“We’ll be there in two minutes,” he says, his voice calm and reassuring. “Be ready to go as soon as we get there.”
“Okay,” I say again. Kale says goodbye and hangs up.
Everyone looks at me, on baited breath.
“I’m sorry,” I say, directing it to Lance. “But I think I’m going to have to miss work today. Maybe for a couple of days.”
“You think?” he says, raising one eyebrow.
“What about your research?” Mom asks, practically in a panic. “You’re going to hurt your entire department by missing days. When are you going to be back?”
“I don’t know, Mom,” I say, standing and handing all my files over to Ming. She just stares at me with huge eyes. “But this is obviously going to take some time to sort out.”
“It’s okay, Monica,” Dad says, placing his hands on Mom’s shoulders. He was always good at calming Mom down when she went science-crazy. “Just let her get things figured out.”
“Call me when you get a chance?” Ming says. I meet her eyes, and she looks nervous for me.
“Promise,” I say, wrapping my arms around her. Her head tucks under my chin. There’s a good seven inch difference in our heights. “I’ve got to go now.”
I give my parents quick hugs goodbye. Mom still looks bewildered. Dad looks a bit uncomfortable with it all, but he presses a kiss to my temple. Lance still looks somewhere between annoyed and in awe.
I head for the back door. And this weird feeling washes over me.
Somehow I know this is the last time I’ll be walking the halls of Evergreen Micro. I feel as if I’m about to cross some precipice. Out of the old, and into the new scary bewildering one.
Just as I step out the back door, a black car rolls up and Kale opens the back passenger door.
I slip in, pull it closed behind me, and take half a second before I look around me.
“You okay?” Kale asks. He looks concerned. And worried.
“Yeah,” I say, not sure if I’m still numb, or on the brink of a panic attack.
He stares at me for an extended moment, and finally nods. “’K. Whit, this is Tony. He works at Sage’s company and used to do private security. He’s going to hang out with us for a few days.”
I look up to the man sitting in the front passenger seat. He looks over his shoulder back at me. His head is shaved, his nose wide. His eyes are dark and deep. There are a few scars dotting his face. He looks tough, and kind of scary, but also warm and gentle at the same time.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Ford,” he says.
“You too,” I say, feeling my brain glazing over.
“So, I called my agent, Calvin,” Kale moves on as I relax back into my seat. “And he thinks it’s probably best to get away from Seattle for a few days and sort through all the agent offers that are about to come pouring in.” About? I’ve already got like eight voicemails from people claiming to be agents and record label companies. “Calvin suggested somewhere not too far away, but secluded enough no one will think to come looking for you there.”
“What about your brother’s ranch?” I suggest. Now that we’re putting some distance between us and the insanity, my brain is slowly starting to clear. “That’s pretty secluded.”
Kale shakes his head. “Everyone who was at the wedding is announcing to the world that they got an entire show on Friday. People will be watching it.”
“Where then?” I say as my eyes shift out the window.
“You ever been out to the San Juan Islands?” Kale asks with a smile.
I shake my head. “Always wanted to make a trip out, but never made it.”
“I went to Orcas once to do a shoot, before I signed with Shurrock,” he says as he reaches across and takes my hand in his. My heart skips and jumps at his touch. Just like I did when I was in first grade and jumping rope. “It’s pretty, and really quiet, not too many people. And if you have no ties, no one will think to look for you there.”
“That sounds as good as anywhere else,” I say.
Kale rubs a thumb over the back of my hand, and the motion is calming. I lean in a bit closer to him, resting my shoulder against his. “Did you know it was going to be like this?” I ask him as I look into those dark, hazel eyes. “Did you know it would be this intense?”
For just a second, Kale looks regretful. “To be honest, no. I knew things would happen. But I didn’t expect this much attention this fast. The world already loves you with just three minutes of footage.”
I bite my lower lip and just nod. I’m beginning to learn that I’m strong in my own way, like walking up on stage at the wedding. And I’m smart. But this new world of lights and reporters and fame? This is something I never went to school for. This is all Kale. And right now, I know how much I need him right now.
As I look into Kale’s eyes, I know—nothing about my life is ever going to be the same again.
CHAPTER FIVE
It takes two ferry rides to get there. The first from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island. It’s nearly an hour long drive from one end of the island to the other. But we cross a huge bridge into Anacortes, and then we get to the second ferry.
Figuring no one is going to be looking for us here, Kale and I go up to the passenger deck on the second ferry ride. I wear my Fedora and a huge pair of sunglasses, Kale wears a Seahawks cap and sport sunglasses. We lean on the railing of the upper deck of the ferry, looking out over the ocean and the hundreds of islands that surround us.
“Isn’t this kind of upending your life right now, too?” I ask. “You’re running away with me and you barely know me.”
He looks over at me. It’s hard to tell what he’s thinking behind those shades. “I want to come. I like being with you, Whitney Ford.”
“I hope you’re not just feeling obligated to take care of me because you set all this in motion,” I say and the statement sends a sinking rock into the pit of my stomach. Cause that has to be the reason why he’s doing all this. Guilt is a heavy motivator. Look at how I got talked into singing at his brother’s wedding.
Kale takes his sunglasses off and looks at me. “Whit, you’ve shown me more of your real self in the past four days than I’ve seen in any of the girls I’ve dated for months at a time. And I like it. I’m not going to lie, you’re the damn most exciting, fun person I’ve been around in years. So maybe I’m not ready to say goodbye to that yet.”
My expression has to be shocked. Cause that was the last thing I expected him to say.
“Is that okay with you?” he asks. And it doesn’t sound annoyed like I’d have thought. It sounds hopeful.
And a slow, hesitant smile creeps onto my face. Color rises back into my cheeks. “Yeah,” I say. “That’s okay with me.”
He smiles in return. And in this moment, it feels like the two of us are rising up and up in a hot air balloon. I’ll never touch the ground again. “Good. Because I’m pretty sure I’m never going to get enough of you.”
My smile grows, and I have to look away from him before I turn into a Fourth of July firework. “You know, you’re not what I would have expected.” I meet his eyes shyly again.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he says as he closes the distance between us and wraps his arms around me.
He holds me for the rest of the ferry ride, the two of us making quiet comments about the things happening around us. Those that are going on in this moment, the moment of two people being on a ferry, in one of the most beautiful places in the world; not the surreal world we just left behind.
I am devastated when he has to let me go so we can get back to our car when the ferry arrives at Orcas Island.
Calvin had called ahead and found us a place to stay. Apparently he has no problem spending Kale’s money. It’s a cabin on the way far end of the island. Three bedrooms, secluded out in the woods. And it overlooks the ocean. When we roll up to it, it feels surreal, like we’re stepping into a Grimm fairy tale.
It’s so quiet. There’s no traffic sound
s. No boats honking. Nothing but the soft breeze shifting through the trees above. It’s gorgeous. And just what I need right now.
Just like a gentleman, Kale grabs my bag and we walk into the cabin. After Tony checks our surroundings out. It’s kind of funny. Who the heck would ever look for us out here? He’s like a real deal bodyguard. He even wears a suit. He just looks like he’s missing an ear piece and a gun. Who knows, maybe he’s got a concealed weapon.
And how scary is it that he’s here because of me?
The entire inside of the house is finished with wood walls, much like log cabin. A large kitchen is off to the right, a dining area, and just beyond that, a living room with couches that look like they would swallow you in their comfort.
“It’s so cozy,” I say with a smile as I notice the fireplace that takes up the majority of one wall. We won’t be needing it in the warm late August air, but it’s perfect nonetheless.
“Yeah, not bad,” Kale says with a smile as he looks back at me. I can’t help but return it. I follow him back down the hall.
Three bedrooms. There’s one for Tony. Calvin’s arriving in just an hour or two. I’m pretty sure he’s not the type to be willing to sleep on the couch. So that just leaves one bedroom left. And there’s one of me and one of Kale.
There’s a king bed in the last bedroom that Kale walks into. He sets my bag on it, apparently he packed one for me, and that’s all kinds of surprisingly sweet. And then my brain starts going crazy trying to think of solutions to the shortage of bedrooms.
“I’ll take the couch,” Kale says as if he can read my thoughts.
“You don’t have to,” I say, shaking my head. “Technically you’re the one paying for all this, so it’s only fair you get to sleep on an actual bed.”
“Unless you’re cool with me sleeping in the bed with you, there’s no way I’m letting you sleep on the couch,” he says with a shake of his head and that lopsided smile. “I’m not that much of a jerk.”
These things he keeps saying turn me all mushy, and I’m pretty sure my body is going to do something my brain might try to overthink, when we hear the door open and the sound of a thousand grocery bags land somewhere.
“I promise I’m not breaking and entering,” a female voice calls out. Kale and I poke our heads out to see a plump younger woman with brown hair braided over her shoulder putting groceries and other bags down on the kitchen counter. “Calvin, whoever he is, called me and asked me to feed you guys for the next few days. He also asked me to pick up some clothes for you and the scary-looking guy outside. Not too many options here on island, so I hope what I got works.”
“Uh, thanks,” Kale says. And I notice he stands just slightly in front of me, like he’s maybe protecting me. Seriously?
“I’m Jamie Hayes, by the way,” she says with a smile as she starts putting food away and sorting everything. “That Calvin guy said I’m not allowed to ask your names. Which seems super fishy, but I’m just going to assume the two of you are some kind of celebrity couple on vacation and don’t want news leaking out.”
Kale and I look at each other and we chuckle.
“Guess we should have assumed people would think we were together,” I say with a blush. Which I keep doing every two seconds these days. “You were in your underwear in that picture they got.”
“Are you embarrassed of me or something?” Kale asks in mock offense. “I mean, is the idea of the world thinking we could be together offensive?”
“Shut up,” I say with a roll of my eyes and a shake of my head. “Don’t even try to act like that.”
Jamie laughs. “You two are adorable together. So figure out your status, cause the two of you are driving me crazy with all your chemistry.”
Once again, we both laugh.
“Come on,” Kale says, taking my hand dramatically. “Let’s go check out that beach.”
Like a couple of lovers on a honeymoon, we walk down to the beach. A little trail cuts through the trees and underbrush, and suddenly, we pop out on a sandy, rocky beach. The sun shines brightly, the air is warm, and for the first time since I woke up this morning, I feel as if I can breathe.
I drop Kale’s hand, walk out into the edge of the water, shoes and all. I close my eyes, spread my arms, and spin.
For a long time I’ve imagined my “big break.” I imagined what it’d be like to be famous and to have fans and for my songs to be known. And it terrified me, but it was still something I wanted. Now that it’s coming—maybe—it’s just not what I expected. It’s scary.
But when I open my eyes, it’s all been worth it. Cause there’s Kale. And here’s me.
And he’s so much more than in my fantasies. Because in those he was just a hot bod and a famous name.
Here he is, smiling at me, taking care of me. And saying all these things I never would have expected.
“You’re so different, Whitney,” he says, his voice serious. “Thanks for erupting into my life. I needed you.”
I smile at him as I walk toward him. “Thanks for putting a little adventure into mine.” I take his hand and we both settle onto the sand. Kale lays his head on my thigh and it could just about kill me.
“Tell me something about yourself,” he says as he looks up at me. “Something you don’t normally talk about.”
“Like what?” I ask. With unsure, slightly shaking hands, I reach up and run my fingers through his hair. He must like it, cause his eyes slide closed.
“I don’t know,” he says with a shrug of his shoulders. “Anything.”
It takes me a moment, to come up with something. Something real, because that seems to be what he wants. “When I was in fifth grade, I hit my first growth spurt,” I start. “This was before I started doing home school. I was five six by the end of the school year, a good half a foot taller than most of the boys in our class.” For a while I was excited, cause I was taller than everyone else, and that seemed awesome. And then the teasing came. “And I just kept growing over the summer. I went to the first day of sixth grade, and by then, I was five seven. Some boy made fun of me. My parents had already been begging me to do private tutoring so I could speed school up. After that, it didn’t take much more convincing. I switched out then. By the time I was fourteen, I was as tall as I am now. Trust me, not even being a freshman and being nearly five foot ten was pretty awful.”
“Are you really five ten?” Kale asks, looking up at me with a smile. I nod. “That’s as tall as I am. I didn’t even notice.”
“Trust me, I have,” I say with an uncomfortable smile. “So always being tall has meant that I never, ever wear heels, because no one wants to dance with a giant.”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed of being tall,” Kale says with sincerity. “In my world, girls will kill for your height and these legs.” He actually pats my thigh. The one he’s not laying on. “And all those kids who made fun of you were idiots. I want to see you wear some super tall heels. Soon.”
I bite my lower lip to try and hold back my smile. “You keep talking about these future events. Like you’re planning to see more of me once all this blows over.”
Kale rolls, propping himself up on his elbow. His face is close, close enough I can feel his breath on my chest. “I told you, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you. Being with you these past few days? It’s just been…a breath of fresh air.”
And maybe he would have kissed me, but right then, Jamie calls from the deck. “Lunch is ready!”
Calvin arrives soon after we finish lunch. He’s an all business man that is way too good looking for his own humility. I can’t believe he doesn’t model himself. Who knows, maybe he did, once upon a time. But he sits at the table with Kale and I. I hand over my phone, and one by one, we all listen to the messages on my phone from agents, management companies, and record labels.
I haven’t checked my phone since this morning, so there’s a whole new slew of them.
And as we list every one of them on Calvin’s tablet, I realize
that holy freaking stars, this is real. If I want this, it’s right here.
“I think you should let me do some research for a few hours and check some of these people out,” Calvin says as he looks up at me. “And then let’s make some calls this evening. If these people want you bad enough, they’ll fly out tomorrow to come meet with you.”
“How do you feel about that?” Kale asks.
I’m trying really hard not to gloss it all over. It threatens to wash over me like a wave and drag me down under. “That sounds good. Thank you for your help with this.”
“Not a problem,” he says, all seriousness. “That video Kale posted was perfect publicity for Shurrock, so they’re happy to support the both of you in any way right now. They would, however, like to see you wear their clothing in your first music video.”
“Music video,” I breathe as I sit back in my chair, blown over. “Holy Hannah.”
“How are your dancing skills?” Kale asks playfully.
“Non-existent,” I laugh at myself. “I’m awful.”
“Just remember what I said.” He raises an eyebrow. “Own it. Lots of people out there can’t dance. They see this girl who can’t either, but is okay with that, they’ll love you.”
“He’s right,” Calvin says without looking up from the list he’s working on. “Everyone’s already talking about every klutzy move you made at Lake’s wedding the other night. You’re already being called America’s Every Girl Sweetheart.”
Wow. Was the wedding really only a few nights back? It feels like it was months ago.
And, always surprising me, Kale takes my hand, and pulls it up to his lips to press a kiss there.
The air is thick, and tense, and keeps me on edge as the night progresses. Calvin sat at the table for two hours, click-clacking away on his tablet. Mumbling to himself. Taking notes. He then goes over his top five candidates for management and agents to me, and it doesn’t mean much to me, so I agree to whoever he feels would be a good fit.
And then he calls. I sit on the couch, cross-legged. Kale sits next to me. Every once in a while, he reaches over, takes my hand in his. Or he rubs my back. He doesn’t say much. But he’s so much more there, and so much more supportive, than I ever could have anticipated.