02 Unforgivable - Untouchable (32 page)

“
Oooh,” Don remarked in a very drawn out manner.

“
Why? Is there something wrong with that song?”

“
No, I think it’s a little old for someone your age, but Bryan Adams lives in London.”

Now I understood the ‘Oooh’ remark.

“
Don’t worry about it, Annalisa. If that is your song choice, we’ll make it happen. He may not even be in London this time of the year. Go to Tennessee and have a good time and we’ll figure this out when you get back.”

It was a little different to not have Ryan at the helm, and it would have been nice to just sit together in the back of the plane and relax and talk except for the camera crew, Pete Claxton on camera and Jason Kelley on sound. I tried talking them into turning it off, but that was a lost cause.

The jet was roomy and comfortable and our seats were side by side so we just reclined, turning our backsides toward the camera. Ryan’s arm draped over the seats to rest across my waist. It had been a while since I’d felt the comfort of sleeping under his touch and it didn’t take long before I dozed. Just before I drifted off, I was thinking about Candace. If a clip of this made it on the show, even though we technically weren’t sleeping together, it would probably still qualify in her book as the same thing. Hopefully, she wouldn’t get mad.

We woke just as the wheels touched down on the Tennessee airstrip. Our meeting would be at a studio in Nashville.

“
You nervous?” Ryan asked as we were about to enter the building.

I know he could tell, but I put on my braver-than-I-felt front and smiled, “Of course, not.”

He laughed—he knew I was terrified.

I’m not really sure what I expected, but it ended up being a blast. The guys from the group, Gary, Jay and Joe were down-to-earth, very personable and fun to be around. They made me immediately comfortable as they ran through the song once before I sang it with them.

“
I’d like to change the lyrics just a little bit to fit my situation, if that’s okay?”

The guys looked at each other and shrugged, wanting to know what I wanted to change.

“
When it comes to the chorus and says, ‘watching you walk away,’ I want to change it to say, ‘having to run away.’”

The guys laughed. Running away was supposed to be my modus operandi
anyway, and Micah wasn’t the one who left me. I wanted the song tailored to reflect my feelings for him.

They agreed to try it with me singing my revised lyrics. Ryan sat smiling and watching as the music began.

The song went very well, even if I did shed a few tears before the end, but the adjusted lyrics worked perfectly. The guys were impressed with my singing, but I wasn’t happy with the ending chorus.

“
You hit that last part, ‘…was being so close’ with so much feeling and I don’t think my version has the same intensity as yours, but I want that intensity.”

Gary and I practiced the final chorus a few times until I felt like I knew how to hit it correctly and then it was my turn to try singing the song alone.

I was even more emotional when I sang it by myself, but the emotions worked so well to evoke all the feelings the lyrics deserved. I was wiping away the tears, as I hugged and thanked them all for their help.

Two hours in Nashville vanished quickly, and, before it seemed we had a chance to breathe, it was back on the plane and back to Los Angeles. The camera guys warmed up to us in studio, so the cameras were turned off for the return trip. We actually had a good time talking and getting to know one another.

Wednesday’s taping went well with the exception of Carrie still trying to cause problems and rattle me. Ryan was a little more vocal in his efforts to keep her at bay, but she wouldn’t be dissuaded. She wanted to pick a fight with me so badly and Ryan was her ticket to the match. After the first three contestants were cut and the audience left the studio, everyone met back stage to say goodbye to the girls. Carrie was being loud and laughing about my tears while I performed on stage. It didn’t bother me about crying while I sang, and even the judges said I had given the best performance of the night, but she wouldn’t let it go.

“
I’d be worried if I were you, sweet-cheeks,” she crooned to Ryan as she continually tried to touch him, “I think your little runaway might be regretting her decision.”

He had become more at ease with all the contestants, including her. She simply caught him off guard the first day. He smiled as he dodged her attempts to reach the more personal areas, “I love her no matter what happens, so I’m good with whatever she decides.”

“
Oh, I’m sure you are ‘good,’” she remarked as she licked her lips and made a grab for his crotch.

He stepped back just in time as I moved between them for what seemed like the hundredth time, “Would you just back off?”

“
And just what, little girl, are you gonna do if I don’t?” she said, puffing up and putting herself in my face.

Ryan had my shoulder and was attempting to move me behind him, when she put her hand on my chest and pushed me into him.

“
If you want to fight me, then come out and say it,” I growled as I pulled out from under his grip. “You’re bold enough about everything else—like trying to intimidate people who are too nice to tell you to keep your damn hands to yourself!” At this point I was advancing into her and actually caused her to take a step back, but I wasn’t finished with what I had to say. “I’d really like to know what the problem is,” I continued as my fury over her constant needling built, “don’t you have a man that will put up with you?”

“
That does it!” And she started swinging.

I blocked the punch, and swept her leg out from under her with mine, knocking her to the floor. She grabbed my ankle and I went down on top of her. Ryan and the crew were on us in a flash as she tried to head butt me, but I managed to slam her cheek with an elbow strike. The blow rendered her senseless long enough for them to separate us.

Now she was taking swings at the crew as she threatened me. She and a stage hand went tumbling over a chair as others jumped into give him a hand.

“
You okay?” Ryan asked as I straighten my clothes.

“
Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s go before they turn her loose and I end up actually having to hurt her. Geez, I’m starting to think this show is going to be more like Jerry Springer meets American Idol.”

He laughed lightly, “You’ve got her as long as she doesn’t close the gap between you two. If she does, it’ll come down to wrestling and I think she’ll have the advantage.”

Thursday and the majority of Friday we had free time to do what we wanted. I managed to talk him into Rodeo Drive, but he wore out on the shopping trip pretty quick.

“
Let me at least buy you a nice silk suit. They have Gucci and Prada and—”

“
First of all, why in the world would I need a suit? And secondly, Leese, why do you insist on blowing money on me? I have money—nothing like you, but I’ve got a couple million in a trust fund.”

“
I don’t know, I guess I feel like I owe you so much for everything you’ve done for me and I just want—”

“
I got paid,” he stated matter-of-factly, “three of the best kisses of my life, remember?”

“
That wasn’t much of a payment for offering your life,” I frowned.

“
You’re right. I think my life might be worth another three kisses.”

I slugged his arm, making him yowl, “Candace would rip your head off if she heard you say that.”

“
True, but we are over a thousand miles away and—”

“
Ryan Faultz, I am shocked! I thought once you kissed Candace those lips of yours would be sealed for her alone. Don’t tell me you’re going to be a run-around.”

“
I’m not a
run-around
; I just happen to be crazy about two women—and you had a piece of my heart first. And, I only mentioned a kiss, that’s not like asking if we can sleep together? Although, by the way, I really miss sleeping together.”

I shook my head and laughed, “You are being bad today. I think Carrie has rubbed off on you.”

“
Carrie would like to rub a lot of things off me. She is possessed. But, thank God for my bodyguard.” He knocked his shoulder into mine, which wasn’t easy since he’s seven inches taller than me.

“
You aren’t going to be like this after you and Candace finally…”

His face blushed a little, “How am I supposed to know what I’m going to be like after that?”

“
Will this be her first time, too?” I timidly asked as we continued window shopping.

His face became somber, “Can we discuss this some place a little quieter?”

I immediately knew the answer was a no, but there must be something more to the story so I agreed. We had lunch and headed back to the hotel. I wasn’t sure if I should ask him anymore about Candace, but he was the one who decided he wanted to talk, I just didn’t expect him to ask if we could lie in the bed together while we did.

“
I slept so good on the plane just because I was able to keep my arm on you—I won’t ask to sleep this way tonight, but does a nap really count?”

“
We’ll talk—I think a nap does count, but we were in separate chairs on the plane.”

We curled up on my bed and I had to admit it was wonderful to be cuddled against him. He put a soft kiss on my neck and then relaxed against the pillow.

“
Candace started dating a guy last February who worked with her at the store. He pressured her really hard about letting him be her first. He claimed that he loved her and said if she loved him, she’d let it happen between them.”

I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like the outcome of this story.

“
He bought her a cheap promise ring and told her everything a girl wants to hear. She finally decided she’d take the step, but not before she got on birth control pills. I’m so glad she at least knew better than to believe him when he said he’d ‘take care of everything.’”

“
What happened ?”

“
A Friday night, a cheap motel, and a couple drinks and it was all over with. The next time she went to work, he’d told all the guys what he’d done and he didn’t want anything to do with her.”

“
That’s sick, Ryan. I mean I know those kinds of guys are out there, but it’s so hard to understand how he could treat her that way. What did she do? Does she still have to work with him?”

“
Candace is like a little sister to Andy and Ty, so when she came home crying and upset and they found out why, they showed up in the parking lot after he got off work and they roughed him up. He quit and she hasn’t seen him since.”

I could picture Ty and Andy doing that and, due to their size, I’m sure they scared the crap out of the guy. “I can see why that worked,” I gave a light laugh.

“
I don’t think I could have been happy with just roughing the bastard up. He would have had some broken bones if I’d gotten my hands on him. But I don’t understand why she’s so willing to put her trust in me. She wanted me to go home with her and it’s been years since she’s seen me.”

“
You’re one of the good guys, Ryan. I think any girl can tell that about you once she gets past the tattoos and the wise-cracks. Did you do what I told you? Did you tell her why you’re hesitant?”

“
Yeah, when she and I went for that drive Sunday before she went home, I told her. I thought it might freak her out a little bit, but she was—well, I think it was a turn on because she was all over me.”

“
It is a turn on, you nit-wit,” I laughed, squeezing his arm tightly.

“
Why? I’m not going to have a clue and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to start right out the gate being a rock star.”

Now I was really laughing. I never would have thought he would have stated it quite that way.

“
What’s so funny,” he demanded.

“
She’ll remember it for the rest of her life and I’m sure it won’t take you long to be her personal ‘rock star.’”

“
So were you—were you Micah’s rock star that first night?” he whispered quietly in my ear.

“
That’s a little personal, Ryan,” all my teasing evaporated.

“
I have a feeling you were,” he continued, not realizing just how uncomfortable he was making me.

I pulled away from under his arm and got up and went into the bathroom. Washing my face and trying to keep from breaking down as I recalled my few days of heaven in Micah’s arms. I missed him so badly that, just like the love in his heart he described for me, it hurt, physically inside.

“
I’m sorry, Leese,” he said, standing in the doorway. “I had no business asking you that.”

I broke into sobs as he wrapped his arms around me. “I miss him so badly. I thought it would get easier the longer we’re apart, but I swear I think I could actually let his family get slaughtered, just so I could have him again for a little while.”