’s comfort. “Daddy Carl was gushing when he came in. He is very impressed with you. I’m so glad you agreed to join us for dinner. I need someone who’ll help me maintain control when this bitch arrives.” Before he could respond Robyn walked in followed closely by Bryan Treyscott. When she saw Heather, she slowed her step and then locked her arm in Treyscott’s. Heather in turn took a step closer to him and then threw her head back as if she was laughing. Jeeze. Stupid sibling tricks. He took a giant step away from Heather and greeted Robyn warmly then shook Treyscott’s hand. He noticed that Treyscott had an odd and difficult to judge expression on his face. “Everything all right, man?” “Will be after this is over. It’s not like any of us have a real say in who DC dates.” “He just wants us to meet her,” said Robyn. “He wants the people he cares about to care about someone he cares about.” “Why don’t you just shut up, Robyn,” said Heather. “What happened? Did you run out of your bitch pills this morning and take a Susie Sunshine pill by mistake?” Robyn glanced up at Treyscott. “I had something better than pills this morning.” Treyscott cleared his throat. “Let’s sit down. Maybe we can get a drink before DC and his woman friend get here. Seems to me, we all need to chill a bit.” Todd waved over the waiter who just entered the room. “Double scotch on the rocks.” Heather stood for a second as if she expected him to order for her but he just stared at her. She cleared her throat. “I’ll have a martini with two olives shaken not stirred.” Todd chuckled softly. “Heather Bond?” Heather lifted her chin and glared at him. “Give me a Lowenbrau,” said Treyscott, “and a strawberry daiquiri for the lady.” Todd sat next to Robyn at the table but Heather sat on his other side and Treyscott eased next to Robyn. So much for his lame attempt to break up what appeared to be Heather’s fantasy that they were on a date or something. The waiter returned with their drinks. He, Treyscott and Heather finished their drinks quickly and ordered a second round. Robyn, on the other hand, sipped her daiquiri with a hint of contented bliss. Heather sneered at her then looked directly at Treyscott and said, “What have you heard about this latest gold digging bimbo?” “Nothing really. He doesn’t talk to me about her except to say something bizarre like she’s special to him. And to be quite honest, your father’s love life is not on the top of my list of things to be in charge of these days. I’ve got real things to worry about including a damn contract.” Heather tapped her nails on the table. “If you stop being a whiny, greedy son of a bitch there would be no problem.” “Listen, bitch, if you want to hear whining, wait until I walk away…” “Is she here yet?” They all turned to see Shuttlesworth rush into the room. “Obviously not,” said Heather. “So is she always late?” “Give it a rest, Number One. Best behavior, remember? Todd, …Treyscott, thanks for joining us. Hopefully, you will help to keep my girl children under control. They are like hissing kittens sometimes with very sharp teeth.” Treyscott snorted. “Why don’t you just send Heather to a finishing school?” “At least, I have something going for me other than knowing how to throw a stupid ball around.” “But none of it good.” “Listen, you bastard, you need to set an alarm on your one brain cell so it gives you an early warning signal before your mouth gets you in serious trouble.” Robyn tapped the side of her glass so it made a loud pinging sound. “Leave him alone, Heather. You started it. Like you always do then you get mad when someone tells you the truth.” “Well, maybe I should tell him a thing or two that’s true about you.” Robyn sat up straight in her chair. “Careful, sister. I smack back and I always have my brass knuckles on. Now, do you want to start this for real?” “Bitch, I will…” “Both of you cut it out. I said best behavior and this is not it. I don’t want her to think we are nothing more than uncouth trash despite our money. She is a woman of class and breeding.” “I bet she’s so blinded by the money she couldn’t tell a bull from a heifer even if they we both screwing her at the same time.” “Stop it, Heather,” said Robyn. “This is Daddy Carl’s night. Don’t try to ruin it for him.” “Fuck you and that broken down stallion you rode in on too.” “At least, I’m riding.” Heather yowled like an alley cat and pitched the centerpiece at Robyn. Treyscott reached out as smoothly as if it was a lateral pass and caught it. He tightened his lips and glanced over at Shuttlesworth “I told you, DC. You should have considered finishing school for her. Even dogs get obedience training.” Heather jerked and then leaned so far forward her breasts were almost touching the table. “How did you miss out then? I don’t think I’ve ever met a bigger dog.” “I didn’t miss a thing. In fact, I’m a certified instructor and my patience is at its end.” Heather whipped backwards and then threw the saltshaker directly at Treyscott. He caught it effortlessly. He glared at Heather. “If you throw anything else, I will have to teach you a few things your daddy seems to have forgotten. Like good manners, common courtesy and a healthy respect for your life. ” Heather flailed her hands around and her face flushed red as if she was a toddler filling her lungs before she screamed to the high heavens. Todd could barely hide his amusement. He wondered whether she would levitate and literally fly across the table after Treyscott’s throat next. There was truly bad blood between the two of them. Down the road he could work that fact to his advantage. “Excuse me.” A beautiful dark haired woman was standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a soft periwinkle blue dress that was beaded and reflected the light. Her hair was style up and her eyes shown brightly. Todd looked down at the table and shook his head gently. Things didn’t look so easy anymore. All he needed was two days. Two damn days. “Am I in the right place?” Shuttlesworth rushed to her side. “Yes, anywhere you are is the right place, beautiful one.” He put his arm around her waist and walked her further into the room. “Everyone,” said Shuttlesworth, “this is the love of my life.” Todd could have sworn he heard Heather hiss. ========== Blair scanned the contents of the fridge and finally pulled out the deli roast turkey breast, a tomato and lettuce. She was searching for the whole wheat bread when she heard someone pad into the kitchen. It was Travis barefoot, dressed in a black T-shirt along with black and white check drawstring pajama buttons and sporting morning hair. He looked at her and then grinned. “What? I was hungry.” “Did they have a sale on pink or something?” Blair frowned then looked down and laughed. She was dressed in bright pink pajamas, a pink chenille robe with huge daisies dotted throughout and pink fuzzy slippers. Todd had selected, purchased and packed her sleepwear specifically. He insisted that she was to look chaste and like the mother of two at all times. He made her model the sleepwear for him and then immediately jumped her bones, which seemed to nullify his intent. He claimed because he loved her, though, it didn’t matter what she had on or didn’t have on, he would always find her sexy but that wasn’t true for Travis. She smiled at the memory of fuzzy slippers flying and chenille robes being tossed. God, she missed him. “Okay, Mr. Rock Star, no comments on the wardrobe.” “Just one since we are talking about clothes. I know I told you to dress up but not to knock my socks off. Damn you looked gorgeous tonight.” She smiled at the compliment. She had fun at the restaurant and the club. It was amazing to be with someone so well known in a public arena. Up until this point the majority of her contact with Travis had been in quiet, tranquil places with no one except friends around. The level of media attention and general fan attention had caught her off guard. Now though they were back in the penthouse suite alone because, even though it was two am, Piper and the rest of the band were still out partying. “Do you want a sandwich?” “Sure. Did you have fun tonight?” “I forget sometimes how famous you are. I kept looking around at all of the celebrities and wanting to point them out to you then I realized they were all looking at you. I forget sometimes…” He shook his head. “You didn’t forget. That Travis is an image. What you know about me is what matters. So was it okay?” “I had fun, Travis. A really different world. Don’t think I could last in it very long but it’s fun to visit.” “It takes some getting used to that’s for sure. But I’ve got your back every step of the way.” “I can’t believe you used to date Charis. She was as breathtaking in person as she appears on the cover of the fashion mags.” “She was all right. Seen one supermodel, you’ve seen them all.” “Yeah, right. I suspect supermodels wouldn’t be in the kitchen in the middle of the night making sandwiches.” He looked at her and smiled as he nodded his head. “Nope. She never did anything like that. Especially, dressed as Powerpuff Girl.” “Hey!” said Blair then tossed an oven mitt at him. “I have you know my husband thinks I’m sexy as hell in this outfit.” Travis chuckled. “I bet he does. I’ll be back in a minute.” He walked toward the far door at the end of the kitchen. He looked back over his shoulder. “And I didn’t say you don’t look sexy.” Blair pulled a kitchen stool to the counter and then finished making the sandwiches and set a place for herself and then one for Travis on the other side of the counter. She got a big glass of ice water and set a beer out for Travis. He returned in a few minutes. “Let’s eat in the living room. I love it in there this time of night.” “Sure. I love the view. It’s spectacular.” Travis gathered up the food and she followed him into the living room then settled comfortably on the couch that faced a bank of windows looking out over Central Park. The night was clear and she swore she could almost see all of the way to Llanview. Travis sat on the floor next to her and leaned against the couch. They ate in silence for a while. “Never thought I’d be in a place like this,” said Travis. “I had big dreams but nothing in my life prepared me for this. I had no idea that people lived this way. Still takes my breath away sometimes.” “I don’t think people born to it ever truly appreciate it. Not like we do anyway.” “I’ll never forget how far down really is, Blair. I may have forgotten a lot of things but never that. It’s hard to relate to people that don’t understand what it’s like.” “Like supermodels?” “For one.” “So how long did you date Charis?” “A few hours or so.” “What? She made it sound like you two were a hot item and she broke your heart when she left you.” “Her PR person and mine were the real hot item. I’d just broken up with my wife and Charis had just finished a run-in with Bryan Treyscott. Do you know him? The quarterback for The Tornadoes.” “Football? I’m not really a big fan but Todd used to play. That was before I met him though. What about this quarterback guy?” “Chain reaction. He got left at the altar and took it out on a lot of people for a while. Charis just got caught in the line of fire. I came along and picked up the pieces, at least on paper. She got to pretend to break my heart, which in turn gave me a reason to sing a sad song that supposedly had nothing to do with my ex-wife.” “You never talk about your wife.” “Ex-wife. Not worth talking about.” “Oh, no. Turnabout is fair play.” “Not much to say. We met. Rockets went off. Literally. We were at a freaking fireworks display. For the life of me looking back on it I can’t see what I ever saw in her. Turned out she saw a sucker in me. Lied to me up one side and down the other. Got me to marry her. I found out the truth and left her. End of story.” “If you say so, but I know a thing or two about lies. Things are never as simple as that. People lie for all sorts of reasons and not always because they don’t love you.” “Maybe, but you’ve never lied to me.” “Don’t do this, Travis. Don’t try to pretend I’m something I’m not. I have told plenty of lies and they have hurt people, especially people I loved. I don’t know anything about your ex-wife so I’m just speaking for myself but I can say at the time, I was doing the best I could.” Travis nodded then stared at her for a few seconds. He stood up and picked up his guitar from the corner of the room. He walked back and sat on the coffee table. “I want to sing something to you. Maybe one day I can talk you into recording again and we can do this song.” Blair nodded then kicked off her fuzzy slippers, and pulled her knees close to her chest and watched him as he ran his fingers lightly across the strings of the guitar then made adjustments. When he seemed satisfied, he looked at her and said, “This is for you, Blair.” The intensity of the look sent a shiver down her spin. She hugged one of the throw pillows close to her chest and watched him. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. “I’ve been so many places in my life and time,” he sang. “I’ve sung a lot songs and I’ve made some bad rhyme. I’ve acted out my love in stages with ten thousand people watching. But we’re alone now and I’m singing this song for you.” She felt something catch in her throat. How could his voice sound so beautiful and haunted at the same time with feelings so raw and exposed? She fought to hold back the tears. She wanted to look away but there was no way to protect the shards in her soul from connecting to him. There was magic. There always had been. “I know your image of me is what I hope to be… Darlin’ can’t you please see through me ‘cause we are alone now and I’m singing this song to you. You taught me precious secrets of a true love withholding nothing. You came out in front when I was hiding…I love you in a place where there is no space or time. I love you for my life. You are a friend of mine. And when my life is over, remember, remember, when we were together. We were alone and I was singing…I was singing this song to you.” She didn’t mean to cry but the tears streamed down her face. Travis stood up then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Goodnight, Blair.” Chapter 19 Dreams In Amber Refrain FAN FICTION |