Chapter 17

A month had passed since New York. Bear had taken Abe straight back to Nashville, and then headed to LA to give her space. They talked every day or so and things seemed to be back on track.

Though she wouldn�t admit to him, she missed having someone there when she came home at night, but her life was falling into a good routine. She liked Nashville. It had a good vibe to it and was more her speed. Getting the job at Shaman Entertainment Group was the icing on the cake.

Billy Patrick and Rich Tomulson were known as two thirds of the Nashville Renegades. They earned the title while still presidents at their respective record labels. Their reputations had been with them from day one. The two had grown tired of running record companies and were certain there was better talent out they weren't being shown. Thus Shaman Entertainment Group was born.

They took an instant liking to Abe. She was smart and understood the business. More importantly she understood live events and had contacts at many of the venues their SEG talent would be playing in. What she was green about, she quickly learned, courtesy of the folks working for Ted Marzon. He rounded out the Renegades with Bill and Rich, but he had decided to stay as head of his record label. He said someone had to stay or they would have no one to work with in town. He allowed Abe to shadow his best live events person, Alicia, for a week. Alicia had work for a management group before coming to work at his label. She knew live events from both sides. It allowed Abe to learn and gave Ted a chance to see if she was right for SEG. She passed the test and now sat in her office in a restored art deco building just off music row.

�Abe, here are all the tickets. I separated them by event and put the count breakdown on each.�

�Thanks Becky. Don�t you have class in a few?�

�Yeah. I�m on my way out. It�s not like I�m going very far�what? A whole half mile,� she laughed.

�Now it comes out. The real reason you applied for an internship here, close proximity to Belmont�s campus,� she teased. �No matter. However, I would be remiss if I didn�t make sure my intern made it to class.�

�You crack me up,� called Becky on her way out.

�Did I mention I�m also channeling your mother,� she called back. She missed Becky�s retort, because the receptionist buzzed her. �Yeah, Trish?�

�Mr. Ralston is on his way back. He�s so hot.�

�Shall I share that observation with him.� Forcing her tone to remain light, even though her stomach was knotting up.

�Yes! No! I don�t know!�

�When you do let me know.�

Trish laughed. �Bitch!�

�Sometimes.� Abe hung up as Bear stepped inside her office. �I didn�t know you were coming back. My place is a wreck.�

�I wanted to surprise you and I don�t care if your place is a wreck,� he replied, dropping a chaste kiss on her lips, before taking a seat on the opposite side of her desk.

�How was LA?� She looked at her computer screen to avoid his eyes.

�Busy, but good. We finalized the deal for the new movie.�

�Congratulations! When do you start on it?�

He was pleased to see her body relax some. �We need to finish casting. I�m on my way to Australia in a few days to scout locations.�

�Wow. One day I�ll get there.�

�Come with me,� he said. Her glare caused him to back track. �Sorry. I know you can�t with the new job, but some day we will go.�

�What brings you back to Nashville,� asked Abe, her tone again much cooler.

�Abe did Rich get those�oh, sorry. I didn�t realize you were in a meeting.�

�I�m not Billy. My friend Bear just stopped by to say hi. Billy Patrick I would like to introduce you to Bear Ralston. Bear this is Billy Patrick.�

The two men shook hands and exchanged hellos.

�And yes, Rich did get me the numbers for the Charlotte show. I had Becky separate those tickets and I put them on Rich�s desk a few minutes ago.�

Blowing her a kiss, Billy said, �This is why we love her. You�re a good egg Cavett.�

�Thanks. Did you get a chance to talk with Al at Starplex?�

�Not yet. The little weasel hasn�t returned my call. I�m giving him until sun-up, then I�m calling Lewis.�

�Sun-up?� Her lips curled into a smirk.

�Yep. Sun-up lil� missy and don�t you forget it.� He scowled, but couldn�t hold it as he chuckled. �Hey, you two got plans tonight?�

�I don�t know about Bear, but I don�t.�

�Actually,� interrupted Bear. �I want to show you something when you get off.�

Billy asked, �Will it take all night?�

�It shouldn�t.�

�Good! How would you like to see the Music Mafia?�

�That�d be fun,� replied Abe.

�All righty then, come back to my office before you leave and I will give you passes. Martina�s suppose to be sittin� in and maybe Dierks.�

�Will do. Thanks Billy.�

�Thank you,� agreed Bear. �We can go see the house then head to the show.�

�House,� inquired Billy and Abe in unison.

�Yes. House. I think I found the one, but I want Abe�s opinion.�

�Well hell then, let�s get you out of here.�

�Billy.�

He interrupted, �I�m the boss and you don�t argue with the boss.�

�Yes sir.�

�Follow me solider. Hup, 2, 3 4.�

********

�As you can see the owners put a lot of work into restoring the home. They really breathed new life into these old hardwood floors.�

The realtor droned on, but Abe tuned her out. She was busy checking the house out. It was one of her favorites in Sylvan Park. She had watched the contractors work on it for months. After it was finished, she often drove by and wished she could see the inside. She had pointed it out the day she took Bear on a tour of the neighborhood. It was just as beautiful as she had imaged.

As beautiful as the house was, she was surprised Bear had chosen it. Given his other real estate holdings, she really thought he would buy one of the 5,000 plus square foot mansions out in Brentwood. They were new and had all the bells and whistles anyone could want. This was a beautiful home, in a great neighborhood. Still it didn�t scream Bear.

She soon found out what the house did scream�

�Anna.�

�Huh? Sorry. Lost in thought.�

�I was asking Mr. Ralston if he would like to sign the papers and he said it was up to you,� explained the realtor.

�Me,� asked Abe, pointing to herself.

The realtor mimicked her actions and said, �Yes, you.�

�I don�t understand.�

�Give us a moment please.� Bear waited for the realtor to leave the room, before taking both of Abe�s hands in his. �I don�t like where you live. I don�t think it�s safe. This works out for both us. I will need someone to keep an eye on things when I�m not here and you need a better place to live.�

�Bear, when were you appointed my guardian,� she asked, pulling her hands free.

�Anna��

Her cheeks were quickly becoming red. �Don�t!�

�I know you love this house.�

�Stop. I mean it, Bear. You don�t get to rearrange my life.�

�Anna.�

�Excuse me,� interrupted the realtor.

�What,� asked Bear in a biting tone.

�I�m sorry to interrupt, but my assistant has called. She is filling out the paperwork and needs to know, will Ms Cavett�s name be included on the deed?�

Abe growled at Bear before breezing past the realtor. The front door rattling on its hinges signaled Abe had left the building.

Chapter 18

If you asked Bear who he would never expect to bump into, he would have laughed and said, �Abe.� However, that doesn�t mean he was any less surprised to see Bridget Goldsmith. They ran into each other at club, of course, in Sidney. He was there to scout locations for the independent film he and his partners had just gotten green-lit. She was there filming her staring role in a B-movie. When she found out they were leaving the same day and he had flown commercial, she naturally offered him a seat on her private jet. Who was he to turn it down?

Currently, the plane was somewhere between Hawaii and Los Angeles. They sat across from each other, but their minds were far away in two different places.

Bear was remembering his last evening with Abe.

�You can drop me off at Loews.�

�What?� She took her off the road to stare at him.

�You heard me.� He glared back at her.

Turning her eyes back to the road, she said, �I don�t think so.�

�What?� She ignored him. �Abe�Anna!�

She pulled into a parking space and threw the car into park. She turned sideways in the seat and said, �You are going with me to this thing.�

�Why?�

�Because it is my work and I did it for you.�

�I don�t understand,� he said, studying her face intently.

�Just like your parties and stuff are a part of your business, going to this gig tonight is part of mine. Billy and Rich will both be there along with several others from the office. We are on the verge of signing a couple of the singers here tonight. You were invited along with me and I can�t show up without you.�

�Why the hell not?�

�Because they will see it as you blowing them off and if a friend of my blows them off then they think twice about inviting me next time.�

�Fine. I�ll go.� He folded his arms across his chest and stared out the windshield.

�And you are going to get happy.� He cut his eyes at her. �I�m serious. I�ve done it for you. It is your turn.�

�That sounds a lot like an order.�

Taking in a cleansing breath, she changed her approach. �Bear, what if I had acted out at any of the events I went to with you? I�m just asking for the same courtesy.�

�Fair enough. Abe, I don�t want to fight.�

�Me either, but I guess we should get this out now.�

�What,� he asked his tone cautious.

�The house.�

He interrupted, �Don�t. We can get into that after we go to this thing.�

�Bear.�

�Come on. You can�t blow this off,� he said, wagging his finger at her.

�Okay,� she said, with smile.

**********

�Bella,� moaned Nick as he collapsed.

�Baby.� Bridget wrapped her arms around him.

Moving to lay beside her, he pushed his damp hair off his forehead. She turned to snuggle against him.

After a moment, she commented, �you�ve never called me that before.�

�What,� he asked, his heart skipping a beat.

�You called me Bella.�

�It means beautiful.� The words rushed out as he tried to breathe.

�I know,� she giggled. �I think it�s sexy that you used Italian.�

�You do?� He relaxed.

�Yes, I do.�

He kissed her forehead. �You�re sexy.�

�I wish you were coming to Sidney with me.�

�I know.�

Her head popped up. �You know?�

�Yeah.� His brow creased. �What?�

�You know? Not me too?�

�Jet, you know I have to stay here.�

�Oh. Believe me I know.� Tossing the covers back, she stormed into the bathroom. Rolling his eyes, he got up and followed her. �Jet.�

�Forget it Nick. Now I know you�re music is more important than me.�

Wrapping his arms around her from behind, he said, �Jet, you know you�re my girl.�

�How romantic Nick.�

�I don�t know what the fuck you want from me,� he replied, feeling his face flush with anger. �I want to know you give a shit that I�m leaving in the morning.�

�I do give a shit. Baby, I miss you already.�

�You do?�

�Yes.� He dropped kisses along her shoulder. �I don�t want to fight.�

�Me either.� A sly grin curving her lips, she asked, �What do you want to do?�

She shrieked as he picked her up and carried her back to bed.

********

�You know I�m impressed with you,� commented Bear, following Abe into her apartment. �Good to know,� she chuckled.

�I�m serious.� He grabbed her hand and pulled her down on the couch with him. �You were in your element tonight.�

�Thanks,� she said, turning quiet.

He traced a finger along her cheek. She smiled. Leaning close, he teased her bottom lip with his teeth before kissing her. Pulling back, he rubbed his thumb along her lip, searching her eyes.

�I want you to move into the house. Wait�you need to move out of this place and I will need someone to keep an eye on the place when I�m not here.�

�Tell me the truth. Are you really going to be in town enough to warrant buying a house here?�

�I plan on being here more than you think, because I want to spend more time with you.� He silenced her with a kiss. He held her close as he continued, �besides, I did my research. You were right about it being one of the best areas in town for resale. I figure when you move to LA, it will be easy to unload.�

�When I move to LA? You certainly have been busy planning.�

�I�m not saying you have to move there now, but eventually.�

�Glad to know you aren�t asking me to move there now.�

�I respect that you want to do this for the time being, but as we move forward.�

Pulling away, she said, �We move forward?�

�Yeah.� His brows knitted together. �Abe, we are getting closer.�

�We are?�

He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again.

�Bear, did you ever stop to think�hmmm�maybe I should get Abe�s input on all this planning?�

�I just thought.�

�Obviously, you didn�t. I have no plans on living in LA.�

�Then South Carolina.�

�Wrong! I�m living here. I�m living in this apartment. I�m sorry it doesn�t live up to your standards, but it is fine for me.�

�But Abe.�

�No. When are you going to Australia?�

Her change of topic had his head spinning. �In two days. Why?�

�I think you need to go to Australia and not buy that house.�

�Anna.�

�I�m serious Bear. When you get back from Australia, you can buy or not buy it. Whatever your decision, know on thing for certain�I�m not moving in it.�

�Why?�

�This is my home. I�m perfectly fine here.�

�I don�t know what to say.�

�I think its time to get some sleep.�

�Are you coming in with me,� he asked, standing.

�No. I think it�s best for me to stay here.�

He started to walk out of the living room. Stopping, he looked back at her. �Anna, I can wait as long as it takes.�

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he looked over at Bridget. A smile played across her face. She felt his eye on her.

�What?�

�Just wondering what that smile is for?�

�Nick.�

�Figures,� he said.

�He said the cutest thing when I visited him on my way to Sidney.�

�What did he say?�

�He called me Bella. That�s Italian for beautiful, you know.�

Bear�s felt his stomach bottom out. �Yeah, I know.�

Chapter 19

Michele was visiting for the weekend. Bringing Abe her Maid of Honor dress was her excuse for the visit. Her reason was to check up on her best friend.

�Is Bear liking you really such a bad thing?�

�He doesn�t.�

Michele quirked an eyebrow at her. �Why is it so hard for you to admit this?�

�I�m me. This doesn�t happen to me.�

�Having a man fall for you?�

�Don�t even,� warned Abe, her face going pale.

�Boy, this really does freak you out. Bend over, you�re hyperventilating.� Michele forced her friend�s head between her knees. �Abe, it is happening to you. As a matter of fact, this is the second time it has happened.�

�You can let me up now. Chele, it�s different,� she said, sitting up and brushing hair away from her red cheeks.

Her best friend studied her face for a moment. �Because you don�t love him.�

The damn broke and tears streamed down her face. �I�m horrible! I�m dirt. No! I�m�I�m lower than dirt.�

�No, you�re not,� Michele replied, handing her a tissue. �You�re human. Plus, you�ve never been on this side of it.�

�No and let me just tell you this side sucks, too. I thought everyone was being melodramatic about this side, but it sucks big ol� coconuts.�

Michelle laughed, �Graphic, but honest.�

�I could have said donkey balls.�

�Glad you didn�t.� Sobering, Michelle asked, �Have you talked to Bear since he left?�

�Only when he called to say he had landed in Australia safely.�

�It still trips me out that one of our friends has his life.�

�It�s even trippier that he wants me to have that life.� Abe waved her hands in the air dismissing the subject. �I don�t want to think about that anymore. So, we meet with Ruth tomorrow for the fitting. Thanks for bringing the dress.�

�My pleasure. Besides, it was a great excuse to see my bestest friend and get away from all the insanity.�

�Do you feel guilty leaving Tim to deal with it?�

�Not one little bit. He�s gotten off easy.�

�Aren�t you afraid of what might be decided while you�re gone?�

�It�s only a weekend.� They exchanged a look and burst out laughing. �It won�t be anything I can�t undo.�

�Have you talked to Bear?�

�Not since he left the states,� replied Michelle. �Tim and I are going to his house in a couple of weeks to meet with the local folks and finalize everything there.�

�I will give him this much. He is cool for letting you have the wedding at his house in Hilton Head.�

�Yes he is.�

�I�m less than dirt,� wailed Abe throwing herself from the couch to the floor.

Poking her with her foot, Michelle said, �Get up less than dirt. I�m hungry. It�s lunchtime.�

Sighing dramatically, Able allowed stood up. �Fine.�

********

�Welcome home, Baby!�

Nick welcomed his girlfriend to his arms as he came out of the gate area of LAX. He heard the click of the camera and opened his eyes to see several photographers. He immediately tensed.

�I didn�t think you were going to be here.�

�I just missed you so much. I couldn�t wait until you got home. Let�s get your bags.�

He noticed she turned to smile at the photographers. He was tired and getting home was the only thing on his mind.

With the help of airport security, the bags were collected and they were on their way in record time. Leaving the photographers behind. His eyes were closed as the driver made his way through LA traffic.

�Are you listening to me?�

The whine went straight through him. �Of course, Jet. I�m tried is all.�

�Poor baby.� Her tone softened as she snuggled close. �We�ll be home soon. We don�t have to go anywhere until tomorrow night.�

�Tomorrow night? I was thinking I would spend a few days doing nothing.�

�But we have to go this party tomorrow night. Miramax is throwing it. I want to be there.�

�Fine,� he sighed.

�Hey.� She waited for him to look at her, then smiled her biggest smile. �I wanted us to have some fun. Besides you can rest all you want it�s not like you will be traveling any until the album comes out and that�s three months off.�

�Except next month.�

�What�s next month?�

He knew he had blown it the second he heard the change in her tone, but it was too late to take it back. �I have a wedding to attend.�

�Whose wedding are we going too?�

�It�s not anyone you know.�

�Someone in the business?�

�No.�

�Why are you being so cryptic?�

�It�s Abe�s best friend.�

�Abe? Oh�Bear�s girlfriend.�

�She�s not his girlfriend,� he snapped.

�Significant other, whatever. They�re moving in together. Where is the wedding?�

He hesitated.

Bridget demanded, �Where?�

�Bear�s house on Hilton Head Island.�

�That�ll be fun.�

�Jet.�

�Yes?�

�I�m going by myself. The invitation is for me only. They are keeping it small.�

�What�s one more,� she pressed.

�They�re regular people. They don�t have a lot of money. I wouldn�t go, but I accepted the invitation.�

�So?�

�So baby, I don�t want to cancel. It could be a pain for you.�

�Oh really.� Her words were drawn out. �Why is that exactly?�

�Bear knows I�m coming. You�ve been in talks with him about his next movie. I would hate to do anything to wreck that for you.�

�How so?�

�Have you ever heard of someone around the actor pissing off the person they are talking about working with and that killing the deal?�

�Sure. Daddy�s had a couple of people do that.�

�I don�t want to cause problems for you.�

�Okay.� She didn�t sound convinced. �Well, we can talk about it later.�

Nick let her change the subjected and ignored his feeling of foreboding.