A/N: With Thanksgiving this week, I felt inspired to write a little Leddie story. This is a two part story and while I have the second part written it's not edited yet so it won't be posted until this weekend I am not completely happy with this but it's not the worst thing I have ever written so please read and review. And Happy Thanksgiving
PART I:
As a kid, obviously, my favorite holiday was Christmas. But slowly, as I grew from kid to a teenager and finally to adulthood, my favorite time of the year became Thanksgiving. Looking back now, it's easy to see the reason was because of my mom. No matter where she and my dad may have been on tour at the time, she always made sure we were home in our own house come turkey day.
I can still remember hearing her creep out of bed before the sun was even up to put the biggest bird she could find in the oven and get to work on all the side dishes. Katy Duran, rock star goddess of the 80's, made every single morsel of our thanksgiving feast with her own two hands. No store bought pies, potatoes from a box, or cranberries and gravy from a can.
We would always eat around lunch time and then spend the rest of the day picking away at the leftovers while we all, my mom, my dad and I, sat on the couch in our sweats watching various sporting events. My mom was always as big a sports fan as my dad and I were. It was times like this when I missed her most. This would be the fourth year without her. It was hard but somehow this year, the pain wasn't as tense as it always has been. I looked to my left towards the kitchen and smiled at the somehow, or rather someone. Nora Tate pulled a delicious smelling pecan pie from the oven and sat it on the counter to cool. She was the reason this year was easier.
My father had met the brunette beauty almost two years ago when she was working as the office manager at the medical clinic he went to. He was instantly attracted to Nora and she was instantly star struck by my father. Well, he was Rock Star Max Duran, so of course she was star struck. It didn't matter to Nora that my dad hadn't graced a stage or written a single lyric since my mom's tragic death, she was completely in awe of my dad. They quickly developed a friendship after Nora confessed to Papa Max that she was completely in love with him during her teenage years. My father was surprised by that, and totally flattered. It wasn't long into their friendship that they started dating and things quickly progressed from there. My dad and Nora are currently completely in love and living happily in Nora's Tarzana home.
"Are you sure I can't do something?" I asked Nora for the tenth time since I arrived at the house.
"Positive. I appreciate that you want to help, Eddie, but today is my day. I never let anyone help me. Just ask Loren. "
My eyes swung to the living room where Nora's daughter sat perched on the arm of the sofa laughing with her friends Phil and Melissa. Her dark brown hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun and she wore a pair of purple sweatpants with a matching t-shirt. Her bare feet dangled just above the hard wood floor and her toe nails were painted a pale pink color. Her face was free of makeup and it struck me for the millionth time since I've met her that she was one of those girls that didn't need a single drop of makeup to look beautiful. She just was. Plain and simple, Loren Tate was beautiful. The crazy part was that she didn't have a clue just how beautiful she was.
I made my way over to the living room and sat down on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Mel and Loren both smiled at me and Phil held his fist up for me to bump. "What's so funny over here?"
"Absolutely nothing. Have you met these two? They think butter melting is hysterical." Phil answered motioning between the two girls.
"Shut up, "Mel interjected pushing her brother's shoulder with her own. " You just don't want Eddie Duran to know that you are wearing boxers with turkeys on them."
I couldn't help myself, I laughed along with Mel and Loren. "Seriously, dude?"
Phil rolled his eyes, "fine, fine, make fun. But I bet you got some embarrassing underwear in your top drawer, rock star."
I shook my head, "nope, just your standard white and black boxers, man! "
"Ha! Eddie Duran wears boxers!" Mel exclaimed at the top of her lungs as she jumped up from the sofa and grabbed her phone off the coffee table next to me and disappeared out of the room and down the hall.
Loren looked at me with her wide brown eyes, "umm…she is totally tweeting that."
Phil chuckled, "and now I bet you get all kinds of funny underwear with your fan mail." Phil stood up and made his way towards the kitchen mumbling about sweet talking Nora out of a piece of turkey. Loren watched him go and shook her head.
"She isn't going to let him sweet talk her into anything except waiting for dinner. " She turned those chocolate orbs on me again. I never considered myself a man that was easily attracted to one part of a girl's body before. Judging by his girlfriend's appearance, I would say that Phil was a boob man and my friend Ian was been an ass man since he hit puberty, but I never really had a preference. Until I met Loren Tate, that is. But it wasn't the top or bottom of her body that made my pulse race every time I saw her, though both were exceptional. It was her eyes. I didn't really even know what it was about them, they just got to me. Now they were filled with sincerity as she placed one of her hands on mine. "Max told me that you and Chloe broke up. I'm sorry."
I knew that she meant her words but I also knew that Loren hated Chloe. I really couldn't blame her though. Since the second Max and Nora introduced Loren and I, about six months into their relationship, Chloe had been mean and hateful towards Loren. I never should have invited Chloe to come along to the special dinner that my dad and Nora planned for us. I was stupid back then, when I thought I was in love with Chloe. My ex spent every minute of the dinner insulting Loren's clothing, hair, makeup and every little thing she said. The dinner was a complete disaster. That was the night my eyes finally started to open about how Chloe really was; a manipulative bitch. "You never were very fond of her. "
"I tried to be nice. She made it difficult. "Loren's voice was soft as she spoke. " I wanted to get along with her for your sake."
"I know you aren't responsible for Chloe's bitchiness, Loren. I don't know what here problem was with you but I do apologize for the way she treated you. "
"I don't accept. It's not your job to apologize for someone else's behavior. You have never been anything but nice to me. "She pulled her hand back to rest on her lap but didn't take her eyes off me. " I am sorry if you are hurting, though."
I shook my head. "I'm not. I broke things off with her. "
"There's a lot of stuff in the tabloids. "
I smiled, "of course there is…but obviously none of it was true. I am not having an affair with Britney Spears or Taylor Swift and Chloe didn't run off with all my money. I broke up with Chloe because I wasn't happy with her anymore. We don't want the same things out of life anymore. "It was true. Not the whole truth but enough of it. I wasn't ready to tell Loren the main reason I broke off my two and a half year relationship with Chloe.
"And what is it that you want out of life Eddie?" Her voice was teasing and so was her smile. "Being a number one selling rock star isn't enough for you?"
"Nah, I need to rule the world." We laughed together. "I guess I want it all. Just like everyone else. "
Nora giggled from the kitchen and we both turned to see her standing at the stove with my dad's arms wrapped around her. Most people would probably be disgusted to see their parents demonstrating such displays of affection but Loren and I both smiled at them before meeting one another's eyes again. The look in her eyes mirrored my own, happiness for her mother and my father. "Do you know how grateful I am that your father is in my mom's life?"
"About as grateful as I am that your mother is in my dad's?"
"They really do love each other. I didn't think my mom would ever truly be happy again after my dad bailed, but Max has put a permanent smile on her face. I hope you know that my mom and I both know how much your dad loved your mom and we both respect it. "
It was me that reached out and touched her hand this time. I felt the shiver go down my back that always did whenever I touched Loren. If she felt it, just like every other time, she didn't let on. "Loren, I know that. I am happy that they found each other. My mom would be too. "
"I hope so."
"I know so. My mom was amazing. Pop and I both loved her more than anything and as much as I miss her, I can see that my dad is happier than he's ever been. Your mom is amazing."
Loren's face lite up with her smile, "She is pretty amazing. "
"So are you. " The blush that crept on to her cheeks at my compliment was radiant. I loved that I could do that to her.
Mel chose that moment to bounce back into the living room with Phil behind her. "Phil has decided that we need to do something productive until dinner. He's bored"
Loren smiled, "How about a game of football."
"Oh no! Nope. Not happening. "Phil shook his head vigorously. " You two don't play fair. We can't tackle you because you might break a nail or something but the last time I played with you two Loren tackled me and tried to kill me. "
"I did not, you big cry baby. I accidently punched you in the stomach." She gave him an innocent smile but only for a second before she cracked up. "I promise, I will be nice and keep my hands to myself. You can even tackle us this year. Besides that was Aid's rule, not mine. I can handle whatever you got Sanders! "She jumped up and smiled at me, "you in, rock star?"
"Yep. Let's do it!" I stood up as well and Phil groaned. Loren grabbed her worn out tennis shoes from underneath the coffee table and slide them on her feet. Mel removed her high heeled boots and declared she would have to play barefoot because "Lo has abnormally small feet and I can't fit in any of her dainty shoes." Of course that comment earned her a hit in the face with a throw pillow from the sofa.
As we passed through the kitchen to the back door, Loren told Nora and my dad that we would be outside and Nora told us "kids" to have fun.
"Mom, Mel and I are sophomores in college, Phil has a fulltime job and Eddie is a freaking rock star. When do we stop being kids?"
Nora laughed and said "Never".
I walked beside Loren to the back yard. My hand brushed hers a least twice on the short walk and it took every bit of will power I possess to keep from taking her hand in mind and lacing our fingers together. Phil walked into the small shed and grabbed a traditional brown football.
"Boys against girls?" Phil asked and Mel and Loren nodded. I didn't think that seemed fair at first but I was wrong. Thirty minutes into the game, Phil and I both had our shirts off and were pouring sweat as Mel scored a second goal. These two girls could be professional football players. Phil called a time out as he and I collapsed on the wooden bench of the picnic table.
"You could have mentioned that they could be in the damn NFL, man"
Phil held up his hands in defense, "I didn't want to play in the first place. They weren't this good last year. Well maybe they were. I just didn't notice because Adrianna was parading around in a killer pair of jeans. "
I looked across the yard to where Loren and Mel were talking quietly. The wind was blowing slightly and a loose strand of Loren's hair kept blowing in her face. My fingers ached to tuck the wayward lock behind her ears.
'How long have you been into, LO?" My eyes snapped from Loren to Phil who wore a knowing smile. "Don't even try to deny it, dude. I see the way you look at her. "I didn't deny it. What was the point? "I get it. Loren is amazing. Smart, beautiful, kind. Hell, I spent my whole junior year of high school dreaming about her."
I was definitely surprised by his little confession. As long as I have known Phil, he's been completely in love with his girlfriend. "You had a thing for Loren.?"
He nodded once and looked over at Loren and Melissa. "I have known her since they were in kindergarten….was pretty much into her way back then. That's the reason Adrianna doesn't get along with her. Everyone but Loren knew that I had a crush on her. Even Aid.. Eventually I realized that she wasn't ever going to see me as anything other than Mel's big brother. I starting dating Adrianna and Loren stopped being the girl I wanted and started being just my friend. Loren still doesn't know how I felt. "
I looked over at the girls again; they were still lost in conversation. "She has no idea how special she is. Or how much she has changed my life. "
"What do you mean?"
"I haven't stopped thinking about her since I met her a year and a half ago. I can't even explain why. She just got to me right away. It didn't even matter that I was supposed to love Chloe. All I can think about it Loren. The way she looks. The way her entire face lights up when she laughs. "
Phil chuckled, "What are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing."
"You can't be serious. Eddie, tell her how you feel. Ask her out. Kiss her. Do something."
I sighed," I don't want to mess up with her. "
"Who says you will? "
"I am not just some regular guy, Phil. I have a crazy life. I am on tour seven to nine months of the year. I have the media on my ass every time I walk out my door. …."
"And Loren is a college student with a double class load and a part time job. Not to mention she is best friends with my sister which is basically a full time job on its own. She can handle it."
I shrugged my shoulders, "I've never been so unsure about someone before. "
"What exactly are you unsure about?"
"I can usually tell when a girl wants to be with me. I can't read Loren like that." And it drove me completely crazy. I had no indication what so ever as to wear I stood with here. I wasn't a fan of not knowing.
Phil rolled his eyes, "She is as crazy about you as every other woman in America, dude. "
"I know that she's a fan. We've talked about that before. "
"Seriously, Duran. Ask her out. I promise you, she will say yes. "Before I could respond Melissa and Loren made their way over to us. Loren flopped down in the spot beside me and Mel waved her phone at Phil.
"Mom just texted and wants us to call her. Something about Gran. Lo, said we could use her room. "Phil nodded and followed her into the house.
"Is everything ok?"
"Yeah, my guess is that it's not even anything important. Lisa probably just needed an excuse to check on them. "Loren rolled her eyes and positioned herself so she was sideways on the bench and folded her legs Indian style. I turned so that I was facing her. "So I have a favor. You can say no if you want but I promised to ask. "
"Ok."
"My dorm is sponsoring a toy drive for Christmas and we thought if we could get a couple of celebrities to help out, we would have a better turn out. The toys we are collecting are for children whose parents are in the military and may not make it home for Christmas. It's a great cause. We did okay last year but if you would be willing to help out, I know we could do better. "She was actually afraid I would say no. I could tell by the nervous look in those brown eyes of hers. I never said no when I was asked to do something for charity and I certainly couldn't imagine ever saying no to anything Loren Tate asked of me.
"Of course I will." I wasn't expecting the child like squeal that erupted from her. And I certainly wasn't expecting it when she through her arms around me for a hug. I hugged back of course. I wasn't a moron, after all. I pulled her tight against me even though I probably shouldn't have. But she didn't resist it. I heard her whisper a soft "thank you so much" and I muttered that she was welcome. But neither of us pulled back from the hug for another minute or so. The feeling of her in my arms was beyond anything I ever felt before.
I felt her start to loosen her hold on me and I did the same. We pulled back at the same time and our eyes met. That stray strand of hair blew in her face and she reached up to push it out of the way at the same time I did. Our hands met just beside her lips and I heard her sharp intake of breath at the same time that ever present chill made its way down my spine. I let my eyes unlock from hers and dart down to her parted lips and back up. I inched slightly closer, my hand still holding hers, and I tucked her hair behind her ear. I let my hand linger there for a second before I released her hand and let my fingers trickled down to her neck. I felt the shiver that went through her body and it made me shiver. "Loren, I really….."
"Lo¸ I need you to set the table! " Nora's voice, as she yelled out the open kitchen window, cut through our moment and I dropped my hand. For a second I thought I saw regret flash in Loren's eyes as she stood up and made her way across the patio and disappeared through the front door.
