Something more Chapter 20

He walked to where they were dancing. He looked at Loren. "May I have this dance?"

"Sure." Loren replied unsure and Rick stepped aside and turned to Loren. "I'll be waiting for another turn."

"They're serving dessert Rick, we'll be there shortly." Eddie responded befre Loren could say another word. He walked back to the table. Eddie looked at Loren. His heart was racing, he was upset, and tried to hide it. "Looks like you're very popular tonight?" He pulled Loren real close to him as they danced.

"How so? Rick is the only one I've danced with so far."

Eddie let out a cynical laugh. "I noticed, almost 4 dances, aren't you tired yet?"

"No, we were having a lovely conversation."

"I could tell, you seemed to be enjoying yourself."

"Did you ask me to dance or are we going to do questions and answers?"

"I'm not arguing, I'm just saying you win one Grammy and suddenly you're on the dance floor non-stop."

"Oh is it a crime? Is there a law after winning a Grammy I should follow? If so, do tell!"

"Oh I'm sure." Eddie muttered.

Mel and Ian were still dancing; Mel hung from Ian's neck. "Have you noticed Lo and Eddie seem to be arguing?"

"I really don't care; if he likes her he should say it and stop all of this crap."

Mel laughed. "You're kidding right? He has a weird way of showing it, That Rick guy is gorgeous; love his blue eyes, and that wavy blonde hair."

"Hey I'm standing right here." Ian scolded.

"Aww are you jealous? You know you're my favorite guy."

"You're practically drooling over Blondie."

"Oh come on Ian, who is Rick? How does he know Eddie?"

"They met when they were kids and then auditioned for a part on a play, Rick got the part and now theatre is all he does."

"I don't remember seeing him; then again, I hardly see or follow theatre."

"He's really good, he's won several Tony Awards, he's made a career of the theatre, and he played the phantom a few years ago."

"Really, I would love to see him fall for Loren."

"Hey I thought we were on the same team?"

She laughed rolling her eyes. "Eddie is taking too long, by the time he makes up his mind, Loren will be taken, first that looney Jason, then Danny and now Rick James."

"Don't let Eddie hear you."

The music stopped. Mel grabbed Ian's arm walking back to the table. "Hummm I'll tell him myself if I have too."

Loren sat and Rick immediately sat next to her. "So have you ever thought of a career in theatre?"

"No never."

"You have an amazing voice; I know you would be successful."

Eddie rolled his eyes and interrupted. "She's a pop star, she's not theatre material."

"I think she would be amazing, I think the phantom of the opera might return you could audition Loren."

"I don't know Rick."

Max and Katy sat hearing the conversation and looked at each other as Eddie sat tapping his fingers on the glass he held. Nora was a few steps away talking to one of the Max's friend. Jake and Kelly were a few tables away.

Mel couldn't help it, she had to ask. "So Rick, what play are you doing right now?"

"We're about to finish Good Ole Ginny."

"I heard about it, I bet it's a lot of fun to do theatre."

"It's too much fun, I enjoy it."

"I'd love to see one; your voice must be amazing?"

He smiled, he felt confident. "I'm not bragging but I am, I think Loren could do theatre, her voice is beautiful."

He turned and noticed Loren talking to Katy and Max. He could tell Eddie wasn't happy. So he turned to Mel once more. "So you Loren's friend?"

"I'm her best friend, nice to meet you, you can call me Mel."

"Nice to meet you Mel."

Rick smiled and he had to know, he couldn't help it. "So is Loren seeing anyone?"

Ian was taking a drink and stopped almost spilling it as he looked to see what Mel would say. "No, she's free as a bird." Mel leaned on her hands and smirked. "Why you interested?"

Rick laughed. "Am I that obvious?"

"Well since we got here you haven't left her side, can't say I blame you."

Rick let out a quiet sigh; Mel knew he was up to something. "Ok I guess I can ask for a number."

"Go for it!" Mel smiled moving her eye brows up and down. Max stood up and asked Loren to dance, she agreed and held his hand as they walked out to the dance floor. Ian turned to Mel and whispered. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, he likes Loren, what's wrong with that?"

Ian shook his head and finished his drink. Katy finally had enough; she looked at Eddie who sat there with the worst look on his face. "Ok what's with you tonight, you're going to give the gossip magazines a lot to talk about!"

"Why?" Eddie furrowed his eye brows as he turned towards his mom. "They're going to assume you're still hurting for Chloe!"

"All of their attention is on Loren tonight, and the fact that Rick James is all over her might make the headlines!"

Katy giggled. "Oh so that's it, I've told your dad someone is going to snatch her away from you, keep acting like you don't care, you'll see where that leaves you."

Eddie grabbed the glass on the table and rolled it with his fingers. "I don't know what you mean?"

"Oh come on, you know you're into Loren, you're not very good at hiding it."

"I think she's amazing, beautiful, that's it."

Katy held Eddie's hand. "So what are you afraid off?"

"Nothing! I don't know what you mean?"

Katy shook her head in disbelief. "You know what? I hope Rick or Danny or whoever comes along will show Loren how special she is, she deserves that and more, I hate to tell you but you're going to regret what you're doing."

Katy got up and walked towards Max. "Loren may I steal my husband from you?"

She smiled. "Of course." She looked at Max. "Thank you for the dance." There was sadness in Loren's eyes.

"You're welcome." Before Loren could even take a step, Rick was right there. "Can we take a walk?"

Loren pulled her hair to the side. She stood looking at Rick and smiled. "Sure." He offered his hand and they walked towards the terrace. A photographer stopped them. "Rick any comments?"

He smiled. "Enjoying the evening celebrating Loren Tate first win tonight at the Grammy's."

Several shots were taken of the two holding hands. Loren felt her heart stop, from the corner of her eye she could see Eddie looking their way, this wasn't want she wanted, and she could tell he wasn't happy.

Eddie walked to the bar, Ian caught up to him. "Mate you're gonna let that dude win?"

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, you've been sulking all evening."

"Nah I'm fine." Ian shook his head. "Then why do you keep looking over there?"

"I can't believe Rick and I were friends, look at him!"

"Wasn't Loren your date this evening?"

"Yeah I guess we were, she's not obligated to stay with me."

"You don't seem to care, do you?"

Eddie didn't say a word, taking a sip from his drink. "You had a bit too much to drink in Vegas and you kissed her and told her you loved her, be careful how much you drink tonight mate, who knows what you might do?"

Eddie looked at Ian, he was quiet, not saying a word, focused only on Loren with Rick, the night came to an end at 2 a.m. and Loren was heading to where the Limo's waited with Katy and Max with Eddie trailing behind. Mel and Ian had already left.

Rick drove by and stopped by Loren. "I can drive you home Loren?"

"No thank you, I came with Eddie and his parents, I'll go with them."

He smiled winking at Loren. "I'll see you soon." He drove off. Katy smiled and hugged Loren. "You made a huge impression on him."

"He's very sweet."

"I think he liked what he saw Loren."

Loren blushed. She hugged her Grammy. "It was an amazing night Katy I'm so proud of this award, thank you for your help."

"You're welcome, but it's what you earned for working so hard it such a short time and getting where you're at right now."

"It's was an unforgettable night." The limo driver stepped out and opened the door; a car came to a sudden stop. "Eddie guess who?"

Leah stuck her head out of the car window and there was another redhead in the car. Eddie smiled. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Saw the Grammy's tonight, congrats on your win."

Eddie leaned in towards Leah. "Thank you." He kissed her. "So where are we off tonight?"

Loren looked towards Katy, her eyes said it all, Eddie didn't care, he never would care. She got into the limo followed by Katy and Max, Eddie got into the car with Leah and her friend and they drove off.

The following day around noon Loren arrived to see Kelly and Jake. "Loren close your eyes."

She did, Kelly held her hand and walked her to the side of the office where the huge picture window was. "Ok open them."

Loren's eyes widen when she saw the room filled with a variety of Roses. "For me?"

Kelly smiled. "You made a huge impression on Rick James, he send the majority, the label send some."

Loren smiled. "These are from Rick?"

"Yes, they've been arriving since 8 this morning."

"They're beautiful. I'm going to need help taking them home."

Jake smiled. "I'll get them to your place Loren; we need to review your concert for Hawaii."

"Hawaii?"

"The label wants you there, a new music lounge is opening up, they want you there for the weekend, and you'll sign CD's for your fans and do a show each night there."

"Sounds great."

"Let's get this paper work signed. " Loren sat and did as told. The twins came down with the nanny, they were off to the park but heard Loren and came in to say hello. Loren smiled as she saw them run towards her.

"Hey guys, I miss you both so much."

"We miss you too Loren."

She kneeled to their eye level and hugged them. After they left Loren turned to Kelly. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes, Kelly and Michael called, they want you on the show, and The View is also interested."

"Wow this is really happening?"

"Yes and there's a free give away for your fans. Sign these too Loren."

"Wow I'm nonstop today."

"Loren you won a Grammy, which means you're going to be performing a lot more, the label wants you to start doing some tours with your album, we'll get that going soon, there's no looking back."

Loren sighed. "Don't I know it!? I'm ready Kelly."

"Katy wasn't kidding when she said you were going to be huge."

"I can see ."

"You must be so excited and happy?"

Deep down Loren knew how she felt, she felt crushed, last night hurt so much, watching Eddie drive away with those two girls like nothing mattered, she was convinced he would never love her like she loved him, she had to move on, Eddie was determined not to trust anyone or love anyone, he was damaged goods, she should thank Chloe for that.

She was signing the pictures for Kelly, many fans would win these. It was noon when she was finally done with all of the tedious little things Kelly had her doing.

"Loren, they're delivering a new wardrobe for your Hawaiian tour."

"New clothes?"

"Chris Blaine is interested in designing some gowns and accessories for your future shows or concerts, you have to look the part, and the fans will keep watching you for the latest trends."

Loren sighed. "I didn't even think that would matter."

"Now you know, here take this book, its different styles for your hair, I've selected two make –up artist to travel with you and a stylist."

"Suddenly I feel tired, what else should I expect?"

"Oh we're looking into tour buses, Jake will select several for you to look at and pick one."

"Ok." Loren walked towards the window. "Anything else Kelly?"

"Is there a silver car outside?"

Loren furrowed her look towards Kelly. "There are a lot of cars outside."

"They're delivering Lexus for you."

"What? I get a car too?"

"Yes go and check it out."

Loren smiled taking the elevator down to the ground floor. She walked over to where her new car was parked.

"Hey beautiful." She turned to find Rick standing next to her. "Thank you for the Roses, they're beautiful."

"You can't imagine that impact you had on my life."

Loren looked at him in awe. She was touched by his words. "Rick that's very sweet."

He made eye contact with her. Loren tried looking away but he leaned in placing his hands on her shoulder and brought her closer to him and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Eddie was arriving at that very moment and stood there lifeless.

Now what? Has Eddie lost Loren? R & R guys! Be patient! I don't know when this story will end, so many ideas flowing through, hope it's ok!