Page 24 of Laying it Bare Backstage

When we got to the house, I led her into the living room and I sat down on the couch with her on my lap.

Locking her eyes with mine, she gave me a small smile. “You have work to do. I’m okay. Don’t let me keep you from that.”

Some of her hair had worked loose from her pony tail, so I tucked it behind her ear. “First of all, we’re going to have a little bit of lunch, if you’re up to eating anything. And I need to hold you for a bit to reassure myself you are okay.” I kissed the top of her head. “Did the police get your statement?” This time they better get some answers. Unlike the last few incidents. “Do you know if any witnesses gave them any information?”

“The police talked to me for a little bit and told me they’d call me if they needed any additional information and one of the officers gave me his card. They talked to the witnesses and got the license number and stuff, but no one got a good look at the driver. The person was wearing a hoodie and sunglasses. And the car had been reported stolen around five o’clock this morning. Because of that, they can’t connect the person by the car he or she was driving. Unless they get a lead on that incident.” She released a long breath and placed her head on my shoulder.

“Are you hungry for some lunch? And then you can curl up on the couch while I get back to work.” I ran my hand up and down her back.

“Maybe I could eat a little something. Oh, and I had my car towed to your buddy Simon’s garage. Since you use him, I know he can be trusted. And I’ll pay. He was just who I thought of when I was asked. And I guess I’ll have to contact him to see what to do about the car. I don’t know if it can be fixed or if it’s totaled. I’ll have to have him get it to a repair shop.”

I wasn’t going to argue with her about payment. I’d call him after we ate and I got her settled on the couch and tell him to tell her he was giving her a discount, but in reality I would be paying for most of that bill. I would also be helping her take care of any repair bills or finances for a new car if needed. I’d discuss that with her later, since she was bound to put up an argument about that too and I didn’t want her doing that while she wasn’t feeling well. I was sure she got pain medication at the hospital, but right now she needed food and then rest before they started to wear off.

After our lunch of peanut butter and banana sandwiches, I grabbed a blanket from my hallway closet and handed it to Serenity. “Do you need anything else? And if you need something later, you don’t have to get up, just text me. You’re not bugging me. I know you wouldn’t interrupt unless absolutely necessary. So don’t feel bad if you need me.” I placed a kiss on her forehead. “Do you need me to contact your workplace for you? I know you missed a meeting today and I don’t want them to think you just didn’t show up for work.”

“No. I talked to Corinne after I called you and explained what had happened. It was recommended I rest for now and then ease back into computer usage. I told her I’d FaceTime them tomorrow morning to catch up on what I missed today. And I’d try to get some work done after that if the screen doesn’t bother me. If it causes me discomfort or brings on a headache, I’ll take some sick time. But we’re just going to take it day by day for a few days. I’m good for now. Go get back to work. I’ve already kept you from it long enough today. Don’t let me get in the way of your progress.”

Fuck that. She would never be in the way. And if it got to the point where I was concerned I wasn’t going to have enough tracks ready for the album in time, I’d figure something out. I had dated in the past, but never really had a girlfriend who hung out at my house or temporarily moved in with me so I wasn’t sure of the code of behavior. I didn’t want to smother her or hover, but I also was itching to hold her until she fell asleep. I wanted to take care of her.

“You are not a hindrance to my work; you are my girlfriend. And I want to be here for you. You’ve been in an accident and if I’m being honest; I really would like to curl you onto my lap until you fall asleep. But I don’t want to come on too strong. Our relationship is really new. I’ve dated, but you are my first serious girlfriend. That being the case, I’m just winging it here and going with my gut.”

She shot me a dazzling smile. “I would have never guessed this was unfamiliar territory for you. You’re doing a great job. In fact, I think you’re pretty perfect. Granted my last one was a sleaze, but from everything I’ve read and witnessed with how couples should treat one another, you’re more than I could have ever wished for.”

Considering the morning Serenity had, I was convinced she’d be fast asleep in less than ten minutes. Although I would hold her as long as she needed. Sitting down beside her, I pulled her onto my lap and cuddled her head into the crook of my neck. I wanted to make her feel safe. However, I wasn’t sure I could do anything to give her a complete sense of security. Frustratingly, that was out of my control. But I’d be making a phone call to the police after I took care of her car issue. I was thankful she had dropped the officer’s card onto my coffee table because I would never betray her trust by rummaging through her purse. Even if I was only searching for something so that I could help her.

Winding her arms around my neck, she played with the strands of hair at my nape, as she curled in closer to me.

I wrapped one of my hands around the back of her head and massaged her scalp, while my other hand trailed up and down her spine. Then I rained gentle kisses onto the top of her head and the temple that wasn’t pressed against my throat. Her content sighs caused my heart to squeeze and my dick to twitch. I’d be really pissed if he poked at her bottom and disturbed her rest. But I guess I really couldn’t fault him; he was as enamored by her as I was.

As expected, less than ten minutes later, her breathing grew even and her fingers at my nape grew limp. I didn’t want to let her go, but I knew she’d be more comfortable snuggled on the couch rather than on my lap, propped against my chest. Although it really pleased me that she was so at ease she was able to fall asleep. That being in my arms brought her contentment.

After kissing the top of her head again, I very carefully slid her from my lap and softly lay her onto the couch. Grabbing the blanket from beside us, I covered her and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Snatching the officer’s card from the coffee table, I retreated to my office to make a few phone calls before getting back to my songs. Once inside, I dialed Simon and requested he send me a bill for most of the towing charges and the remaining balance to Serenity with a note stating she got a discount so she wouldn’t know I had helped her out. I was well aware I shouldn’t lie to her about that, but I knew she’d argue about allowing me to help her with the car repair payments, so I figured I’d have better success if I only had to do one battle. Besides, she was my girlfriend and I was going to take care of her. She had had a long string of bad luck since meeting me and I didn’t like the eerie feeling that conjured. After I had Simon settled with that request, I asked him to do what he could with her car and let me know what he determined. Once I hung up with Simon, I dialed the number on officer Tag Monroe’s card. Surprisingly he answered, but he kept the conversation short. Which I understood and respected. And I appreciated that he gave me a brief run-down of things. They were treating the incident as a hit and run as of now, but were also investigating the stolen car so that they could then question the driver. Even though I was frustrated, I recognized that Serenity and I were putting things together that didn’t have an evidence based connection. But I was irritated all the same. However, I was courteous and thanked him for his time and information.

Finished with my calls, I headed back out to the living room to check on Serenity. She hadn’t moved a muscle– but I hadn’t expected her to – and was still sleeping peacefully, her hands curled under her chin. I still counted my lucky stars I had stepped out into the hallway after my concert at that particular moment. I hadn’t been heading to anywhere in particular because I had figured the groupies were still hanging with the guys, so I wasn’t on my way to join them yet. But talk about stars aligning that night. I believe I was meant to meet her. And I was determined to keep her safe and make her forever mine. Yes, I was ahead of myself on the forever thing, but it was on my mind on replay. However, right now, I had to focus on the safety part. That needed taken care of first.

Then I strolled out to my deck for some fresh air before shifting my attention back to my writing. Serenity wasn’t a distraction; she was inspiration. Having her in my life wasn’t going to be an obstacle to my creativity or my career. I didn’t like that she thought she was impeding my writing flow. She was the missing piece to my life I hadn’t even realized I was missing until I had met her. She brought a wholeness to my life that settled deep in my soul and that was where my music originated anyway.

Standing at the railing, staring down at the beach, I concentrated on the exhilaration that always accompanied the completion of composing an extraordinary song. I added to that feeling the loving and fiery passion I shared with Serenity and within moments I had ground myself. Satisfied with my mood improvement, I headed back inside to resume my writing.

About three hours later, I emerged from my office, feeling really good about my progress on two more songs. Nothing would be set in stone until I played them with the rest of the guys to make sure everything meshed well together, but what I had created was really solid. When I peeked into the living room, I was surprised to discover the couch empty. I didn’t find her in the kitchen, when I paused in there to grab a bottle of water. On my way to my deck, I stuck my head in my room to see if she had popped in there, but no Serenity.

However, when I stepped through the sliding doors, I spied her lounging in one of the chairs, wearing a pair of sunglasses.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” I sat down in the chair beside her and pulled it up close to hers.

“My head hurts a little so I took some medicine and ate an apple before I came out here. I didn’t want to watch any tv or read and aggravate my head. Instead, I came out here for a change of scenery. I’m hoping to be able to work on my computer tomorrow, even if just half a day. I do have blue light glasses that I wear when I’m on it, but I don’t want to push things.”

“Can I do anything for you? Get you anything?” Leaning toward her, I ran my hand gently down her hair.

“You’re very sweet. I’m okay. I’m not dizzy or anything. I’m a little tired, but that’s to be expected. I had a hell of a morning.” She shot me a phony smile and shook her head slightly. “I needed the rest, but it was good for me to move out here when I woke up and do something else too. I can’t just lay around or I’ll go crazy. Especially since I can’t read, work on my computer, and I don’t want to risk trying tv. Maybe we can take a walk on the beach again tonight after dark.”

“I have a better idea. Do you feel up for a short drive? About twenty minutes.”

“Maybe. Where are we going? Although I don’t think you’d be taking me somewhere to do some strenuous activities. Which means that cuts out the potential for sex tonight.” Her lips pulled into an adorable pout.

“Yes. At least for a couple of days. But I’ll make it up to you later this week. How about I take you to Panther Beach? There is a cool site south of that beach called ‘Hole in the Wall.’ You are going to love it. Nighttime is the best time to go because it’s low tide which makes it easier to walk through. I don’t plan on swimming there. It’s just a beautiful site to see. Although it is a bathing suit optional beach.” I waggled my eyebrows at her.

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