#1 Fan (23 page)
Authors: Andrew Hess
Sara was nervous about flying out to meet Evan. The idea was impulsive. She already agreed to meet him a few weeks later when he was in California. Knowing she had an unexpected three-day weekend, was all the convincing she needed to surprise Evan.
A few days away from her trip, Sara called to make sure Evan’s plane landed. When she didn’t hear from him, panic set in
. Did something happen to the plane? Is he okay? Did he make the flight?
Fearing the worst, Sara dialed and re-dialed Evan’s number, hoping he would finally pick up. It took her five hours before he finally answered one of her calls. There was a desire to scream at him, tell him he was an idiot and how worried she was, but none of that seemed to matter when she heard his voice. Once she knew he was safe in his hotel room, all the anger melted away.
That’s when Evan told her how stressed out he was. His agent pulled him into a meeting to discuss the tour and how to increase his sales. If the tour didn’t meet Mr. Waters’ expectations, he might consider calling off most of the tour and only hit the conferences. A part of Sara hoped it would be true. Evan would come back home sooner, and would only be gone for a couple of weekends instead of a few months. It was a selfish thought, but Sara wanted to know what it would be like to have a normal relationship with the man she loved, not one that came and went every few months. But she knew this was the life she signed up for when she agreed to be Evan’s girlfriend, and again when she decided to move in with him.
After another half hour of talking him down from the overwhelming stress, Sara gave him the best piece of advice she could; write what you know. She didn’t know much about coming up with book ideas, but it was the best thing she could come up with. Minutes later, Evan rushed her off the phone telling her, she had given him the perfect idea. She was happy to have helped, but it also abruptly ended their conversation.
Sara knew Evan hung up to start working on his new book idea. There was a deadline hanging over his head that he was desperate to make. She wanted nothing more than to support him, but still wished he made some time for her as well.
The next few days seemed to slip by easily. Evan was M.I.A. again, refusing to answer any phone calls with the occasional brief text message to let Sara know which city he was in and when he was back at the hotel. Sara figured Evan was busy with his writing, but he was inadvertently pushing her away. Second thoughts about flying down south to meet him popped in and out of her mind.
Even if I did go, would he have any time for me? Or am I going to be sitting at the hotel every day waiting for him to get back?
Sara left her open suitcase lying on the floor in front of the bed. Her latest hesitation left her feeling more confused than any other day. Falling on the bed, Sara decided to pluck her phone from the curled up comforter. She dialed Julie, knowing she would be the voice of reason.
“Hey girl,” Julie answered.
“Hey,” Sara responded meekly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s just been a few days since I heard from Evan.”
“Didn’t you send him the pictures I took of you?”
“Yeah, I sent one of them the other day.”
“I’m surprised he wasn’t on the first flight back here after seeing it. Either that or his arm is getting tired.”
The crassness in Julie’s voice brought a smile to Sara’s face. Letting out a light hearted chuckle seemed to make her feel better. “I know he’s been busy all week. His publicist and agent want him to have his next book ready to be looked at by the time they get to Texas.”
“Trust me; he’s probably eying up that picture every night before he goes to sleep, wishing it was Friday already.”
“Maybe, but I also thought about not going.”
“Not going,” Julie shouted. “Why the hell not?”
“Evan’s been so distant and busy this week. I don’t wanna show up and he can’t spend any time with me.”
“Look, I get it. You’re going there for him and you think he’ll be too busy. You’ll be alone in a strange city and have no idea what to do with yourself all day. But consider this; you already paid for your flight, the hotel is already taken care of for you, and you’ll be with him every night.”
“You do realize free rides and sex isn’t everything; right?
“Bite your tongue woman.”
“I mean it.” Sara stared at the ceiling thinking how much her life changed over the last eight months. She went from a New Jersey party girl to a New Yorker that stayed at home pining for her boyfriend. She never expected to live that kind of life, but couldn’t see herself without it. “I just want to spend some quality time with him this weekend.”
“Then it looks like you have your answer. Go see him, and make the best of this weekend.”
“But what if…”
“If you have a shitty time, then come back home and we’ll party the whole weekend until you forget you have a boyfriend.” Sara sat straight up on the bed. Julie started laughing into the phone. “I’m just joking; relax. But we will go out for a girl’s night, just not as bad as the last time.”
“Okay, deal.” Sara scooted to the edge of the bed and rummaged through her dresser to grab some clothes to pack.
“You still have that little number I let you borrow?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Make sure you pack that. I guarantee he won’t ignore you.”
Sara hung up the phone and finished packing her suitcase.
The next day, Sara’s flight landed at one-twenty in the afternoon. It was a long five and a half hour flight. The dark circles under Sara’s eyes showed her exhaustion, but not the hours of enduring a bratty six-year old kicking the back of her chair for three hours. All she wanted was to find Evan and go back to the hotel. She grabbed her phone and sent a text.
S
: Hey, my plane just landed. Going to pick up my bag and will meet you outside.
There was no response which made Sara feel uneasy. She texted Evan the night before to confirm her flight information and to make sure he would be there to pick her up. She waited by the carousel until her navy blue suitcase glided into view. She retrieved it before checking her phone again. There was still no response from Evan, and she was heading down towards the curbside pickup.
She took the escalator downstairs, and saw a man dressed in black holding a white sign in his hands. He wore a black cap with a shiny black brim on his head. The sign said Ms. Reed.
She cautiously approached, uncertain if the man was there for her. He stepped towards her, waving her towards him. “Ms. Reed,” he called out to her. He kept moving towards Sara until he blocked her path. “Ms. Reed, Mr. Taylor sent me to pick you up and bring you to the hotel.”
“And where is Mr. Taylor?”
“The time of his book signing changed. He sends his apologies for not being here in person.”
“Oh, he’s going to be plenty sorry,” Sara replied. She watched as the driver gave an uncomfortable smile in return before reaching for the handle of her suitcase.
“Please, allow me.” He took control of the suitcase and wheeled it out the doors with Sara following closely behind.
She watched the driver pop the trunk of a ten passenger limo, allowing him to place the luggage safely in the back. He held the rear door open for her and motioned for Sara to enter.
“This-this is for me?”
“Ah well, technically, it is for Mr. Taylor, Mr. Waters and Ms. Stone. However, I was instructed to pick you up, and take you wherever you wish until the signing is over.”
Sara’s sigh was uncontrollable. There was no need to explain herself. She knew the driver could see the annoyed look on her face. Her cheeks were red, her big brown eyes seemed like she was a million miles away.
“Just bring me to the hotel,” she said while entering the limo.
The driver brought her back to the hotel, handing her the keycard for the room. “Would you like some help with your luggage?”
“No, I think I’ll be fine.”
“Very well; if you need the car, please call me and I will be by to take you wherever you wish.” He offered Sara his card, which she reluctantly accepted before turning and taking her suitcase up the path to the main entrance.
The hotel room was larger than she expected. The spacious king sized bed seemed small in comparison to the rest of the room. There was at least a foot between the bed and the dresser that held the T.V. A marble top desk sat closest to the windows and the door. Evan’s laptop rested on top of it. The temptation to look at the book he had been writing all week. The tips of her fingers rested on the lip, ready to open the computer.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and decided to back away from the desk
. I need to trust him. He’s doing this for us
. She looked back at the suitcase and decided to unpack quickly and rest until Evan returned.
The closet was filled with suits and dress shirts, all of which had Evan’s lingering scent. She inhaled it, almost drinking it in to remind herself she would see him soon enough. She took her clothes, setting them on hangars next to the suits. Emptying the contents from her small carryon, she brought her makeup bag and hair products into the bathroom. Inside was a large porcelain tub that reminded her of a small Jacuzzi. The temptation called out to her, begging for her to use it. Reaching for the handles, Sara turned on the water and placed a small amount of bubble bath at the base. She waited until the tub filled halfway before carefully removing her clothes. The steam rose as she dipped a toe, breaking the water’s surface. She pulled away instinctively feeling it lightly burn her skin. Something about it felt relaxing, causing her to step into the tub. Each body part flinched as she entered the scolding hot water until her body was submerged beneath the bubbles.
The heat put Sara’s body into a submissive state. It was the serenity she craved. Nothing in the world could spoil the moment. All imposing thoughts were dispersed. She no longer cared about her job, or paying any bills. The annoying kid that kicked her chair on the plane was nothing more than a distant memory. And Evan…her thoughts turned towards punishing him for making her wait. She thought about surprising him in the lingerie Julie let her borrow, but she knew they wouldn’t be able to contain themselves. The more she thought about how to torture Evan sexually, the more she became aroused. Her thoughts betrayed her and grew her own frustration until the lights of the bathroom faded.
She woke to the sound of someone banging on the hotel room door. “What the hell?” She sat up in the tub as the knocking continued. By the sound of it, whoever was at the door was not going away. “Hold on; I’m coming.” Sara grabbed the nearest towel and wrapped it around her body. Her bare feet hit the cold tiled floor, sending chills up and down her body. She hurried to the bed, finding a white cotton robe to wrap herself in before answering the door.
A tall blond woman stood there in four inch stilettos. “You must Sara,” she said warmly. “You mind if I come in?” She entered the room carrying a garment bag and a smaller one with the rope tied around her hand.
Sara stepped aside, letting the woman enter without plowing into her. She didn’t know why, but the woman at the door had a strange familiarity, as if she met her before.
“I’m sorry; who are you?”
The woman placed the items on the bed and turned towards Sara, extending her hand. “We briefly met when Evan had his book tour in Jersey. My name is Kat. I used to be Mr. Waters’ personal assistant.”
Sara cautiously accepted her hand. “Used to be
?” Evan never mentioned Kat by name or that anyone he worked with on his Jersey tour was let go
. “What happened?”
“I am not at liberty to discuss that matter. I can only say that it was a mutual agreement.”
“Okay, so if you’re not working for him, then why are you here in Evan’s room?”
“Evan and I have remained friends despite my disassociation from Mr. Waters and his company. He knew I was in town this weekend and asked me to help him with a little surprise for you.”
“Surprise? What surprise?”
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be much of a surprise; now would it?” She moved towards the garment bag and slowly pulled on the zipper. “I see you have already freshened up a bit.” She removed a royal blue studded cocktail dress from the bag and hung it up in the closet.
“Is that dress for me?”
“Yes, but we have a few appointments first.” Sara noticed Kat looking her over. “I suggest getting dressed and meeting me outside, unless of course you feel like parading around in a bath robe all day.”