Taking Something (30 page)

“Hmmm.” Honesty must have been catching in LA. “Well then you know she doesn't want to be with me.”

“She says that, but she doesn't mean it,” he disagreed. “One thing that hasn't changed about Gianna Grayson is her selflessness.”

“Care to explain?”

“She's always been too worried about everyone else. Always willing to sacrifice what she wants for the 'greater good' and all.” I still had no idea what he was saying, so I didn't say a word. “She doesn't want to be the reason that you give up your career,” he finally informed me.

“That's insane.” I went on to elaborate. “She wasn’t the reason I want to quit. I am. I don't even recognize myself anymore.”

I'd done some pretty shady stuff in the past, but the person I had become in Los Angeles took it to a whole new level.

“Working with Sadie and the whole way that clusterfuck played out—I just don't think I'm cut out for all that comes along with it.”

“Well I disagree. I mean, you weren't cut out for being Sadie's boyfriend.” He paused. “But you're a great producer. Horrible boyfriend, great producer,” he reiterated, slapping me on the back. “So what are you going to do about Gia?”

“What can I do? Gia made her choice. Simple as that.” I was out of ideas. “I've already told her what she means to me. According to you, she's got it set in her mind that she's bad for my career. I'm done trying to convince people to do things they don't want to do. It's time for me to go home and let her go.” I stood up and handed the studio key to Landry. “Drop this off for me, would ya?”

“Just for the record, I think you're making a mistake,” he said again, taking the key from my hand.

Wouldn’t be the first.
But this time, it actually felt like I was doing the right thing for a change.

Two Months Later...

“T
HERE'S MY
favorite girl,” I said, rushing through the door and swooping her up in my arms. I placed a kiss on her cheek. The smile on her face when I pulled back to get a good look at her was all I needed to remind myself that I'd made the right decision. “I got you something today.”

“You have got to quit buying her stuff,” Lila informed me from behind the island that separated the living room from the kitchen. “I won't have my daughter being a spoiled brat.”

“It's my job,” I answered, grinning down at my niece after pulling the new rattle I'd picked up for her out of my pocket. The pretty little blonde cooed up at me in delight as I shook it for her. “Tell Mommy to be quiet. I'll spoil you if I want to.”

I’d thought that getting away from the place and the people that had caused me so much heartache would make me better, but it was a slow process. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled to be done with Sadie, but I missed the music. And more than anything, I still missed Gia. Every morning that I opened my eyes and looked around my room, alone, I was reminded of life I didn't have. The one where I woke up next to the woman I loved in a house with a kid I was crazy about.

I threw myself into the position my brother had given me at Kline Implements. He’d actually had enough faith in me to put me in charge of the marketing department.

“Let's put your abilities to good use,” he had said. “Time to convince people to give you money for the right reasons.” It wasn't the same as spinning records, but it was good. I kind of liked it. And the workload was pretty full, so it gave me little time to think about her.

I'd still been in touch with Landry since I'd left, and he was still trying to convince me to go work for him. He’d even gone as far as to send me some lyrics for a couple songs he'd been working on. I told him I’d taken a look at them, but I’d lied.

I knew that if I’d opened the emails he'd sent, the ideas would start pouring out for how to arrange the music and then I'd start second-guessing leaving that life behind. I'd gotten a few other calls from people after Sadie's first single came out, which was surprising considering Sadie's promise to keep me from working in the industry. There hadn’t been one offer that made the idea of going back to LA appealing.

“So how was work today?” Lila asked, falling on the sofa, a magazine in hand. Bailey and I were settled into our usual spot in the recliner. It was my favorite part of coming over to visit—getting to cuddle up with her after a long day at work. I never thought I'd be that guy, but I had a whole new perspective on what was and wasn't important.

“It was all right.” I shrugged.

This had kind of become our routine. A couple times a week, I'd come over after work and see Bailey. Most of the time, Lila would end up asking me to stay for dinner and then we, along with my brother, would hang out until it was time for me to go home and start the routine over again.

Surprisingly, I didn't mind the repetition. But it was a far cry from the life I'd walked away from. The nights of working clubs until the wee hours of the morning and then taking home a random chick were over.

I'd tried going out a few weeks ago, but it just didn't have the same appeal. Plus, every time I’d seen a brunette walk by, I'd immediately thought of her.

“There is no way that you got all through all that work on your desk,” Tucker said as he walked through the front door. “How did you beat me home?”

“I guess I'm just way better at my job than you are,” I joked. He grabbed Bailey from my arms, kissing her on the forehead. “I must be the one who got the brains in the family.”

“Hear that, baby girl? Uncle Nick thinks he's funny,” he said, chuckling. He walked over and sat down next to his wife on the couch, leaning over and greeting her with a kiss. “Would you mind telling him exactly how much smarter I am than him, babe?”

She shook her head. “I'm not participating in your daily pissing contest today. You're both smart and handsome and can run equally as fast and…” she trailed off.

“You forgot how strong we both are?” I said.

“Oh, and great at dancing,” Tucker added.

“Yes! We are great dancers,” I nodded in agreement. She didn't even crack a smile. She was too invested in the magazine she was holding in front of her face to hear what we were saying.

“You are never going to believe this,” she finally said, lowering the magazine to peek out over the top at me. “Looks like Sadie Sinclair's luck ran out,” she announced. She held open the pages that had captured her attention for me to see.

Pop Superstar Sadie Sinclair Cancels Tour for Rehab Stint.

“Rehab? I knew she had issues, but not anything rehab-worthy,” I replied after reading the headlines. I'd seen Sadie drink a few times, but it wasn’t anything that would have made me think she was an alcoholic, and I’d never seen any drugs. She had sworn the pill thing had been a rumor.

“Not that kind of rehab,” Lila explained. “Says here she's entered a treatment facility for exhaustion and for her mental well-being. Rehab is just their fancy way of saying she's in the nut house. Story makes it sound like she flipped shit on her manager and the label demanded she seek treatment.”

“Gia warned me that she was one bad relationship away from a nervous breakdown,” I recalled.

“Lucky for you, you weren't her last relationship,” Tucker said, peeking over Lila's shoulder at the article. “Looks like she's been making the rounds since you bailed. A basketball player, some old dude with more money than God, and a reality TV star.” He pointed down at the pictures surrounding the story.

“Doesn't surprise me,” I admitted. “She's crazy.”

As much as I hated how things had gone down between Sadie and me, I felt bad about her going to rehab or the nut house or wherever she’d found herself. She probably did need professional help though. A nice long stint with some people dedicated to her and only her was just what she needed. Maybe she could figure out why she felt the need to act the way she did—to hurt people and treat them the way she did. Then again, she'd probably end up like every other self-entitled celebrity brat and go right back to her delusions of grandeur, stirring up shit just because she could.

Tucker and Lila nodded in agreement. Bailey let out a wail, letting her mother know it was time to eat, ending the conversation.

“Somebody's hungry.” Lila took the baby from Tucker's arms. “Excuse us, gentlemen,” she said, chuckling as she walked into the kitchen.

“So, Nicky,” Tucker said, leaning over, resting his hands on his knees. “Have you seen the new receptionist we've got at the office?”

I shook my head. “Don't start this again.” Since I'd been home, Tucker and Lila had made it their mission to hook me up with someone. I thought they were going a little stir crazy staying at home with the baby all the time.

“Come on, dude. You haven't even seen her. She's pretty hot. You should stop by the front desk tomorrow and check her out,” he suggested.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I declined. “I'm just not ready.”

“I know what happened with Gia sucks, but you're never going to get over it by sitting around here with my kid every weekend. As cute as she is, you gotta start living your life,” he added, sitting back.

“He's right,” Lila chimed in from the kitchen. “Time to get back on the horse. We want to see you happy.”

“Fine,” I sighed. “I'll check her out. But I'm not making any promises.” That was all they were getting. I was perfectly content with my life. I was lying in the bed I'd made for myself and it was as empty as I deserved it to be. I had come to the conclusion that I just might not get my happy ending.

I talked to the receptionist a few days later. Emma. She was cute—blond hair, blue eyes, good sense of humor—but I didn't feel it. Shortly after that, Lila tried setting me up with some curator down at the museum that she swore I'd hit it off with. Met her out for coffee—nothing but awkward pauses and small talk. Totally my fault. How was I supposed to give anyone a fair shot when all I did was compare them to someone else? None of them were as funny or as sweet or as beautiful or as big of a smart ass. None of them were Gia.

I thought about calling, but things hadn't changed between us.

She was the one who had ended things, and I'd tried to talk her out of it to no avail. She had to know that I'd moved back to Chicago by now. She and Landry were in each others’ lives, and he knew all about what I was up to. Made me wonder if she ever even cared. I refused to be the guy who asked Landry what she was doing or if she was seeing anyone. I had pride—at least a little bit of it.

“Hey, Nick,” Emma said that afternoon when I walked up to reception, needing a break from the new campaign I had been working on. Tucker had asked that I come up with a pitch for a new commercial he wanted to start running on national television spots. It was a big deal. For the company and for me. I really wanted to prove to everyone that I could succeed at this job. I'd screwed up my last career and was trying to avoid a repeat performance. “Did you need something?”

A lot of things, Emma. Just not anything you can help me with.

“Nah. Just need to stretch my legs.” I rested my arms on the counter of the reception desk and sighed. “So…umm… Things going good? Liking the job?” Small talk was about the best I could come up with. Maybe someday—when I’d finished throwing myself a pity party—I'd be able to get back into the dating scene. Until then, I might as well be cordial and make a new friend.

“Yeah, it's great.” She smiled. “My last job wasn't a great experience so I'm happy to be somewhere where people are so friendly.”

“You and me both.” I chuckled, loosening up my neck tie a bit. I'd started rocking a more professional look—suits, ties, and a tamer hairstyle.

As much as I’d loved my messy hair and vintage t-shirts, I’d had to let them go. The clothes had been easy, but the hair was having a harder time letting go of our wild past. It was taking some serious convincing and hair product to keep it from returning to its chaotic roots.

“Well, I better get back to the grind,” I said, knowing full well how stuffy and uptight “getting back the grind” sounded. I could feel myself slowly becoming like all those suits I'd rolled my eyes at, and as much as it sucked, it was all I had now. “Can't go pissing off the boss. Gotta see him at family dinners and all.” I laughed.