"Pop
Life"
Chapter 93
"Am I missing something?" Tony asks as he shuts the door behind him.
"Only that he's a liar," I say with my arms folded over my chest. I plop down on the couch.
Tony's eyebrows raise a little. "Oh. I guess I did miss something."
"He's on the radio right now telling everyone he doesn't have a girlfriend and that he's going to my show tonight because his mom likes me. His MOM!" I say flailing my arms around.
"Sounds like his PR people have talked to him," Tony says. I can tell he's trying not to smile.
"I...don't...care."
I stare straight ahead.
"Okay," he shrugs. "I'll leave you to mope."
"Good," I huff.
By the time Brad arrives I've calmed down...a bit.
He knocks on the door and I take my time to answer it. I'm not even moved when he's standing there with a bouquet of Gerber daisies so I turn around and walk into the room, without even giving him a smile.
He follows me into the room and shuts the door behind him.
"Uhhh, these are for you."
"You can put them somewhere," I say, not looking at him.
I pick up a magazine that's laying on the coffee table and start paging through it.
He sets them down and walks over to me. He sits down next to me when I don't look up at him.
"What's going on now?"
"I heard your interview."
"Okay. And you know I said those things because that's what our manager told us to say, right?"
Still paging through the magazine, I shrug.
"Look at me," he says yanking the magazine from my hands. "Don't get like this Adriana. You know how I feel about you."
I stare at him for a second.
"I did know. It just hurt to hear you lie so easily."
He closes his eyes for a second. "But that's what it was...a lie."
"I don't like this."
I'm trying not to pout, really I am.
"Now you know how I felt when you asked me to understand..."
Suddenly I'm starting to feel guilty.
"But you said it was okay," I say softly.
"What else was I going to say? No, I want to shout it from the rooftops that you're my girl? That's really what I wanted to do."
I take his hand and smile. "Really?"
He nods. "I still do. You know what? One day we're going to be able to do that...we're going to be able to go out to places together and sit next to each other at award shows..." he looks down at me, "...just not now."
I bite my lip and nod. "Yeah, you're right. You just didn't have to answer it so fast," I say playfully swatting at his arm.
He chuckles. "Oh if that's all it takes, I'll hesitate next time."
"Okay."
"It's going to be obvious when I'm watching you on stage tonight, though. People are going to know how I feel about you."
I start playing with his fingers. "Are you that obvious?" I tease.
He nods and leans toward me. "Very."
"Good," I say before his lips close over mine.
I lower myself so that I'm laying on the couch. His mouth never leaves mine as he follows me.
Part of me wants to pick up where we left off yesterday but the other part of me is scared. His hands find the hem of my shirt quickly though and he raises it up a little so that he can slip his hands underneath it. Slowly they move to my breasts. I guess Brad liked me giving him that green light. He starts to kiss down my neck as his hands massage my breasts. I run my fingers through his hair.
"I'm sorry that I hurt you," he mumbles against my skin.
"It's okay, I understand now," I say.
He lifts my shirt up over my head. I smile softly to myself. I wore a lacy bra today. He stares at me for a second before he lowers his head to my stomach and starts kissing his way up. He kisses a path between my breasts and then places small kisses up my right breast before his mouth covers it.
I groan and arch my back. I start yanking at the collar of his shirt.
"This isn't fair," I moan.
He lifts his head a little. "What isn't?"
"You need to take this off," I say pulling at a couple of buttons of his shirt.
He sits up a little and quickly removes his shirt. When he lowers himself on me again, our bare skin touches and it feels so good. We kiss a little more. This time my hands explore his upper body. I've never really felt him without a shirt on before. I like the texture of his skin against my fingers.
We sit up and I start kissing his shoulders as his hands rest on my waist. He lets me take my time as I kiss him.
Suddenly I feel his hands move up my back and start to undo my bra, but I pull back a little.
He closes his eyes as he catches his breath.
"Sorry, I got carried away," he says.
"No...we did. It wasn't just you. I'm just not ready for...for that next step yet."
He places his hands on my thighs.
"I know. It's okay. We're taking our time."
I nod.
"You're so patient with me," I say, stroking his face.
He turns his head and kisses the palm of my hand.
"One day...when we're ready...it's going to be worth the wait."
I smile.
God I love this man.
My eyes get as big as saucers.
Did I just think that?
"You okay?" he asks. "Did that scare you?"
"What? Huh? Oh...no, I was thinking about something else."
"You sure?"
"Yeah," I smile again. "I'll tell you one day."
"I can't wait to see your show. Brad says it's something I'll enjoy," Anne says. She squeezes my hand as we walk to my dressing room before the show begins.
"I hope you do. It's a fun show for me."
Andre opens the door to my dressing room for us and we walk in.
"This is nice," she says looking around.
"Make yourself at home. The table over there is fully stocked with stuff to eat and drink."
My dressing rooms are always comfy for me. I make sure it has a comfortable couch and that it has a warm feeling to it. Brad sits down and turns on the TV while his mom takes a look around.
"Your sister is okay?" she asks me when she sees the picture of my family on my makeup table.
"Yeah, she's fine."
Brad looks at me. "I told her about what happened. I hope that was okay."
I nod. "Yeah, it's fine. I know your mom won't go tell some tabloid," I laugh.
Anne winks at me. "I'll try to contain myself."
"Actually the guy that did it...he treated her well. She thought it was a game. Mama said she still will mention him once in awhile and how much fun she had playing hide and seek from me in Las Vegas."
"I bet that's strange for her."
I nod. "Yeah...it gives mama the creeps. But we're just glad that it didn't scare her."
Anne gives me a sympathetic look and nods. "I can't imagine what you and your family were going through."
"It was scary."
"I haven't met your mother yet," she says thoughtfully.
"Oh, that's right. Well, maybe you can come down to Florida for vacation and get to meet her."
She glances at Brad and then smiles warmly. "I'd like that. I haven't been on vacation in awhile."
"No, she hasn't," Brad agrees.
"Then it's settled. I'll have mama make the arrangements."
About halfway through the show, Anne turns to her son.
"She's really good."
He nods. "I know. She just captivates you, doesn't she?"
She puts her arm around him and rubs his back. "Yes. I see that look in your eyes."
He turns to look at her. "What look?"
"A look I saw a long time ago...with someone else."
He turns to look back at Adriana. She was talking to the crowd right now, making her way down the catwalk.
"I care about her, mom."
"I think it's more than that," she says, leaning in toward him.
He nods as he stares straight ahead. "Maybe."