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He hums to himself as he dresses for the day, if he was going to do this he needed to have a positive attitude. He had received at least 20 missed calls and texts from Kate, it had hurt each time he pressed the ignore button but that hurt soon dried up and fell away after his head reminded him about what she did.
After victoriously threading each button on his shirt he moved to slip his black loafers on. Castle quickly checked around his hotel room to make sure he didn't forget anything before locking the door behind him. He didn't know exactly how long he would be in England, if he decided he liked it he might even have Meredith send Alexis here instead of back to New York.
Maybe moving somewhere else, England or not would help him get his Wife's memory out of his brain.
Ex-wife Rick, she's your ex-wife, his mind reminded him.
He makes his way outside of the hotel where BlackPawn had a town car waiting for him. "Mr. Castle, I'm James your driver." A short African American man smiles at him and tips his shofer's hat. Rick smiles back, the man was nice enough, "Nice to meet you."
James opened the door for him, gently closing it once Rick was settled in. James raised his head and looked at Castle through his rearview mirror, "I'm taking you to the London Publisher's office correct?" Rick nodded, "Yea, that's the address they sent me." James nodded, he quickly realized his companion wasn't in the talking mood.
Castle pushed up slightly to retrieve his phone from his jean pocket, he sighed in relief when he could let himself relax. His fingers dialed his mother's number on the glass pad and the phone soon rang. It rang multiple times before going to voicemail. He left a quick message for her then threw his phone of the seat. The one person he could always go to without being worried was his mother, it was always just himself and her when he was growing up. Well, when he wasn't at boarding school that is.
That part of his life always left a small taste of bitterness towards her, he never hated her for it but he did have a right to have some bitterness. Afterall when you spend 5 years of your life away from the only parental figure in your life you spend many days thinking. His thoughts were shaken when a sudden stop from the car screeched.
James twisted his body so that he was facing Rick, "Sorry sir, a small accident in front of us, we'll have to take another way." He smiled apologetically.
Rick nodded, "No worries I still have another hour." Castle assured the other man.
James nodded and gave him a cheery smile, "Sir if I've learned one thing it's that when you're having a bad day there's one thing you can do about it." James informed.
Rick gave a scoff and cast a glance towards the window, "Hide in your room till you feel better?"
James chuckled but shook his head, "Eh not exactly, I was gonna say eat your heart out. Always works for me." he winks.
Rick chuckles, offering the man a small smile, "You know I might just do that."
James smiles before re-cranking the car up and pulling out of the traffic. "I can recommend some great restaurants, or if you don't wanna leave the comfort of your hotel room I'll let you know what to order from room service." He winks once again through the rearview mirror so Rick can see him.
"Thanks James, although I'll probably be taking you up on the latter." Rick admits, leaning his head on the cloudy window.
"I gotcha bro, although I have an idea! If you want to get some relaxing time I know this great club." He offers.
Rick fights the urge to roll his eyes, if this was 10 years ago when he was his 20 year old self he wouldn't have even hesitated. Now he was just hitting 30, way wiser and definitely not wanting to get drunk tonight.
James, seeing his hesitance quickly spoke, "It's not that kind of club, it's more like Jazz and slower music, no ugh women if you no what I mean." he explained, not wanting to offend his passenger. He speaks again, hoping he didn't offend the author, "I mean I'm kinda getting that vibe that your worries have something to do with a woman."
Rick chuckled, he had never met someone who wasn't scared to say what was on his mind that quickly, James wasn't even shy when he spoke his last sentence. "Yea, your vibe is right man." Rick gives his conformation to his driver.
James lets out a whistle, "Well if she's got you in a mood like that I would recommend you talk to a friend."
Rick blew a puff of air from his cheeks, this guy reminded him of himself, he was persistent he gave him that.
"Alright man, you win."
James smirked, "Always bro."
Rick smiled and bit the inside of his cheek, the kid reminded him of not only himself but a younger Esposito.
James hums a tune for a few moments as he drives under the tunnel they were entering, "So I'll pick you up at 8 man?" Rick clears his throat and nods, "Sure whatever is fine."
Jame's rolls his eyes,"Ok bro seriously! Bring your charm and make sure you bring a happy smile."
Rick lets out a puff of air and chuckles, "Gotcha, Happy smile."
The rest of the ride was met in silence. Rick closed his eyes in some attempt to help his thoughts, he hadn't been out in months! had been too depressed to leave the house. Luckily he hadn't lost his inspiration for writing, Kate was his muse yes, but when he was in the zone he can't stop.
Minutes later he felt the car came to a stop, "And we are here."
"Thanks James, see you tonight I guess."
James smirked, "Ugh yea man you will!" He yells out as rick exits the car.
Castle made his was into the large stone building, still a smile graced on his face. James was a cool guy, maybe he could actually have some fun for once in the past 3 months. When Kate had left his book parties had been put on hold, his events for signings had been put on hold AND his sanity had slightly been put on hold. Maybe a night out was just the thing to help his depression. He made his way to a reception desk where a petite blond woman was typing furiously at her computer.
Ah, either she was new and extremely nervous about her new job or she was late on a deadline. He cleared his throat slightly so that he would't startle her to badly. She jumped slightly and darted her eyes up to him, "Oh sorry how can I help you?" She composed herself from her shock but when she realized who was standing in front of her she didn't even stop her jaw from dropping.
"Oh my gosh your Richard Castle!" She squeaks, her hand flew to her mouth in embarassment.
Rick smirked from her rambling, "Yep that would be me."
The red cheeked girl took a deep breath, "Sorry I just..your my favorite author, I think I've read your books 3 times each!" She admitted.
Rick smiled at her, "That's really sweet, I can give you an autograph If you'd like." He shrugged, not wanting to present himself as cocky.
He loved to see his fans happy, the girl's face lights up with excitement, "Oh my goodness that would be awesome! Thank you." She rambles once more, opening a small drawer in her desk and retrieving a worn book. It was Heat Wave, he took a deep breath and placed a smile on his lips. "Wow, you weren't lying about reading it a lot." he chuckles and flips the cover open.
She sheepishly smiles at him and gives a half hearted shrug.
"Yea I ugh really like Nikki Heat! I love how much chemistry you have between them."
Rick bit his lip, when did he start that!? Darn Kate for making him pick up her habit.
"Yea, my..my wife really gave me a lot of inspiration." ,He wasn't going to ruin this girls happiness with his own grief.
"What's your name?"
"Oh it's Nora."
He smiles at he and jotts some writing down, "Here you go Nora."
she giggled when he handed her book back. "Thank you so much! I was so excited when they told me you were writing about Jame's Bond in England!" She was genuinely excited, he could tell.
He smiled, "Well I'll make sure your one of the first to have a copy." She blushed, "That's sweet thank you, oh your appointemnt is about to start, it's two doors down first one on your right." She informed. Rick thanked her, offering her one more smile before walking off. 2 Hours later after a long meeting that ended with smiles for everyone, Rick made his way towards his hotel.
He wasn't going to take a car again, walking seemed better, it helped calm his rapid thoughts. He slides his key card into the metal slot and waits for it to turn green. He opens the hotel door and doesn't even bother with locking it. Castle blinks his eyes, the darkness was making it hard to see.
He goes to turn the lamps on, and slightly jumps when he sees a figure sitting on his bed. He was defenitley not expecting who was sitting on his bed with a nervous yet determined smile on their face.
The intruder stands up and saunters over to him, a gleam in their eye", Hello Rick."
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