Fade In (21 page)

“I like that one, too.”

We fall silent for a while with that thought, and I'm pretty sure that the both of us are deciding how far we really want to take this. Then my phone beeps in my ear. I flip it in front of me and see that it's my brother.

“Hey, Benny?”

“Yes.” Chuckling, he adds, “Yes to anything.”

“My brother is on the other line. I hate to let you go, but he's probably heard what happened and is worried. I need to go.” I don't want to rush him, and I know that Cooper will call back as soon as it goes to voicemail because he's a madman who hates leaving a message, but I do it anyway.

“That's fine. I'm glad you called me and I'm glad you told me those things. Sleep well, okay? If you need anything just call me, all right?”

He really
does
care about me.

“I will. I'll see you in a few days. We have a date on Saturday.”

“I might come back early tomorrow if I can. I'll let you know. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

I quickly switch the call over to Cooper’s third consecutive call in a row.

“Cooper, I'm fine. Ray, my driver, was there. I'm all right.” I state very matter –of-factly, not wanting him to know if I'm upset or not. Hell if I even know right now.

“What did that motherfucker do, Tatum? I've been pretty cool about that douchebag, and now I'm ready to beat his ass. What happened?” Panic and fury color his voice.

“What is with guys yelling tonight? Take it down a notch,
capisce
?” I draw a long breath in an attempt to give the cliff's notes in one fell swoop. “Kurt was downstairs when I came down with Neil. Neil went home because I’d told him it was okay. Kurt's never been aggressive or anything like that with me ever, Cooper. I would have told you if he was. I wasn't expecting him to get so angry. I told him I was going home to meet someone and he got mad and said a bunch of stuff and called me some names. Ray texted me from out front when he saw what was going on. Kurt thought that it was Ben—or as he calls him,
that guy
—and tried to grab for my phone. Ray came in about the time that Kurt grabbed my arm. Blah, blah, blah. Ray choked him. Kurt went to jail and I came home. That's it.” Well, I almost got it out in one breath.

“What an ass. What did they arrest him for?”

“Well, the security cameras showed him trying to get my phone, so they charged him with attempted robbery and assault. But, Cooper, I'm fine. He only grabbed my arm.”

I can hear his angry huffs of breath and I know he's livid.

“Did you press charges?”

“I called the police and it doesn't really seem like it matters whether I do or not. It's all on tape. So he pretty much fucked himself.”

“I'm calling the police station in the morning. If that prick makes bail—and he will—we're going to have a talk. Did you tell your door guy?”

“Oh. No. I should do that though. I'll call down there when I hang up. I doubt he will come over, but I should tell them that he's not welcome here.”

I don't want him to come back. He acted so strange.

After I hear him finish repeating the story to Winnie, I say, “Cooper, he went nuts.” Every time I rehash the story, his venomous words somehow cut just a little deeper. “He said some stuff that was really mean. Just really, really mean. Ugh. That's probably the worst of it. How did you find out?” I ask, figuring it was Tilly and Luis, since I saw them coming out when I was talking to the cops.

“Luis called Winnie to see if you were okay. Why didn't you call us? We could have come right back there. Shit. If Ray hadn’t been there, what would have happened, Tate?” He sounds so sad. My poor big brother.

“The security guys were coming down to help. They saw it on the cameras. I would have been fine.”

“I need to tip your driver. What's his name again?”

“It's Ray, and shut up. I thanked him, and I'll be the one to give him an appreciation gift. Not you. Got that?” I should get Ray something. He didn't have to do any of that. I really am lucky he was there.

“What did Ben say?” inquires Snoopy Coopie.

“He was pretty angry about it. He had to go out of town for a few days, so he feels a little bad that he wasn't here to help. Even though he may not have even gone to the taping. Who knows?”

“Hey, I get it. You and Winnie are my girls. I don't want anyone messing with you guys. I bet he'll be having words with ol’ Kurt soon, too.”

“I doubt that. There is no point in that. I don't want Ben—or you—getting him all riled up. I don't ever want to see him again. Ever.”

His words hit my memory again. “
Are you so Goddamned blind you can't tell who you’re fucking anymore?”

The worst part is that I haven't been fucking anyone! And I really could use a good pounding.

“Well, don't worry about that. I think you should get an order of protection. He's already gotten physical the last two times he's been around. There's no need to have a third time.” He demands, “Say you will.”

“I will.” And I honestly do agree. I don't want that psycho anywhere near me. “Cooper, I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Want to have lunch with me and Winnie tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I'll come up and get you guys about eleven. Call me if you need me. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Goodnight.”

I switch the light off and roll over, thinking about everything. The sting from what Kurt said replays over and over in my head. I have to know if he was right.

Grabbing my phone again, I texted Ben.

Me
: Are you still up?

A few seconds later, he replies.

Ben
: Yeah. Talk to Cooper?

Me
: Yeah, he's pissed. Hey do you think we should wait a while?

Ben
: For what?

Me
: For this. Dating? I mean, Kurt and I did just break up.

Ben
: I don't, but you have to feel like it's right. I'm not going to pressure you for anything.

Me
: I know. I'm just thinking.

Ben
: If it's about something that jackass said, then stop. He's wrong.

Me
: I know.

Ben
: No, you don't. You're letting his crazy shit get to you. Don't. Now if you feel like it's too soon, then we're good. I told you. I'm patient. If this happens, then it's at your speed.

Me
: Okay. Let's take our time.

Ben
: I've got time.

Me
: I've got time, too.

Ben
: You're thinking too much. Go to bed, baby.

Me
: Too soon.

Ben
: Ha. You like it.

Me
: Guilty. Goodnight.

Ben
: Goodnight, who?

Me
: Goodnight, Benny.

Ben
: That's right. I'll call you in the morning.

Me
: Good.

I really like him.

Turns out that I didn't have to worry about Kurt coming to my condo. After I got off of the phone with Ben last night, he called Phil to make sure it was known to the building manager that he wasn't allowed on the property. Besides that, Cooper paid Kurt a visit this morning after he'd learned that he’d been released sometime in the night.

I didn't ask all of the details, but I'm no fool. I know my brother, and I'm certain that he threatened him within an inch of his life. Cooper only told me that he's sure that they, and I quote, “got some things straight.”

This morning sucks. My coffee doesn't taste as good when he makes it. I'm hungry and I didn't allow myself enough time for breakfast. My hair is weird and I'm...off.

It's probably just all of the turmoil from the day before getting to me and that I'm pretty anxious about party. I know for a fact it'll go well, but I want Cooper and Winnie to have the best time.

It's their wedding shower. Sure, it’ll be a bit unorthodox in terms of showers, but it suits them. Cocktails and eveningwear definitely suit by best friend. And if she's happy, he's happy. They'll love it. I hope.

As I ride to work in the front seat—again—with Ray, I'm determined to get something that has been pacing through my mind figured out.

“Hey, Ray?” I begin. We don't talk much. Sure, last night altered our professional relationship a bit, but it isn't like we're going to paint each other's toenails or wax poetic about our favorite hotties. He's my driver.

He doesn't speak, only looking in my direction as he slows to the red light ahead.

“Why did you call my personal assistant last night and tell him what happened?” I didn't want to offer much information, but I'm sure he sees us. He knows that we're, umm...whatever we are. He must have seen our goodbye yesterday morning.

“Ben asked me to call him if anything happened or if your safety was a concern.”

That's sweet, but it is also a little fucked up. I'm their boss.

I need to think that through and let it sink in.

By the time we pull up to ABN, I have scripted and re-scripted exactly how and what I want to say. That's a writer’s occupational hazard for sure. Typically, my mouth just barks out any old thing it wants to, but when it counts, I analyze the shit out of myself.

As we come to a complete stop, I stay put, not reaching for the door or my bag. I want him to see that this is important.

“Ray, first, I appreciate everything you did last night. It was above and beyond your responsibilities as my driver. Thank you. I'd like you to pick a few ball games to take your boys to this summer, or whatever you like, and let me know the dates. My treat.” I give a sincerely grateful smile.

“Ms. Elliott, you don't have to do that—”

I interrupt and my hand deflects his rebuttal. “I'm not finished.” I turn so that we are face to face. “Ben is my employee, like you are. He also has gone above and beyond his duties, and for that, I am grateful and very happy to have him. That said, you work for me. I pay you to be discreet, punctual, and a good driver. I pay him to
discreetly
assist me with errands, schedulings, and things of that nature. Am I making sense?”

The rock of a man clears his throat and stutters a little confirming, “I-I think so.” His posture loosens like I've really hit home.

I state firmly, “If it doesn't have to do with scheduling your services, I don't really see the need for you two to be chatting about my personal life. Ben is wonderful and so are you. I can't really stop you two from becoming friends or whatever the hell guys do. You've been easy to work with, and I'd love for our working partnership to continue. But I want to remind you—you work for me. And my privacy is something I take seriously. If you're calling Ben this time, maybe you'll call someone else next time. I don't think that is what this situation is about and I don't think you meant any harm. Just please let me be the one to tell other people whom I socialize or work with my business.”

I know how cold I sound. But truly, it rubs me the wrong way to know that Ben somehow gave him orders to call him, like Ray is some sort of fill-in keeper.

“I apologize, Ms. Elliott. I completely understand. I should have mentioned it to you and let you know that he'd want to be informed. That was your decision to make and not mine. You're absolutely right. I was out of line.” The look on his big scruffy face is genuine, and I cave a little, smiling at him after his apology.

“Okay, then. You get some ideas about what you'd like to do with your little fellas and we don't have to talk about this again.” It's easy not being too upset with Ray. You know? Considering he damn near squeezed Kurt's head off for me.

“I will. Please have someone call later when you're ready. I'll be here.”

“Thank you, Ray.”

After my diva moment in the car and after consuming about two pots of office coffee almost entirely by myself, I set to get the Big Show lined out. The Devons ran lines by me for a funny skit where they are twins and no one can tell them apart. I love those kinds of skits. There are no punch lines to misdeliver. It's all about body language and reaction. And they do it so well.

I watch throughout the morning as little Devon finds excuse after excuse to walk up to Cynthia's desk and chat her up. Those two are adorable. Both a little awkward. Both a little nerdy. They're so perfect for each other.

I cancel on Cooper and Winnie, citing that I have too much going on, which is almost true if you count my greediness for what I pray is nerd-love.

I end up calling Cynthia to see if she wants anything from the Chinese place I'm ordering from for lunch in hopes that she will extinguish my burning need to pry into what might be a budding office romance. She accepts, and before I know it, it's lunchtime and we've got box after box of Mr. Woo's spread all over the small meeting table in my office.

“So, Cynthia what do you think of litt... uh, Devon Janke? Seems like you guys are becoming pretty good friends.”
That's it, Tatum. Nice and slow.

“We are. I think. He's really funny and surprisingly sweet.” I see her blush drain all the way down her neck and onto her creamy chest. I know she's into him.

“Sweet, huh? Like how?” I pry.

“Oh, I don't know. He is always asking me what I'm doing on the weekend. We text when Dexter is on. He brings me tea, because he knows I don't like coffee. Just friend stuff.” She's either never had a guy crushing on her or she's just waiting for him to make a move.