Hollywood Heights, Loren Tate; The story of my life.
Crazy little thing called love
C-14
Weeks later, Vince's latest song is in first place in the Billboards, he's written a song in English for the first time inspired by Loren, Eddie Duran's top song drops to second place, first time he's knocked out of first place by any artist, it had to be Vince Vega. Loren's everywhere with Vince, everyone notices the changes Vince has made in his personal life, he had a reputation of a Casanova in Hollywood, Loren has been a great influence in his life, he's changed his ways.
She sits in the audience when he appears in talk shows. He always acknowledges his girl. Loren always looks beautiful by his side.
Katy and Max watch the interview on Kelly and Michael's show on TV.
"Vince looks very happy."
"Love has that effect."
"Look how beautiful Loren looks."
"She looks happy right?"
"Why do you ask?" Katy wonders. "There might be a reason why you're asking?"
"I don't know, I thought she and Eddie would hit it off, he needs someone in his life."
"Eddie has changed a lot, Evan's accident affected him very much." Katy adds.
"I thought by now we'd have grandchildren running around the house, our son busy with no life or prospects." Max says.
The door opens, Eddie walks in whistling. "What are you guys up too? Came from the hospital, Evan is still the same."
"I know I called this morning." Katy replies.
Eddie recognizes Vince on TV. "Him again?"
Katy looks at her son. "You know you're still number 1?"
"Thanks mom, he irks me!"
"I wonder why?" Katy looks at him; he ignores his mom's question.
Max pulls a chair and signals Eddie to sit. "What's up Pops?"
"You tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"I thought Vince was your friend?"
"Nah, he's Kevin's friend."
"Are you afraid he's going to knock you off the top five on the Billboards?"
"No, that will never happen, just because he wrote one English song doesn't mean he has what it takes."
Max knows exactly what to say. "He has Loren!"
Eddie looks away, he doesn't respond.
"Your silence says it all."
"What am I supposed to say Pops?"
"The truth, tell me the truth?"
"What truth?"
"Loren told you how she felt."
"I guess it wasn't real, she's everywhere with Vince."
"They're dating; I don't think it means anything."
"I requested new outfits for my dancers, I need them soon, bet she'll call to tell me she's running late!"
"She's very professional, you know it, I doubt she will let anything get in her way, she'll have them ready for you."
Eddie leans his head against the chair, Max continues. "You know there's a crazy little thing we call love; could that be your problem?"
"I don't know Pops; it upsets me to see her with him."
Max laughs. "You're jealous!"
Katy walks in, she has a smile on her face. "You're funny sweetie."
"She better deliver those dresses on time."
He walks out, Katy turns towards Max. "Any excuse to run into Loren."
"He's going to Jake's."
"I'm sure he'll find a way to let her know he's upset."
Meanwhile….
Loren and Vince are leaving the talk show they attended. He holds her hand and leans in to kiss her.
"Your performance was amazing." She adds.
"It's you babe, you inspire, lyrics are constantly present."
"You're too sweet."
"Don't tell me my girl is blushing?"
She looks him in the eyes. "You're very sweet, when I'm with you I feel very special."
"You are special, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
She cares for Vince, she loves him, but, she isn't in love with him.
She realizes she has something to drop off. "I have to stop at Jake's; I have to make sure their merchandise is delivered."
"I'll come with you."
They drive to Jake's office. Vince parks. "Do you want me to go with you?"
"If you want too."
He exits the car and quickly runs to her side to open the door for her, they head to Jake's office.
Loren finds Kelly on the phone, she waves.
"I'm so glad you came, you must see the dresses, the girls loved them."
Loren's excited. "Are you sure? They kept calling my office to make sure the buttons matched with the top part of the dress, I thought they'd find something wrong, glad they loved them.
"Come and see."
Vince's phone rings, he answers the call, Kelly and Loren walk away, he ends the call, Eddie walks in.
"Hey what are you doing here? Looking for new management?"
Vince smiles. "I'm here with Loren."
"Of course you are."
"She's here to check on some dresses, she's in the back with Kelly."
Loren walks back into the room with Kelly, she hasn't seen Eddie since the day she slapped him.
She greets Eddie. "Hi."
He nods. "Everything ok with the dresses Kelly?"
Vince turns toward Loren. "Babe, I have to get to my managers', he called, I'll come back to get you."
"That's fine, I can take a cab, I have to call Luann, she forgot to deliver the snapbacks for the dresses, she's sending them over, I want to make sure they're ok."
"Wait for me." He quickly pecks her lips.
He leaves, Loren feels uncomfortable with Eddie nearby. "I'll wait in the back."
"Don't be silly, stay here, let give Jake these papers." She turns to Eddie. "Are you going to be here?"
"I wanted to make sure everything is delivered as promised."
Loren looks at him. "I haven't disappointed you yet!"
He finally looks at her. "That's why I came to make sure you're 10 for 10."
She rolls her eyes. Eddie turns towards Kelly. "Tell Jake I'll call him later; I have a date."
"Sure Eddie."
Loren thought he was going to bring up their previous encounter. She sits quietly fidgeting with her fingers, he looks at her.
"I'm having dinner with Sally, you do remember her?"
Loren knows who she is, the nurse taking care of Evan. "Of course."
"I think we might go dancing after dinner."
"Sounds like fun."
"I have been on several dates with her already."
Loren smiles. "Good for you Eddie, it must be love for you again."
He chuckles. "I don't know yet; I like to take my time."
"I'm happy for you."
Eddie looks through his phone. "I better get going; I hate to keep Sally waiting."
"Don't let me hold you back."
Kelly walks in. "A messenger delivered the snapbacks, what do you think?"
"Ask Eddie before he leaves, he has a date."
Kelly inches closer to Loren. "I'm sure if you approve them it will be fine with Eddie."
She looks at Eddie, something on his phone keeps him there. Kelly takes the snapbacks out of the box, and hands it to Loren.
"I think they're perfect." She says. "Then that's it, Vince texted me, he's on his way."
Kelly wonders when Eddie will leave. "You can go now."
"It's my mom; she's had to rush to the hospital."
"I hope Evan's ok." Kelly says.
Loren cringes; she knows he's been improving slowly.
"Did she tell you what happened?"
"No, she said to get there now!"
"You're in no condition to drive Eddie, let me take you, I'll let Jake know."
Loren stops her before she leaves the room. "It's ok Kelly, I'll text Vince to meet me there, I'll drive you Eddie."
He doesn't say anything, Loren grabs her bag and they leave. The ride to the hospital is quiet, Eddie's looks through his phone, he's waiting for it to ring any minute. Loren doesn't know what to say, he looks worried. "We're almost there."
He nods, Loren knows how what Evan means to him, what happened? She hopes and prays it isn't bad news.
She pulls into the parking lot area of the hospital. Eddie exits and Loren trails behind him, she's afraid to see what awaits Eddie.
Kevin is there too. "I thought you were here with Evan?"
"I had several errands and offered to stay with him." He acknowledges Loren. "Thanks for coming."
"She drove me here."
Loren notices the tone in Eddie's voice, she's quiet. This isn't the moment to say anything.
"Who called Eddie?" Kevin wonders.
"mom called." Eddie says.
"I'm scared." Loren admits.
"Why?"
"I have this terrible feeling something isn't right; I fear for Eddie."
They reach the floor. Loren's eyes widen when she sees Lucy standing there.
"What are you doing here?"
Eddie walks pass them and enters the room. Lucy smiles. "Nothing, I thought I'd come and see Evan, Katy wouldn't let me, the moment she saw it wasn't you, she asked me to leave."
"Why are you still here?"
"I went in, I live in a free country, I wanted to check up on Evan."
Loren cringes at the thought, her gut never lies to her, now it's screaming at her.
She slowly walks into the room, Katy hugs Eddie. "I'm sorry son."
The Dr. walks in. "I'm sorry Eddie, we've done all we can, he's in ICU, there is no activity in his brain cells."
Eddie's trying to breathe, he looks at the Dr. "What happened? He was doing well yesterday!" Kevin holds his nephew's arm. "Calm down!"
"How can I calm down? "
He looks at Katy. "What happened Mom?"
Katy looks at Loren, Lucy is standing in the hallway, looking through her phone.
"Lucy came in to see him; I left the room for a moment, I told her she wasn't allowed, when I returned she was standing by his side. Within minutes, Evan had several seizures and.."
"And what?" Loren freaks, what did Lucy do to Evan?
End of chapter!