Still Jaded by Tijan

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Denton sent a car a few hours later. I told him I needed time to pack, but in all honesty, I just needed some time to make sure this was the right thing to do. It only took thirty minutes to get everything together. With a text sent to Corrigan and Bryce, I was free to go. I told them that I was going to New York since my mother had flown to Europe for six months and the apartment was abandoned. I didn't care that I was lying to them. Denton was right. I needed to get away. I needed to regroup.

A couple hours later, as the black sedan weaved through trees and more trees, I was anywhere but New York. As we slowed, a gate opened; I was somewhere deep in a forest, but I was okay with that. Denton hadn't lied when he said his house was huge and isolated. It looked like a log home palace, secluded and tucked into some back pocket of the forest. I had a sudden vision of winter with snow all around and a fire burning. Something told me that Denton could live in that house for an entire year without setting foot in the world and survive just fine. No one would find it either.

It was my dream home, and I was nearly salivating by the time the car stopped before a five-car garage.

"Miss." The driver pointed back towards the gate. "There are three cameras posted along the perimeter. There are also four more hidden in the trees. Mr. Denton wanted me to tell you about them. The gate is electrical so no one can touch it in any attempt to climb over. It has a three second delay before someone is shocked."

"That's…good to know." And a little frightening if I was trying to get out.

"There's a latch behind the gate on this side. You can lift the black lid and pull the lever. The gate will open from this side if you need to get out."

There went that scary thought. I nodded and took a deep breath. Denton was globally recognized for his celebrity status. I shouldn't have been surprised at the lengths he'd go for privacy and safety. If Mena ever came here, he'd do anything to keep her safe.

"Is Denton here?" I asked when the driver took my bags out of the back.

"He headed to New York a half hour ago. There was an emergency with Miss Mena. His instructions were to show you to your room. He said you would feel comfortable with the home to yourself."

He was right. The driver showed me my room, set in some far wing of the house, and left me alone after that. Not only did I have a plush king size bed but also a tapestry that went over it. A few couches were in the corner that opened to a walk-in closet. The balcony was behind the couches. If my room was this grandiose, I wondered what the rest of the house was like.

I found an indoor pool, a tennis court, and a complete gym including a track. Then I found the kitchen, which could accommodate a restaurant staff. There was a huge rotating rotisserie in a corner. As I foundoneliving room, I sat down on a plush couch and wondered why I hadn't taken advantage of my friendship with Denton sooner. Just then a part of the wall slid away to reveal a theatre screen that was the size of the entire wall. I stood up and found that I'd accidentally hit a button on a remote. The television clicked on, and I found myself staring at Bryce.

He was larger than life on the screen. It felt as if he was standing in front of me, but bigger. I jumped then patted my chest in an effort to calm myself.He's on TV. It's the game. He's not here.An interviewer stuck a microphone in Bryce's face and asked how Guadalupe was.

Any calming thoughts I had went out the window.

He was saying, "…we did the best we could. I think we've learned from our mistakes and will prepare for our next game. Thank you."

The screen changed to a group of announcers around a table. I realized they were discussing how ready the new left forward was for the California Suns and their competition. One announcer said that Bryce would crash and burn. A second said he'd do just fine after being challenged at the start-up. The third said he could always go right back to Spain. And the fourth smiled, nodded, and wished the new locally grown left forward good luck. The screen cut to another shot of Bryce at some event. He wore a tuxedo and had his arm around a beaming Guadalupe, who wore a red dress that barely covered her.

I threw the remote down, but it didn't do anything. That's when I crossed to the large screen and quickly found the on/off button.

Then my phone buzzed. It was a text from him.Are you sure you want to go? I don't want you to go. Can I visit you in NY? I will be there in a few weeks for a game.

I erased the message and didn't text back. I knew it was childish, but I didn't care. Bastard.

Then Corrigan called. I groaned but answered. "Hello?"

Corrigan yelled, "Why are you in New York? Why aren't you here?"

Loud music and laughter in the background made it difficult to hear him. "Are you are a party?"

"I'm at the bar. We're planning the homecoming carnival."

"What are you planning?"

"I don't know. We haven't started yet." He growled in frustration. "That's not why I called you. Why are you going to New York?"

I grinned as I heard his last words slur a bit. "Are you drunk?"

"Maybe. Will you talk to me?"

"I am, about the carnival."

He growled again. "You're running away. Why are you doing that?"

I frowned. "Corrigan, what do you want?"

"It's what you want. That's the issue here. That's always been the issue. You just never choose. No, you choose and then you change your mind. You can't keep doing that."

I tried to ignore my racing heart and sweaty palms. "Is that why you called? You want me to choose?" I stood and looked out the back window. The view might've been breathtaking, but I barely registered it. A moose could've been staring back at me, and I wouldn't have even blinked. "You called me for this? You want to have this talknowover the phone?"

"No. I called because I talked to Grace."

"Why didn't you say so right away?" And why was he bringing up the other stuff?

"Because I'm drunk and you're running away. I don't want you to run away." He sounded sheepish.

"Oh." A ball had formed in my throat. "What'd Grace say?"

"Nothing." He burped and laughed. "You're right. She's really watching what she says. But I think you're wrong that she doesn't trust you. She does. It's just…I don't know what it is. You're right that something's going on with her."

"Whatexactlydid she say?"

"Nothing, like I said. She asked how you were. I told her we weren't talking anymore and then I laid on the charm."

"And?"

"Nothing. She rejected me. She no longer carries a torch for me. I'm going to die alone, Sheldon, unless you…"

"Shut up." I rolled my eyes now. "She didn't even flirt back a little?"

"Nope, but she kept looking over her shoulder the whole time."

"Like someone was watching her?" My heartbeat had calmed, but now it picked up again.

"You mean like she has a stalker? Why would Grace have a stalker? She's so…blah." He burped again.

"Not to some people. And I'm not talking about a stalker. I'm talking about people making sure she doesn't say anything to the wrong people."

"I don't know. Grace has always been the kind to run to the police right away or organize a prayer circle for someone. Being threatened or blackmailed doesn't make sense. Grace stood up to us in high school. Why wouldn't she to anyone else?"

"Yeah. You're right." It felt like someone had just popped my balloon. Although we never threatened to hurt her physically, we would've destroyed her emotionally.

"No worries, Sheldon. We'll figure it out. We always do."

"Until then…" I was about to say that I'd have Bryce to figure out in the meantime. Then I remembered who was on the other end and shut my mouth. "The doorman is waiting for me. I have to go, Corrigan."

"Yeah." He sounded disappointed. "Stay warm in New York. It gets freaky cold sometimes."

"I will. Bye." I put my phone away and stood still for a moment. My heart was trying to leap out of my chest. Taking a few deep breaths, I waited until it calmed a little and then shook my head to clear my thoughts. Sometimes I felt as if the world was going to collapse on top of me. As I rubbed my clammy hands on my pants, I looked up and took in the view of Denton's backyard.

Itwasbreathtaking. There was a small creek that wound through his yard. Trees were densely clumped on both sides of the bank, and a few large boulders sat in the middle of the small river. When I had imagined seeing a moose before, I hadn't been far off. I could envision one right then and there, walking through the trees, or at least some deer. Maybe a bear.

"Hello?"

I jumped at the sound of a woman's voice. My heart rate shot right back up as I moved in the direction of the front door. As I got closer, I heard the sounds of someone taking a coat off.

This woman seemed familiar, very familiar with Denton's house.

"Sheldon?" She called out, "My name is Dr. Thompson. Sondra Thompson. Denton asked me to come and look at your dressings."

I stepped around the corner. "You're the one that texted him about me?"

She screamed, "Oh my God!" She laughed and put her hand on her chest. "You scared me, appearing out of nowhere. You were there the whole time?"

I nodded.

"And here I thought I'd have to look for you in this huge place. Yes, I'm the one that texted Denton. I know he cares for you. He told me you were friends with his sister."

"I was, once upon a time." I watched her, still cautious. She was a willowy blonde with a stick thin figure and a plain looking face. Her hair hung loose past her shoulders, which gave her a frazzled look that was in contrast with her square jaw. Her face made her look sturdy, as if she could withstand anything. Then she smiled and it lit up. Her green eyes sparkled. My eyes narrowed. "And you'refriendswith Denton?"

She laughed. "Goodness no! You think I'm crazy? There's no way I'd have an affair with a superstar like him. He's good friends with my brother. Lawrence is his agent."

"Oh." I scratched my head.

She motioned towards the kitchen and grabbed one of her bags. "Come on. Let's take a look at your wounds. We can dish about Denton over a glass of wine. He's got a great selection."

Before I followed her, I saw that she had three other bags. "Are you planning on getting wasted?"

"What? Oh, the bags." She flashed a smile. "I'm not planning on getting drunk, but I'm not against it either. Denton asked me to stay a couple days till he could get back from New York. He gave me strict instructions to change your dressings, but leave you alone for the rest of the time. I packed enough reading material to last me months. This is a little vacation for me too. I love Denton's house. It's a world away from my crazy one."

Indeed it was.

She watched me intently. "Does that sound okay with you?"

I shrugged and sat down on a chair in the kitchen. "It makes no difference to me."

She placed her bag on the table and started rifling through it. I saw that she was trying to hide a smile. "Okay. Let's see your stuff here."

I was quiet as she took off all my dressings, poked, prodded, and mumbled under her breath. It tickled my skin as she bent close a few times, and I could smell coffee on her breath. She applied ointment and new dressings and then stood back. It seemed like hours later. "Your stitches look good. They should dissolve with no problem. Do you have enough pain medication?"

"He gave me a couple months' supply."

"I don't know how long you'll be sticking around, but I can write you another script when you're out."

Tentatively, I touched my cheek. It was where she had prodded the hardest. "How long till everything heals?"

"I'd say a couple weeks, at least."

I hoped she wouldn't stay the whole time, but I didn't have much choice. I didn't want to head back until I was recovered, so it looked like we'd be roommates till Denton returned. "Did Denton tell you why he needed to go to New York?"

"Nope, just that it had something to do with Mena. He's normally tight-lipped when it comes to her." Her voice was business-like as she packed everything back in her bag before she straightened again. "Okay! We're done here. I'm going to open a bottle of wine and fix something to eat. You are welcome to join me, but I'd understand if you want to lay low. You've been through a lot." Something flashed in her eyes, but it was gone quickly.

What had that been? "You said that Denton's agent is your brother?"

"Lawrence Thompson. He's been Denton's agent since the beginning. He discovered him at the mall. Can you believe that?"

"So your family is from around here?"

She nodded as she washed her hands. When she grabbed a wine bottle and started to open it, she said, "Yeah. My folks hail from early Hollywood. You?"

"Me too, but we don't run in the same circles. Do you know the Hempler family? Cadence Hempler?"

With a frown, she uncorked the wine and stood back. "Uh…I think so…Hempler, Hempler. Yes! William and Cheryl Hempler? Cheryl died in a sailing accident?"

"Do you know their daughters?"

"Uh…there's three? And a boy. I've met them, but I don't know them well. You said Cadence. She's the one in university?"

"She goes to my college."

Sondra shrugged and poured the wine into two glasses. "I haven't heard anything special about the girl. I just know I steer clear of them."

"Why?"

"Too high society for me. They think they're better than most. Not me. My family has Hollywood in their blood, but I still steer clear. I like to keep my vision clear, not money-colored like them."

My respect went up a notch for this doctor. "I think I might go to my room for the night."

She gestured to the wine glass. "Take it to go. One glass won't hurt you."

I'd rather have taken the bottle, but I smiled politely. "Thanks and thanks for the help with my bandages and all."

"No problem. Have a good night, Sheldon." She smiled warmly and then started looking through the cupboards. As I walked down the hallway, I heard the clang of pots and pans. Music was turned on next and she started to sing along. Her voice faded as I moved further towards my room.

When I entered my room, I didn't turn the lights on. It had grown dark some time ago. There was something peaceful about sitting in the dark and looking out the windows. The stars were bright. The moon was even more so and lit the trees up around the house. As hard as I tried, I couldn't remember the last time I saw the stars.

There was something lonely about that thought.