For The Least Of These (10 page)

After the shower, I put on a clean gown and got into a freshly made bed to wait for my clean clothes. A nurse came in and applied some cream to my back, legs, and shoulders, then she left me alone. I wished that Adam would come back and keep me company. When he didn’t, I drifted off into a deep sleep.

I was awakened by movement in the room. I opened my eyes and Alicia was standing at the foot of the bed. “Time to wake up,” she said. For a moment, I imagined that it was Saturday morning again and the whole day had been one bad dream. Unfortunately, I knew I was wrong when I noticed that I was lying in a hospital bed. Alicia handed me a bag with my black jeans and black blouse inside. She also had my socks and sneakers. This outfit was becoming my signature ensemble. Luckily, the little black blouse was made of cotton/spandex jersey fabric, so the wrinkles fell away as I shook it out. I noticed that Alicia had changed back into her Friday night attire as well. She looked smart in her denim fitted top and stonewashed blue jeans.
I quickly dressed, and then the nurse appeared to give me my prescription and my discharge papers. After leaving my room, I slipped off to the hospital pharmacy and had my prescription filled before heading to meet Rick and Adam.

Out in the waiting room, the ER had picked up some business while I’d been taking my expensive shower. About a dozen or so people dotted the blue hardback chairs that were set out to form a large circle. Over in a corner, away from the sick, Rick and Adam were sitting with their heads together laughing about something. I imagined that they were laughing about me, but I didn’t have any way of knowing for sure. They looked up as Alicia and I approached and both of them stood.

“So, Adam tells me you are going to be okay,” Rick said.

“It looks that way,” I answered, “If I don’t die from humiliation or stupidity.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Rick said. I could have sworn that he choked back a giggle, but it was probably my imagination. “Alicia explained everything. She said that you were really covered in paint. I would have probably done the same thing.”

“I also explained that it was my fault,” Alicia said. “I told you a fib, Brandy. I didn’t really know anyone that had ever put that stuff on their skin. My dad just got some paint off the car with it once. I didn’t know it was poisonous.” Imagine that, Alicia was taking the blame. Then she added, “Of course, you didn’t have to use it. You said several times that you weren’t sure it was safe. But, of course, you just had to look your best for Rick…” This time, I really could have killed her if I wasn’t feeling so bad.

Adam had to add his two cents, “She should have gone back to the hotel. Risking your health just to meet someone is ridiculous. No one is worth that…”

“And especially not me, right Adam?” Rick said mockingly.

“Especially not anyone,” Adam said.

“You three can hang out all night at the ER if you want, but I’ve got somewhere else to be,” Alicia said. “Who knows, Brandy, maybe George Clooney will show up.”

“You are simply hilarious,” I said. “One star per night is my limit, anyway.”

“Like I said, I’ve got somewhere else to be. Dylan and Skylar are waiting for me outside. I don’t suppose you’d like a lift?” Alicia asked me.

“You are still welcome to ride with us,” Rick said.

Alicia looked pleadingly at me. She apparently wanted me to go with her. I stood there for a moment, torn between the man I had loved for years, but only known for a couple of hours, and the one friend I’d loved and known all my life. I made the obvious choice and said, “I’ll ride with Rick and Adam.” I could work this out with Alicia later. If I left Rick now, I might never have another chance.

“Whatever,” Alicia sighed.

We all walked out together. Skylar and Dylan were sitting in a white Ford Taurus
– apparently drummers don’t make as much money as songwriters – and as we approached, Skylar got out and held the door for Alicia. She looked at me once again, but she didn’t try to talk me into riding with her. After she sat down, Skylar shut the door and got inside the front of the car. Dylan was driving and he nodded towards us as they drove away.

The Lexus was parked across from where the Taurus had been sitting. Adam went to the passenger door and held it open for me. Rick took his seat behind me once again. Soon Adam was streaking out of the parking lot.

“I’m glad your rash wasn’t too serious,” Rick said.

In an irritated voice, Adam said, “It was serious. If we hadn’t brought her to the hospital, it could have been a whole lot worse.”

I wanted to pooh-pooh Adam’s statement, but he had heard everything the doctor had told me. He knew just how stupid I had been. So I just said, “I am feeling a lot better now.”

Both men seemed happy to hear that. Rick asked me what I wanted to do now that I was better. “The sky’s the limit,” he added.

Adam was still full of concern. “Maybe you should just go back to your hotel and get some rest. We can all get together tomorrow before Rick’s show. Have lunch or something.”

Rick dismissed Adam’s suggestion. “Come on, Adam. Do you always have to be Mr. Caution? She’s okay. Let’s go celebrate! What are we going to do?”

“I still think it would be a good idea for Brandy to get to bed,” Adam said.

“Aren’t you rushing things a bit, Adam,” Rick snickered.

Adam wasn’t amused. “I meant that she needs to get some rest.”

“I think that’s up to her,” Rick said.

My brain told me that Adam was making the most sense, but my heart was screaming to spend time with Rick. Naturally, I listened to my screaming heart.

“I think I’ll be okay to go out for a little while. I really would like to have some fun, and I wouldn’t mind having a drink before I go to bed.” I knew Alicia would have made a crack right about now if she had been along. Fortunately, she wasn’t.

“Sure, why not,” Adam said. He was clearly frustrated with me. “Is the lounge at the Richland still okay, or would you rather we go out to one of the casinos?”

“The lounge is fine,” I said. “I know you don’t approve, Adam, but I can make my own decisions.”

“Oh, really? Or are you just doing what you think Rick wants you to do?”

“Of course not! This is what I want to do.” What Adam didn’t understand was that I wanted to be with both of them.

“Oh, please. If Rick said he wanted you to go home and get some rest, you’d be ready to take his advice.”

I reached out and touched Adam’s arm. “Adam, that’s not true.”

He shook my hand away and the look he gave me was full of contempt.

Just then, Rick said, “You two need to be nice. Stop bickering.”

“I can’t help it if her foolish behavior – no, not foolish, childish. Her childish behavior is offensive to me. Every choice she’s made tonight has been based on this crazy crush she has on you. She’s not thinking straight, and you just keep encouraging her.”

“Would you please stop talking about me as though I were in another room or something? I’m sitting right here beside you. Just because I’m a fan of Rick’s
– maybe even an obsessive fan – it doesn’t mean I’m only thinking of him. It sounds like you are jealous because you think I’m listening to Rick instead of you.” As a matter of fact, he was acting jealous – I was certain of that. And I liked it.

“Jealous? What on earth do I have to be jealous about? I’m just concerned about your health. Actually, it isn’t even that. I just don’t want Rick to end up on the front page of tomorrow’s paper because you had the audacity to kill yourself with carburetor cleaner and drag him into it.”

Adam’s last remark really hurt, and I wanted to wound him just as deeply. I started searching my thoughts for a remark that would leave Adam speechless and feeling as humiliated as I did, but Rick spoke up before I could utter the first word. “Look, if the two of you are going to argue all night, I’m going to head up to my room when we get to the hotel. I’m sick of this squabbling. Adam’s jealous, Brandy’s childish. Give it a rest.”

That was all he needed to say. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Adam, but I knew I had worshipped Rick most of my life. I didn’t want the night with him to end like this, so I turned to Adam and said, “How about we call a truce? You can think I’m childish and I’ll think you are jealous, but we’ll keep it to ourselves. Is it a deal?”

“Sure. Anything for Rick.” I still detected irritation in his voice, but I decided to let it go.

We pulled into the parking lot at the Richland. Alicia and Skylar were standing out front and they seemed to be having an argument. Alicia looked towards us as we started to drive by her, and she waved her arm and motioned for us to stop. Before I could react, Adam had pressed a button that was causing my window to go down. Skylar disappeared back into the Richland.

“I guess it’s good that you didn’t ride with us. Skylar had the wrong impression about you and me. I just got through setting him straight,” Alicia said as she approached the car.

“We are on our way to have a drink in the lounge. Want to join us?” I asked.

“The lounge is closing. They only stay open until midnight, and it’s already eleven-thirty. We’ll have to go somewhere else.” Evidently, Alicia had already thought about having a drink.

“Why don’t we pick up a bottle somewhere and go enjoy it on the beach?” Rick said. “We might even take a dip.”

“I’ve always wanted to go skinny dipping with a celebrity,” Alicia said with the utmost sincerity – as if she’d thought of doing nothing else her whole life.

“Well, I don’t know about skinny dipping, but wading maybe,” Rick said quickly.

Adam interjected, “If it’s okay with you, Brandy, could you and Alicia follow in your car? I’m not sure how long I want to stay out, and I wouldn’t want to spoil the night by making everyone leave early.”

I was nervous about letting Rick and Adam see Sam, but I agreed to his request. I pointed out my car, and they drove over behind it. Neither one of them commented that they recognized the car, so I had to assume that Skylar had been lying earlier.

After driving a few miles down Beach Boulevard, Adam pulled into a parking lot that accommodated beach goers. I followed them and parked beside the Lexus. Across the street was a liquor store. Once we’d all gotten out, Rick said that he would head over to the store and pick up something to drink. Alicia asked if she could go with him and pick something up. She also expressed a need to find a restroom. Rick told her to come along, and the two of them sprinted across the street. Of course for Alicia it was more like a saunter, but I was certain she felt like she was sprinting.

Adam and I stood beside his car. He looked over at me and said, “Didn’t you want to tag along, too? Follow your idol over there to the store?”

“No. He’ll be back soon enough. Don’t you like my company?”

“You know you really should be back at the hotel resting…”

“Maybe so, but here we are on the beach. I appreciate your concern, really I do. But can’t we just let it go? I’m feeling much better now.”

“Brandy, I’m not saying all this to keep you from being with Rick. Hell, I’m sure he’d join you in your room if you’d just ask him. But this seems like a really bad idea.”

I considered what Adam said. I wasn’t sure that Rick would have spent time with me in the hotel, and I wasn’t sure I wanted him too. Being here on the beach with everyone would allow me to decide if Rick was everything I’d always dreamed he was. I had made the right decision.

“Your point is taken. We’re already here now so we might as well stay. Besides, I want to get to know Rick, not just hop into bed with him.”

I could tell from Adam’s expression that he didn’t believe me.

“I know I sound like a crazed fanatic, and I’ve acted like one, too. But I’ve been in love with Rick for so long. It’s hard to think straight when you meet your idol…”

“You don’t really know Rick...”

“I suppose that’s true, in a sense. But I feel like I know him. I know every tiny detail about him: when and where he was born, when he started singing, when he met you
– everything. I know he isn’t perfect. But he speaks to me – directly to me – in every song he sings. So I do know him in my own way.”

“Those songs that he sings directly to you
– I wrote every one of them.”

“I know that,” I said coolly.

“Then how can Rick mean them? How can he be singing to your soul? He’s just using my words and you are accepting them as his own.”

I had never really thought about this before. But it didn’t matter. Rick might not be the author of the words, but he put every bit of himself into singing them. The emotions I felt came from Rick. Again I had the feeling that Adam was jealous. Thinking about that brought back the memory of the hateful thing he’d said in the car.

“What you said in the car about me killing myself and Rick being a headline…That was pretty awful.”

“You know I didn’t mean it. I was angry.”

“How do I know you didn’t mean it? You say I don’t know Rick. Well, I really don’t know you.”

“Haven’t my actions tonight meant anything? I’ve done nothing but try to take care of you…”

“Like I need you to take care of me! I’m not a child.”

“Well, you have certainly been acting like one. Damn! Why do I even try to talk to you? We both know it is all about Rick, Rick, Rick.”