You guys are great, I'm glad you like my short story so far. Thanks for the reviews, follows and favorites. I don't own any rights to Hollywood Heights storyline or characters; this is the fantasy world I created.

Keeping Secrets Chapter 3

Chloe's Secret Friend

Chloe was released two months ago and I haven't been able to visit her yet. We've talk on the phone every day but it's not the same. I can tell she misses seeing me and I have to admit, I miss seeing her too. My recording schedule has been crazy. The love of my life has an interview this evening and will be away for a few hours. This is the first break I've had and it's the perfect time to visit Chloe for a little while. I call Chloe.

"Hello," Chloe says when she answers the phone.

"It's me. I have a break in my schedule. I can come visit you for an hour tonight."

"Are you sure you want to risk it?" Chloe asks. "The gossip hounds are still staking out my condo."

"I'll wait until they pack up and leave."

"How do you know what time they leave?" Chloe asks.

"I've been doing my own stakeout for a couple of weeks."

"If you're sure you won't get caught, I would love to see you," Chloe says.

"I'll see you tonight," ending the call.

I still haven't told anyone about our friendship and I've been on edge. The guilt has been eating away at me, my family and close friends know there's something bothering me.

Tonight I follow the same routine I followed when I visited Chloe in prison. I drive my car to Jake's office building and park it on the top level of the parking garage. I take the elevator to the second floor; Jake's office is on this floor. I take the stairs to the fifth floor and walk to the small office I secretly rent and change into my disguise.

I then take the elevator to the top level in the parking garage and get into an old beat up car I bought from a used car lot five years ago. Once I drive out the parking garage, I have exactly two hours to visit Chloe and get back.

I drive to a street three blocks from Chloe's condo and park my car. I walk the three blocks to her condo and watch as the news reporters and paparazzi pack up to leave for the night.

I stand in the shadows thinking about the first time I visited Chloe in prison.

When Chloe was lead to the window I was speechless; she had a black eye and two stiches on her lip. There are scratches on her face and arms and bruises on her wrists.

"I don't know you," Chloe said getting ready to leave the window.

"Chloe wait," I quickly said. "It's me." She takes a good look. I pull back the wig I was wearing and smiled.

"I can't believe you came," Chloe said with tears in her eyes.

"I can't believe it either. "What happened to you?" I asked.

"I got my ass kicked in the shower a couple days ago," Chloe said as tears began to roll down her cheeks, "that's where the black eye and busted lip came from. The scratches and bruises happened when they tried to rape me."

"Why are they doing this to you?" I asked.

"They don't tell me why their kicking my ass, they just do it," Chloe said, "but I cheated on my fiancé, I lied about who I was and where I came from, I text spoofed my fiancé new girlfriend, and I'm responsible for the accident that killed my fiancé mother. Oh did I mention my fiancé was Eddie Duran the beloved international rock star and his new girlfriend was Loren Tate the beloved up and coming international rock star? So I guess you know why I'm getting my ass kicked in here," Chloe said as more tears roll down her cheeks.

"What can I do to help?"

"You being here helps," Chloe said. "I know I've done nothing but hurt you but I really need a friend. Do you think we can be friends?"

I thought about it for a minute. "I can try," I replied, she smiled. "How about you start off by telling me about Chloe Carter?"

"I've lied about myself for so long it's hard to remember what's real and what I made up but I will try," Chloe said. "My real name was Cynthia Kowalski, and I'm originally from Fresno, California. My mom did the best she could to give me what I wanted but her best was never good enough for me."

She began telling me about her childhood in Fresno and the beauty pageants she made Jackie enter her in. I listened to Chloe talk about herself for almost an hour. I found myself laughing at some of the things she did to psych-out her competition. I was starting to like this side of Chloe.

If a correctional officer hadn't told us our time was up, I would have stayed longer.

"I really appreciate you coming to visit me," Chloe said.

"It was my pleasure," I replied.

"Do you think you can come again?" Chloe asked with hope in her eyes.

"I won't make any promises, we're going back on tour in a few months," I see the hope evaporate and replaced with disappointment in her eyes, "I will do my best to visit before we leave."

"Thank you for coming," Chloe said.

I leave the prison happy that I made the decision to visit Chloe. I once again make the conscious decision to visit her every month. The last time I visited her before going on tour, Chloe had a cast on her arm. One of the inmates twisted her arm behind her back breaking it. I purchased the secret phone and gave Chloe the number. We talked on the phone for thirty minutes every other week the whole time I was on tour. Our friendship continued to grow. I even found myself confiding in Chloe about my life and career. I still can't believe she gave me some good advice.

I watched as the last news van pulled away from the building making a right turn at the corner. I venture out from the shadows and cross the street. I walk up to the door and pause before I knock.

There will not be a glass window separating us this time. No bad connection on the visitor's phone. I take a couple of deep breaths and knock on the door. After a minute of standing there, the door opens.

"Hi Chloe," I say smiling.

"Hi Eddie," Chloe says smiling back.

I'm feeling insecure and unsure of what to do next as I stand there smiling at Chloe. When she was behind a glass window I knew I couldn't hug her or hold her hand when she cried, but right here, right now, there's nothing separating us. I'm not sure if I should hug her or just walk in.

Chloe must have sensed my hesitation; she steps back and gestures for me to come in. I walk in and take off the wig and mustache. I don't know why I'm so nervous all of a sudden. This is Chloe my friend; I've spent the last five years getting to know the real Chloe Carter. She's shared so much of her real self with me. This is the person I wish she had shown me back when we were dating. I really like this Chloe.

"Do you want something to drink?" Chloe asks closing the door and walking towards the kitchen.

"No thanks, I'm good, but don't let me stop you having a drink," I walk over and sit on the couch sitting the wig, mustache and my car keys on the coffee table in front of me.

"I don't want anything to drink," she says sitting on the other end of the couch.

Why are things so awkward between us right now? When there was a window separating us we had lots to say. When we talked on the phone there was no pause in our conversations. Why am I so insecure right now?

"How are you?" I ask trying to break the awkward silence. "You look great by the way."

"Thanks," Chloe says running her fingers through her hair. "I'm doing well. How is Loren?"

My eyes follow the path of her fingers; my fingers itching to touch her hair. What the hell am I doing looking at the way her hair falls through her fingers. "Loren is fine; she's recording an interview that will air tomorrow night."

"She has really grown into a confident woman. I remember the night she won your song writing contest and fainted," Chloe laughs, "look at her now. I'm really happy for her; happy for both of you."

There it is again, that awkward silence, I'm not sure how to respond to that. We've talked about Loren before so why am uncomfortable talking about my wife now? "Are you getting out the house more?" I ask to change the subject.

"I've been trying to go out, but the news hounds are still on my trail so I only go out when it's absolutely necessary," Chloe says licking her lips. My eyes are drawn to the moister on her lips. What the hell is wrong with me, why am I looking at Chloe like this? I haven't had these kinds of feelings for Chloe Carter since I found out she was screwing Tyler behind my back. The whole time she was in prison I looked at her as just a friend. Why do I find myself attracted to her now? I know I forgave her for hurting me so many years ago, but I haven't forgotten the heartache and pain. That is something I will never forget.

"Chlo, you can't hide out in your condo for the rest of your life. Get out of the house, go shopping. Go have lunch with a friend. Call your agent, book some modeling jobs. Do something," I say.

"You're my only friend Eddie," Chloe says as her eyes begin to fill with tears. "And you can't have lunch with me in a restaurant. I have a little money in my savings but I can't go shopping. I have too many battle scars on my face and body to even think about modeling again. So hiding out in my condo is my only option." The tears spill over and begin to roll down her cheeks.

I don't remember scooting closer to Chloe and pulling her into my arms comforting her for a few minutes as she cries on my shoulder. I don't remember cupping her face and staring into her eyes wiping her tears with my thumbs, "I love you Eddie," Chloe whispers. I don't remember leaning in until my lips touched hers. I don't remember tracing her bottom lip with the tip of my tongue until she opens her mouth giving me permission to deepen the kiss. I don't remember running my fingers through her hair with one hand while the other hand pulls her closer to me.

I do remember my wife, Loren. I do remember my love for Loren and the love she has for me. I do remember my wedding vows. I do remember that I made a promise to never hurt her. I do remember the heartache I felt when Chloe betrayed me. I do remember my father and the pain he felt losing my mother. I do remember my mother and the words of wisdom she passed on to me about finding true love. I do remember Nora, my other mother, and the love she has for me. I do remember that I am not a cheater so I pull back and put some distance between us.

"I'm sorry Chloe. I don't know where that came from. We're just friends," I say to remind myself.

"I'm sorry Eddie. I shouldn't have let you touch me. I knew it was wrong but it felt good to be held and kissed by someone I love." Chloe whispers.

That's the second time Chloe's said she loves me and it doesn't sound like she means in a friendship way. "I think its best I leave now Chloe," I say picking up the wig, mustache and keys from the coffee table and walking out the door. I do not notice the person in the shadows watching me leave Chloe's condo. I fast walk the three blocks back to my car.

Eddie won the coin toss or depending on how you look at it, Eddie lost the coin toss. The outcome of my story was up in the air until I finally decided which character would be the secret friend. I know you guys have very strong opinions about this chapter, so I'm mentally preparing myself for your reviews and PMs. ~jm~