Chapter twenty-three
Eli is in the shower, washing off the soap and shampooing his hair when he hears his answering machine going off. He decides he'll let the machine get the message and he'll worry about it later.
"Hi Mr Sammler. This is Britney Taylor calling on behalf of Mr Rogers. He would like to meet up with just you this coming week to discuss your contract. Please call me to make a time. Thanks."
Eli lets out a howl in response and contemplates screaming out the window. As he continues to shampoo his hair, he notices the shower door open. Suddenly standing next to him is a naked Grace.
"Hey, hey, what are you doin' invadin' my private space?"
Grace laughs and takes hold of his face and kisses him.
"I needed a shower."
"So have one in your own bathroom," Eli continues to pretend to whine.
"Fiiiiiine, I'll leave you alone so you can enjoy your private space."
Grace turns to open the shower door but Eli takes hold of her arm and pulls her towards him.
"I can have some space later on, babe," he murmurs as he kisses her.
Grace feels her knees tremble and she takes hold of the shower door.
"Wow!"
Eli smirks and kisses her again, this time even stronger.
Grace looks into Eli's eyes.
"What's with the new lease on life?"
"I've got a meeting with the record company this week," he beams.
Grace wraps her arms around him and gives him a massive hug.
"ELI! That's fantastic!"
Eli beams again and kisses her.
"Have you told the guys yet?"
Eli looks down at his feet and avoids Grace's face.
"Eli?"
"Well, uh, they only asked for me," he mentions casually.
"Oh…"
"Yeah, so I guess I should tell them, right?" he asks her doubtfully.
Grace thinks for a moment.
"Maybe you should find out what they want and then tell the guys."
"Ya think?"
Grace nods and Eli smiles in relief.
"I'm so proud of you, E."
Eli wraps his arms around Grace's neck and they kiss as the water flows over them.
(next section)
Rick is sitting at his desk scratching his head over the new design lay out. His secretary buzzes him.
"Mr Sammler, your wife is on line one."
"Thanks Jill."
Rick picks up the phone.
"Hey honey, what's up?"
"No how are you? No how's your day going? Nothing?" she teases.
"Right, right. Stupid me. How is your day going?"
"Forget that, I have news."
Rick moves the phone over to his other ear and he takes a sip of his cold coffee and winces.
"I'm late."
"Well then get off the phone."
Rick hears Lilly sigh down the phone.
"Not that kind of late. I'm late…"
Rick drops the phone in shock and quickly picks it back up.
"How late?"
"A week. And I'm never late."
Rick sighs and Lilly hears.
"Rick?"
"Yes, what?"
"How are you handling this?"
"Never mind me, how are you?"
Lilly takes in a deep breath.
"I'm glad I'm late," she blurts out.
"Me too!"
"Really?" Lilly asks slowly.
"Really," he replies with a smile.
"This is huge, Rick."
"I know, I know."
"And we have to tell the kids."
"Of course."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Lil."
"I love you."
"I love you, too," he replies.
"We're doing this," she says doubtfully.
"We are," he reassures her.
They are silent for a moment.
"Damn, I have to pick up Zoey. See you tonight."
"Bye Lil."
Lilly hangs up the phone as does Rick.
He absentmindedly takes a sip of his cold coffee and winces once again. He buzzes Jill.
"Can I have a coffee?"
"Sure thing, Mr Sammler."
Rick sighs with content and goes back to his work.
(next section)
Jessie is sitting in the library going through her history assignment one last time before handing it in. She is so engrossed that she doesn't notice someone sit down opposite her.
"You've been avoiding me, Sammler."
Jessie's head jolts up and sees Katie sitting in front of her.
"No I haven't," she blurts out in response.
Katie laughs and tweaks Jessie's nose. Jessie blushes a little and looks back down at her assignment.
"I'm kidding, kid. Geez."
Jessie fakes a little laugh.
"What are ya workin' on?"
Jessie shuffles her papers and pretends to be busy.
"The history assignment. It's due today and I was just checking to…"
Katie places a finger on Jessie's lips and mouths "shh." Jessie blushes again and looks back at her assignment.
"Sammler, what's going on? You're freakin' me out here."
Jessie bites her lip and is at a loss for words.
"Jess, we're best friends, you can tell me anything," Katie murmurs and places her finger under Jessie's chin and pulls it up.
"I've…I've heard some rumours about you," Jessie blurts out.
Katie gives a knowing sigh and looks down at her hands, pretending to rub out some dirt.
"And you want to know whether or not they're true, right?"
Jessie bites her lip and nods.
"Well, if they are the rumours I'm thinking of, then yes, they are true."
"Really?"
"You're not that naïve, Sammler. You know it's true."
Jessie nods her head.
"I guess I was too scared to face the truth."
"Why?" Katie softly asks.
Jessie takes in a deep breath and looks around the room before she answers.
"I'm not sure. I'm with Tad and I'm happy. We're happy and that's all -."
Katie interrupts her again.
"Relax, kid," she soothes Jessie and Jessie smiles a little.
"I'm just bustin' your chain," Katie smiles.
Jessie lets out a little laugh.
Katie twiddles her fingers and looks around the library. She notices a group of girls looking at them and whispering.
"Wanna create some more rumours?" Katie asks and points to the girls.
Jessie looks over and smiles softly. She nods and Katie grins cheekily.
"Last night was amazzzzzzzing! I was so hot and flustered afterwards."
Jessie goes red but pretends to be enthusiastic.
"We really gotta do it again, but your house next time. My parents are beginning to get suspicious with all the noise coming from my room."
Katie leans back in her chair and runs her hands through her long sandy blonde hair and squeals. The girls start talking louder and point at Katie and Jessie.
"Yeah, Jess, we really gotta continue working out for the gymnastics finals!"
Jessie bursts out laughing and Katie turns to look at the girls.
"I hope you enjoyed our show!"
The girls make gestures at Katie while Katie and Jessie pick up their stuff and walk out of the library together, laughing.