The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (54 page)

T
he studio is much smaller than I had imagined.  Emmy and I are escorted by a page to our seats in the first row.  The rest of the audience has been seated for some time now, and the show is about to start.  As I look around, there can’t be more than two hundred audience seats in total.  The studio is cold, freezing in fact.  It’s a good thing that Emmy’s boyfriend Adam warned us to bring sweaters to the taping.  The lighting equipment focused on the stage throws off a tremendous amount of heat, so I would guess the temperature is kept low to compensate and keep the guests comfortable.

“Oh, my God, Jette.  I can’t believe this is really happening.  Evan is about to appear on 'Night After Night' with Joey Griffin.”  I think she’s more excited than I am.  "What do you think the boys are doing backstage right now?  Do you think Evan's nervous?  I wonder if they're hanging out with anyone famous.”  I don’t even have time to open my mouth to respond before she huffs, “Aren't you going to answer me?"

"I didn't think you were going to stop talking long enough for me to answer, Emmy."  She gives me a pouty look, but I just roll my eyes and chuckle.  I love spending time with Emmy.  She brings joy and enthusiasm with her everywhere she goes.

"Well?  Are you going to answer me, or what?" she asks, still waiting for my response.

I tell her, “I don't know, Emmy.  Maybe.  Evan's done this interview thing lots of times.  It's kind of a cakewalk for him.  It helps, too, that Adam's been with him at all of them.  They make a great team.” 

"Adam says that Evan could have gone on any show he wanted, but this is the only show he could get Evan to agree to," Emmy explains.

"Well, the media has been waiting a long time to hear Evan talk about what happened.  I'm glad he's finally going to put his story out there.  I'm sick of hearing Averee's friends and family defending her all the time."  I know talk show hosts have been hounding Adam for weeks now, all trying desperately to get Evan to appear on their show first.  They all want to know about the night he was held at gunpoint by his Looney Tune ex-girlfriend, Averee DeVeau, precisely six weeks ago tonight.

The choice to go on Joey’s show was an easy one to make.  He tapes in Manhattan, which is just a short car ride from home.  Evan doesn’t want to do any west coast shows right now while he’s still recovering.  He takes his physical therapy routine very seriously.  But aside from that, Evan’s met Joey before.  He appeared on his show previously, and he knows Joey won’t push him too hard.  Evan hasn’t uttered a word about Averee to anyone since he gave his final statement to the police.  Each time I’ve brought it up, he shut me down.  I’m wondering how much he is going to divulge to Joey tonight. 

My thoughts are disrupted by a gentle elbow to the ribs from Emmy trying to get me to focus on the stage where it seems the crew is preparing to start the show.  The first to come out is Seth, the show’s warm-up comedian.  It’s his job to get the audience all pumped up and to explain the rules.  The most important rule – no pictures are permitted to be taken in the studio.  Apparently, this rule is essential because Seth mentions it five or six times.  Aside from not being allowed to leave your seats once taping has begun, he tells us that it’s the only rule they actually enforce. 

I’ve never been to the taping of a talk show before.  As Seth continues to chat with the audience, I can’t help but gaze around at the studio, curious to see all the equipment and staff required to create a television show.  I imagined seeing a neon flashing sign that calls for “Laughter” or “Applause”, and much to my surprise, there is no such sign.  It’s much more spontaneous and the audience is encouraged to respond organically. 

After twenty minutes or so of entertainment, the house band starts up and the studio lights are dimmed, leaving just the stage lights and spotlights glaring. Before long, the director and stagehands signal the show’s about to begin and we hear the announcer, Huxley, read off the list of tonight’s guests.  First up tonight is Kitty Sutton.  Apparently, she’s the host of that star-studded dance show that I’ve never seen.  The crowd seems to know who she is and claps loudly when her name is announced. 

The second guest tonight is my boyfriend, and the entire reason why we’re here tonight, the New Jersey Sentinel’s newest back-up quarterback, Evan “Big Mac” McGuire.  The crowd erupts into a raucous round of applause and cheers.  There’s no doubt, the crowd is anxious to see Evan tonight.  I’m equally certain that when this episode airs tomorrow, it will bring in tons of late night viewers. 

Finally Huxley announces tonight’s musical guest, Lorde.  Now that’s a performance I’m very much looking forward to enjoying.  But for the time being, I have to sit back and count the minutes until Evan makes his appearance.

In the middle of the thunderous applause, Joey Griffin makes his entrance on stage to deliver his monologue and introduce the house band.  He tells a few jokes and pokes fun at some of the celebrities in the news.  He does a skit at his desk before the first commercial break, and for a few minutes, I almost forget why I am here.  It nearly slips my mind that Evan is back stage in some sort of a green room with Adam, waiting for his interview.  As my nerves start to get the better of me, I begin to wonder if he’s nervous, too.  Maybe he's casually chatting with members of the crew as he sits in make-up getting ready for the cameras.  I can’t imagine my man, a professional athlete, completely masculine and sexy as hell, wearing makeup.  My favorite image of Evan is of him lying in our bed, naked, still slightly sweaty from exertion, hair wildly sticking out in every direction, sleeping soundly, with just a small swath of fabric barely covering him.  Suddenly, my nerves are gone, replaced with a completely different sensation altogether.  I get all tingly just thinking about him.

As the first commercial break arrives, the audience is free to talk and chat.  There’s a large group of young women behind me and they are all talking excitedly about how lucky they are to be here today and how it’s their dream-come-true to be able to see Evan in person.  I’ve been in this situation before, facing his excessively flirtatious and overzealous fans.  The first few times, it wasn’t easy.  I would look at these women as potential rivals.  I was afraid that when the right offer came along, he would give into temptation and I would become a distant memory.  How wrong I was.  It took a near death experience to get me to accept my place by Evan’s side and to realize that there is no temptation strong enough and no rival enticing enough to come between us.

“So Emmy, where to after the taping?  Did Adam make any dinner reservations?”

“Evan asked him to get us a table at Bar Americain.  Bobby Flay is supposed to be there tonight.  I’m surprised he didn’t he tell you,” Emmy responds.

“He’s been really busy lately.  It must have slipped his mind,” I tell her.  Evan’s been preoccupied with his recovery.  Besides, his pre-season schedule is pretty daunting.  Before she can push me on the topic, the lights dim and the band starts up again.  Emmy and I sit quietly as the first guest is interviewed.  Joey talks casually with Kitty about the current season of her show.  They chat and laugh a lot as Joey gets her to tell some funny stories about the contestants and their struggles to master the choreography.  To hear them talk about the show, I almost want to start watching it, too. 

When the interview’s over, the camera pans over to Huxley and he announces, “When we return, Joey challenges NFL Superstar Evan McGuire to a showdown.”  Emmy looks at me, waiting for an explanation, but I have none to give.  The crowd roars and women are screeching in delight at the prospect of being up-close and personal with Evan.

Once the hollers die down and the lights come back on, Emmy questions me about what we just heard.  Both of us are regular viewers of “Night After Night”, so we know exactly the types of challenges we can expect.  Emmy and I debate the possibilities.  We quickly eliminate games like Pictionary, Charades, and Catchphrase as likely competitions; Evan’s not really into those types of games, even though he’s more than capable.  As a quarterback, he’s most assuredly cut out for more physical competitions.  We’ve seen those on the show, too.  The guests have been challenged to a variety of races and target games with all sorts of equipment, but because of Evan’s injured hand, it’s not likely he’ll be playing any of those games, either.  We’re both stumped. 

After several minutes of deliberation, the lights dim and the audience again erupts into rowdy cheers, interrupting our conversation.  My eyes immediately dart to the stage, anxious to see Evan emerge through the curtains.  The main camera is flashing, pointing directly at Joey, as he begins to introduce his next guest.  Smiling from ear to ear, I listen raptly as he describes Evan’s rise to fame to the audience. 

“My next guest is someone you all know well.  He’s one of the newest players for the New Jersey Sentinels, backing up veteran quarterback Matt Ortiz.  His swagger, strength, and sex appeal brought him into the spotlight, but his charismatic charm keeps him there.  He is here tonight, giving his first interview since his altercation with pop star Averee DeVeau.  Please help me welcome – Evan McGuire.”

As the audience begins to respond the curtains open and out walks Evan, not showing one ounce of nerves.  He’s wearing a pair of dark-washed jeans and a black button-down shirt, open collar with no tie, and a black suit jacket.  He waves to the audience, glancing around the studio, and taking in all the energy being projected at him.  He flashes a sultry smile for the camera, showing his beautifully perfect white teeth and revealing those dimples that I adore, whipping the screaming audience into a frenzy of excitement.  I joyfully join them, calling his name proudly and clapping as loudly as I can, but it’s lost among the rest of the rowdy applause and whistles echoing throughout the studio.

Evan glides gracefully across the stage and walks directly over to Joey, shaking his hand, and exchanging private remarks.  Both men take their seats, but the crowd continues their adoration, not relenting in their cheers.  Joey says something to Evan we cannot hear, and Evan briefly stands and waves to the crowd, expressing his thanks and appreciation.  As he turns to scan the audience, I see the features of the man that has captured my heart.  He is tall, dark, and intimidating in a sexy way that makes you hungry for more.  The sparkle in his eyes and his kind smile show his soft side, creating a wave of desire that washes over your entire body.  There’s something animalistic about the way women respond to him.  He projects sex appeal like an electrical storm that lights up the sky.

He sits back down and for the first time and I can tell he’s a little nervous.  He runs a hand through his thick chestnut hair and shuffles nervously in his seat.  After some time, the crowd begins to settle and the interview can begin.  My heart is beating wildly and I’m on the edge of my seat, eager to hear every word that’s said.

The conversation begins innocently enough with a discussion about his move to New Jersey and his decision to rebuild a beach house damaged during Hurricane Sandy.  They spend a few minutes talking about the condition of our hometown of Point Pleasant, and the efforts to rebuild and restore the shore.  That simple statement is the perfect segue to the Restore the Shore Benefit six weeks ago, when his former girlfriend, Averee DeVeau, had her meltdown in the middle of our fund raising event.

“Well, Joey, as you know, I was there to help raise funds to restore our community, along with lots of other athletes and entertainers.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stay until the end as I had planned.  I made a swift decision to take Averee away from the event as soon as I realized she wasn’t in her right state of mind.  I had no choice, really.  She was a danger to everyone I love, to herself, and to the hundreds of innocent people who gathered to enjoy a special night together.  I have no regrets and I would do it all over again in an instant.”  Evan takes a deep breath and waits for Joey’s response.  He doesn’t have to wait long.  The crowd erupts into applause, giving him a standing ovation.  I don’t think Evan was expecting that reaction from the crowd.  His beautiful blue eyes are wide with surprise, looking at the audience in complete amazement.  My heart is absolutely bursting with pride.  Even Joey stands and claps for Evan’s act of bravery.

Joey sits back down and continues, “So Evan, there are photos of Averee at the benefit.  Can you tell us if there is any truth to the rumors that she was impersonating your girlfriend?”

Evan tries to be as gentle in his remarks as possible.  “I’m not going to sit here and lie, Joey.  The pictures are out there and they speak for themselves.  Yes, Averee altered her appearance and tried to assume Juliette’s identity.  Like I said before, she was not in her right mind.  She was confused, frustrated, and desperate.”

Joey then asks Evan about his injury.  “It sounds like a horrible situation.  I hope you don’t mind me asking this next question, but everyone wants to know how you got injured.  There’s been a lot of speculation out there trying to put the pieces together.  Can you tell us once and for all what actually happened?”

Evan hesitates, clearly giving his response one final moment of full consideration before continuing.  He scans the crowd apprehensively, and his eyes lock with mine.  Those big blue eyes shine the moment he finds me, and I nod, encouraging him to go on.  He smiles at me, and I can see him visibly relax, ready to talk for the first time in weeks.

“You know, Joey, it was a very long night that didn’t end until early the next day.  I don’t even know how many hours we were in that house together.  Time kind of stood still.  The truth is that I injured myself grabbing a chef’s knife out of Averee’s hand.  If I didn’t, I have no doubt that Averee wouldn’t be alive right now receiving the care she so desperately needs.”  He pauses for a moment, and then continues.  “I have no one to blame but myself and I’ve been dealing with that decision every day since.”  Evan sits back in his seat, takes a deep cleansing breath, and exhales through his mouth.  He’s been holding that in for some time now.  I’m so glad he finally let it out.