More Than Famous (Famous #2) (31 page)

Ethan's eyebrows arched. "Um, when
exactly
did Brook lose that little shit, anyway?" His mouth twitching in a grin.

"Shortly after we said goodbye after the first wrap party." I knew my expression softened at the memory.

"Yeah." He nodded in understanding. "We all saw how hard that was on both of you. Nice song you sang to her, too." I flushed at his accuracy. "So why don't you guys just come out with it already?"

"The studio thinks it will hurt the box office on the other films." I almost groaned aloud. "Our contracts forbid any involvement with co-stars. You have that same clause, in case you didn't know." I grinned at him.

"Well, shit. Then I guess you can't be
my bitch
either," he laughed. "Fucking suits!"

I took a bite of my lunch and could barely contain the smile on my face. I knew I looked like a git and I didn't care. I was happy as hell.

"HEY," BROOK SAID
into her phone.  That voice was my favorite sound in the world.

"Hello, love.  How is your day going?  Are you finally on a break?"

"Yeah.  They are checking the rushes and we’re just waiting around.  I'm bored stiff.  I got the call sheets for next week, and we're doing some of the hospital scenes. At least most of it is with you."

"I miss you.  It's been like six and a half hours since I've seen you."  I closed my eyes.  I was so thankful to be at the bottom of the whole Wendy mess.  It was like my life could start again... and Brook was life.

"Only six and a half hours?  It feels like days to me. Guess I miss you more than you miss me, huh?"  I could hear the smile in her voice.

I chuckled softly. “That’s hardly possible, my love.  Why aren't you asking me about what happened with Ethan, hmmm?"

"Because I told you this morning that it didn't matter, Cade.  I meant it," I heard her take a breath, "and I figure you'll tell me when you tell me." 

"Have I told you how much I adore you today?"  My heart swelled at her words.  Even if this had worked out the other way, we would have been okay.  I felt emotion flood through me.

"Not for six and a half hours."  She laughed on the other end of the phone, the sound lighthearted and warm.

"Well, I'll make it up to you tonight."

She drew in her breath sharply, in indication of my words sinking in.  "Does that mean you're gonna give in, and give me what I want this evening?"  The lilt in her voice made me smile.

 "No, I'm going to give you what
I want
this evening.  It works out well that you want it too. Mmmmm, I'm hard just thinking about it.  It's been too bloody long."  I felt the grin split my face when I heard her gasp on the other end of the phone. 

"Brook, I can finally breathe now. I'm so thankful that I wasn't so fucking stupid.  I'm never going to drink like that again.  It's a bloody miracle."

"I love you, Cade.  I'm really anxious for tonight, too.  So anxious."

I sighed into the phone and neither one of us spoke for a minute. I could hear her breathing through the phone.  It got me so hot.   I closed my eyes and ran a hand through my hair.

"Okay, I changed my mind.  Tell me everything," she suddenly said softly.

"How long is your break, maybe I'll run down there.  I could watch you when you're filming."

"I don't have that long, and um... "

"What is it, honey?"  Maybe it was the length of time we'd been separated that made me uneasy at her hesitation, but I felt anxious.

"It's not a big deal, babe. It's just, it's that scene where Julia is in the sheet, so it might be weird.  I think it would just be easier to get through it if you weren't here, I'm sorry.  Noah is already irked at me because I told him I didn't feel like rehearsing tonight."

Jealousy infused my face with heat. “Like there are many more scenes to rehearse with him. He want’s in your knickers."

Brook giggled softy. “That’s cute.” She teased. "Besides," she was teasing me now and I knew she was doing her best to make me feel better, "don't you have some plotting and planning to do?"

"Oh, yes, how could I have forgotten that?" I chuckled.

"Well, I don’t have a clue because it's
all
I've been thinking about."  Her voice took on a velvet quality, so sexy and I felt my body tighten.  Amazing that just the sound of her voice could affect me like that.

"Oh, Brook.  I want to lick your skin off, love.  I want you so much," I said through clenched teeth.

She gasped at my words and I laughed that I could get a reaction from her as easily as she could from me. 

Jesus, I felt so much better after my talk with Ethan; the difference between the world ending and not having a care in the world.

"I'm so glad we're ‘us' again.  I've really missed you."  Her voice thickened and I knew the tears were welling in her eyes.

"Hey, don't cry, my love.  I'm dying for tonight. I can't wait to get my arms around you.  I'm going to call Ethan, Jen, Dawson, and Wendy and invite them to join us for dinner so we can get this bloody thing behind us, then I'm going to make love to that luscious body all night long.
All night
, Brook.  I don't know if I'll be able to wait if I see you, so let's just meet at the bloody restaurant.  What time are you finished?"

"Um, six, I think."  She cleared her throat.  "Okay, I
do
want to know what happened."

I smiled into the phone and ran my hand through my hair.  "Ethan took me home, Wendy was there and naked, like you said.  He put her in a cab, and I was passed out cold.  That's really it.  You must have been there before we got there, my love.  I'm so sorry, Brook."

"Uhhhhh...," Brook let out a deep breath. “She must have come back.”

Hmmm, she's more relieved than she let on.

"Yes. Are you okay?  How do you want to do this, Brook?"

"Yeah, I'm good.  I’m so
relieved, Cade.  I am glad this isn't hanging over us, but it wouldn't have made me leave you."  Her voice turned serious.

"Nothing is going to come between us again. I'm committed to that, Brook." I could picture her nodding on the other end, since she didn't respond.  I knew her so bloody well.  "So, are you going to bitch-slap Wendy, or am I?"

 She laughed out loud on the other end and the sound was so fucking beautiful.  I smiled as I let my breath out.

"Mmmm... I think I should do it. If that’s okay? My inner bitch is screaming."

"Yeah.  I'm quite looking forward to it, actually.  You'll be brilliant. I can just sit back and relax."  I was so happy I thought she could
hear
my smile through the phone.

"Babe, I have to go. Martin is motioning for me.  Text later with the time and place, okay?"

"Yes, I will.  Love you."

"Love you, want you, need you," she whispered in the phone and once again my heart beat faster.

I'D CHOSEN A
little Indian restaurant because I knew it was one of Brook's favorite cuisines, and I had Denise arrange for a private room where we wouldn't be disturbed for our little confrontation.

I'd asked Ethan, Jennifer and Dawson to come about twenty minutes earlier than I told Wendy to arrive.  Brook was going to get there as soon as she could.  I spent the afternoon working with Denise to get Brook a gift or two and she asked Jeanne to get a key to her room from the hotel. We put candles, fruit and champagne in her room along with the black negligee that I'd sent her out to get.  She'd come back with five different ones so I could pick the one I wanted.  My mouth lifted in a grin.  She was a great manager, but better friend, and she shoved me in the shoulder when I asked her to make sure we had Twinkies and strawberries.  The beautiful memories of San Diego were inspiring.

As I sat at the restaurant waiting, I was vibrating in anticipation for the coming evening.   It had been too fucking long since Brook and I touched each other like that.  I felt like I was starving and I couldn't wait to get this part of the bloody evening over with.

Dawson, Ethan and Jennifer all walked in together.  They really were a good-looking group, and I was thankful for each and every one of them.  Literally becoming like my brothers and sister over the course of these films; we had such a solid relationship that I was certain would follow into real life.  Brook and I were lucky to be surrounded by such supportive friends.

Ethan was grinning from ear to ear because he already knew what was to come, and Jennifer and Dawson looked at me expectantly as they took their seats.

"Ethan told us this was big, but he wouldn't tell us what it was about.  Can you let us in on it, Cade?" Jennifer asked.

I glanced at Ethan and he shrugged.  "I thought it was your place to tell them, dude."

"Yeah, I appreciate it."  They all took their places at the end of the table, leaving three seats at the other end, I took the one closest to Jennifer; Dawson was on the end and Ethan next to him.  Leaving one chair on the end closest to me, and one directly across, open.

The restaurant was done in shades of gold and red; the lighting soft with candles on all of the tables.  Soft Indian music played in the background.  The waiter came and took our drink orders and I took the opportunity to speak to him and ask that he not interrupt us once we had our meal, then I turned back to Jen and Dawson.

"Um…” I cleared my throat as I began. “Brook and I have had some problems because Wendy lied to us both.  She tried to convince Brook that I had sex with her on New Year's Eve, but that wasn't the case.  Neither one of us knew the whole story, but with Ethan's help, we now know the truth."

Jennifer's eyes widened.  "Oh, but she left the bar before us, didn't she?" She glanced at Ethan and he nodded.  "Is that why Brook has been so sad?  I thought it was for the film, but she's kept so much to herself.  I wondered what was wrong."

"Yeah.  It's been extremely painful and confusing, but thanks to Ethan, that’s all behind us now. He took me home and knows that nothing happened.  Wendy is a manipulative little bitch, and I feel that she needs to know we are on to her bullshit.  I've asked you to join because I thought it would be the best way to keep her in line so she can’t spread more lies about any of us. If she thinks we're all united, maybe she'll cease the bloody games. None of us can trust her, so I hope you don't feel we're putting you in the middle."

"No, Cade.  We're glad to do it." Dawson put his hand on my shoulder before taking his seat next to Jennifer.  "She's something else." 

"That's one way of putting it."  Ethan rolled his eyes and I nodded in agreement.

Brook walked in then, and stole my breath away.  She was beautiful in a short blue dress, and black leather jacket. Her hair flowed down around her shoulders in cascading waves and her high-heeled shoes made her legs look like they went on for miles.  Her make-up was more pronounced, her brilliant blue eyes glowed and her cheeks were flushed, the candlelight casting shadows on the planes of her face.  I stood up to take her in my arms and kiss her temple.  She smelled delicious and felt even better.  I sensed the familiar quickening of my blood pressure at her nearness.

"You look gorgeous."  Her arms tightened around me and splayed on my back.