Hey Guys, so just going to respond to a few people here. If I don't get to you all I am sorry, it's just because I don't want to waste too much space here when clearly we all just want to get on with the chapter. So I'll pick a few people to shout-out each week.
Firstly to Lee-ann – Yes the verdict was unfair, I agree. But the judge made sense in his ruling. I'm not happy with the verdict, but as I said it makes sense with Andy leaving. To Dakel_F – Yes Ms Taylor is a nice person, I just think she wants the best for her son and so far his boyfriends have not been that so she's happy but reserved at the same time. I wonder if she'll ever fly to New Haven? To Metome – It's is tough to decide what to call the situation. Technically Jay wasn't officially with Andy while he fooled around with Rick. However 1) They had kissed and clearly that didn't mean as much to Jay at that moment and 2) Rick is Andy's friend, which kind of makes it worse when you think about it. Time will tell how they deal with it.
Again thank you to all of you who review, if I didn't get to you this time I am still overwhelmingly grateful that you are reading and I'd also like to make a shout out to my Malaysian fans! Aside from my country – Australia and the country that always lives in my heart – America and it's cousin Canada, Malaysia has the highest reading count for the month of October for Cold in the Rain!
I am so pleased knowing people are reading this book, but I am simply in awe that it stretches from Australia to the US to Canada and Asian and European countries. It's such a blessing! This month (October) The United States actually came in first with more than 130 views! Australia came 2nd with a little over 100 views and Canada came 3rd with about 90 views! Allez! Allez to you all I am truly touched and again overwhelmed by all your support guys, thanks again.
Ok, now back to the story that keeps you coming back, let's find out how Andy reacts to the news…
Chapter Seventeen – Seriously! You told him!
"Andy? ANDY?!" Lauren screamed after him watching him sprint towards the hotel to get away from her. "Damn it Lauren!" she yelled at herself.
Andy moved through the automatic doors darting his head around for somewhere, anywhere to have a moment to himself.
What the hell? His mind was screaming. Thought he'd just have some fun ey?
By now Andy's mind was screaming so much that he didn't notice Lauren come racing up behind him.
"Andy, I'm sorry," she puffed.
Andy ignored her and, noting that the reception area was empty strode over and made to grab a key. Even if he only had 20 minutes to sit and collect his thoughts he needed to be on his own and he needed it now. Preferably before he snapped.
Andy noticed room 217 was free and grabbed the key off the hook.
"Card or cash?" Lauren laughed from behind him.
Though she said it to get a laugh out of him, it didn't work. Andy just strode right past her and made his way for the stairs not wanting to wait for the elevator.
"Andy, come on!" Lauren wailed. "Please don't make this harder than it already…" but she stopped right there as though her voice became stuck in her throat.
As Andy had pushed the door open to walk up the stairs, Rick was walking through as though determined to get out for the night. When he noticed Andy his face lit up.
"Andy! Man! It's been ages. Oh my god, get over here!" he screamed opening his arms for a hug from his friend.
Andy stood there shocked. He had no idea what to say. Did he yell at Rick? Then again, it wasn't his fault. Did he take the hug and make nice? Well, he knew he couldn't do that, not in this moment. Lauren sensing something was about to happen walked over to them.
"Hey Rick," she started, trying to keep things pleasant. "Off somewhere?"
"Yeah, well…I was, till I saw this one," he smiled looking at Andy. "My god how long has it been?"
"Long enough," Andy replied shortly.
He hadn't meant to say it, but as had happened many times before the words had just fallen out almost without permission.
"Wha…?" Rick replied, a little lost. "I'm…confused."
"And happy to sleep around with my friends, while living in a room paid for by my card! Move Rick, Now!" like with Lauren before, Andy hadn't screamed. His eyes had simply narrowed and his voice was dark and crisp.
Rick didn't even think about objecting. He stepped aside at once and Andy strode right past him, up the stairs and out of sight.
"Woah!" Rick replied. "What is he…?"
But before he could say any more, he noticed Lauren standing there, hands on her hips.
"He knows, he knows and he's not happy." Lauren said.
"Knows what?" Rick asked seemingly confused.
"Do I have to spell it out for you?" Lauren asked outraged by this man's faked innocence. "You and Jay getting…funky."
"Oh," Rick replied, realizing. "Wait how did you know about that? Did you check the cameras?!"
"No Rick," Lauren replied calmly. "Jay told me and as you can see, I stupidly let it slip. So ah, if you're planning on going out…go! And if not…Vamos!"
Rick didn't need telling twice and he bolted out of the Dètendez-Vouz.
"*"
Meanwhile Rein and Jay were just pulling up at the hotel. They had stowed the bags away and Jay was in a much lighter mood. The pair had speculated that Andy probably wouldn't find out just yet considering the time and that Jay would tell him tomorrow. No harm, no foul.
Rein had also delved in to tell Jay all about her new boyfriend Sam. It turned out the pair had met at Rein's college and were very happy together.
"I told him all about the Dètendez-Vouz," she said. "Even about you."
"Me?" Jay asked smiling. "What would you have to tell him about me?"
"That you're a nice guy that works at our hotel as a hooker and the men all go crazy for you!" she winked and laughed.
Jay looked shocked, considering what she knew about him and Rick he would not be surprised if she actually had said something of that affect to her boyfriend.
"Calm down Jay, Jeez!" she said, noting the tension. "I would never say that about you. Seriously! Just when we'd loosened you up here in New Haven you had to go flying back to that daunting seized-up place!"
Though he couldn't explain why, this had calmed Jay down and he asked Rein some more questions about Sam. By the time they had arrived Rein had told him everything there was to tell, especially that though the pair had been dating 2 weeks now, she was saving herself.
"For who? Brad Pitt?" Jay mocked.
"No actually, Peter Alexander. He can read my news any day," she smiled.
Jay admired this about Rein. Rather than crushing on the latest celebrity to get a number one hit, or make it big on TV, she was all about the hotties of the news room. It was very different compared to others her age and he loved that about her.
"Here we are then," Rein said unbuckling her seat-belt. "I would say home sweet home, but it's not exactly home so ah…"
"Work sweet work?" Jay tried.
"Nice, that'll do," Rein replied.
The two got out of Rein's car and made their way into the hotel. As they walked in they noticed Lauren there, but no Andy.
"Mom, where's Andy?" Rein asked.
"Yeah mom, where's Andy?" Jay mocked, earning a slight shove from Rein.
Lauren had been racing in her mind what to tell them from the moment Rick had left. She was just grateful that enough time had passed for Jay to miss the guy. The last thing she wanted was for a fight to break out, especially at 3 in the morning.
"He's just freshening up," she replied, using the line she had invented. "You know Andy! Anyway, supper will be served in the foyer, so why don't you head in there now Jay and Rein and I will just check up on a few things here?"
Thinking nothing of it, Jay turned around and made his way into the foyer. It was as beautiful as always. Martha, the cleaning lady, had clearly already been here as the foyer normally closed at 10. Jay did notice however that a table had been set in the middle of the room with what Jay noticed to be 5 serving plates.
"Five?" Jay wondered out loud to himself.
He decided to let it go and take a seat. It was nice of Lauren and Rein to just let him settle in here while they rushed about. He may not be in bed, but at least he could just sit for a moment.
Back at the reception desk, Lauren wasted no time in telling Rein what had happened.
"Andy knows!" she stressed.
"Knows…?" Rein responded having no idea what her mother was on about.
"About hmm-hmm," she pointed towards the foyer "and hmm-hmm" she pointed upwards indicating Rick's room. "Hmm-hmm-ing."
Rein just stared at her mother. Had she lost the plot? Clearly she was stressing about something, but no hmm-hmm or pointing was doing her any good.
"…what?" she eventually whisper screamed.
Lauren grabbed Rein around the shoulder and steered her towards the kitchen where Ramon was making some food for the foursome.
"Hey Ramon, can we have 5?" Lauren asked.
"Sure, no problems," Ramon replied and headed out the back, probably for a smoke Rein figured.
"Andy knows about Jay and Rick!" Lauren stressed.
"What? No…mom NO!" Rein shouted back. "What'd you?...how'd you?...Oh my god," it had suddenly hit her. "You told him?!" she demanded.
"Well, it slipped out. I wasn't planning on saying a word and then…well you know me."
"Yeah I do," Rein replied. "See? This is why I should have been on Andy patrol!"
"Ah yes my dear daughter, but you see mommy needed to be there for the man clearing in venting mode." Her mother said.
"And clearly mommy's idea of being there was to tell…SERIOUSLY you told him! After everything we discussed!" clearly Rein was having a tough time keeping this in.
"Ok mom, where the hell is he?"
"He took a key and dashed upstairs!" she replied, looking quite flustered. "What do I do?"
"Take a course in learning how to keep your mouth shut and tell me which key he grabbed." Rein replied.
"217," Lauren said without having to think. "Funny enough close to room…"
"Don't even say it," Rein cut her mother off. "You are in a lot of trouble young lady! Now you get Ramon back in here tell him to keep going and I'm off to get Andy," and she turned to leave.
"But…" her mother started.
"And not ONE word to Jay about this, clear? I only JUST calmed him down from the whole situation. Jeez!"
And with that Rein stormed off to room 217, while Lauren took a moment to gather her own thoughts.
"*"
Meanwhile up in room 217 Andy was struggling with how to handle the situation, How dare he do this to me! He thought to himself. Though he had been pacing up and down the room he decided to sit on the bed and just think about the situation. It was getting on to 3am after all and he didn't want to wake up the guests at the hotel. His guests, he reluctantly remembered as he recalled promising Lauren he would start at reception the next day.
Presently, he heard a slight tap at the door.
"No thank you, I'll clean the room myself," he said without thinking.
"Andy, it Rein," came a soft voice from the other side of the door.
Grumbling Andy peeled himself off the bed and opened the door. True to her word, there stood Rein looking even more washed out then usual. A look of guilt was definitely evident on her face as Andy stood back to let her in the room.
"Andy, I'm so sorry," Rein started as he closed the door behind her and resumed pacing.
"Rein, you have nothing to apologize for, you did nothing wrong," he replied.
"I know, but I mean come on, its nearly 3am and now mom and I have whisked you both away from the airport and, knowing mom, jacked you up on coffee all to find out what happened. If anything, it's just bad ti… will you stop pacing please?" she eventually stopped to ask. It was annoying her quite a bit.
Andy took a seat on the bed once again.
"I just…I don't know what to do. I mean your mom has organized this whole do and now I have to go downstairs and play all nice like and I just don't know how."
Rein chuckled slightly.
"What?" Andy asked.
"I'm just remembering something," Rein replied. "That's all."
"What?" Andy asked again.
"Well, when we first met Jay. Or rather when he first walked into the Dètendez-Vouz, I didn't want to talk to him. Mom had of course filled me in on your situation and I wanted nothing to do with the guy. You know what she told me then?"
"What?" Andy asked, not helping a small smile.
"To play nice," she laughed and Andy joined in.
"Listen Andy, I know it's not an ideal situation and god knows if it were me I'd be running away right now. But you're not me. You actually have the ability to take a deep breath and move forward and deal with whatever comes next."
Andy thought about it. Rein was right. Ever since Andy scored his first job which ironically was working at a coffee shop, he had learned how to shove aside his emotions and act professionally. Was this what Rein meant? Just shove the emotion aside, swallow it if need be and just get through the evening? He knew he could do that, but also knew the evening of fun he had been anticipating since hearing about it, was now no longer going to be just that.
"Yeah, that's why I asked to work at reception," he finally replied.
"You chose front desk?" Rein asked. "Knowing what mom's like?"
They both laughed.
"Come on Andy, let's just get through the dinner and just put this issue on hold for tonight, yeah?"
Andy struggled to respond, but finally agreed.
"Oh, alright," he finally said. "If your there I'm sure I can remain calm."
The pair got up and Rein held the door open for Andy to walk through.
"Good," she said. "Because as far as I know, Jay has no idea that you know what happened."
"*"
Moments later Andy, Jay, Lauren and Rein were all seated in the dining hall. Andy made a comment to Rein about there being 5 plates instead of 4 and Rein had advised that it was always good to have a spare.
Other than that everything was normal. It was as though Andy had not been told anything. Though that was partly because he was a brilliant actor as on the inside he was seething.
"Ahhhh, Chef Ramon what will you think of next?" Lauren sighed contentedly as she finished the last of his famous pot-pie, a 2nd course out of 3.
"What's for desert?" Rein asked.
"It's a surprise," Lauren replied. "But first…" she then projected her voice quite loudly as though calling to someone who was not in the room.
"When you're ready back there, we're ready for you!" she yelled.
Andy and Jay looked at each other. Despite Andy's issues with him, maybe Jay knew what was going on. But Jay appeared to be as perplexed as he was. Just then a voice rang out nicely through the dining halls PA system.
"Ladies and Gentleman put your hands together for the greatest talent to hit this side of the US, please welcome…Carmita!"
Andy and Jay looked at each other again, though this time sharing a smile as Lauren and Rein stood and applauded. Jay and Andy also applauded however remained in their seats.
The music started and from behind the entertainment area came Carmita!
"When the sun shines its hot-hot-hot!
But when the moon's up its not-not-not!
Oh there's a fire burning in my soul toniiiiiiight
So let's do it right, Woo!"
There she was, in all of her glory singing and dancing to a very up-tempo Latin song.
"How are you all doing Dètendez-Vouz? This one's for Andy!"
Carmita continued to sing and Andy momentarily forgot about his pending issue with Jay. As he watched the Latina sing and dance, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride for his good friend. Indeed if this was a preview of what she showed that night at the Moonlight Freeze then it was no wonder she had become such a huge success.
The song finished and everyone applauded. Carmita bowed graciously.
"Thankyou, thankyou so much. Well, thanks to the four of you anyway. Lauren is this a private show?"
"Carmita everyone!" Lauren replied standing and applauding again. "Come on down and join us sweetie, deserts almost up!"
Wow, Andy thought to himself. Lauren sure knew how to put on a welcome home party. Carmita smiled warmly.
"Oooh, don't mind if I do, Hulio give me some time si?" she finished looking off somewhere into the wings and placing her microphone down on a stool.
She raced down the steps that lead to the performing area and almost flew at Andy brining him in for a hug.
"Andy!" she beamed before tossing him aside and hugging Jay "Cute one who likes my shoes!" she said before embracing him.
"Otherwise known as Jay," Lauren said.
"And still do," Jay responded.
"Oh Lauren, thank you for booking me!" she then beamed at the hostess. "Do we? Do we…hug?" she asked tentatively.
"Oh…I dunno…" Lauren playfully replied. "I'm told I bite."
But hugged the Latina nonetheless. Carmita then looked over at Rein trying to work out if she knew her at all.
"And the quiet one over there, I don't think we've met."
"I'm Rein" Rein replied reaching across the table to shake Carmita's hand.
"Otherwise known as the 'quiet one' or just my daughter," Lauren laughed.
"Daughter?!" Carmita replied shocked. "But how is that possible, you're like 12!"
"Wow, whatever you're drinking Carmita I want some," Lauren laughed as Carmita finally took a seat between her and Andy.
Andy smiled at his friend, it was so nice to see her and actually have enough time to have a meal with her. The issues between himself and Jay could absolutely wait. This right here, though not blood, was family and Andy was just so happy to be there.
That was until the doors opened and Andy noticed that coming towards them, carrying the desert, a big smile planted on his face… was Rick.
Aaaand crash! There's that other shoe dropping! At least Andy had a small moment of Joy, but what'll happen now that he's face to face with Rick and Jay in the same room?
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, Rein had a little more of a chance to shine and she really did come through for her mother didn't she? I wonder if Lauren will take up her advice and take a course in how to keep quiet? Hehe.
I would love it if you could leave a review and let me know what you're thinking so far. I'm happy to keep reading private reviews, but don't forget you can post publically also. Please tell me what country you're from if you do, I can't wait to find out!
To whet your appetite – How will Rick's sudden appearance impact on Andy's relationship with Jay? What will Carmita do that surprises everyone? And what happens when Jay meets Sam? This and more will all be answered next upload, when Cold in the Rain Continues!