Love's Autograph (14 page)

Two weeks later, Ellie flew out to England to start her
Struck
Tour
. The tour was going to be her biggest and most sensational. She usually was energized, full of creativity and excited to hit the stage and meet the fans. She felt somewhat distanced from the tour this time.

She checked her phone prior to the flight, and
again as soon as they landed in England. No messages from Ria. Ellie pulled up the week's itinerary on her phone. She had meet-and-greets, interviews, an autograph session, a sound check, and dinner with Roxie. She had not seen or spoken to Roxie since she had set her up with Ria.

Ellie made it through the day with a dosage of faked enthusiasm. She signed more posters and CDs than she would have liked. This was her first international tour, but the energy seemed different with fans. Ellie wondered if her fans connected differently with her album
Struck
.

“
England is going to keep you busy,” Robert said.

“
Huh, how so?” Ellie asked.

“
Do you know how many women gave me their phone number to give to you?” Robert said.

“
You can throw them all out,” Ellie said.

“
What? Did you see some of those hotties? You sure?” Robert said. Ellie nodded. “Wow, you've been bitten by the love bug again, huh?”

“
What? No, I'm focused,” Ellie said. “Focused on my music, not groupies. I think I'm done with one night stands. Why am I telling you this? Just no phone numbers, okay?”

“
Okay, okay, I'll push them your band members’ and crew’s way,” Robert said.

“
Fine with me,” Ellie said.

That night Ellie went to the hotel restaurant to meet Roxie. Roxie was one of the many unique people
that she had met as a famous musician. Most people she could take or leave, but she hung on to Roxie. Part of the loyalty she felt for Roxie stemmed from the risk Roxie took in supporting Ellie when nobody else would. She was the one who suggested the name EJ Way instead of Ellie Jane Wakefield.

Ellie waited at the table as Roxie came sauntering in half
an hour late. That was early for Roxie. As Roxie made her way to Ellie's table, one of Ellie’s bodyguards, Jim, started to walk across the restaurant, but Ellie held up her hand to call him off.

As usual,
Roxie was overdressed. Roxie looked like a stereotypical older, rich woman. She was tall and skinny with short white hair. She had diamond studded earrings and a big shiny necklace. She was wearing high-heels, a red designer blazer over a white blouse, and a tight red miniskirt.

“
Ellie Jane, you waiting long?” Roxie asked as she hugged and kissed Ellie on the cheek.

“
You know I was waiting long. I always wait for you,” Ellie answered.

“
I'm so glad that I happened to be in London at the same time as you. How are you?” Roxie asked.

“
I'm fine, and you?” Ellie said as they both sat down. A waiter walked over to them.

“
Oh, sweetie how about a whiskey sour and a salad,” Roxie ordered from the waiter.

“
Another beer and today's special, please,” Ellie said to the waiter and he nodded and walked away.

“
So, the big tour. You excited? Before I forget, I have to ask. Can you get me some tickets for some of my clients?” Roxie asked. Ellie reached behind her to the pocket of her jacket that was hanging on the back of her chair. She handed her a stack of tickets. “Thank you sweetheart.”

“
So, you've been traveling a lot,” Ellie said. “I've been trying to contact you.”

“
Yes, yes, so what happened with you and that woman Rita?” Roxie asked.

Ellie answered,
“Ria, yes what did you tell her? She thought I was her babysitter when I showed up.”

“
Yeah, but she knows now, right?” Roxie asked.

Ellie took a sip of her water and answered,
“No, she doesn't.”

“
I just saw her. When was it? I went to this dinner and she was there. That was a couple weeks ago,” Roxie said as she picked up her phone and ran her finger over the screen. “Yes, last Tuesday I was at a dinner and I saw her.”

“
You didn't say anything?” Ellie asked.

Roxie said,
“Of course not, what was I supposed to say that you broke superwoman's heart. I wouldn't in front of her girlfriend.”

“
What girlfriend?” Ellie asked.

“
There was this gorgeous blonde with her. What was her name? Gloria... or, I don't know,” Roxie said.

“
Gwen,” Ellie said.

“
Yes, do you know her?”

“
No, but I know of her,” Ellie said. She ran her finger around the rim of her glass. “How did they look together?”

“
Fine,” Roxie said as she scrolled through her phone.

“
I mean did they look like they were into each other? In love?” Ellie was not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

“
Who knows? Gwen seemed to be really interested. I don't know if Ria did. Yeah, I guess she did. Oh, well I did take a jab at her when Gwen wasn't around. I did say something,” Roxie said.

“
What?” Ellie asked. “You didn't.”

“
I said something like 'a shame that it didn't work out with Ellie.' Then I told her that you hadn't been so head over heels about a girl since you-know-who,” Roxie said.

“
You told her about Jenny and that I was head over heels about her?” Ellie said.

“
In one way or another, I might have,” Roxie said.

“
Roxie!”

“
You know whatever will happen will happen,” Roxie said. “Tell me about what's planned for this tour. I heard great things about this. I heard that this is supposed to be your best tour.”

“
Let's hope,” Ellie answered.

Ellie and Roxie talked about the tour and Roxie's business. They planned to meet up again
when Roxie was back in Boston. Roxie promised to email or text more often, and Ellie made a mental note reminding herself not to hold her breath for any communication from Roxie.

She headed back
up to her hotel room accompanied by her body guards, Jim and Clara. Ellie always thought Clara's name did little to support Clara's masculine presence. Her name should have been Bertha or an androgynous name. Ellie entered her room, and after Clara diligently checked the room for fans or foes, Ellie fell back onto the bed.

“
All set Ms. Way,” Clara said. She insisted on calling her Ms. Way.

“
Thanks, Clara,” Ellie answered.

“
If you need anything call, or pound on the wall. Remember I'll order room service for you. We don't need another San Francisco incident.”

“
I will, thank you,” Ellie answered. She once called for room service and a fan made her way into Ellie's room. Ellie had to lock herself in her bathroom while the fan trashed her room. Hopefully that was the first and last restraining order Ellie would have to take out. Ellie closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep.

But sleep was not coming easily. She reached for her phone on the night stand and
opened it to the picture of her and Roxie that she had taken tonight.

She s
ent the picture to Ria and texted,
Dinner with Roxie tonight. As always interesting company. I hope you're well.
It was midnight in England but only 7:00 p.m. in Boston. A few minutes passed and a text appeared on Ellie's phone.

Ria texted,
Yeah, Gwen and I saw her at a benefit dinner. How is she? How are you?

Ellie answered
,
She's fine. I'm fine.

What you up to?
How's Maggie?

She's
fine. She's constantly playing the guitar. She loves it. I'm thinking about getting her more lessons,
Ria said.

Ellie offered,
Or I can still give the lessons. I'm not afraid to make amends with her.

Ria said
,
Maybe, I'll talk about it with her, and see. How's your arm?

Okay, a little sore still, but healing fine.

Ria said,
Roxie said something that was confusing to me.

Ellie
responded,
Yeah?

She said something like that she was sorry things
didn't work out between you and me, and talked about you having some recent heartbreak.

You sure she didn't say that I was a
“heartbreaker” LOL,
Ellie panicked.

Ria asked
,
Were we supposed to go on a date that night?

Ellie paced around her hotel room. She flipped a coin to decide to tell her or not, she sat down on the couch, and stared at Ria's last text on the phone. Then something happened that was even scarier than the text. The phone began to ring
, and it was Ria.

Ellie answered it,
“Hello.”

“
Hey,” Ria said. “You didn't answer my question.”

“
Oh, I didn't get that last text. What question?”

“
I asked you if—”

Ellie said,
“Just kidding, I got it. Yes.”

“
Yes, we were supposed to go on a date?” Ria asked.

“
Yes, that was my understanding.”

“
And then you became a babysitter? How did that happen?” Ria asked.

“
Well, I came in the house, and I heard you talking on the phone to someone about the Maggie-sitter being there, and then talking about some hottie at work,” Ellie said. “I realized that you thought I was the babysitter, and that you were looking forward to going out with this other chick. How could I take that date away from you?”

“
So, you pretended to be a babysitter?” Ria asked.

“
Don't say it like it's something horrible. It's not like I pretended to be a pilot, or doctor, or something. It ended up okay that night, right?” Ellie said.

“
With you and Maggie, but not with my date. Well, that explains why you were so dressed up and that you came with flowers,” Ria said. “Wait, so why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep coming here and hanging out with Maggie?”

“
Well, I kept coming because I bonded with Maggie. She's amazing and I loved spending time with her. It's easy to hang out with her. I love hanging out with both of you. I don't know. Is that weird?” Ellie said.

Ria answered,
“No, not weird. Not sure why you had to lie.”

“
Well, I… I don't know. The longer it went on the harder it was to talk about it.”

“
So, wait you aren't seeing anyone? Dating then? You never were?” Ria asked.

Ellie answered,
“I've dated a lot.”

“
Ellie, I'm being serious. Are you not dating anyone right now?” Ria asked.

“
No, nobody right now,” Ellie said and there was a long silence.

“
It's weird talking about this over the phone. Can we meet somewhere? Can you come over?” Ria asked.

“
Um… it would take me a while, I'm not in town right now,” Ellie answered.

“
Oh right, you must be on tour, right? Where are you, New York City?”

“
No, a little further. I'm in London,” Ellie answered.

“
London? I didn't realize you toured out of the country. Wow, that's great. Things are picking up, huh?” Ria said.

“
It never was really down. Like I said, I'm a successful musician,” Ellie answered.

“
So, it's like ten o'clock there right?” Ria asked.

“
After midnight,” Ellie answered.

“
Oh, do you want to go?” Ria asked.

“
No, I miss talking to you. It gets lonely on tour. I'd love to talk to you for as long as you can talk,” Ellie answered.

“
Why wouldn't you have said you were my date?” Ria asked.

“
Like I said, I overheard you excited about the date. Who was I to ruin that?” Ellie said.

“
You were my date. You're too much.”

“
Too much and too cute?” Ellie stated.

“
I'd not go that far,” Ria said.

“
Well, anyway,” Ellie said.

“
Oh no, I have to go. I told Maggie I'd watch a show with her. Can I call you back?” Ria asked.