Runaway Love (8 page)

“Scott’s just an old friend; I really don’t even know him that well.” Kimberly laughs at my attempt to hide the truth.

“Yeah, sure. Listen to this: ‘Scott Peters and mystery woman at a diner in a small town upstate New York.’” I grab the magazine from her and flip to see if there’s a picture of me. Phew! Thankfully there isn’t - there’s just my description. I let out a big sigh of relief. That waitress must’ve recognized him and contacted the tabloid. She’d been staring at Scott a lot. Hell, pretty much the whole time.

“So? There isn’t a picture. What makes you think it’s me?” I sit back smugly and relax on the bar stool and drink some more wine.

“First off, you gave yourself away a minute ago and second, I know you. I saw you staring at Scott on the TV when we were at the bar. I noticed how your body tensed and the look on your face was like you’d seen a ghost. You were concentrating so intently on that news story that you didn’t notice anything, or anyone, around you.”

“Do you think Tony noticed?” Panic begins to course through my veins.

“I think Tony noticed something was different about you, but I don’t think he put two and two together. Luckily, men aren’t as observant as women are. But, Grace, now you really have me wondering… What is going on between you and Scott Peters?” Damn it. Why did I have to pay attention to the television that night? My face flushes as I try to think of what to say. Kimberly isn’t going to let me off the hook easily; there’s too much at stake now.

“What do you want me to say, Kim?” I ask, my shoulders slumping. I can’t keep denying the truth to Kimberly. She knows me too well and obviously knows too much already.

“Hell, I don’t know, Grace. I’m worried about you, and I know you’re keeping whatever is going on to yourself. I want you to know that I’m here for you if you need me.” Oh boy, this will be quite a test of our friendship!

“Listen, you can’t say anything to anybody, okay?” I demand.

“Girl, don’t worry! We all have our secrets, but I don’t see how you can be cheating on Tony. That man kisses the ground you walk on and lives just to make you happy. Do you have any idea how jealous most women are of you?” Oh Lord, she thinks I’m cheating on Tony.

“No. Listen, Kim, I’m not cheating on Tony. I would never betray him like that,” I claim as strongly as I can muster, hoping she believes me. “I just hung out with Scott the one time. He really is just an old acquaintance,” I lie. She finishes her wine and pours some more as she gives me a look like she doesn’t quite believe what I’m saying.

“Ok. Whatever you say. I just want you to be careful – no matter what’s really going on. There are some things we just have to deal with on our own, but I want you to know that you’re not alone. I’ll always be here for you.” I’m so relieved that she isn’t pushing me for details!

“Kim, I really appreciate you being here for me. I’m married to Tony, and I love him. Scott’s just a guy from my past who I needed to reconnect with because we had some unfinished business to discuss and take care of. I won’t mess up this life I have built with my husband and son. Please don’t say anything to anyone and create problems that don’t need to exist.” Am I good or what? I’m even starting to believe myself!

“My lips are sealed, girl. You know I’m not the type to cause or spread drama. Your business is your business.”

“Thank you, Kim, for being my friend. I’m sorry you had to come over here so late and question me, but it makes me feel good to know you’re watching out for me.”

“Aww… You know I love you, girl!” Kimberly gets up to come give me a huge hug. I surprisingly find myself hugging her back; I’m usually not a touchy-feely person. We talk about some celebrity gossip while we finish our wine. I’m trying to get her to leave quickly, but I don’t want to be obvious. I need to contact Scott as soon as possible! I walk Kimberly to the door before I run upstairs and message Scott:

Grace:

OMG! They found you!!!

I wait for a response, but nothing comes. Eventually I give up and grab my pillow to go to sleep. So much for hot and steamy phone sex!

I feel a warm body against my back pulling me closer to a hard chest. I don’t want to wake up from my dream, but I can smell the nice scent of a man’s cologne that stimulates my desires. I feel kisses on my neck, and I moan a little.

The only thing I can say is, “Mmmmm… I missed you. Thank you for coming back.” I snuggle back into the body, enjoying the warmth and comfort of Scott’s arms around me. Wait! What? How in the world did Scott get into my house? I never gave him a key! Fuck, I’m not dreaming, and this isn’t Scott! I jump up out of bed to see who the hell is lying next to me! I turn the table lamp on and see my husband’s brown eyes looking up at me. I let out a shaky breath, but my body is still trembling uncontrollably. The first irrational thought that crosses my mind is that I’m lucky I didn’t say Scott’s name. I really didn’t want to have another conversation about him tonight!

“I guess you missed me more than I thought,” I say with a nervous laugh. I turn the light off and crawl back into bed to give Tony a kiss.

“Yeah, of course I did! I couldn’t stay away from your incredibly sexy body any longer! Listen, I’m sorry I startled you, but who else could I have been?”

“Oh, so it’s just my body that you missed?” I tease, ignoring the rest of his comment.

“Of course not, baby. I missed you, and I missed being with you. You are my whole world, Grace,” Tony’s voice begins to slur as he falls asleep. I give him a kiss and snuggle back into his arms as I try to find sleep again, too.

I get up when my alarm rings and immediately grab my phone to take it with me to the bathroom. I send a text to Scott telling him I won’t be able to see him today because Tony came home early. I walk out of the bathroom and see my husband sleeping so peacefully in the bed. I grab my robe and get Scottie ready for the day.

I notice I’ve missed several calls from Scott while I’m heading back home after dropping Scottie off at school. Something must be wrong, but what? I don’t bother listening to his voicemail; instead, I call him right away. I’m taken aback when he answers with no pleasantries; he gets right down to business.

“Grace, I need to speak to you right away. It’s important.” The urgency in his voice speaks volumes.

“You’re going to have to talk now because I’m on my way back home, and I’m pretty sure Tony will still be there.”

“Well…” Scott coughs into the phone but says nothing else.

“Well, what, Scott? Spit it out! I’m almost home!” I guess I’m a little on edge right now.

“Maxine is coming here,” he quietly slips out.

“SHE’S WHAT? What about me? You came to New York to spend time with
me
, not her!” I’m taken aback by the intensity of my reaction. Sure, I’m pissed that she’s coming here, but why should I be if they’re just friends? Why is she even coming here? What’s really going on between the two of them? I need answers, lots of answers.

“Grace, I did come here for you! You know that. She’s only coming because the press is reporting that I’m here frolicking with a beautiful red head.”

“I could’ve given you a heads up about the leak to the press last night if you would’ve responded to my texts. What were you doing that you were too busy to text me back?”

“I wasn’t with Maxine, if that’s what you’re trying to insinuate. She’s just a friend. I fell asleep because I haven’t gotten much rest thinking about you, dreaming about what I want to do with you…”

“Don’t try and flatter me, Scott Peters! And don’t try to change the subject! ‘Friends’ don’t fly half-way around the world because of a story in some gossip magazines! There’s obviously so much more between the two of you that you aren’t telling me! You know what? No. Forget it. I’m done with this. Whatever, or whoever, you do is your business. I’m home now, and I’m going in to relax with my husband who’s always here for me, even when he’s tired. Besides, at least I know I’m the only woman in
his
life!” I hang up the phone without saying goodbye. What’s wrong with me? I can’t have Scott anyway, so why am I acting like a crazed, jealous teenager?

I check myself in the car mirror before I head into the house. I don’t want Tony to even suspect there’s anything bothering me.

“Well, doesn’t my sexy wife look good enough to eat?” Tony greets me as I open the door. He puts his coffee mug down and turns the television off before giving my body his full attention. After he checks me out from head to toe, he gives me a sexy smile that lets me know what’s on his mind. I can’t help but smile back at him. No matter what terribleness is going on in my mind, Tony always helps me to feel better. Besides, I want something from him, so I need to butter him up a little.

“I don’t know what brought my husband back home so early, but I’m so happy you’re here! Is there anything special you want to do today?” I ask coyly. I sit down next to him and start running my fingers up and down his arm. It’s having the desired effect as Tony’s eyes begin to glaze over and his breathing deepens. 

“Oh, I think I could come up with a couple activities… I do need to make up for some lost time…” He leans in to kiss me, but I pull back in what I hope seems like a playful manner. I can’t handle anything with Tony right now – it wouldn’t be fair to him with Scott on my mind. I just need to get out of this house and do something fun.

“Yes, you do have some making up to do, and I know just how you’re going to do it! You, my dear, are taking me shopping to buy something pretty and sexy at the mall!” Tony’s expression goes from disappointed to loving in a second. He never tells me when I disappoint him, and he never tells me no when I want something. I feel a little guilty, but I really need a new outfit to make sure Scott forgets all about Maxine-what’s-her-face.

“Ha ha. Don’t you like to be spoiled!” Yes, my husband knows me so well! Rather, he knows what I want him to know!

“Of course! But only because I know how much my husband enjoys it! If you’re good, I just might buy you something, too.” We laugh as he slaps my ass when I get up to get ready.

“It’s such a nice day, how about we take the bike? I might feel extra generous after I’ve had your arms wrapped tightly around me…” Tony says with a wink. It’s my turn to smack his fine ass as he hands me my helmet and jacket. I love the carefree, yet dangerous, feeling that comes over me whenever I ride Tony’s motorcycle. It’s a high that I just can’t explain, and I love it!

When we pull up to the mall, we notice a lot of reporters rushing to get inside.

“Hmm…I wonder what’s going on,” Tony muses as he grabs my hand to walk into the mall. My eyes follow the direction the reporters are heading in and that’s when I lock gazes with a pair of hazel eyes that I would know anywhere. As the reporters clamor around him and take pictures, I notice a beautiful blonde hanging intimately onto his arm while carrying some designer bags. Maxine! So much for just being a friend! I don’t realize I’ve stopped walking until I feel Tony tugging at my hand. I ignore him. All I can do is glare at Scott; my heart hardens when he walks past me looking crushed and defeated with Maxine still at his side. I turn around to see if he’d turn around and look back at me, but he doesn’t. He has made his choice very obvious to me.

“Gracie? Gracie, hello?” Tony shakes me, looking concerned. “Really, Grace! You act as if you’ve never seen a celebrity before!” I shake my head so Tony doesn’t notice my true feelings.

“Well, maybe if we didn’t live in such a small place, I would see more celebrities and know how to act around them!” I say with false cheeriness as I bury my feelings back where they belong. We end up just buying a few things for Scottie; I’m no longer in the mood to find a fabulous new outfit. What’s the point? When we return home, I make an excuse to go upstairs so I can get my thoughts together.  I must’ve dozed off because I barely heard Tony saying he was heading out to get Scottie from karate before the door closed.

Knowing I’m alone, I grab my phone and text Scott asking him what hotel he’s staying at. He replies back right away that he’s staying at a nice, five-star bed and breakfast place and gives me the room number. I seriously need to talk to him. I get up and write a note to Tony telling him I forgot that I promised Kimberly that I would attend one of her book club meetings, and I’d be home later. I call a cab since I’m not in the right mind-frame to be driving and head straight to Scott’s hotel to settle whatever is going on between us.

I walk to his suite and knock on the door. To my horror and surprise, Maxine opens the door.

“Oh, hello. You must be the cute red head who has Scott ruining his career,” she snidely greets me as she gives me the most disdainful look her overly Botoxed face can handle. I look at Maxine and take in her blonde hair pulled in a tight bun, jeans and low cut shirt, and pearly white teeth. No wonder Scott is interested in her! She smiles condescendingly at me and slides out the door telling Scott, “I’ll be back later, hon!” I walk in and slam the door behind me.