Collaboration (14 page)

“What the hell was
that
?” My mom bursts in and I quickly lose the smile as she throws her hands on her hips, glaring my way.

“Acting—just like you told me to do,” I remind her.

“Taryn, a song and a video is one thing. Whatever
that
was is entirely different,” she says, gesturing toward the door.

My only response is to grab my change of clothes and walk behind the partition.

“Taryn!” she yells and I continue to ignore her. “You’d better talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to say. It was acting, Mom. I guess if the singing thing doesn’t pan out, I have something to fall back on,” I lie. I don’t think an Oscar winner could have pulled off that performance.

“I’ve seen acting, Taryn, and that wasn’t it.” Her phone rings and thankfully, I’m able to change in peace while someone distracts her. It only lasts for a minute though, because the second I’m dressed, she pulls me out the door. I don’t see any sign of Trace or any of his entourage as I walk through the main room and into the hallway—he must have already left. Although I shouldn’t be, I’m disappointed he didn’t stop long enough to say goodbye.

Chapter 10

Trace

After a shower to get my sweaty ass under control, I emerged from my dressing room to find that Taryn had already left. What did I expect, that we were going to pick up where we left off after the cameras stopped rolling? Maybe not, but I didn’t think Taryn would just up and leave right away either.

“Ace, that was fuckin’ hot, my man,” Quinton says, slapping me on the back. “Who knew the brother had moves like that?”

“Yeah, now I see why he gets all the women,” Xavier grumbles.

“Bro, it ain’t got nothin’ to do with his moves. Are you forgettin’ the money this man pulls in on a daily basis?” Dre chimes in.

“And are you motherfuckers forgettin’ that I’m standing right here?” I demand.

“Ooh, he’s touchy. No doubt it’s those blue balls you’ve got after filming a love scene without the lovin’. We need to take you out so you can get that taken care of,” Xavier offers.

“Hell no, I’m tired as fuck,” I say. “We ain’t stopped since we got back. Plus, you heard Marcus— I’ve gotta film in the morning and who knows what the hell else Jay’s got lined up for me to do. Speaking of which, where is that bastard?”

“He and
Caprice
had some catching up to do,” Dre says, waggling his eyebrows. Good to know my manager’s got his priorities straight. Although I’m not complaining, since at least he’s not breathing down my damn neck.

Marcus joins the group, putting his arm around my shoulders, saying, “Great job, Ace. I’m not sure I’ve ever filmed a scene like that in one take before. You guys were fuckin’ hot.”

“That’s what I told him,” Quinton says, “and now my boy here’s trying to get out of going out tonight because he says ya’ll gotta film tomorrow.”

“We
do
have to film, jackass,” Mark states and I silently thank him, “and he can’t be rollin’ into the shoot with a hangover. In fact, all ya’ll need to get some rest.”

“And you don’t think we should be callin’ you St. Mark, huh?” Xavier teases him.

“I’m no saint, motherfucker,” Mark says under his breath.
Alrighty then.

“Hey, let’s get out of here—we’ve got plenty of time to hang,” I say. “Don’t forget the release party the label’s throwing in a couple of days. We gonna rock the shit outta that shindig.”

They immediately begin chatting about the party like a group of teenage girls, and I’m grateful I managed to redirect their attention. Giving Mark a wink, I head toward the door where Cal is talking to some of the security team while he waits.

In the car on the way back to the hotel, I finally have a chance to think about Taryn. There is no way that I was the only one feeling it when we were filming that bedroom scene. In fact, I’m pretty damn sure we both forgot that we were supposed to be acting. Hell, I forgot that there were people watching us. Holy shit—that’s probably why she took off the way she did. I’ll bet my ass her mom dragged her out of there so fast her pretty head was probably spinning. Even a mom like
hers
doesn’t want to watch their “cute and classy” daughter getting it on with some black guy, no matter how much money he’s got. Guess there’s only one way to find out. I pull out my phone and send her a text.

So you gonna kiss and fly?
;)

Nothing. Complete fucking radio silence. Sitting in LA traffic for the next hour with nothing to do but wonder why she isn’t responding is making me feel like I’m losing my mind. It’s a good thing I’m not driving or I’d be hell on wheels right now.

By the time we arrive and I still haven’t heard anything, I’m beginning to question if it
was
just me that felt something. I’m also starting to feel like a damn girl. Time to put my big boy underwear back on.

“Cal, the boys going out tonight?” I ask as we climb out of the car. Man, I missed this Escalade.

“You know they are. Why?” he asks, looking at me curiously. “I thought you were stayin’ in?”

“Changed my mind. Give me fifteen, will ya, and then mind if we roll out?”

“Nah, Ace, I don’t mind,” he says, but I get the feeling that for whatever reason, he does.

“’Aight,” I say, “see ya in a few.” I head up to my suite and I’m not in the room for two minutes before my phone buzzes, alerting me to a message.

Sorry about that. You’d have thought the building was on fire as quick as my mom got me out of there.

Figured. Good to know she wasn’t avoiding me. Unfortunately, the urge to see her again just multiplied.

Me: What ya up to?

Taryn: Early to bed, early to rise….

Me: I thought I was filming tomorrow?

Taryn: You are. I’ve got appointments lined up and a recording session for a new song.

Shit—I hope to hell it’s not another collaboration. The thought of her and some fucker in a cramped recording studio makes my skin crawl. And forget about her shooting a video. My fingers type out a text and send it while brain is still trying to figure out whose ass I need to kick.

Me: Wanna get together afterward?

Did I just ask her out on a date? I rub my palms together as I await her response.

Taryn: Sure, whatdya have in mind?

I have no clue, just as long as she’s there. What a fucking pussy I’ve become.

Me: I’ll text tomorrow with the details, but keep the evening free, ok?

Taryn: Sounds good. See ya tomorrow.

Me: Yup, nite lil’ lady.

Suddenly, going out with the guys tonight loses its appeal. I send a message to Cal, letting him know that I changed my mind—again.

***

Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is a little on the touristy side, but it’s also the perfect place to get lost in a crowd. Not to mention, the musicians and performers lining the streets on Saturday nights are known throughout LA. I’ve always wanted to go, and when Taryn said she’d never been either, that sealed the deal.

As bad as I wanted to be the guy to pick her up for our date, I just couldn’t. No way would we have made it out together without causing a scene. She said she’d wear a disguise and have her driver drop her off, not far from where we’ll be eating. I arranged to meet her on a specific street corner, hating that we had to start off the night looking like I was picking up some chick for her tricks.

I laugh out loud when I actually lay eyes on her because that really is what it looks like. Standing on the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and 3
^rd
Street wearing a hot pink wig that would make Nikki Minaj proud, my little country girl is wearing a short-ass skirt, some funky-ass tights, a pair of high-ass heels, and a sequined shirt that hangs off one of her shoulders. Along with her outlandish outfit, the sunglasses hiding her eyes ensure that no one…and I mean no one…would guess that that’s Taryn Starr, the darling of country music—I sure as hell wouldn’t have.

Even through the shades, I can see her striking hazel eyes staring at mine. She bites her lower lip and I’m instantly reminded of doing the very same thing just yesterday. As much as I want to take that video shoot one step further, right here and right now—tourists be damned—I stride toward her as slowly as I can, take her hand, and kiss her chastely on the cheek. If there’s an award for exhibiting control under impossible circumstances, I just took home the fucking trophy.

I lead her along the main street, taking in the sights and sounds, enjoying the perfect California weather. After passing by a number of shops, which thankfully Taryn has as little interest as I do in checking out, we come across one street performer who outshines the rest. I probably would have kept on walking, but Taryn tugs on my arm, indicating she wants to stop.

The thin but relatively good-looking guy standing in front of us is spitting rhymes with so much passion and anger that I’m even taken aback. Instead of sucking up to the ladies, who I’m certain are responsible for most of the tips the musicians receive, he glares at them, and I instantly know there’s a story behind the vitriolic words he’s spewing. Dude better figure out how to rein that shit in or he’s going to be digging through trash cans for his food here pretty soon.

The thing about it is, the guy can rap like there’s no tomorrow, and I know it’s an original because I’ve damn sure never heard anything like it before. I can’t even imagine what he could do with the proper guidance and a team behind him.

Without thinking, I pull out my wallet and locate one of the cards that Jay gave me years ago, certain that I’ve never used them before. Never needed them—not when everyone knows who I am. But I’m not exactly dressed the way I normally am today, in an effort to not be recognized. Guess it’s working because the guy hasn’t given me a second glance. He’s too busy giving hostile looks to every woman within a half-mile radius.

When he finishes rapping and grabs a bottle of water, I squeeze Taryn’s hand and release it before approaching the guy. After checking to see that no one in the vicinity is looking, I push my sunglasses on top of my head. His eyes widen in immediate recognition.
That’s right, motherfucker.

“What’s your name, man?” I ask, leaning in toward him.

“Eli,” he says, but it comes out as almost a question.

“Two pieces of advice, Eli. One—quit fucking glaring at the ladies. They’re the ones who might buy your shit someday. And two—you’ve got talent, kid, and if you decide you want to lose the big-ass chip on your shoulder, give me a call,” I tell him and then turn right back around and head back to where I left Taryn standing.

Taking her arm, I lead her in the direction we were previously heading and say, “So…I didn’t know what kind of food you liked, and this place is a mix of Mexican and Asian. One of those fusion places. Figured you might like at least one of them.”

“Mexican and Asian? Wow, that’s quite a combination,” she says, smiling at me as if she knows something I don’t. I can tell she wants to ask me about the brief conversation I just had, but I’m glad she doesn’t. The guy will either ask for help or he won’t, but either way, he’s gotta get over whatever has him down or he’ll never move up.

“I know, right?” I say, smiling in return. “Well, if it sucks we can just go somewhere else.”

“No, I’m sure it’ll be great. It’s just nice to get out and go somewhere without it being a huge production. Speaking of which, how’d you ditch the security detail?”

“Cal and I have an understanding. Sometimes I just need to get away and he respects that,” I tell her. She nods her head and there’s no doubt in my mind she knows exactly how that feels.

Speaking of Cal, I see the restaurant up ahead and try to think like he would for a second. “Peaches, why don’t you go on up ahead and get seated and I’ll follow behind in a few minutes. Walking through the restaurant together might gain us a little more attention than we need. Does that sound good?”

“Yup, sounds like a plan,” she says. “I’ll see you in there.” I point out Jenga and let her know the reservation is under ’Manning.’ She cocks an eyebrow and then walks away, leaving me to watch her until she enters the restaurant. Damn, her legs and ass are the reasons mini-skirts were made.

Just before I’m about to head that way, I see a kid, no more than sixteen, selling a basketful of single-stem roses. Even though I want to buy the whole damn thing, I can’t risk the interest that might draw so I pick out one instead and give the guy a twenty, telling him to keep the change. I’d give him more than that, but then the pimply-faced punk would probably sell me out to the paps and I
really
don’t want them around tonight.

When I arrive at the table, I see Taryn frowning at her phone, texting furiously. I place the rose in front of her and she looks up, her face instantly transformed. Man, I love it when I can put that smile on her face, and I’d sure as hell like to kick whoever’s ass it was who made her unhappy in the first place.

I sit down in my seat and thank the hostess, who inspects me a little closer than I’d like before she heads back toward the stairs. I purposely made the reservation on the outdoor patio while the sun’s still out, so it wouldn’t seem strange for us to keep our sunglasses on. But considering I wear shades in all my videos and most promotional shots, I probably don’t look that much different than normal. I was hoping the lack of security and my toned-down wardrobe would throw people off.

“This place looks fantastic,” Taryn says, putting her phone away in her bag. Good, there’s nothing I hate more than people who are attaching to their fucking cell phones. “You picked a great table too—perfect for people-watching.” I’ll have to admit, I did pick a great spot. From our table for two, we can look out over the Promenade as the crowd crawls by below us.

“People-watching, huh?” I muse.

“Yeah, it’s nice to turn the tables and be the one who watches everybody else for once. Don’t you ever feel like you’re in a jar, put up on a pedestal for the whole world to see and look at?”