Adrift, page 24
“Been texting with him and Harp already. They want to come over this afternoon, but I wanna wait to see how Becca feels about it first.” They both needed time alone together before they saw anyone else, even his family or her mom.
Ryder nodded and got up. “I’ll get you guys coffee. You make the toast.”
They worked together at the counter in silence. Chase glanced at his friend, still concerned but not wanting to piss off Ryder or make him clam up. He’d known his buddy was dealing with some serious personal shit, but hadn’t realized just how bad it was until the other night at the hospital.
Chase wished he knew what to do to help him.
He took the pieces of golden-brown toast from the toaster and started spreading butter and jam on them. “You still planning to go visit Molly for a while in Oregon?” he asked. Ryder’s cousin, who’d moved out there a few years ago.
“Maybe. Her daughter Savannah’s already a year old, and I still haven’t met her. But it depends.”
“On?”
“On whether Becca needs me for security or not.”
Chase blinked. “What about your company? Won’t they assign you a job soon?”
“Maybe, but I made it clear Becca is first priority if she wants me. So if they have another job lined up for me, it’ll have to wait.”
He stopped spreading jam, a smile spreading across his face. “I love you, man.”
Ryder’s lips curved. “Shut up.”
“No, seriously, I do.” Chase gripped his buddy’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “Stop thanking me for every little damn thing.”
“It’s not little. And I appreciate it all.”
“I know you do.” He put the doctored mugs of coffee onto a tray and shoved it at him. “Here. Get out of my face and take this up to your lady.”
Chase let him be and carried breakfast up to Becca, closing the door soundlessly behind him. When he turned to face the bed and saw her, his heart squeezed hard.
She was sprawled out on her stomach, the scrapes and bruises on her chin from where she’d hit the pavement visible, her lips parted slightly with her even breaths, sound asleep.
He set the tray down on the bedside table and eased down beside her on the mattress. She stirred, her eyes opening sleepily.
“Morning,” he whispered, tracing his fingertips over the smooth skin of her cheek. He would never get enough of touching her.
“Morning.” She snuggled closer, draping a thigh over his and nestling her head against his shoulder as he wrapped his good arm around her.
“Sleep okay?”
“Pretty well. What time is it?”
“Seven. You hungry?”
She inhaled. “Do I smell coffee?”
“Maybe.”
Smiling, she sat up, his T-shirt covering her to mid-thigh, and pushed her long, dark hair out of her face. “I need to check my phone. My mom’s probably still frantic, worrying I died in my sleep or something.”
Thankfully, her mom seemed to be weathering everything well so far. Better than expected, and Chase was thankful for that, because it took some strain off Becca. “You can call her right after you eat.” He handed her a mug and the toast.
The fallout from both the leaked photos and the other night’s events had been as fast and dramatic as Becca’s career. Her story was all over the news and social media. Her agent, assistant and PR team had been working overtime to address the story.
Becca wasn’t ready to respond to any requests for interviews yet, but she’d given instructions to her team to set the story straight. It was her mother in the pictures, not her, and the man who was responsible for that chapter in their lives was now dead.
People might know the basics now, but they didn’t know the backstory. And they wouldn’t, not until Becca decided she was ready to talk about it publicly. Which she’d said she would, one day.
As for right now, neither she nor Chase wanted to deal with the outside world yet.
Reaching out, he trailed his fingertips over the side of her face, across the bruise on her neck where that asshole had injected her. Landon. He’d died on the operating table, but the cops had quickly pieced everything together.
Turned out one of Landon’s friends had called the police out of concern the night he’d come after Becca. Warning them that he was planning something, that he was obsessed with her. But no one had realized just how far the obsession went.
Within hours of the incident, investigators had gone to Landon’s apartment and found his room literally covered with pictures of Becca. Stacks of magazines containing stories about her, and his computer hard drive full of similar material.
He’d also been a member of several online fan forums, and some of his messages there had been deeply disturbing, describing how much he loved her, that she would be his once she met him. He’d kidnapped her with the intention of taking her by boat across to the mainland, to a little cabin in the woods. According to the friend, he’d planned to keep her there until she fell in love with him and then live happily ever after together.
Thank God the psycho was dead. And from now on, they were all taking her personal security deadly seriously.
Staring down at her, thinking of how close he’d come to losing her forever, his heart beat faster, emotion swelling his ribs until they ached. “Bec.”
Her beautiful eyes lifted to his, the mug poised at her kissable lips. She was so strong and brave. Had lived through and overcome so much. She awed him. “Hmm?”
“I love you.” He’d known for a while now, but had wanted to wait to tell her when everything had settled down. Because he hadn’t wanted her to question it.
She lowered the mug with a tremulous smile. “Really? Even after all this?”
“Oh, yeah.” He cupped her cheek. “Head over heels, can’t live without you in love with you.”
She grasped his wrist and leaned into his touch, blinking hard. “I love you too.”
Her admission undid him.
He groaned and captured her lips with his, drinking her in. She loved him. It made him dizzy.
All too soon she ended the kiss and wiped at her eyes with a teary chuckle. “If all this drama didn’t scare you away, then you must really mean it.”
“I do.” The damage was done, and he was still here. “And just to make this crystal clear in case you still doubt it, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stand by you through whatever happens, no matter what.”
“Chase,” she whispered, leaning over to set her mug on the bedside table before enveloping him in her arms. In her love.
He was sure his heart would explode.
He held her close, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. They’d been through hell, but it had been worth it. They loved each other. And when they inevitably stepped out of this house to face the waiting world again, they would do it together.
Epilogue
Three months later
Becca looked away from the flashes of light and rows of photographers stationed outside the theater all done up in its Christmas glory, and glanced at Chase beside her in the back of the limo. “You ready?”
He quirked an eyebrow at her in amusement, well aware of how much she dreaded big, public events like this, and it was her first public appearance since the scandal had broken back in September. “I was gonna ask you that.” He looked over at her mom, on the seat opposite them. “What about you?”
Sofia exhaled and gathered her wrap more tightly around her shoulders. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
“Just stick with us and you’ll be fine,” Becca told her, reaching out to take her hand.
“Oh, I plan to,” she said, casting a nervous glance out the window.
Chase kissed Becca on the top of the head and gave the signal for Ryder to go around and open the door for them. When he did, Chase stepped out first, doing up the button on his tux jacket before reaching in for Sofia.
She looked terrified. He smiled down at her. “It’s my first premier too. We’ll do this together.”
“Don’t you dare leave me,” she warned, gripping his hand tight and stepping out of the vehicle. She was a stunning, older version of Becca in a deep blue, long-sleeved satin gown, her dark hair styled around her shoulders.
“I won’t. And believe me, you look incredible,” he told her, receiving a grateful smile in reply before reaching in to help Becca out.
The cameras were already flashing away behind him. Becca straightened to her full height, her sparkly, body-hugging crimson gown glowing under the lights.
A scream went up from the fans assembled behind the roped-off area bordering the red carpet. She kept hold of his hand as she faced the barrage of camera flashes and waved, gorgeous, confident smile in place.
Chase could only stare at her, awed. It was the first time he’d been at a major event with her when she attended as her professional persona, and seeing her like this was damn impressive. He still couldn’t believe she was his. Couldn’t believe this talented, gorgeous and famous woman had overcome everything she had, or that she’d given her heart to him.
“Becca! Over here!”
“Becca, this way!”
“Becca, I love you!”
She was elegantly stunning as she faced the crowd and the bank of cameras that would have intimidated anyone but a Hollywood A-lister. She might dislike this part of her job and all the attention it brought, but no one would know it by watching her, and after everything that had happened, she was more popular than ever.
Her story had mobilized her fans, and by doing several high-profile interviews about her story, Becca had turned her personal tragedy into a source of strength for her and others that made her a hero. Hollywood had backed her up as well, offering her several high-profile roles. She’d taken a dream job that would begin filming in the UK in the summer.
Damn, he was proud of her. He raised their joined hands to his mouth and kissed the back of hers, his heart squeezing at the secret smile she gave him. Then he offered his arm to her mom, who clutched it, and began the slow stroll up the length of the red carpet.
The flashes and yells continued to the top, where they stopped again for more pictures. Chase went to lead Sofia away, but Becca held fast to his hand, stopping him.
“Stay for a minute,” she told them. “I want you both here with me.”
Her mom shot her a startled look, then straightened her spine and turned to confront the bank of cameras.
And then Chase got it. Bringing her mom and posing for pictures together on the red carpet was far more than a gesture. The gossip and rumor mills had been working overtime the past few months since the story about their background broke. Tonight, Becca was making a clear statement. Not only was she not ashamed of her mother or her past, she was also proud of her and wanted the world to know it.
The three of them stood together for a full minute while the photographers went crazy. Then Chase escorted Sofia the rest of the way up the carpet to wait for Becca. At the top, they stood just inside the doors to the theater to watch her.
“I don’t know how she does it,” Sofia said, shaking her head.
Becca was pure, elegant class out there, giving fans and the media what they wanted. Chase’s chest swelled. “Because she’s strong like her mama.”
Sofia looked up at him, her lips trembling, then her eyes narrowed. “You make me cry and ruin my makeup right now, and I’ll kill you.”
He laughed and hooked an arm around her waist, watching Becca. It was incredible, how their relationship had become even stronger in the wake of the scandal. He admired them both for how they’d dealt with everything. “Here she comes.”
Becca turned away from the cameras and walked toward them. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, that insanely sexy dress hugging every line and curve of her body. And that genuine smile she aimed at him hit him square in the heart.
She paused to greet some people at the door. Movie studio executives, and Patrick, her co-star from the film, then came to join them. She hugged her mom. “You did great. Told you you’d be fine.”
“I’m far from fine, and you promised me chocolate during the movie.” She pressed her cheek to Becca’s. “So proud of you, mi amor. Can we go sit now?”
“Yes.” She beamed up at Chase. “This is the most excited I’ve ever been to attend a premier.”
“Me too.” Warmth flooded him at the way she laughed, easy and free.
It was going to be so cool to see them together on screen, he couldn’t wait. He was stoked to see the finished motorcycle scene with Ryder, and then the fight scene with Becca where he’d stood in for Patrick.
She laughed and took his hand, then they went into the theater. She stopped to greet and talk to several more people, introducing him and her mom. He caught sight of Grant, waving from down the steps. They shook hands and talked for a minute while Becca took her mom around the room to meet other people.
Finally, it was time to start the show. Everyone took their seats. Chase sat between Becca and Sofia, and Ryder appeared out of nowhere to sit beside them.
Excitement swept through Chase as the movie started. Becca appeared in the opening shot, and he couldn’t wipe the grin from his face. This was surreal. His sweetness up on the silver screen, stealing the show.
The movie was fast paced, the tension incredible as the story played out. He nudged Sofia and leaned over to whisper to her. “My big stunt’s coming up.”
She patted his arm and curled her hand around his biceps while he squeezed Becca’s hand, pulse thudding in anticipation.
The scene began and Chase’s heart raced almost as much as it had when he’d been doing the stunt. It looked awesome, and combined with the background music and sound effects… Damn. He couldn’t wait for Bowie and Harper to see it.
The scene ended with the fiery crash and him engulfed in flames. Becca’s mom gasped, her fingers digging into his arm. “Holy,” she breathed.
“I made it though,” he joked in a whisper.
Ryder leaned around her, a grin splitting his face as he held out a fist. Chase bumped it with his own and sat back, proud as hell. He loved his job.
Forty minutes after that, the fight scene with Becca was coming up. He laced her fingers through his and held on when it started, amazed by how real it looked. How good it looked. But he had a whole other level of appreciation for her acting ability now that he knew what she’d been going through during the filming of it.
She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder while she watched, her love and trust in him making his chest ache. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, offering her comfort and commending her bravery.
When the movie ended, the entire theater erupted into cheers and applause as the credits began rolling. The lights came on. Becca and the rest of the cast stood and acknowledged the audience, then everyone began to file out and mingle in the foyer.
Chase stood off to the side with Sofia and Ryder while Becca posed for more pictures with various people, then finally escorted her outside. More pictures followed, and this time she stopped to pose with fans, signing autographs under his and Ryder’s watchful eyes, in addition to the other security hired for the event.
Finally, it was back in the limo to drop Sofia off at her hotel on their way to the after party. She was flying out in the morning for Myrtle Beach. They stayed for a few hours, then Chase hustled Becca outside to where Ryder had brought up their SUV.
“How’d it go?” he asked them.
“Good, but I’m happy to be done,” Becca said with a relieved sigh, taking out her long, heavy earrings. “What did you think of your stunt scene? Wasn’t it amazing?”
“Best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
She shared a look with Chase, but he didn’t say anything. His buddy was obviously still struggling with his private demons, and Chase just hoped he beat them in the end.
Instead of taking the exit to Santa Monica, Ryder kept heading north. “Where are we going?” Becca asked, glancing from him to Chase in confusion.
“Little getaway I’ve booked for us,” Chase answered, tucking her against him.
She blinked up at him. “You did?”
“Yep. Packed a bag for you too.”
She smiled and leaned into him. They’d been living together since he’d come back to LA in October. “I don’t really like surprises, but I think I’ll like this one.”
Sure hope so. He met Ryder’s gaze in the rearview mirror, and nerves danced to life in the pit of his stomach. As far as surprises went, there was a lot riding on this one.
Ryder drove them through the security gates and up the driveway to the private oceanfront house. “Are you kidding me?” Becca breathed, looking around in astonishment.
“Nope.” He reached into the back for their bags while Ryder got out and did a sweep of the house and property. When his friend texted the all clear, Chase escorted Becca inside.
She stopped in the entryway and gasped. “Oh my God, the view…”
Outside the huge, floor-to-ceiling windows in the kitchen and living room, the moon lit up a rippling path over the waves. “Reminds me of home,” he said, setting the bags down and coming up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist.
She leaned into him, tipped her head back to look into his face. “How long do we have here?”
“Two weeks.” Fourteen days and fifteen, heavenly nights, just the two of them. Nobody but her assistant and Ryder knew they were here.
Ryder motioned to him, drawing his gaze. He pointed at the door with his thumb. “I’m just gonna…”
Chase nodded. “Thanks, man.”
“Sure. Text if you uh, need anything.”
“Will do. Have a good time in Crimson Point.” Ryder was going there to spend the Christmas holidays with his cousin.
“You bet.” He shot Chase a clandestine wink on the way out the door.
In the sudden quiet, Becca turned to him, eyes sparkling. “So. What are we going to do now that we’re alone here for the rest of the week?”
Whatever they wanted. But he planned on making sure she relaxed, and on pampering her like crazy, in and out of bed. “There’s a hot tub outside on the patio, overlooking the beach. Feel like taking a soak?”
