One Breath Away
Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Author's Note: I've been trying to upload this chapter since very early Sunday morning but a 'technical glitch' on the ff site wouldn't let me access my account for two and a half days. Needless to say, I was very frustrated!
Suspend disbelief to enjoy. POETIC LICENSE, as always.
Carterfinley has 18 brownie points, emmy272005 has 2 points, My Darker Side is out of town.
- - - - -
Chapter Four
Eric was eating breakfast when Jackson came shuffling out of his room. "Hey, are you feeling better?"
Jackson looked at him, puzzled. "Huh?"
"Your text last night. Said you weren't feeling well, that's why you left. Taylor was quite disappointed, by the way." Jackson just looked at Eric. "Oh, don't worry. I consoled her," he said with a smirk.
"Whew, that's a load off!" Jackson said sarcastically. He noticed Eric was watching him closely, concern on his face. "I'm fine. I…just had some thinking to do."
"Would this have anything to do with a woman? Did you meet someone?"
"Eric, I told you, there is no woman," he said as he pulled a bowl and a cereal box from the cupboard. Jackson had forgotten all about her. He had been too shocked seeing Nicole again.
"Sure, chief. Whatever you say. So, you met a dude?"
"Oh, ha ha. You're so funny, Eric! Stop! You're killing me!" Jackson said in a flat voice. He exhaled slowly. "I saw Nicole last night."
Eric stopped shoveling food into his mouth and stared, wide-eyed at Jackson. "The Nicole?"
"Yeah."
"She's visiting?"
"Nope. She moved back last week. Got her old job back."
"Whoa." Eric was as shocked as Jackson had been. He looked down at his breakfast for a few minutes then at Jackson. "So, um…how did she seem?"
"The same."
Eric nodded then watched Jackson closely as he asked, "How do you feel about it?"
Jackson thought about it as he poured milk on his cereal. "Fine, I guess. I mean, I was shocked, at first. I turned a corner and boom, there she was. We didn't talk much but…I'm cool with it."
"So...no thoughts of getting back together? No...lingering feelings?"
Jackson looked him in the eye and shook his head decisively. "None. I got over her a long time ago."
They both ate in silence for a few minutes. "Do you think you two can be friends?"
Jackson shrugged. "Sure, why not? We were friends once. We've both moved on so…"
Eric exhaled loudly. "That's good, I guess. Then it's okay for me to talk to her if I see her out and about?"
"Of course. So, how's Taylor?"
Eric laughed. "She wanted to bring you chicken soup." Jackson look horrified. "Don't worry, man. I told her you were allergic to chicken," he grinned.
"Eric…" Jackson sounded threatening.
"It's cool. I just talked about The Seven and she started asking questions about Justin Bingham and the other actors. I kept her totally entertained."
"I'm sure you did."
"Anyway, do you work today?"
"Yeah, but only a short shift. I'll be home by six."
"Any plans for tonight?"
"Yes. Ian gave me passes for a private charity concert at Cryptic, you interested?"
"Who's playing?"
"The Inner Circle."
"Are you kidding? That sounds really cool! I'm so there...if you're sure you don't want to invite your new dude," Eric said, smirking.
"I can easily find someone else to go with me, joke boy."
Eric put his hands up in surrender. "Sorry, dude. I'll stop."
"What are you doing today?"
"Hmm…I don't know. Maybe some surfing, a nap, thought I might try that new Chinese place over by the mall."
"Sounds really productive."
"Sarcasm noted. I deserve a do-nothing day. We're going to be pulling several all-nighters soon so I might as well chill while I can."
"Yeah, you do deserve it. I'm going to get ready for work."
"I think I'm gonna go check out the waves."
"See you later."
"Yeah. Be safe."
"Always."
- - - - -
Melissa stretched slowly until she felt, rather heard, her back crack. Ahh…so much better. She'd had about six hours of sleep and now she had to get ready to meet Nathan for lunch. An hour later she walked into the Mexican place that he loved. It was after the lunch rush so it was nearly empty.
"Girl! Get on over here!" Melissa smiled and made her way to Nathan's corner booth where she was swept up in a big bear hug.
"Hi, Nathan."
"Sit down, I already ordered your favorite."
"Thanks. Nathan, is that a margarita?"
He smiled. "Yes and I ordered one for you, too."
"Isn't it a little early?"
"Never," he grinned.
"Well, it is for me. You can have mine." Nathan's smile widened. "And I'll be calling you a cab," Melissa added.
"Fine by me," Nathan said. "I like being driven around, it makes me feel important."
Melissa shook her head at him but couldn't help smiling. Over lunch they caught up on their recent work. Inevitably, the conversation became more personal.
"So, Melissa, what about your love life?" Nathan asked, rubbing his hands together.
Melissa snorted. "What love life?"
"Come on, girl. You're at clubs all weekend…you can't tell me you haven't met anyone."
"I'm working, Nathan. Not cruising for guys."
"Oh, come on. We both know you have plenty of time to meet guys before and after the bands play. You just don't want to."
"It's not that I don't want to. I just…"
"Look, Melissa, I know you're gun shy but…there hasn't been anyone since Jeremy, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"So, that was four years ago! You haven't had a single date since then."
"That's not true! I've had dates," she protested.
"Yeah, a few first dates, nothing else."
"There were second dates…and even some third dates," she said feebly.
"Wow! Like what, twice? C'mon, Melissa. You need to put yourself out there. Do you want to end up alone?"
"What would be so bad about that? I have a good life. I'm happy. I like being alone."
"No one does."
"Well, I do!"
"Not all the time."
"I'll get a cat."
"And become a cliché? Never! I will not let my best friend become 'crazy old cat lady'!" he said, using air quotes.
"Nathan…"
"I'm serious, Melissa. Wouldn't you like to have someone to share stuff with again? Someone to go out to dinner or concerts or read the Sunday paper in bed with? Take moonlit walks on the beach with? I know you miss those."
Melissa sighed. "Yeah, I do but…"
"But, what? Why don't you date anyone more than two or three times?"
Melissa looked at her friend's serious face. "I don't know. I guess I just…I don't …"
"You don't want to get hurt again," he said softly.
"No," she whispered. Melissa took a deep breath and said, "But, it's more than that. I don't like to…waste my time. I can tell right away if I'm into someone or not and I'd rather be alone doing what I want than wasting my time with someone I have no future with. I know so many girls that do that, stay with some guy just so they have a boyfriend...that's not me. I don't ever want to be like that."
"No one says you have to get serious with them."
"If I go out with them more than once, they expect me to sleep with them. That's why so few second and third dates."
"What's wrong with being friends with benefits?"
"Nathan, you know that's just not me." He nodded. "If I make it clear that I'm not going to sleep with them, they don't call."
"So don't make it clear, at first."
"I've done that, too. It always ends the same. They're pissed that I won't sleep with them so they accuse me of being a tease or a bitch or a lesbian and leave. One guy even said I owed him and tried to force me."
"What?!? Which one? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I took care of it myself. That's one benefit of being a cliché."
"What do you mean?"
"Asian girl with a black belt, you can't get much more cliché than that. That's why I don't have a problem with being one." She grinned at him.
Nathan took her hand. "I'm so sorry, Mel. I had no idea. I guess I understand the why now. I just think you're never going to meet anyone if you don't try. You can't just stop because of a few assholes."
"I know. But, look at the guys I meet. Most of them are musicians and I can't tell them what I do for a living…I don't want to start a relationship on a lie."
"There are plenty of guys in those clubs that aren't musicians. You're just looking for excuses not to try." Nathan's eyes bored into hers.
"Yeah, okay. Jeremy broke my heart. I don't want to go through that hell again. It hurt too much. I lost too much of myself and I don't want to do that again. I can't," she said, tears welling in her eyes.
"Aw, sweetie. No one says that has to happen again. You're older and wiser now. You're also stronger than you give yourself credit for. You won't lose yourself again. Besides, I won't let you." Melissa smiled at him and wiped her tears away. "You still want a family, right?" Melissa nodded. "How are you going to have one if you don't find yourself a man?"
"Nathan, it's the twenty-first century. I don't need a man to have a baby."
"I know that, Melissa. I don't need a woman, either," he grinned.
"Speaking of that," Melissa said, "How are things going with Evan?"
"I know you're just trying to change the subject but since you're changing it to me, I'll let you. Evan and I are wonderful!"
"So, you really think he's the one?"
"Don't know. I want to believe it. Let's just say I'm hopeful."
"He wants the same things...long term...that you do?"
"So he says."
"That's great, Nathan. You deserve to be happy."
"So do you, girlfriend."
"I am happy."
Nathan scrutinized her face. "To a point, I believe you. But I know you too well, Melissa. You want the husband, the kids, the dog, the house with the white picket fence."
"I don't know about the white picket fence but sure, those things would be nice. But I don't have to have them. My happiness doesn't depend on them."
"You know what I mean." Melissa nodded. "What are you doing tonight?"
"I have a band to see."
"Well, I'm coming with you."
"Nathan, you know you're too distracting and this is work for me."
"Mel, don't worry. I promise I won't bother you while you're working, but before and after, you're mine! You need to get back out there and start looking. Or at least meet some new people." And I am gonna find you a man if it kills me!
Melissa contemplated Nathan for a minute. He made his puppy dog face that she just couldn't resist. "Oh, alright. But the second you become a nuisance to my work, you're out of there."
"Yay!" he said, clapping his hands. She couldn't help smiling at his enthusiasm. "What are you wearing?"
"What?"
"Melissa, to attract someone you have to dress for it." She rolled her eyes. "Mel…"
"Okay! I was just planning on my usual jeans and a tank."
Nathan's jaw dropped in horror. "You have got to be kidding me!"
"I need to be inconspicuous. I'm undercover, remember?"
"Melissa Anne Wu, you can be low-key and still look good. That's it! I'm going to my studio to pick up some things. I'll be at your place at five to get you ready. You will wear what I tell you, leave your hair and makeup to me, and you will like it. Got it?"
"Hair and makeup?"
"Melissa."
She sighed. "Fine." Melissa knew it was pointless to argue with Nathan when he had his mind made up. "Just…please, Nathan. Nothing flashy or sparkly…or pink…or short…or low cut…or tight…or…"
"Melissa, trust me."
She studied his face for a moment. "Alright, I'll trust you. But, if I'm not comfortable, I'm wearing my own clothes, no arguments."
Nathan rolled his eyes. "Fine. But I guarantee you'll love it. You need to expand your horizons, Melissa. You've spent too much time in this protective little shell you've built and I'm partially to blame." Melissa gave him a puzzled look. "I should have made you go out long before this."
"Oh, Nathan. I wasn't ready."
His face brightened a fraction. "So, you're ready now? Why? Did you already meet someone?"
"No." Not yet, anyway.
"Melissa?"
"Honest, Nathan. I haven't met anyone. I just…I realized that, although I'm happy, and I am happy no matter what you think, I'm...in a rut. I'm too young for that. And…she wouldn't want that for me," she said, fingering the silver cuff on her right wrist.
Nathan put one arm around her and his other hand over hers on the bracelet. "But she'd be proud of you now for doing something about it."
Melissa laid her head on Nathan's shoulder and sighed. "Yeah, I guess. But I'm still not sure about this."
"You're just scared because it's been a while since you've been out there. You'll be fine."
She sighed again. "We'll see."
Nathan kissed the top of her head then held her at arm's length and looked her in the eye. "We're gonna have fun, you'll see. Now, let's get going, I have a lot of stuff to do before five. Come on!" Nathan left some cash on the table and slid out of the booth.
Melissa followed him into the parking lot. They hugged and kissed good-bye then Nathan climbed into the cab Melissa had called for him and she, into her car. I wonder if this is really a good idea, she thought. Oh well, once can't hurt...Can it? Melissa pictured a pair of blue eyes that she hadn't thought about for a week and smiled. Maybe…
- - - - -
At five after five Melissa's doorbell rang. She'd taken a shower and washed her hair per Nathan's instructions. She was wearing a robe and her hair was wrapped up in a towel. She let Nathan in. He was pulling a huge suitcase behind him. Melissa's eyes widened. "Nathan! What is all that?"
"Well, I have to get ready, too! Relax, Mel. Just leave everything to me."
Melissa sighed. "Okay, do your worst," she said, resigned. Melissa suddenly turned to Nathan, her eyes wide, and said, "You know I don't really mean your worst, right?"
Nathan laughed and rubbed his hands together. "Relax! First, I need to go set up some things. You stay here, I'll be out in a sec to dry your hair."
"Fine," Melissa said. She settled herself on a dining room chair, waiting for the torture to begin. Twenty minutes later Nathan came out carrying her hairdryer and a big bag. He pulled various bottles and tubes out of the bag and lined them up on the table. He pulled the towel off her head, combed out her hair, slathered on product then started drying it.
"Girl, your hair has gotten so long. When was the last time you cut it?"
"Other than an occasional trim, the last time was...when I was with Jeremy."
"Oh god, that's right. He preferred short hair so you chopped it all off."
"Yes, and I hated it. I also hated myself for doing something I didn't want to for a guy."
"We all do stupid things for boys. Remember my cornrows?"
"Eww, yeah! I almost forgot about those. Why do we do dumb stuff like that?"
"We think it will make them love us and stay with us forever."
"It was like, two years before I was comfortable leaving the house without a hat."
"It wasn't that short, Melissa."
"It was to me. After that I promised myself I wouldn't be with a guy that tried to change me."
Nathan nodded and said "It's beautiful but you sure do have a lot."
"You aren't going to do anything...funky with it, are you?"
"No. Trust me." Nathan played around with her hair for the next half hour then moved on to her makeup.
"Nathan, nothing too flashy or…weird."
"Again, Melissa. Trust me."
"Easier said than done," she mumbled.
When Nathan was satisfied he led her to the bedroom. There were three outfits laid out on her bed and a sheet over the full-length mirror in the corner. Each outfit was different but understated and comfortable looking. "Pick your favorite," Nathan said. Melissa evaluated each outfit carefully then settled on the black jeans, dressy wine-colored tank top and black see-through cardigan. Nathan had silver earrings, a simple necklace and low-heeled boots set out with it. "Good, I love that one, too. You get dressed while I go touch up my makeup. And no peeking!" Nathan walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Melissa took her time getting dressed. She knew how long it took Nathan to 'touch up his makeup'.
When she was done she called, "Are you ready?"
"Come on, girl! I can't wait to see how right I am!"
Melissa walked out of the bedroom. "Ta-da!" she sang.
Nathan looked her up and down then motioned for her to spin. "See, I knew I was right. The guys won't be able to keep their eyes off of you tonight," he said. "And your ass looks fantastic in those jeans. I'll have to remember to get you several more pairs."
"Can I see how I look now?" she asked. Nathan walked into the bedroom and uncovered the mirror. He adjusted her hair and collar then stepped back to let her look.
Melissa started from the floor and slowly scanned the whole way up. Nathan was watching her expectantly. He couldn't take it another second, he was bouncing in place with anticipation. "Well?!? Do you like?"
"Wow, Nathan," she said quietly. "You really are in the right profession. This is so…me."
"Didn't I tell you?" he said triumphantly.
"Yes, you did. And I want you to teach me how to do this makeup," she said, turning her head from side to side. "It's so subtle but it makes a big difference. And my hair," she said, turning halfway around to see it. It was straight, very shiny and the front pulled back in a messy looking little twist. "It looks so…casual yet…"
"Sophisticated?"
"Yeah. I bow down to you," she said in a mock serious tone.
"I told you to trust me. Check out your ass."
Melissa turned her back to the mirror and looked over her shoulder. "Wow, not bad. I do need more of these."
"Now, go put on a little of that perfume I gave you for Christmas while I change my clothes then we'll do your purse."
"My purse is already set."
"Honey, if you think I'm going to let you ruin that fabulous ensemble with that…that… thing you call a purse, and I use that term loosely…"
"Shut up and get ready," she cut him off. Nathan acted offended and flounced off into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Melissa smiled and shook her head at the door. She turned on the TV but she couldn't concentrate so she opened her laptop and worked on her novel. She was so into it that she didn't notice it took Nathan an hour and a half to get ready. When he finally emerged he was wearing a new outfit, his wild hair tamed into a low ponytail. Melissa checked the time.
"Nathan! It took you twice as long as it did me!"
"You can't rush perfection," was his reply.
It was Melissa's turn to look him up and down. "I've never seen you so…so…toned down," she said. Nathan was wearing navy and only one necklace, one pair of tiny gold hoops in his ears and one bracelet. He usually had several of each plus studded jeans or a big belt buckle.
"Tonight is about you being fabulous, not me. And I may be more subdued than usual, but I still look good!"
"You do, Nathan. You look really good."
"Thank you. Now, I brought you another little present. Here," he said, pulling a black bag from behind his back.
Melissa's eyes widened as she recognized the label. "Nathan! It's beautiful, but you shouldn't have!"
"I didn't. I love you, girl, but come on! If I was going to spend that kind of money on a bag, it'd be a magnificent one for me!" he laughed. "They gave this and the matching wallet to me for working on their last shoot."
"Nathan, you know I'm not into this designer stuff. You should give it to someone who appreciates it."
"Yeah, I probably should, but I want to give it to you. Now, put your stuff in the new wallet and I'll show you what you do and don't need in your purse."
Ten minutes later Nathan had put the necessities in Melissa's new bag. He then pulled out a nice leather cover and slipped it over her notebook. "There, now you'll look professional when you make notes."
"Nathan, I…"
"It was another freebie. As was your whole wardrobe."
"Nathan, I can't accept all of this. It's just too much!"
"No, it's not. The labels I work with give me tons of freebies and I can do whatever I want with them. If I want to give some to my best friend, then I will. Now, let's go!"
"Okay. But, please don't forget, I'm just an editor taking notes for a book if anyone asks. No mention of the paper or music critiques. Got it?"
"I got it, Melissa. Chillax!"
"Don't get drunk and forget."
"I won't. My mission tonight is all about you. I'll be on my best behavior and anyway, I'm driving."
- - - - -
Nathan and Melissa entered The Boost. Melissa led him to her usual spot at the end of the bar.
"Not tonight," he said. "We're going to seat you where the guys can get a good look."
"Nathan, not until the show is over."
"But all the good places will be taken by then. All of my hard work will go to waste," Nathan whined.
Melissa sighed. "I can't write from there," she pointed to the table he indicated. "How about…you sit there for the show and I'll join you right after?"
"Alright, but you better get your cute little ass over here as soon as they take their bow."
"I promise. They start in about thirty minutes. You get settled, I'll start making notes, it'll be over in no time."
Nathan nodded and turned to claim what he felt was the prime table. He looked around the club. He saw several possibilities for Melissa but he kept getting distracted by possibilities for himself. Focus, Nathan. I'm here for Melissa. I have Evan and I don't want to blow that, he reminded himself.
Melissa sat on her barstool and ordered a bottle of water and a straw to please Nathan. He'd kill her if she smudged her lips. She pulled out her notebook and began writing. She looked around a few times then turned her back on the room.
The band was announced and began their set. Melissa found it easier to concentrate on the music if she wasn't watching the group. She listened and took notes until she felt she had a good feel for their music. Then she turned and watched the band and the crowd and made a few more notes before putting her notebook away. She grabbed her bag and water and made her way to Nathan's table.
The show ended and Nathan started finding men for Melissa. She smiled and made polite small talk with the guys Nathan brought over. She felt self-conscious and fake. There were lots of long, awkward silences. After a while she told Nathan that the whole thing felt forced and artificial. He suggested they go elsewhere. Melissa agreed if they could just mingle with the crowd.
"I feel like I'm on an auction block," she said.
"Fine, how about we go to Cryptic? The Inner Circle is giving a late private concert and one of my clients gave me tickets as a thank you. We can just watch the band and see what happens."
"The Inner Circle?! No way, I love them! I can't believe you didn't mention this earlier! Why are we still here?" She grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the exit.
They arrived at Cryptic just as The Inner Circle was about to go on. The anticipation in the room was palpable. It was a private concert so only a limited number of tickets had been sold. They got drinks then stood in the middle of the room, waiting to hear the band with everyone else. Nathan was looking around, picking out potential guys for Melissa.
The music started and everyone was suddenly crowding the dance floor to get the best view and dance to this popular band.
"I'll be back in a bit," Nathan yelled in her ear. Melissa nodded and turned her attention back to the stage. She found herself caught up in the music, dancing and singing along with everyone else.
- - - - -
Jackson and Eric had gotten to Cryptic early and picked out a table on the edge of the dance floor. Ian had said it was to be an intimate performance for charity, and Jackson was really looking forward to the show. Just after the music started, Eric left to get more drinks.
Jackson couldn't keep his seat. The music was too good and he soon found himself drawn into the crowd on the dance floor with everyone else, moving to the beat. The band started one of their most popular songs and Jackson screamed along with everyone else.
- - - - -
Nathan was getting drinks when a handsome guy with dirty blonde, perfectly disheveled hair and blue eyes approached the bar and ordered two beers. He's good looking, clean, dressed nice. Hmmm…
He approached the young man and introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Nathan."
"Eric."
"What do you do for a living, Eric?"
Eric looked at him funny and said, "Wow, that's straight to it. I'm a writer."
"What kind of writer?"
"I write for The Seven."
"Really?" Perfect. "Good Show. Very funny."
"Thanks."
"Are you single?"
"Uh...yes."
"Are you here alone?"
"I'm here with my roommate." He noticed Nathan checking him out. "Um, dude, no offense, I'm sure you're a perfectly nice guy, but I'm straight."
Nathan laughed. "I know that! A gay man would never be caught dead in those shoes!" he said, gesturing to Eric's feet.
Eric looked down at his shoes. "What's wrong with them? I like these shoes."
Nathan shook his head. "Of course you do. Look, I have a friend." Eric opened his mouth to insist he was straight again when Nathan continued. "She's intelligent, beautiful and employed. Interested?"
"Maybe. What's wrong with her?"
Nathan cocked his head. "Nothing."
"Then why does she need you to get her a date?"
"She doesn't. She went through a bad break-up a few years ago, she's a little gun shy and she's been reluctant to get back out there. She's ready now and I'm just trying to help her take the first step."
Eric seemed to be thinking it over. "Let's do it," he said. "After you," he gestured to Nathan. Nathan grabbed his arm and started back through the crowd to Melissa.
- - - - -
The Inner Circle saved their most popular song, Rampage, for their encore. Melissa had screamed right along with everyone else. She was watching the band and moving to the rhythm. The crowd kept shifting as everyone danced. The song ended and everyone started clapping and screaming. Melissa put her fingers to her mouth and let out a loud whistle. Simultaneously, the guy on her left did the exact same thing. They turned and looked at each other.
And froze.
- - - - -
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review to let me know what you think. I'd really appreciate it.
PM also if you saw any references. (There were only a few in this chapter.)