"No…I've found that I can tell a lot about a person by what colors they like for things."
"Meaning?"
"Okay, my favorite color to wear is red, my favorite color for things is pink and my favorite color on men is black." I spoke slowly, "which means, I'm a very passionate person but enjoys being flirty or silly and likes a lush love life."
"Interesting…"
"So?"
"Oh sorry…On me black on things yellow and on women red."
"Very interesting." I was shocked at his choice of yellow.
"So, Doc what does that mean?" He joked.
"Well, you're a person who has the best of everything and enjoys luxury, you like attention, by showing off your latest and greatest and you like out spoken passionate women…"
"Wow that is a neat trick…Do you have any more of those?!" Victor sounded surprised.
"Not any that will work from a distance." I laughed.
"Well when we get a few mintues you'll have to show me."
"Count on it."
"Cool, so what are you doing right now?" Victor asked.
"Painting my toenails what are you doing?"
"Checking my Email…What color?"
"Black."
"Hmm…What time will you be ready tomorrow?"
"I'm not packing till Joey says yes tomorrow."
"Alright, so I should plan on staying in Orlando overnight."
"Yeah," I answered, "Will you bring me a copy of the new album?"
"Sure, what are your favorite bands?"
"That's a hard one cause I listen to everything."
"What do you mean everything?"
"I mean everything from classical to my brother's music to Johnny Cash to your music to Rob Zombie to the Cure to Death Metal to old school rap."
"Really?" Victor sounded surprised.
"Why?"
"Wait I know the answer to the mystery on this one, what instruments do you play?"
"Um…Piano, piccolo, flute, sax, harp, cello, and teaching myself violin, what does that have to do with it?"
"I've discovered that musically gifted people listen to all kinds of music."
"Interesting…"
We talked till he had to board his plane at 3:00 in the morning then he said "well go to bed see ya in nine hours."
"You gonna sleep on the plane?"
"Yeah…"
"Alright goodnight."
"Goodnight."
I came downstairs for breakfast at 9:30 I did not sleep a second all night, but I looked fantastic I wore tight blue jeans and a black tank top, my hair was flat down my back with the ends curled in loose spiral curls. I had French tips on my fingernails except the tip was black and my toenails were painted solid black. I had even lined my amber colored eyes with black eyeliner and Smokey eye shadow.
"When does he get here?" Jacob asked from the refrigerator.
"His plane gets in at noon…I'm not sure if we need to pick him up or not." I smiled not even Jacob's pouting could kill my mood today.
"Wow you must have been up there for hours getting dressed." Lynn said from the barstool she sat on.
"I couldn't sleep…" I grinned ear to ear.
"I bet…You just sat up there thinking of what you want to sing when he gets here…" Jacob was just trying to hurt me now. Singing is a neat trick. It opens people up so I can absorb their emotions. It can also can make men my slaves... but I would never do that. If Joey was anywhere within earshot this would all be over with that remark.
"Shut up…No singing!" I barked at him.
"Hey did Joey ever see that Gibson signature spread you did with this guy?" Jacob asked.
"Jacob…Come with me please!" I was suddenly realizing he wanted Joey to say no.
"Uh oh you're in trouble." Joey laughed coming around the corner with the baby in his arms. I led Jacob passed Joey and up the stairs to my room where he sat on my bed watching me.
"Why?" I asked slamming the door closed.
"If you knew he was gonna call would you have let me feed on you the other night?" Jacob asked.
"You promised!" I cried.
"Answer the question."
"Yes…Okay…" I shouted.
"Why?"
"Because, I still love you." I was crying now, my make-up running down my face.
"Then call this off."
"No…I may love you but I don't trust you…" I sobbed.
"God damnit Alex…Is this just a cover so you can go off with some over the hill rock star?"
"No…He has a girlfriend…Hell I think they might be engaged but this is really just a job." I collapsed to the floor.
"But why did he pick you?" Jacob asked.
"I dunno!" I shrugged my shoulders.
"Fine…But you have to promise me you will keep your magic under control while you're gone. Call me if you need an out…" Jacob gave and walked over to help me up.
"I promise." I smiled as he pulled me to my feet.
"Well I'm gonna go…I can't be here when he gets here." Jacob said without moving.
"Why?"
"I had a hard enough time being nice about you fawning over him and he isn't even here yet. As a favor to you I'll be elsewhere."
"Thank you." I smiled.
"Alex…can I…" I read his mind not literally but I felt the same way as he spoke. I wrapped my arms around his neck as best I could given the height difference and he bent down to close the distance so we could have the last goodbye kiss for a while. When I pulled back he walked, without a word, over to my bed and grabbed the magazine and headed downstairs. I heard the front door slam shut.
That would be the last time I would see him for a while and I felt empty without his power pushing at my own. I washed my face and fixed my hair and make-up again as I came out of my bathroom I heard my phone ring. I ran over to the phone and answered it. "Hello?"
"Hey Alex…" It was Victor.
"Good morning." I grinned.
"Good morning…I'm still on the plane but I called to let you know the plan. I have a room booked at the Hilton and a car waiting at the airport, when we land I will grab the car and drop my bag at the room then I'll meet you guys for lunch at Memo at 1:00."
"Great how many is the res for?" I asked.
"3, but we could change it."
"3 is fine." I answered.
"Good, well I'm gonna go… I'll see you in a bit."
"See ya! Bye."
"Bye." And we both hung up. I ran back down to the kitchen to tell Joey the skinny.
"Hey Joey, lunch at Memo at 1:00," I called as I ran to the refrigerator.
"I can't…He needs to come for dinner tonight…Amber can drop you off then you guys can call if you need a ride back." Joey sounded annoyed.
"What? Why?"
"I have a meeting for the movie at 1:00…"
"Oh…what time is the dinner gonna be?" I asked pulling a bottle of water from the fridge.
"7 pm." He answered as his phone rang.
"Okay." I smiled and sat beside Amber.
"If you want I'll come with but I'd have to bring the baby." She laughed.
"No, it's okay…" I said taking a sip from the square bottle.
It was no time at all before I heard Amber call up to me where I was in my room upstairs. "I'm gonna go get the baby strapped in. Meet me outside." Amber called from the entry way.
"Ok." I called back down. Jenny and I were arguing in the hall. "Please come with…" I begged.
"No…If I come with it will be in a third wheel capacity." She said sternly.
"I'm scared…" I whined.
"Of what?"
"What if I look like an idiot or say the wrong thing?"
"Alex…You'll be fine…You get going or you'll be late." Jenny said walking down the stairs. I took a deep breath and ran down the stairs. I got in the passenger seat of Amber's car and we were off. We pulled up to Memo but were about fifteen mintues early so we parked on the street across from the little restaurant.
/>
"So…" Amber started.
"What?" I asked.
"Are you sure you want to go to L.A.?"
"I won't be there forever…What's wrong with you guys?"
"Alex, are you sure you're not doing this to have a chance to get back at Jacob?"
"Oh…I get it now…Everyone thinks that I will go on tour with these guys and hop from bed to bed to make Jacob crazy." I was not shocked. "No…I'm going because I want to."
"Do you have a crush on Victor?"
"I dunno…No…Yes…What does that matter?"
"Alex you're like my baby sister and I don't want to see you lose yourself in this world of glitz and glamour. You could do so much…Oh my God, Is that Victor!" Amber said trailing off as a yellow Lamborghini convertible pulled up to the valet parking.
"Yep." I said as Victor got out of the driver's seat tossing the keys to the boy.
"I haven't seen him in almost 10 years…He's grown up…" Amber was staring as he walked to the door. I watched too, can't pass the chance to stare at a nice ass in the leather pants when it passes.
"Amber, I'll call if I need a ride." I started to get out of the car.
"Alex! No hotel room!" Amber snapped out of her trance.
"Whatever…" I said closing the door and headed across the street as Amber drove away.
The nerves did not kick back in till I had crossed the street and stepped into the quaint little restaurant. My eyes landed on him insantly, where he leaned against the wall. He stood wearing black leather pants that looked surprisingly chic with what looked like a round collared t-shirt and a black two button designer suit jacket, but by far the part of him that I could not take my eyes from even as I realized I was not breathing, were his bright green eyes. He pushed off the wall and walked over to me then flashed the most adorable and simultaneously the sexiest smile I'd ever seen.
"Are you and I on our own for lunch?" He asked.
"Yeah…Sorry…Joey is busy till dinner so we have some time to kill." I smiled back.
"Well that's great…" He then turned to the host, "Two instead of three Sam."
"Yes sir." The host gathered two thick menus and led us back to the covered back patio which sat in a private garden; the weather was perfect to sit outside in this beautifully romantic setting. Sam seated us, poured us some ice water, and informed us our waitress would be with us soon.
"I'm sorry by the way…Joey had a meeting for a new movie." I said placing my napkin on my lap.
"I don't mind…It will give us some time to become friends." He said and flashed that smile again.
"So…How long will this job take again?" I asked not sure what to talk about.
"The tour, if it goes as planned will take around eleven months. I have a much more interesting question for you." He laughed looking at the menu.
"Oh really…Can I ask a few more first?"
"Sure…Shoot!"
"You said something about getting close in one of the videos. How close?"
"Really close."
"Like the photo shoot?" I asked fighting the blush threatening to color my face.
"Much closer. Why does that bother you?" Victor asked seeming concerned.
"No it doesn't bother me," I smiled as I felt the blush burn my cheeks.
"Speaking of the photo shoot you told me not to mention it…Why?"
"I never told Joey or any of my family of those pictures and it would be a good idea to keep it that way as long as possible." I laughed and the waitress appeared before we could continue our talk of keeping secrets. She was the typical desperate cute blonde on the search for a husband who could buy her anything their heart desires, I've had plenty of experience with these women with my previous relationships. Naturally she flashed smiles, cleavage, and ass, anything to get Victor's attention and was extremely helpful and sweet but acted as if I did not exist. He ordered for us both and sent her on her way.
"So…I hate those." He finally spoke almost as if he was going to pretend the waitress hadn't treated me poorly.
"It's not the first time I've met those girls." I playfully rolled my eyes.
"Why do I get the feeling you're gonna get me in trouble?"
"I usually do." 'Oh my God' I thought as the words came out I was flirting.
"So…I found your website…" He smiled.
"Oh no!" I groaned, wonder when he found it. "What'd you find?"
"Nothing too horrible." He shrugged very nonchalant. "Basic info…Age, school, work, hobbies, but I was interested in something you had on there."
"What?"
"Witchcraft?" He asked almost like he was joking.
"Oh…well my mother was a very powerful earth witch. I do very little." I answered embarrassed.
"What kind of power do you have?"
"How do you know anything about it?"
"My Mom is a red witch. West Tower."
"Oh…I never really got any real power to be defined."
"Me neither." He smiled.
"There is no such thing as a male witch." I laughed.
"Oh…Anyway…" He looked around as if checking to see if anyone was near then changed the subject back to his first question. "So, why do you want to keep those pictures from your family?"
"My brother would not let me do this if he knew about them." I answered, "Hey if your mother was a witch, do you feel the energies?" I asked. I was intrigued. I'd never met the son of a witch it's not supposed to be possible, regardless of the fact that neither of us sitting at this table were a witch. For my own safety I play witch like my mother did and my grandmother before her. Victor still ignored the witch conversation.
"You're almost eighteen…and hello is he blind?" He avoided the questions like a pro.
"My brother likes to play blissfully unaware or ignorant I guess you could say." I laughed.
"What do I say if he asks about the job…Because truth be told the signature spread was G-rated compared to the stage show." Victor warned.
"He won't. I know Joe. He's a fan. He's seen you guys live, on TV, he knows what the job entails, he'll stay away from that subject," I answered and the food came seconds later. We ate and talked.
"So…How is everything with Lisa?" I asked awkwardly.
"As well as expected." He hedged. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No…" I scoffed. "Well Jake and I had a falling out…Um almost a year ago." I fumbled through the words.
"Oh…" He seemed at a loss for words but it only lasted a few moments before we were talking again and finished our meal calmly. We never returned to the conversation on magical origins.
We sat and talked so long in fact that we were interrupted by the arrival of Jenny, Lynn and Amber with the baby in tow. The girls walked up behind me, they were wondering where I was.
"Alex!" Amber smiled happily as they walked up behind me.
"Amber…" I was confused "Um…Amber, Lynn, and Jenny…Vic!" I introduced everyone politely.
"Amber? I know you." Victor seemed truly confused then his eyes widened with recognition and in that instant I knew he had not just met her at a party or a bar.
"Oh my God! Amber you never told me you slept with him." I blurted out.
"Alex! What? How?" Victor was amazed that at my blunt statement.
"Oh come on, I saw it in your face the instant you realized where you knew her from. But I'm surprised you remember her at all. It had to have been almost seven years ago and it must have been a one night stand." I laughed.
"Alex…Can I talk to you?" Amber said handing the car seat to Lynn.
"I'll just go pay the check." Victor slipped out of his chair and headed over to the bar.
"Okay…What's up?" I asked taking a deep breath.
"You can't tell Joey." Amber whispered.
"You didn't tell him?" I asked.
"No, just like you didn't tell him about these." Amber snarled pulling the magazine out of her purse and tossing it on the table.
"You told!" I snapped at Lynn.
> "No…she didn't I was walking through a Starbucks and saw it sitting on a table. So let's make a deal…you stay quiet and I'll stay quiet, but, answer me this…How far did it go? I want the truth." Amber continued.
"Nowhere…You're the only one here who has slept with him." I answered.
"Okay. Whew!" She blew out an exasperated breath.
"So what happened between you and Vic?" I whispered at her.
"Nothing … well yes, I slept with him but it was a drunken, one night thing years ago … a very young and stupid thing." She answered.
"Don`t worry I won`t say anything." I smiled at my sister in law.
"What were you planning on doing?" Amber asked.
"I don't know, why? What time is it?" I asked.
"Almost four o' clock." Jenny smiled devilishly as she answered. That's when Victor came back.
"Thank you for lunch…" I smiled at him.
"No problem…I've got a couple of things to do, you can come if you want."
"Um…I have to pack, Amber will you give me a ride?"
"Okay…Where are we…Um…?" Victor asked.
"Call me when you're ready and I'll give you directions to the house." I laughed.
"Alright see you later." He tossed my new favorite smile at me again, then spun on his heels and headed for the door. Just like before, all four of us women watched him walk away, mesmerized.
"Alex…you've been packed for hours." Jenny blabbed.
"Duh. I wanna go shopping." I smiled.
"So am I taking you home or shopping?" Amber asked confused.
"Just drop us off at the mall." I smiled.
"Okay."
Jenny and I walked through the mall but it all seemed strange. "Well sweetie I talked to Jake he promised to stay away tonight," She told me as we sat eating ice cream in the food court.
"Good," was all I could think to say.
"What's wrong?" Jenny asked.
"Um…I'm just worried I guess." I admitted.
"What about?" she asked.
"I um…What if…" I stammered.
"Wait let me guess; now that he is here you're afraid that you will find what you've been looking for." Jenny smiled.
"Jenny, I don't…" I started, "I know he is…Um taken and I don't want to get in the way of that…"
"But you're attracted to him." Jenny smiled at me, pulling me to my feet. "And more importantly you are still in love with Jacob but you're afraid of him too. What do you want?," She asked. I stopped walking and looked around, waiting for my courage to find me. My eyes settled on the store front right before me a window display full of colored lace and black and pink décor. "Alex?"