Chapter Twenty-Seven
Summer Nights
I made my way back towards the parking lot. I saw that Tommy and Xander were still by the van, the back hatch open. I also saw that they weren't alone. Another person was talking to them and as I got closer, I saw it was Frank. He was dressed in a dark blue and white ombre button shirt and white shorts, sunglasses on his face. The three of them turned as I approached them.
"Frank? What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Kimberly, you can't just disappear like that at a crowded beach." He said, pulling his sunglasses off. "You don't have any idea who could be here and what kind of crazy is just waiting to pop up when they realize who you are."
"I'm fine, really." I replied. "I'm glad you're here though. I was thinking about you going stir-crazy in that hotel room all weekend."
"Did you find him?" Tommy asked me. I nodded.
"Yeah. He's okay. He said he'd be over in a little bit. He just needs some time to think."
"Does he hate us?"
"No. It's just an adjustment. He will be fine." I gave his arm a reassuring squeeze before turning back to Frank. "Some you're here, want to join us? We have more than enough food. I brought enough sunscreen to protect that bald head of yours." He smirked, making his tough exterior melting away a little.
"I wish but I have some stuff I have to take care of. Promise me you'll stick with someone when I'm not here, would ya? I don't want to have to worry about you when I'm not around."
"Yes, Frank," I said. Frank pointed over at Xander.
"Keep an eye on her, kid. She's tricky."
"I will!" Xander said, smiling brightly.
"Good. I'll check in with you later."
"Why don't you stop by the house around 5? We're having a barbeque and would love to have you." Tommy offered.
"I could go for some good grilling. Consider me there. I'll see you folks later." With a wave, Frank headed towards the rental car we shared on the way up here.
"How odd that he was here at this beach." Tommy said, closing the van door.
"I know. There are more beaches to go to. That's a weird coincidence."
"He followed us here." Xander said.
"What?" I asked.
"He was at the gas station. I saw him while I was waiting for someone to open the door when I had the ice. He was also parked outside the house all night."
"Buddy, I think you might be seeing different cars." Tommy said, putting a hand on the top of his head.
"No. It's the same car that Kim came over in yesterday. It's the one." He pointed at Frank as he drove away. "It was there when I went to bed last night and then it was there when I woke up this morning."
"Does your security usually follow you around like that?" Tommy asked as we headed for the spot they had picked for us on the beach.
"No. I'll have to ask him what's up when he comes to the house." I said. "I'm sure it's just something the label is making him do. They get like that sometimes. It's annoying."
"Well," Tommy said, wrapping an arm around around my shoulders as we walked. "Let's forget about all that and enjoy ourselves."
"Sounds like a plan to me." I said, smiling up at him.
Xander spent the next hour out in the water while Tommy and I sat on the beach chairs he had brought, soaking up the sun. I made sure to keep my glasses and hat on to hide who I was and it worked beautifully. I noticed that every few minutes, Tommy would scan the beach. I knew he was looking for Ethan. It was weighing heavy on his mind and I felt for him. I was relieved when Ethan appeared a short time later, walking along the sand towards us with his hands shoved into the pocket of his swim trunks. He stopped next to his, looking guilty as he avoided making eye contact with Tommy.
"I'm sorry about earlier." He mumbled, sinking the tip of his shoe into the sand in front of him.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you myself," Tommy said. "No more secrets like that. I promise."
"You're allowed to have a life." Ethan said, scratching the back of his head. "Xander and I don't need to know every detail of it."
"No. That's true. But you deserve to know the big stuff and I will make sure to avoid something like this again. Are you okay with it?"
"Yeah. I mean, it could some getting used to but I think I can live with you dating a celebrity." Ethan grinned over at me. "Especially one who might buy me a car for Christmas?"
"Nice try." I laughed. Tommy stood up and gave Ethan a hug who returned it. I was happy to see the two of them working through it. When Tommy let Ethan go, Ethan shrugged the bag off his shoulder and pulled his t-shirt off.
"I'm going to go out with Xander."
"Alright. Don't go too far out." Tommy said, sitting back in his lounge chair next to me.
"Yeah, yeah. You worry too much, Dad." Ethan said, shaking his head as he jogged down the beach towards the water.
"That's the first time he's called me Dad in a while," Tommy said, looking out at the water.
"He called you that the whole time I talked to him too." I replied, putting a hand on Tommy's arm. "You're a great dad, Tommy. They both know that."
"Thanks." He said softly. "And thank you for talking with him and for being awesome about what happened. I appreciate you being here more than I think you'll ever know."
"Anytime, handsome." Leaning in, I kissed him on the lips. It felt amazing to be able to kiss Tommy out in the open like this without fear of the boys finding out. He nuzzled his nose against mine for a quick moment before taking my hand in his.
"I have everything I've ever wanted right here with me now and I'm never letting go."
Tommy, the boys, and I spent several hours at the beach. It was nice relaxing on the sand, spending time in the surf which I missed more than I realized, and burying Xander up to his neck in the sand. We built a sand castle and ate ice cream before deciding it was time to pack up in order to make it home to prepare for the barbecue. We loaded up the van and headed back to their house. My skin felt sun-kissed and Tommy lazily held my hand in his as he drove. The boys chattered in the back seat about what they'd talk to Billy and Jason about when everyone arrived. I closed my eyes, sinking in every part of this moment that I could.
At the house, Tommy assigned the boys the task of cleaning the pool and setting up the patio furniture. I got to work making a salad while Tommy made hamburger patties from a large bag of prepped meat he had thawing in the sink. I didn't say anything when I noticed the boys were whacking each other with pool noodles instead of working, smirking to myself as I watched out the window. Tommy whistled next to me, setting the formed patties on the tray next to him before moving on to the next. I let myself fantasize about spending every weekend like this, enjoying the sun and company of these three like it wasn't a special occasion. Then my mind went to the fact that tomorrow afternoon, I would be heading off to my next gig and would be leaving this behind until who knew when.
"You okay?" Tommy asked, breaking me from my thoughts. He dried his hands on a paper towel before leaning on the sink next to me where I was chopping cheese on a wooden cutting board. "You look sad."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just wishing my weekend had been a little bit longer. Duty calls though."
"I wish it was longer too. But it just means that I have something else to look forward to now. We will have to figure out the next time I can see you again."
"It's going to be a little hectic while I'm on the east coast. I will be playing shows every other day for the next couple of weeks or so. I won't have a decent-sized break until August."
"I think I could enjoy an entire week with you." Tommy grinned, wrapping his arms around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck, smiling up at him. "The boys and I could use some time in the south."
"Really? I would love to have you guys down."
"I feel like Shayna probably already has flights in mind for us." He said, eyeing me suspiciously.
"I cannot confirm or deny that I've been secretly planning this already." I giggled. He laughed, giving me a kiss on the lips. Above us, the sound of the doorbell rang throughout the house. Tommy released me slowly, gazing down at me.
"Let the chaos begin." He said before heading off towards the front door. I scooped the rest of the cheese in the bowl with the salad, wiping my hands off. I heard the door open which was followed by the voices of Aisha and Rocky as they entered the house. I poked my head out of the kitchen, seeing them both standing in the foyer. Rocky was holding a case of beer and a grocery bag. Tommy was as well but judging by Aisha's empty hands, he had just taken it from her. She turned her attention in my direction and let out a little happy shriek when she saw me.
"Oh my god! Get your ass over here!" She exclaimed, opening her arms and heading towards me. I ran over to her, squeezing her tightly in a hug. "You are a sight for sore eyes! Just look at you." She held me at arm's length. "You're just as beautiful as those tabloids make you out to be."
"Stop it. That's all Photoshop. I promise it takes a lot of work to look like that on their end. You look amazing!" Aisha looked no different than the last time I had seen her. Her dark skin was flawless and her hair was shorter now, a poo of hair at the back of her head with one braid holding it in place instead of an entire headful. She wore a bright orange sun dress with some simply tan sandals but she looked ready for an exotic vacation rather than a cookout.
"Now that's a lie but thank you." She teased. "I can't believe you're here! And I can't believe the two of you are back together finally." She grabbed my hand and looked between Tommy and me. "We always knew the two of you would find yourselves back to each other someday."
"I take it you saw the tabloid." Tommy said tightly.
"She bought the whole shelf." Rocky grinned, patting Tommy on the back. "You looked great though."
"Shut up, Rocky." Tommy said, unable to hide the grin on his face as he shut the front door.
"It's very scandalous." Aisha said, looping her arm with me. "Especially after I heard about your whole ex-boyfriend thing. I don't suppose a certain person aided in that break up as well." She cast a glance at Tommy over her shoulder as we walked towards the back door.
"No. That was all me." I replied. "What can I say? I'm just one of those celebrities these days."
"Keep this up and you'll end up with your own reality show." Rocky said. "Aisha watches enough of them. She can give you pointers."
"Now there's something that literally no one wants." I laughed. We walked outside and Tommy helped Rocky put the beer in the coolers he had set up out here. The boys had finished setting everything up and were now beating each other with the pool noodles by the side of the pool. Aisha sat down on one of the patio chairs and I sat across from her. "How are you? I feel like it's been so long since we got to catch up."
"That's a bit of a loaded question." She replied, smiling. "I'm okay though. It's been a rough couple of years but we're making it through." She glanced in Rocky's direction, making sure he was out of earshot. "We've been going to couples counseling ever since we had our miscarriage. Wasn't easy at first but Rocky is really starting to come around to it more. I'm still struggling with letting some stuff go but it's one day at a time."
"Tommy told me about what happened. Sha, I am so sorry I wasn't here when that happened. I should have been there for you more."
"Girl, I knew how to get ahold of you if I needed to. I am just to blame for it as you. Besides, it was something that I needed to handle with Rocky. We're okay though and I think we will be in a better place soon. Just gotta keep pushing through. What about you? I know what I read in the tabloids can't be all true. Unless you are secretly dating one of them boys from Rascal Flatts and haven't told me."
"Not that those boys aren't the sweetest but sadly no." I smirked. "Things have been super busy right now with the tour and everything going on."
"So, we both know that's not what I meant." She said, leaning closer to me. "Spill the beans on Tommy! How did you two get back together? I need the details!" She hissed. Same ol' Aisha.
"I mean there's not much to tell. I came back into town just in time to find out about Kat. We sorta reconnected that day and one thing led to another."
"Oooooh. If Kat only knew." Aisha smirked. "Making a love connection at her funeral. That is something else."
"It wasn't like that." I said, rolling my eyes. "I just wanted to be there for him and the boys. We realized we never stopped having feelings for each other. That's all."
"I'm so glad the two of you found each other. I always knew it was bound to happen. Especially after Trini and Jason's wedding. Took you long enough."
"Sometimes I forget how opinionated you are." I mused and she laughed. "I"m glad too. I'm happy to see that you and Rocky are working on things."
"It hasn't been easy but I can't imagine life without his dumbass there. He provides me with the entertainment I need to get through each day, that's for sure. And once we get into a stable and good place again, we will talk about trying for a baby again. Right now, it would just be too much pressure on us. I'd never want to slap a baby on our marriage to try to fix it."
"I think that's smart thinking."
"Uncle Billy!" I heard Xander call out from the backyard. Looking over, I saw that Billy was indeed coming around the right side of the house with Trini, Jason, and Zack in tow behind him. Xander ran towards them, stopping in front of Billy.
"What are we? Chopped liver?" Jason called, a cooler in hand. Zack had two bags in his hands while Trini carried a bowl in hers. Billy also had a bowl and I could tell that it had pasta salad in it.
"Oh, hi." Xander said.
"Wow. Really feel the love there." Jason replied. Billy stopped to talk to Xander while the other three climbed up on the patio. Tommy helped them put their food contributions on the table had had set up next to the back door while Jason plopped his cooler down next to the other one. He opened it, pulling out a six-pack of beer.
"Ladies." Trini said, walking over and giving Aisha and me a hug before sitting down next to Aisha. "How's it going?"
"You know, same shit just a different day." Aisha replied. "How are you feeling? How's the baby?"
"I had been hopeful that I was past the morning sickness portion of it but it's been coming back with a vengeance. Everything else is okay though. We should know the sex of the baby by next week though."
"That's exciting!" I exclaimed, clasping my hands together. "You'll have to call and let me know when you're ready."
"I certainly will. How have things been here? Are you enjoying your time off?"
"I have been. It's so nice just hanging out and getting to spend time with Tommy and the boys. I'm dreading leaving tomorrow."
"I come bearing gifts, ladies." Zack said, walking over to us. He had three wine glasses in his hand and a bottle tucked into his elbow. He set the glasses down on the table in front of us and cracked open the wine bottle. He poured wine into the two in front of Aisha and me before capping it again. "And of course, for you." He smiled at Trini and pulled out a small thing of white grape juice, pouring it into the glass next to her. He set the bottle of wine on the table and bent down to give me a hug. "It's good to see you again."
"You too! How have you been?" I asked.
"Pretty busy. Working at producing now on top of the theater stuff. Isn't easy but totally worth it."
"I heard you were dipping your toes in the business. Let me know if you need any connections. I have a few friends in that department that can point you in the right direction."
"Thanks. I'm going to go monitor the grill conversations. I'll talk to you guys in a bit." He smiled, walking away from us. I grabbed my glass of wine and took a sip, the sweet taste of it feeling nice on my tongue. I noticed that Ethan and Xander were swimming in the pool now and Billy walked up the steps of the patio. He smiled over at me, setting the bowl down before walking over.
"Greetings." He said, hugging me.
"Hey, Billy. How are you?" I asked. He sat next to me, adjusting his glasses.
"I'm doing well. I've been going over my options for housing and trying to determine the best solution for both my father and me. I've spoken to him and we've both decided that it was in our best interest to keep the house for a while longer to make improvements before deciding to put it on the market." He explained.
"I think that's a great plan if that's what you want to do." I smiled.
"Affirmative. I believe it's the best course of action until my father is ready to make a firm decision on the matter."
"It's such a beautiful house." Trini said. "I think you'll be able to fix it up and sell it quickly once he's ready." Aisha nodded.
"I do too."
"I am remaining optimistic towards that conclusion as well." Billy stated. A hand appeared on my shoulder and when I looked up, I saw it was Tommy. I smiled at him and he gave it a light squeeze. I put my hand over him while the other guys walked over to our small group. Jason sat next to Trini, wrapping an arm around her.
"It's good to have you back for the weekend, Kim. I hope you'll be a regular around here soon." Rocky said, standing behind Aisha. He and the rest of the guys were holding beers in their hands, sipping them from the bottle.
"I'd like to come back whenever my schedule will allow it. It's gonna be rough since I'll be on the other side of the country for a bit but I'm going to try to visit as much as I can." I replied.
"Especially now that you have a reason to come back here." Jason said, smirking. He reached behind him and pulled something out from his back. I saw it was a magazine that he turned to all of us, Tommy and I kissing on the cover. "I see the cat is out of the bag now." I groaned.
"That's quite the angle." Zack said, looking over at it.
"I think it makes Tommy's ass look great in those jeans myself." Jason said, looking at it like he was admiring a piece of art in a museum.
"My personal favorite are the other pictures inside the article, especially the one by the bus." Aisha said, grabbing the magazine from Jason.
"Wait, what?" I asked, leaning forward. She held it out to me and I took it from her. I flipped to the page that the front page said it was on. Sure enough, I saw a widespread article about myself that included numerous pictures of Tommy and me. One was of us walking hand in hand out of the Space Needle. Another was us driving in his rental truck. The biggest was of us kissing outside of my bus in the parking garage.
"Seems like we had an invisible tail following us that weekend," Tommy said, looking over my shoulder at the pictures. It suddenly made sense as to why Frank was becoming my new best friend now. From inside the house, the sound of the doorbell caught my attention.
"That's probably Frank." I said, standing. "I'll get it." I brought the magazine with me, heading into the back door. I walked through the house to where I saw Frank standing on the other side of the glass in the front door. I pulled the door open and found him standing there, watermelon in hand.
"Hey, kid. Hope everyone likes watermelon!" He said cheerfully. I moved to the side, letting him enter.
"Thanks for coming, Frank. I'm starting to feel that I"ve figured out the reason you're here this weekend." I said, shutting the door behind him. I held out the article towards him as he set the watermelon on the table. He looked down, a small frown pulling at the corners of his mouth.
"The label was concerned that the paparazzi was going to cause an issue with you out here so they asked me to hang out for a bit to make sure you were safe." He responded. "They think someone from my team is the one who took most of the pictures and sold them to the press."
"Oh, Frank. I'm sorry to hear that. I haven't seen anyone with cameras around though. It's been a pretty calm weekend for the most part. I wish you had been honest with me in the beginning."
"I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you but they didn't want you to worry too much."
"Well, I'm still glad you're here. I can't wait for you to meet my friends." I led Frank through the house to the backyard again. "Hey, everyone. I'd like to introduce you to the head of my security detail, Frank. Frank, this is…everyone." I said, waving my hand at the group. Everyone took turns greeting Frank, shaking his hand. I stood off to the side, looking down at the magazine in my hands again. The picture of Tommy and me next to the tour bus stood out to me again. It had been the night Tommy had turned me down, saying he wasn't ready for us to take it that far yet. I could see the want in my body in the picture from the way I was pressed up against him.
"Hey, Kim!" Xander called out, getting my attention. I looked over and saw that he and Ethan were swimming in the deep end of the pool. "Ethan said that Carrie Underwood was better than you."
"Oh, it's on now," I called back. I slid off my bathing suit cover and ran down the steps, jumping into the water.