Chapter 21 – Hamptons Kind of Weekend
The car ride home was quiet, Naya seemed exhausted from the rainy weather but she had promised to bring Heather back when it was nice out. Meanwhile Heather couldn't help but think about the picture she had found on the mantle. It was now permanently engrained in her brain, the way Naya's hair flowed down her shoulders and how happy she looked but mostly the fact that the apartment she was in looked eerily similar to the one she was now living in.
Heather was pretty sure that when Naya started singing softly with the radio she thought Heather was asleep. She opened her eyes and watched as Naya sang softly, wondering what it was that was going on with that picture. The only thing she was certain of was that she was going to get to the bottom of it.
"Hey you're awake." Naya said as she looked over at the blonde sitting next to her.
"Mhmm." She answered. Busted. She thought to herself as she stretched out a little bit.
"Good because we're almost home." Heather nodded, apparently she was more tired than she had thought. All she wanted to do was ask Naya about the picture but she had no idea how to bring it up or what she would do with any information she got from asking.
Heather found herself sitting on her coach looking out the window in her apartment after Naya had dropped her off. She stood up and paced back and forth, going from the couch to the window and back again. "What is she hiding?" She looked down and asked Zach who looked up at her as if she should know he wasn't going to answer. "She's just so damn guarded." Zach continued to look up at her before letting out a soft meow and walking away. "Take it you still blame me, thanks for all the help." She leaned her forearm against the window before leaning her forehead on it. "Guess you're right though I did hurt her pretty bad, except I still don't know why it hurt that bad, hopefully time will tell."
A few days later Naya walked into the coffee shop by her house and ordered her normal. When she got her coffee she scanned the crowd as she put the lid on her cup. After not seeing who see was looking for she turned to leave, she was looking forward to a nice walk through the park after a long day of work. She figured a walk would do her body and her mind some good. She was so focused on her own thoughts that she didn't realize the person she had been looking for had been standing inline behind her.
"Hey." Heather stopped as she realized who had just walked by her no response. "Hey." She said a little louder with no luck. Grabbing a lid she quickly ran out of the building and down the street after her friend. "Hey." She said once again, this time nudging Naya's arm.
Naya pulled the headphones out of her ears and smiled as she stopped walking and turned to face Heather. "Hi."
"Take it you didn't find what you were looking for in there." Heather said as she nodded her head in the direction of the café.
"Actually, I just did." Naya smiled and Heather was pretty sure her heart was going to beat out of her chest. It was moments like these, warm summer nights with a buzz in the air that made her realize that the little things in life were what really mattered at the end of the day. Regardless of what Naya was hiding or not telling her, simply seeing the girl smile made her happy.
"Really?" Heather asked taking a sip of her coffee.
Naya nodded and kept walking. "Walk with me." It wasn't a question but a gentle statement that made Heather's legs start to move again without her really telling them too.
They fell into a silent walk, both sipping on their coffees and taking in the nice weather. All the trees had now fully bloomed and it made the park look more beautiful than Heather remembered it being the last time she had seen it like this, when they filmed Glee there so many years before. "What are you doing for the fourth? Going home to spend time with your family?" Naya asked as they continued their slow peaceful pace.
Heather shook her head. "No, I think I'm just going to stay home, work on the script a little bit, start to plan things out a little more. How about you? How's work and everything?"
"Officially wrap the season tomorrow so then I have time off to record, fingers crossed, and I have a small role in a new movie but its nothing to strenuous. As for the fourth the girls and I have a tradition, we rent a house in the Hamptons and party as if we were still in high school."
"Oh really?" Naya nodded with a mischievous grin on her face. "Who all is going?"
"Right now, me, Lea, Di, and Blake. Usually the boys come too but with James is still in L.A. and Tyler wasn't really into coming since he's so nervous around Di. We figured we'd make it a girls weekend, there's always nice things to look at up there anyways." Naya stopped and looked around before looking at Heather. "You should come, if you want to that it is. We'd all love to have you up there, you can't spend the fourth alone. There's fireworks, boat rides and alcohol. Not always in that order though but it is nice to get away." Heather laughed slightly as they reached the fork in path. "What?"
"It's cute when you ramble, let me see what I can do with my schedule, you sort of had me at fireworks."
Naya giggled and Heather was barely able to contain herself and not pull the girl into a hug. She had really missed the cute, fun, loveable, dorky Naya that she had grown to love when they had first met. "Awesome, just call and let me know and have a safe walk home."
"You too." They both smiled at one another before going their separate ways.
Naya's House – Three Days Later
Heather walked up to Naya's door and rang the doorbell while managing to juggle to cups on coffee in her other hand. She waited a few minutes before ringing the door bell again with no answer. She probably should have called Naya before she stopped by but she figured she was close so she might as well have stopped by.
"Hey Hemo, take it your looking for Nay." She turned around and smiled at Dianna who was walking out of her door.
Heather laughed sheepishly. "Busted."
"Yeah, you are because you never visit me with coffee." Heather shrugged. "Well come on, I'll take you to her."
"Where is she?" Heather asked as she walked down the steps to meet Dianna on the sidewalk.
Dianna pulled her sunglasses down from where they were perched on top of her head. "In the studio recording." Heather stopped walking and it took a few steps for Dianna to notice. "What?"
"I don't want to bother her if she's working."
"Trust me it's fine, plus its cool to watch. You know what being in a studio is like or have you forgotten."
"I just don't want to impose is all, I know her music is personal."
Dianna shook her head and kept walking causing Heather to have to jog slightly to catch back up with her. "Plus we need to discuss car arrangements and such for tomorrow."
"Fine but if she gives me that look, I'm leaving."
"Deal." Dianna nodded as if that was what made their conversation final.
Studio
When Heather and Dianna walked into the building Heather couldn't help but try and take it everything about the place. It was small but comfortable, something she figured was important when people were recording and pouring their hearts into their music.
"This way." Dianna ushered her into a room and soon as she walked in she couldn't help but notice Naya standing in the booth.
"Try that one again Nay, from the top I think you almost had it that time."
Heather and Dianna sat down on the couch as quietly as they could so that they didn't disturb anyone.
"Out of all of the places, in this little town, yeah you had to come walking in here and sit down. I'm hiding and hoping my face ain't to red, since we've been over been trying like crazy to get you out of my head. Sooo. Why you wanna show up in a old t-shirt that I love, why you gotta tell me that I'm looking good. Don't know what you were doing thinking you were doing moving in for a hug like you don't know I'm coming unglued, why you gotta, why you wanna make me keep wanting you."
Heather was blown away by how amazing Naya sounded. She had always sounded amazing but something about her was different. Sure she had heard her sing around the house and at karaoke but to hear her now, in her element was something special. As she watched Naya continue to sing all she could think about was that she had missed the opportunity so many years ago to hear and experience this side of Naya.
Naya took off the headphones she was wearing and set them down before stepping out of the booth. "Hey guys, I didn't see you come in." She said as she walked towards where Dianna and Heather were sitting on the couch. "This is a nice surprise." She said as she looked at Heather who handed her the coffee she had been holding. "Have I told you lately that you're my favourite?"
"I'm sitting right here you know?" Dianna stated throwing her arms up in the air.
"You didn't bring me coffee but since you're here, do me a favour and get in the booth?" Naya smiled as cheesy as she could.
"Why?"
Naya continued to smile as Dianna got up. "I have an idea, there is a reason why I asked you to come down here."
"I thought it was because you loved my company?" Naya shook her head as Dianna stepped into the booth. Naya leaned down and gave Heather a small hug before moving over to the sound board. She pushed a small button that allowed Dianna to hear her. "Listen to the chorus and do that thing you were doing the other day, with the background vocals."
Dianna looked puzzled for a moment as she tried to recall what she had done. "Oh that, okay got it."
As Naya led Dianna through what she wanted her to Heather sat back in her chair and observed her friends at work. It was a process she had always wanted to know more about and getting to watch Naya do something she loved so much was amazing. It wasn't until Naya got back in the booth and started laying down more vocals that Heather started listening to the words. She didn't want to assume that they were about her but she couldn't help but dream. She was so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn't heard Dianna sit back down next to her.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Heather shook her head. "Hmm? Oh, it's nothing just enjoying the music is all." Dianna smirked and nodded and Heather was pretty sure that Dianna knew exactly what she was thinking about. She definitely had to learn to be more of a ninja with her feelings.
"She's awesome isn't she?" The producer turned around and asked them. Both girls nodded as Naya came out of the booth to listen to what they had just done.
A half hour later Dianna stood up and hugged Naya. "I need to get out of here and get some work done myself before we leave in the morning."
"Woah, hold up. Morning?" Dianna nodded.
"Yeah why?"
Naya shook her head and started to rub her temple for a second. "I want to lay some stuff down in the morning while I'm on a roll. You guys head up there without me and I'll meet you there tomorrow night for dinner. I can probably get Blake to go up with me." Dianna shook her and kept a straight face even though she was grinning from ear to ear on the inside. Her and Lea figured Naya would say that and arranged for Blake to head up with them.
"Sorry doll, she's headed up with us, you know she hates driving."
"I can go with you tomorrow night if you want." Naya turned her attention towards Heather who she had forgotten was in the studio. It was weird to be recording the song she was with its inspiration sitting right in front of her.
"Are you sure?"
Heather nodded. "Absolutely, I have a few things to do anyways so it'd make my life a lot easier."
"Perfect, I'll pick you up around 4 then? That way we can hopefully get out of here before the big traffic hits."
Heather's Apartment – Later That Night
The whole week Heather had been trying to figure out Naya's last address but had come up with nothing. She figured if she asked her straight up the girl would come up with something, she was a master deflector and knew exactly how to answer a question without really answering it.
Instead she did the only thing she could think of at the time. She called her real estate agent to see if he could email her a copy of the ownership papers. She figured that whoever had owned the place before must have signed it and if it was a sublet then she at least had a place to start. For now she was happy to be going on a mini vacation with some of her best friends.
"Hey we're here." Naya said as she walked through the double doors of the house. Heather was still standing outside looking at the size of the place. "Get in here." She coaxed as Heather finally stepped foot in the large home.
As they set their bags down by the front door and walked into the kitchen they saw their friends sitting outside on the patio. Walking outside Naya couldn't help but laugh. "Starting early I see." She joked.
"It's our vacation, we're allowed." Dianna said as she down the rest of her white wine.
"If you say so." Naya laughed. "Before we get started which rooms are ours."
Naya watched as Lea's face changed in a way she knew wasn't good. "Actually that would be which room."
"There's five rooms in this place, and there are five of us."
Lea shook her head. "Nope there are six of us, look who showed up."
"Hey guys." Amber said as she came out from inside. "Sorry I kind of took the other room on you."
Heather engulfed her in a hug. "That's alright I can take the couch. There are clearly more than enough."
Naya shook her head as she hugged Amber. "We can share, wouldn't be the first time, sleeping on a couch is no way to spend your vacation. Or I can sleep with Blake."
Blake laughed. "No way honey Ryan takes up most of the bed so I am going to relish sleeping by myself."
"We can share, but I really don't mind the couch."
Lea shook her head and smiled. "It's settled. You have your bedroom from last year Nay, I at least got you that much."
The night hadn't gone exactly like Heather had hoped. They had all ended up at a party down the street hosted by some rich socialites. She watched as her friends mingled and drank not really understanding why they had to be there. It was then that she realized she might not fit in with the world her friends now lived in. She also watched as Naya hugged guy after guy with Blake on her arm. In her heart she knew she had absolutely no right to be jealous but something about it didn't sit well in the pit of her stomach.
By the time they gotten home everyone said goodnight and made their way to bed, including Naya. Without saying too much Heather told her that she'd be back after her shower to which Naya just nodded. Except by the time Heather got back Naya was no where to be found. Looking at the clock she noticed that she had been in the shower for 45 minutes. She walked downstairs and made her way into the kitchen where she found Naya standing over the stove in shorts and a baggy hoodie and Blake sitting at the island laughing. As she got a little closer to could hear Naya make a weird British accent and she figured she was imitating someone. She hadn't said a word or made a sound but like always Naya seemed to know she was in the room without even turning to look at her.
"Sit down Morris, I know you love my grilled cheese."
"That's what she said." Blake joked as Heather sat down next to her.
Naya laughed. "That was not a good one but way to make grilled cheese dirty."
"I do what I can but I am headed to bed, I'll see you both in the morning for breakfast."
"Goodnight." Both girls said as Naya flipped the grilled cheese over.
Checking to make sure it was done she put it on a plate and turned around. "I was wondering when you were going to make your way down here." She set the plate down in front of Heather and moved around to the other side of the island.
Heather smiled and took a bite of the grilled cheese. She had forgotten how good Naya's late night grilled cheese was, especially after a night of drinking. "So good." It had always been tradition that after a night of drinking Naya always made grilled cheese, unless she passed out on the couch first.
"I know."
The next night turned out to be a lot different since everyone had decided that they'd all stay in and enjoy each other's company. Somehow one thing had led to another and that thing led to the bottle of tequila and vodka being brought out.
It started out simple, loud music blasting through the stereo, drinks flowing and a small dance party. Along the way they had all found themselves to quite intoxicated. The alcohol only served as fuel in the flame that was Heather's jealousy. It didn't seem to matter if Naya was dancing with Blake, Dianna, Lea or Amber, she was jealous and that just wasn't like her. She figured it was because as close as they had gotten they weren't as close as they used to be and the more time they spent dancing around each other, no pun intended, the more she wondered if they'd ever get back there.
Sure enough, as if she had spoken the words out loud, fate had seemed to read her mind. Or maybe it was a fortunate accident but later that night things seemed to take a turn in the right direction. With the vodka and wine gone, everyone found themselves feeling really good.
"Strip poker time!" Lea yelled from her spot on the couch as she tried to stand up.
Poker didn't last long as no one was sober enough really pay attention to the cards in their hands. They had decided to dive back into their youth and play a game of shots while watching episodes of Golden Girls, and every time Betty Whites character said something silly they had to take a shot.
One thing led to another and that led to Blake suggesting body shots. Amber had laughed it off and gone to bed but the other five decided that it was a good idea. After Dianna and Blake tried, Lea and Dianna but neither team was very good at it. "Would you too like to join us or are you going to continue living in your own little world?" Dianna joked as she looked over and Naya and Heather lying on the couch flipping through channels.
"Why you guys don't know how to do those properly anyways." Naya laughed as she stood up from the couch. "I guess it's about time that we taught them a lesson, what do you say Hemo?" The minute the words left Naya's mouth Heather felt her whole body start to tingle and she was pretty certain that it wasn't from the alcohol.
"I say you should get me that bottle of tequila then and the salt."
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the heya show." Dianna announced causing the other girls to laugh. "For those of you who don't remember what that is, it's these two clowns seemingly functioning at the exact same wave length, which means they know how to take shots off each other." Blake bit her lip, trying not to bust out laughing since she knew that this was exactly what she had had in mind when suggested body shots.
Naya laid down, lifted her shirt a little, just enough to expose her perfectly sculpted abs before she sprinkled the salt over her stomach. Heather poured the tequila into the shot glass as Naya put the lime between her lips.
"Sure you're ready for this?" Heather asked with a grin on her face. Naya smiled a little in return and gave a slight head nod. That was all Heather needed to lean down and slowly lick the salt off Naya's stomach before taking the shot of tequila as Naya sat up. Once Heather placed the shot glass down on the living room table she leaned forward and took the lime out of Naya's mouth. Their lips barely grazed and Heather was having a hard time stopping with just the lime. Before she could make her move Naya leaned her head back and laughed.
"That's how you do a body shot, we'll save the advance classes for later." She continued to laugh as she stood up. Heather was still kneeling down, her lips tingling from the other lips they had just come into contact with.
An hour later they found themselves getting ready for bed. They both stood in the bathroom brushing their teeth making funny faces at one another in the mirror. Five minutes after that they were lying in bed curled up in the blankets. "What are you thinking about Heather, I can hear your heart beating out of your chest."
"Honestly?"
"Mhmm."
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable downstairs when we did that body shot."
Naya laughed a little and looked up and Heather through the darkness. "Don't be sorry you didn't do anything wrong, it's just if I ever get a first time to kiss you I want to be sober when I do it."
Heather wasn't entirely sure what to say so instead she stayed silent for a long time. She wasn't sure if she had fallen asleep at some point or if Naya had really said that, but either way it felt pretty good. "That sounds like a good plan to me." She finally said.
When she didn't get a response she turned on her side and smiled as she looked at Naya's calm, serene face. Alcohol always did wear her out.
The next morning Heather woke up to find everyone in the kitchen but Blake and Naya. There were a stack of pancakes waiting for her on the table but she could tell that Lea had made them because there were no chocolate chips ones. She spent some time talking to Amber and Lea as Dianna finished reading the paper.
"We're headed into town to get see if we can get some firewood so that we can have a fire after we come back tonight after the fireworks, you want to come?" Lea asked as her and Amber stood up.
"No I think I'm going to stay here and enjoy my morning, thanks though." She smiled as she continued to eat her pancakes. Once they were gone Dianna walked towards her with a freshly made cup of coffee.
"Let's go sit on the deck shall we?" Heather nodded as she stood up and followed the other blonde outside. It was then that Heather saw Naya sitting out on the beach with a notebook and Blake sitting with her. "What's got you acting all jealous?"
"Nothing, what makes you ask that?"
Dianna shook her head with a smile. "They're just friends like we've all told you but what I want to know is why that seems to bother you."
"You already know so why are we having this conversation."
"Because I want you to tell me what's bothering you about it and why you haven't gone for it yet."
Heather sipped on her coffee as she watched Blake walk back towards them. "I don't know if I fit into her world anymore. Look at the other night, I don't fit in with the rich and famous."
"All I'm going to say to you is that she's still Naya, the girl we've all loved from day one before the big houses, movies and record deals."
"She can't fall for you if you aren't there too catch her." Blake said as she walked up the steps. "Give her a few minutes then go talk to her." She winked before walking inside.
"I knew I always liked her for a reason." Dianna exclaimed as she followed Blake inside after tapping Heather on the butt.
A few minutes later Heather found the courage to walk over and sit next down next to Naya. "What you up too?"
Naya looked over at her and smiled, the sun glistening on her perfect caramel skin. "Writing, its tradition. Apparently this place inspires me because every time we come up here, I seem to want to write. Who knows maybe it'll be a number 1 hit someday."
They went back to being in an easy silence, the way only they knew how as Heather looked out at the water and Naya kept writing. "About last night," Naya started, putting her pen between the pages of her notebook, "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, clearly I don't handle my liquor now any better than I used too."
"Trust me you hold it a lot better than you used too, you make me look like a teenager, but really you don't have to apologize. I do have something to ask you though."
"Go for it." Naya said as she looked out at the water then back at Heather.
"Would you mind if I sat out here with you for awhile?"
Naya giggled a little and shook her head. "You are more than welcome to sit and stay for awhile."
Later that night after the fireworks and festivities everyone made their way back to their rooms, calling it an early night. Naya was in bed reading so Heather decided to give her some alone time and go downstairs to watch some tv. The perk of renting a large home was that it came with every channel under the sun. She was into her second hour of channel surfing when she got up to get a bottle of water. Walking towards the fridge she noticed the small purple notebook sitting on the counter. She picked it up, figuring that Naya had forgotten it down there.
"I won't tell if you read a little of it." Heather nearly had a heart attack as Dianna opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of sprite.
"No, I couldn't."
"Fine then, I will." She snatched the book right out of Heather's hand and started flipping through the pages.
Heather laughed. "I always knew you were a panty snatcher but I didn't know you were a notebook snatcher."
"That's because it doesn't have the same ring too it, anyways this boring, I'm going back to bed." With that she left the notebook open on the counter as she walked away.
Shaking her head Heather picked it back up and was about to close it when she noticed the title. Heartbeat. Her curiosity got the better of her as she started to read.
If you love someone, you love them all the same
I'm feeling your heartbeat
You're coming around, coming around, coming around.
I'm trying to put it all back together
I got a story and trying to tell it write
I got the kerosene and the desire
I'm trying to start a flame in the heart of the night
Oh you got a fire and its burning in the rain
That that it went out but its burning just the same
And you don't look back, not for anything
Cause if you love someone you love them all the same.
Closing the book Heather wasn't really sure how to feel and if it wasn't for the butterflies in her stomach she would have never thought that it was about her. At first she thought that it might be about James but when she noticed the date she realized that Naya had written it this morning on the beach. Her heart started beating a little faster once again as she ascended the staircase towards her and Naya's room. She quietly opened the door and noticed that Naya was sleeping. She crept into the room and got under the covers after setting Naya's notebook on one of the dressers.
She was nearly asleep when she felt a warm arm snake across her stomach and hot breath on her neck. Smiling she wrapped her arm around Naya's shoulder and softly rubbed the girls back.
After a long but peaceful drive home Heather opened the door to her apartment. She smiled when Zach ran towards the door, meowing at her. She leaned down and picked up as she left her bags by the door.
An hour later she sat in her office upstairs going over the script once again. Still in vacation mode she decided she didn't want to start working already so she settled for writing Ashley a long detailed email about her Hampton's weekend. Once her email was open and she sorted through all the junk mail, a single email was left. From her real estate agent.
A/N: I am so sorry for the long wait but I hope this massively long chapter made it worth it. I was going to break it up so that you all got an update sooner but I thought it flowed better this way.
The lyrics are from a song by the fray called Heartbeat, it's an awesome if you want to check it out.