Laying Low in Hollywood (20 page)

   I stood up and walked over to the edge of the pool and sat on the edge and let my legs hang over the edge into the pool.  The water was warm, not at all refreshing, but I could look out over the twinkling lights of the city and not have to look at Ron.  What do you say to someone you’ve already fallen in love with, when you know you just can’t pursue that love?

   Ron was probably sorry that he had come here.  I was not being a very good hostess.  In a moment Ron had stood up and was striping down to his swim trunks.

   “Watch this,” he said, trotting over to the diving board.

   He climbed up on the diving board and proceeded to do a flip into the water, making a huge splash.

    I screamed when the water hit me, then I applauded as he smiled and pretended to bow over his performance.  I was laughing as he swam toward me, but his face was totally serious.

   He swam up to me and placed his body right between my legs and casually draped his arms around my waist.  My heart was suddenly pounding out of control as he pressed his body against mine. 

   Water was dripping off of him and soaking my sundress, but I didn’t care.  It took every ounce of self restraint to just sit there and not wrap my arms around him, like I really wanted to.  I was still getting the feeling that we were not really alone.  Granted, Jorge was with Elena, but I assumed that Ed was somewhere nearby, most likely watching us, to see what happened when we were left unattended.

   “I think we were left alone on purpose,” said Ron, gazing deeply into my eyes and giving me a sly smile.

   I fought to take in a deep breath.  My heart was thundering loudly in my chest.                “It was a bit obvious, wasn’t it,” I managed to choke out.  I was trying to scoot away from his body.  The way his body was pressing against me was making me feel shaky and completely turned on for some reason.

   “So Jorge has had a change of heart, I’m guessing,” said Ron, looking into my eyes, very seductively.

   “Yes,” I could barely even say the word, it was an effort to breathe.  The water was coursing down his body in little rivers, dripping onto my legs.  I could feel the heat radiating off of his body.   I had all sorts of scenarios running through my head, and they were all naughty.  He had to know what he was doing to me.

   “Why did the two of you ask me here tonight?” he asked, his tone had changed and I was suddenly alarmed.

   “I was surprised when you showed up.  I knew that we were having dinner guests.  I never asked who,” my voice was breaking with emotion.  I could hardly stand to have his body pressed against me like that, my heart was pounding with excitement.

   “It was my poor performance last week wasn’t it?  Jorge changed his mind because of my poor performance.  Do you not realize how he’s using you?” asked Ron, staring deeply into my eyes.

   I could barely concentrate on the words that were coming out of his mouth.  My brain was completely focused on the sensation of his body pressed against mine, as the water ran off of his body, soaking through my thin cotton sundress.  I wondered if he could hear my heart thundering in my chest right now?  The sound was almost deafening to me.

   “Every man could use a performance enhancing drug, right?  I can see what is going on.  Jorge is offering you up as a performance enhancing drug for me.  He wants you to sleep with me, so I won’t totally fuck everything up this week,” said Ron, his voice was suddenly dripping with sarcasm.  He had pulled himself up on the edge of the pool and was leaning over me now, still pressing his body into mine.  I could barely think or breathe.

   “What?” I was so confused I could barely follow.

   “I know what you’ve been instructed to do.  I can see right through your little plan,” seethed Ron.

   “No, I told you...I didn’t even know who was coming here tonight.”

   “Listen to me Lane, you may be nothing but a pawn in Jorge Broussard’s little game, but I will not be used.  I do what I want, I will not let the two of you use me to your liking,” he spat, then he swam to the other side of the pool and hauled himself out of the water.  He gave me a disgusted glare and then stalked away.  I was too shocked to even utter a word.

   I stood up on shaky legs and followed him back into the house, I wanted to tell him that he had it all wrong.  I heard the front door slam, I arrived in the foyer just in time to see Ron squeal angrily down the driveway.  My heart was pounding with shame.  I realized what this must look like to him and I knew he was furious.

   I went into my room and flopped down on my bed and cried.  I felt like, not only did I destroy any chance of Ron and I ever getting together, but now I feared he would quit the show.  Jorge had ruined everything!

   I took a hot shower then I pulled my robe around me and relaxed on my bed with my laptop.  Soon there was a tentative knock on the door.

   “Come in.”

  Jorge opened the door and stepped in.  “What happened?  Ron was gone much sooner than I expected,” said Jorge.             

   “There was a small problem with your master plan.  Ron realized that you were whoring me out,” I told him distastefully.

   “Damn, it seemed like everything was going so well.  Ed told me he went to his room and left the two of you alone on the patio because he was certain that the two of you were about to do it in the pool.  What the hell happened?” cried Jorge.

   “See!  That’s exactly why no one can have a real relationship in Hollywood.  There’s always someone watching.  What would you have done, if we did do it in the pool.  Videotape it and sell it?” I cried angrily.

   “I beg your pardon!  I wasn’t going to video tape anything.  Actually, I would have thought that you’d have the good sense to take the gentleman back to your room.  You’ve heard of Google Earth haven’t you?   Google Earth photographs everything! Doing it in the pool would not be exactly private!” he cried.             

   “Well now he’s angry, he feels set up.  I think he probably hates me, he thinks I was just playing a part, using him,” I sighed.

   “Oh Christ, I’ll talk to him,” said Jorge, shaking his head miserably.  He turned abruptly and headed for the door.

   “How did it go with Elena?” I asked, giving him a sly smile.

   “Oh my God!” he cried, closing the door again quickly.  “I was merely trying to give the two of you a little space, so I gave her the house tour.  I thought it was all perfectly innocent, she’s always a bit flirty with me, but I never flirt back.”

   “When we arrived in the master bedroom, I was a bit taken aback.  I had never seen anyone, man or woman strip down so quickly, and before I knew it, she was attacking my penis with an appreciation I have never seen before,” said Jorge, almost distastefully.

   I was suddenly laughing uncontrollably.  I could only imagine the look on Jorge’s face.

   “Did you stop her?” I asked, giggling.

  “I couldn’t, I was already...interested,” said Jorge uncomfortably.

   I was nearly rolling laughing, thinking of Jorge in such a compromising position.

   “Then what happened?” I cried, completely delighted by his amusing story.

   “Oh, this is quite uncomfortable to talk about.  Well, I... ummm...finished.  And she wanted to...you know, do everything.  I just told her that I couldn’t.  I love you and I could never cheat on you like that.”

   I was giggling uncontrollably.  “Then what did she say?”

   “She told me I was an eeediot.  She told me that you were probably screwing Ron, and I was so stupid I could not see that the two of you were attracted to each other.”

   I frowned, Elena was not as oblivious as I’d thought she was.  I had been right about how ambitious she was, poor Jorge had never seen that coming!

   “Well I feel as if I’ve made a terrible mess of things now, I’m going to pay a visit to Ron,” said Jorge, waving to me.  I sighed miserably.  I wasn’t sure if Jorge paying a visit to Ron was a good thing, or not.

                                                                           
CHAPTER 23

   I arrived at the ice rink early the next morning.  I was worried about how our practice would go.  I had gone to bed before Jorge had arrived back at the house last night, so I hadn’t had a chance to ask him how his little talk with Ron had gone.  He’d left early for a meeting this morning and I had driven myself to the rink, so I had no clue what would be in store for me this morning.

   Ron was the first one to show up on the ice with me.

   “I’m sorry I acted like an ass last night.  Jorge told me that he set you up too.  I had assumed that you were in on his little plot,” said Ron.

   “I stand by his original decision.  I like you Ron, but with everything that is going on, I think it’s best if we wait.  I know you’ve not been yourself, but jumping into bed with me is not going to help matters at all,” I told him, shaking my head miserably.

   “Well, I might beg to differ on that point,” he said, giving me a sly smile.  “But I see where you’re coming from, it does seem as if there’s always somebody watching,” said Ron.

   “So are we okay then, you’re not mad at me?” I asked.

   “I couldn’t be mad at you long.  In fact, I’ve been falling in love with you since the day I met you,” he said, looking down into my eyes.

   “Remember when I kissed you, at your condo?” he asked, his deep velvety voice seemed to caress the words.

   “Of course I remember,” I managed to whisper, even though I could barely breathe at the moment.

   “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it...about the taste of your lips.  I just want to kiss you again...this is killing me.”

   I looked up into his eyes and was suddenly mesmerized.  I didn’t even realize that he had reached out and was caressing my cheek softly.  He gathered me into a hug and I pretty much melted into his arms.  I wanted him to kiss me, but of course someone was always watching, it was too dangerous!

   “Good morning!” called Javier as he skated toward us, his camera rolling.

   I gasped and pulled myself from Ron’s arms abruptly, hoping that Javier hadn’t captured that entire emotional moment on video tape.  I gave Javier a guilty smile, he just raised his eyebrows and gave me a sly smile.  I sighed miserably.

   In moments, Elena arrived on the ice and she seemed to be assessing me carefully.  I was anxiously trying to pull myself together and at least, appear professional.  My heart was still pounding with guilt over my emotional encounter with Ron.  Elena  was eyeing me haughtily as she skated up to us. 

  “Good morning,” I managed to mumble, self consciously.

   “Good morning,” she said, flashing me a sly smile.  I almost cringed, I wasn’t sure if that meant she had witnessed my emotional moment with Ron, or if that was the smug smile of a woman who thinks she took liberties with my man.  I almost giggled at that thought.  I hated to tell her that what she actually did, was violate a gay man.

   Our practice went well, once we were all able to settle down and concentrate on the actual program.  It was hard, I really was falling for Ron, and it was getting harder and harder for me to ignore those feelings and keep pushing him away.

   Wednesday night arrived and we were back in the rink taping yet another episode.  Our practice this morning had went well and I was ready to wow everyone with our stunning program.

   There were just six teams left and all of them were doing quite well.  The competition just kept getting harder. 

   My team would be performing second tonight.  The first team skated out onto the ice all decked out in their eighties glam.  I had to smile when I saw them, all spiked and teased hair and sequins.  I shot Elena a satisfied smile as the music started, they were skating to Michael Jackson’s “Wanna be Starting Something”.

   The program as a whole was okay, the concept and the choreography was good.  Technically, their program was a train wreck, their throw jump barely got off the ground and the lift they did, could only be described as lame.  I was feeling a bit more confident about my own team, after seeing this one skate, though after we performed, there would still be four more teams left to skate their programs.

   Finally, my team was announced and they skated to the center of the ice.  I smiled proudly as they took their positions on the ice, their costumes were very cute and Elena had her hair up in a high ponytail that was all teased up Cyndi Lauper style.  The program was fast paced and showy, and neither Ron or Elena missed a beat. 

   I was beaming proudly as I watched them, they had come back in high style and I was so proud, I was ready to burst!  The entire arena gasped when they finally did their throw double axel.  When Ron and Elena finally took their bows, the entire arena got to it’s feet in a standing ovation.  The response of the crowd was overwhelming.  I was nearly moved to tears.

   Ron and Elena both skated back to me at the edge of the ice, while the judges were called upon to comment on their performance.  All in all, the judges were completely blown away by the entire program, not to mention the fact that they had nailed a throw double axel!

   I was hugging them both excitedly as the judges revealed their scores.  Three tens!  I was completely beside myself with excitement, we had scored a perfect thirty!  We were all three jumping around excitedly like a bunch of school children.  We were definitely not going home this week!

   When the show was over and the next team had said their goodbyes I was still at the edge of the ice socializing with everyone.  I was talking to two of the producers and Elena was there hanging on our every word as Jorge approached us with a huge smile on his face.

   Elena gave him a shy smile, as he approached.  I think she was expecting Jorge to say something to her.  I was smiling at him happily until he did something completely unexpected.  Jorge told Elena hello briefly, then he gathered me into his arms and gave me a passionate kiss on the lips.  I was completely caught off guard, it took all the restraint I had, to keep from slugging him. 

  “Darling, your program blew me away, it was completely incredible,” he gushed, he was still holding me in his arms, looking deeply into my eyes, a proud smile on his lips.

   I was staring at him, completely stunned, unable to utter a word.  The passionate kiss had totally thrown me off, I really wanted to grimace and make faces, but of course everyone thought that Jorge and I were lovers, so I refrained from making a scene.  I knew that Jorge was acting, possibly for Elena’s benefit, and I was obliged to go along with it, despite the fact that I really didn’t possess good acting skills.

   Luckily, Ron was across the ice talking to another group of people and he hadn’t noticed the scene that was playing out over here.  Thank goodness, he already gave Jorge jealous glances.  I was afraid if Ron had witnessed the kiss, mayb
e
h
e
would have slugged Jorge!

                I wasn’t sure if Jorge’s little show was for Elena’s benefit, or for the benefit of all the cameras that were always there rolling in an effort to catch every single moment of the “reality”.

   “Thanks babe,” I crooned as I tried, almost uselessly, to disguise my disgust with the kiss. 

   Jorge had draped his arm around my shoulders possessively and was animatedly conversing with everyone in our little group. Soon the crowd began dying down and we told everyone good night.  I gave Ron a wry smile and a little wave as Jorge pulled me past him and out to our waiting limo.

   “What was that all about?” I cried, when we were safely inside the limo.  “Are you afraid Elena’s going to grab hold of your dinkus again?”

   “No, I’m almost afraid to admit, I actually enjoyed that.  I’ve never had anyone attack me with such...hunger.  I thought that she was going to gobble me right up,” said Jorge, giving me a sly smile.

  “Oh god,” I cried, cringing and shaking my head distastefully.

   “That’s exactly what I said!  All I could really do was surrender and let her have her way with me.  It’s impossible to run away when there might be teeth involved.”

   I rolled my eyes.  “Jorge why did you kiss me like that?”

  “People were talking, I was trying to squash the rumors!  Unfortunately, I think it may be too late.  Everyone can see right through your little act.  It’s perfectly obvious that you and Ron are attracted to each other!” said Jorge.

   I sighed.  “But I didn’t do anything!”

   “Lane you don’t have t
o
d
o
anything, I’ve been able to read you like a book since day one.  I don’t know what it is, but the two of you have chemistry, if only I could bottle it and sell it, I would be a very rich man!” said Jorge.

   I sighed, hopefully the the clips that aired on TV wouldn’t be too revealing.  I had to admit, it was hard for me to hide my feelings anymore, the more I was with Ron, the more I knew I was meant to be with him.  Everyone could see that we were a perfect match.  I could only hope it wasn’t going to ruin things for Ron, if his soon to be ex-wife figured it out.