Reckless (28 page)

Sean kisses me on the head. “I will see you when I get home,” he said, walking away in a huff.

“Sean, she is your wife. Don’t you think you should treat her …” Dillon started, getting in front of Sean but swiftly diverts when Sean stares him down. “Alright, be an asshole then.”

“Dillon, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about so just stay out of it!” Sean yelled at him.

Dillon raises his hands to him, “Fine, I’ll stay out of it.” Sean walks away, leaving us all speechless and exhausted.

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Randy asked.

“Sean is pissed that Ava is here to see the jump today, and I don’t really blame him Ava.” Ethan said with his hands on his hips.

Really sick of the Grant brothers today.
“I don’t see the difference Ethan,” I said.

“Ava, you’re pregnant. You shouldn’t be here. I wish you had told me, now I feel responsible if anything happens to you.”

“Nothing is going to happen. I wish everyone would leave me alone and talk to my husband. He’s the one doing something foolish.”

“It’s too late for that. Besides, Ethan and I both tried to talk to him again this morning and all we got was his usual relentless determination.” Randy added.

“I’m not leaving,” I said, crossing my arms and focusing away from all of them.

“You two are so perfect for each other,” Ethan huffed.

“I tell you what, let me go and talk to him and see if you can at least stay in his trailer until it’s over,” Randy said.

I look up at Dillon, who is scratching his head. “I’m sorry, Dillon, that you were put in the middle of this.”

“I’m not sure what I’m in the middle of exactly.”

“Sean promised me he wouldn’t do this dangerous stunt, and he expects me to sit at home and wait for him to call.”

“I don’t know why he is shocked to see you then, if he promised not to do it.” Dillon looks me over, reaching for my arm that Sean had a hold of. “How is your arm? He had a pretty rough grip. Believe me, I know how that feels.”

“It’s okay, nothing to make a fuss over.”

“I think I saw a place we can get some ice for it.”

“No really, I’m okay.”

“Are you sure? I think it might help, although no one will probably be able to find you there.” I look up at him as he winks at me. I nod, following him with a smile.

Dillon sneaks us into a catering truck, helping me up on a counter as he gets me some ice. “Here we go,” he said, placing some wrapped-up ice on my arm.

“Thank you Dillon, but it really is fine.”

“Well, Sean is probably going to want to kill me, but it’s not going to be the first time, huh?”

“No, I suppose not.”

“You know, I came down here to show Sean the promotional pictures and hoped to catch some of the movie drama. I didn’t realize I was going to get the ‘behind the scenes’ drama too.”

“Yes, well Sean is really good at overreacting to things.”

“Especially when it comes to his pregnant wife?” Dillon asked, giving me a sideways glance.

“That doesn’t help,” I admitted with a soft sigh.

“Well congratulations, you must be excited?”

“We both are. There has been a lot of drama at our house lately, so we haven’t gotten a whole lot of time to enjoy it yet. As soon as he is done today, hopefully we can put it all behind us.”

“I’m sure you will, you guys are the perfect couple.”

 
“I don’t know about perfect.”

“I do. I have never seen two people so in love in my life. I was talking to him about you right before you walked in. He completely lights up every time he talks about you.” I shake my head. “He does. He told me how you met, and how torn up he was when you were separated for that time. He said he never wanted to know pain like that again, and the first chance he had to get you back he took it and didn’t look back. That man is crazy in love.”

I smile at him as he peels an orange, pulling the slices apart and eating them. “You are really sweet, do you know that?” I said.

Dillon narrows his eyes at me, shaking his head. “No, don’t say that. Sweet, uggghhh. You might as well say I have a nice personality.”

“You have that as well,” I said, laughing at his disgusted expression.

“Oh, now you didn’t have to go and say that.” He cringes.

“It’s true,” I said, egging him on.

“Ava, please stop.”

“And, you’re incredibly hot.” With that, his eyebrows raise and his masculine stature unfolds to its full height.

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah, you’re the whole package Dillon. For sure, if I was a little bit younger and there was no Sean I would be all over you,” I laugh as he struts around.

“I knew it.” He nodded, smiling all over himself. “But it’s probably best you stick with Sean though.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I’m a heartbreaker Ava, and I like you. I would hate to do that to you.”

“A heartbreaker?” I ask, laughing at him.

“Yeah, you know, I just can’t help it. Girls constantly falling in love with me, and I try to stick with one, but then she goes all crazy on me. I find another one and it ends up the same way. It is sad really, but that’s my life I guess. It’s a curse being so desirable sometimes.”

“Oh, I’m sure,” I laugh at him but he isn’t as amused. “So you broke Taylor’s heart? I thought for sure you two were…”

Dillon interrupts quickly, “Damn, you and Sean spend way too much time together. I think you share a brain or something.” I laugh even harder.

“So?” I asked.

“So what?”

“How is Taylor?” I cock my head, waiting for his answer as he glances up from his remaining orange slices.

“She’s fine, I guess.” He mumbled.

“You guess,” he glances up at me to confirm.

“No, it is good thing actually. I mean, I support her fully. I didn’t tell you, but she has this really great voice, so I helped her get this job at a club to sing.”

“That was nice of you.”I say, causing a slight smile on his face.

“Yeah, she really loved it. And I loved going to see her except … well now she has signed a contract and is off to LA to record her first album.”

“Oh. Well, maybe you can go with her.” My response causes him to laugh as he explores the shelves and drawers.

“No, she isn’t going to have a whole lot of time to see me, so no sense quitting my job and moving. Besides, Jalen is going to be with her every step of the way since they are now writing partners.” He sighs as I suddenly realize his troubles.

“Oh Dillon, I’m sorry. You fell for her hard, didn’t you?”

He shrugs. “Fall for her? I don’t know… I am not sure I know what love is, Ava. I have really only been in love once. She was my best friend from the time we were twelve until we were eighteen. She lived right next door, and our bedrooms were right across from each other. We would stay up for hours talking and dreaming about our lives when we grew older. I didn’t see her as anything but a friend until … well anyway I fell hard. And she said she felt the same.”

“What happened to her?”

“Her father moved her away. He really hated me. I guess he convinced her to feel the same because I never heard from her again. Promised myself I would never feel that way again about anyone.”

I hug him. “You know, I thought I would be alone forever after I went through some horrible things, but then came Sean. Sometimes you just have to be patient.”

“Well, enough of the prying into Dillon’s crazy and disturbing life please.”

I nod in acceptance.

“Do you want anything else? I saw a bunch of great food over here,” Dillon said, snooping and filling his pockets.

“No, I’m good. Do you know when Sean is due on set?” I asked him.

Dillon glances out the window.“No, but it looks like they are starting to gather. We probably still have some time before Sean is ready. And boy are they frantically looking for you! Sean must have thrown another fit when he found out they lost you.”

I roll my eyes, “I wish he would just listen for once.”

Dillon laughs as he bites into a pre-made sandwich. “I suspect Sean is not one for negotiations.”

“Ummm no, I don’t think he will ever get to that point.”

“Your daughter is in trouble or should I say her boyfriends are in trouble. He’s going to scare the hell out of them.”

“Maybe not … maybe he will calm down and be understanding and patient with them,” I said, barely able to contain a smile.

Dillon doubles over with laughter. “That’s funny. I bet he is going to either severely injure them or kill them if he ever catches them touching her. If I were you, I would build a room to lock him up in with only a view window. When she brings the guy over, put him in there and let him see the guy but make it sound proof so the poor kid can’t hear him threaten his life. Make sure to keep him in there until after the date is over.” I laugh, picturing his crazy idea. “No, forget that, no view window. He will hunt the poor kid down. Tell Sean she doesn’t date at all until he’s so old he can barely move.”

“Well hopefully we will have grandchildren by then.”

“Grandchildren? You better hope you have a boy then, because that’s about the only one that’s going to be allowed out of the house.” Dillon said, shaking his head.

“Did you ever have a girl’s father scare you?”

Dillon bites into an apple, “Ummm , there was this one girl whose Dad … he was
crazy
. He thought I was a smartass punk - at least that’s what he said to me. He told me he would shoot me if he caught me near his daughter. I wouldn’t have taken him seriously but he brought the gun out and loaded it right in front of me. Crazy son of a bitch.”

“So you stopped seeing her.”

“No,” he said casually.

“No?”

“No, she was hot. I snuck into her room that night. I climbed up a tree in the back, right into his daughter’s bedroom. We did it while the old man sat out on the front porch waiting for me.”

“Did he ever find out?”

“Do I look dead?” He said, holding out his arms.

“Do you always do the opposite of what people tell you to do?” I asked.

“That’s enough about me. It looks as though your husband is going to be called here soon.”

I jump off the counter and kiss Dillon on the cheek, “Thank you Dillon, for making me feel better and taking my mind off of things.” He winks at me.

“Whatever you need, but can I ask one favor?”

“What’s that?”

“Can you kiss me one more time?” He leans down with his other cheek facing me. I smile and reach up to kiss his other cheek. “Perfect.”

“Are you going with me?” I asked him.

“Yes, but hold up. Let me grab some of these rolls and oh, and a banana.” He said, stuffing his pockets with more food.

“When was the last time you ate Dillon?”

“I just had lunch with Sean in his trailer, why?”

“Where does it all go?”

“Where does what go?” He asked, biting into another sandwich.

“Never mind,” I said as the surprisingly fit Dillon shrugs and follows me out.

We both walk cautiously while trying not to be noticed. Dillon taps me on the arm and points towards Sean. He is dressed in a driving suit that fits him snugly, showing off his body perfectly. He takes my breath away as I cower at Dillon’s side, hiding from him.

“Did you come out here to see me baby?” I turn to see Joel’s evil smile.

“Stay away from me,” I said to him.

“So that’s how it’s going to be now?” Joel said, trying to look surprised.

“Joel, you attacked me in my own home.” Dillon straightens instantly, eyeing Joel as he moves me to his other side. Joel doesn’t even hesitate to move towards me. He brushes his hand through my hair before grabbing the back of my neck and pulling me towards him, “I have a feeling you might change your mind soon. I promise I will be the best you’ve ever had.” He crushes his lips to mine.

“Hey, get off of her.” Dillon said, pushing Joel off me.

“Settle down kid, were old friends.”

“I think you better get away from her before you get hurt,” Dillon said, stepping in between us and daring Joel to try anything.

“Ava, you certainly have an interesting ability to get men to run to your rescue.”

“I don’t need rescuing from you Joel, I handled you just fine on my own.”

“You sent your dogs after me.” Joel huffed.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be? Where is your wife anyway?” I asked him.

Joel laughs and starts to walk away, but suddenly yanks me off my feet and crushes me to him. I scream as he holds my face to his and begins groping me.

“Get the fuck off of her!” Dillon screamed at him, taking hold of Joel’s shirt.

Suddenly, Joel is ripped away from me and I am flung into Dillon’s arms. I look down at Joel on the ground, struggling against Sean.