Starstruck (35 page)

Sam sniffled.

“Look at me. You’re in shock, okay? And don’t you worry
about that gorgeous face of yours. You have a split lip and a nasty gash
decorating your cheek, but you’ll be as good as new in no time. I promise.”

Bang!

They both jumped. Sam stumbled back and almost fell on her
arse. The whistle of the wind grew stronger and the candle in the room
flickered wildly as a cool breeze wafted over her face and stung her open
wounds.

Caitlin moved fast, dislodging the sledgehammer from the
wall and hiding behind the open door. Sam stayed in the center of the room,
swaying but still on her feet and trying her best to steady them. Her breath
quickened as the floorboards creaked in the hallway.

“It’s just me.” Rick poked his head around the corner,
holding his hands up in front on him. “Fuck, Sam, you’re as white as a ghost.
I’m sorry if I scared you. Where’s Caitlin?”

Caitlin stepped from behind the door and lowered the heavy
hammer.

“Jesse?” Sam asked, terror tightening her chest all over
again.

“He’s gone after her. I told him what you said about the
boats so he’s searching the beach. Where are those goddamn cops?” He spun
around and stomped back into the hall.

“What happened, Sam? Who was that woman?” Caitlin shivered
in her wet clothes.

“I don’t know.”

Rick reappeared in the doorway. “Can you walk, Sam? Jesse’s
gonna shoot a flare into the sky if he finds anything so maybe we should head
outside.”

He stepped to her side and her emotions reared again. She fell
into him and he engulfed her in his arms, gently rubbing her back as she buried
her face in his chest. “Come on, honey. The rain’s easing up. Let’s get this
over with so we can all go home.”

He kissed the top of her head, and then helped her out of
the house and down the stairs.

As they reached the letterbox, blue and red lights flashed
in silence, heading toward them. The policeman in the passenger seat was the
first to exit the car. He cautiously approached until Rick spoke, introducing
them as the people who’d called for assistance.

* * * * *

Reaching the end of the dirt track, Jesse hurdled the low
fence bordering the sand. He ran toward the water’s edge, desperately scanning
the beach. He’d run so fast he was sure to have caught up with her if this was
the direction she’d taken.

The clouds had finally drifted out to sea and blown the rain
with them. The moon glowed bright, illuminating the area.

He scanned the coastline to the bend and stretch of grass
where their small runabout sat waiting. No sign of her in that direction. He
turned toward the rocks and could’ve sworn something moved in the distance, but
it was dark and maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. He faced the ocean,
the only disruption the roar of crashing waves and the hush of the wash hitting
wet sand. He waited, unsure of his next move. Sam and Caitlin were certain the
woman had headed for the water and he’d raced at top speed. There was no way
he’d been outrun.

Still panting, he glanced over his shoulder, back the way
he’d come. He wasn’t looking forward to running through the scrub again, but
for Sam he’d run it a million times over.

He dropped to the sand, needing a moment more to catch his
breath. His head on his knees, he absorbed the tragedy of the night’s events.
He’d almost lost Sam…
again
. His imagination ran wild with what could
have happened had Caitlin not been there to guide them.

A distant muttering pricked his ears. “
Fuck!
Best
beaches in the world, my
arse
!”

He sneered, searched the black rocks to his left…and waited.

* * * * *

Sarah somewhat successfully navigated the slippery rocks.
White sand came into view ahead and the tension in her shoulders eased. She
wouldn’t have to deal with this abhorrent terrain much longer. Needing to get
past the large boulders that towered over her head and stood in her path, she
was forced to wade into the shallows of the ocean and go around. She shuffled
quickly through the cold water. Just the thought of fish and other marine life
touching her legs freaked her out. The ocean was one of the very few things
that scared her—along with everything that lived in it, especially in this
country.

Safely back on smaller, less-intimidating rock, she
side-stepped the haphazard pools with caution. The last one she’d stepped in
was much deeper than she expected and her right leg had dropped more than two
feet into the water. It had jolted her balance and thrown her forward, causing
her to hit her chest on the rocks, knocking the wind right out of her. She’d
navigated slowly since then.

She’d almost reached the soft white sand. Something was near
the water, but she couldn’t quite make it out. She’d been concentrating so
intently on keeping her footing she hadn’t noticed until now. She moved closer,
staring ahead, ignoring the sharp rocks for the dark shape on the sand. She
slowed further, unable to take her gaze from the mysterious figure. It was
human. It stood and appeared to be looking in her direction as she neared.

The stinging pain of her burns returned with a vengeance.
Her skin had tightened, shriveled somewhat, and every bone ached as adrenaline
relinquished its last drop to her system.

She stepped onto the remaining section of rock. The figure
spun and suddenly ran toward her. She had no choice but to keep moving forward.
No way in hell was she heading back the way she’d come and going into the water
again was definitely out of the question.

With only ten meters of rock left to navigate, she stared as
the figure stopped and stood just ahead. Shaggy blond hair blew across his
chiseled features. But hate glowed in his eyes and he glared at her with horror
and distaste.

Her feet squelched and slid inside her sneakers. Her throat
constricted with the realization
her
Jesse stood in front of her. Oh how
she had dreamed of this moment.

She stepped forward, her eyes glued to his, and the ground
disappeared beneath her feet. She flailed her arms, trying to regain her
balance. But it was too late. Her momentum had already been set in motion and
was beyond the point of return.

It was inevitable.

* * * * *

Jesse made no attempt to move toward her when she slipped. A
bright moonbeam illuminated her face and he couldn’t believe his eyes.

Her head hit the sharp rock, hard. She went limp and still.
Part of him hoped she was dead.

Katherine…how could you?

He extracted the flare gun from his pocket, aimed at the sky
and squeezed the trigger.

* * * * *

The young policeman who first came to their aid at the house
drove them from the hospital back to the lake.

Upon inspection of the rental car, the detectives found a
fake passport and other ID, along with a detailed diary listing the times and
places Jesse had been as well as his future appearances.

Besides Jesse having his broken toe wrapped, Sam was the
only other who needed any real care at the hospital. After the doctors stitched
her lip and cheek and set her fractured ankle, she was free to go. She
considered herself lucky.

Seeing them safely back to their houseboats, Constable Shane
Bennett informed them it was pretty much a closed case. Katherine Whitfield,
the manager of the London hotel, was pronounced dead on arrival at the
hospital. She had suffered internal hemorrhaging to the head and never regained
consciousness. It went on record she was just another crazed fan turned
violent.

“Well, I’d better be getting home. It’s been a long night.
It’s a shame we didn’t meet under better circumstances,” the young officer
said. He was an easy read for Sam and would’ve killed for an autograph but
didn’t think it appropriate to ask. He hesitated before turning back to his car.

“Ah, is there anything we can do for
you
, Shane?” Sam
smiled at his innocent face. “You’re off duty, right? Would you like to come in
for a hot cuppa before you go?”

“Um…are you sure? I mean, you all must be exhausted. None of
you have slept.” He shuffled nervously from foot to foot.

Jesse stared at her, pleading with his eyes. He’d told her
on the way back to the houseboat he just wanted to be left alone so they could
curl up in bed and try to forget the horrors of the night.

“He’s a huge fan, Jess. It won’t take long, I promise,” she
whispered, flashing her most sincere doe eyes. “Come on, he’s been very kind.
It’s the least we can do, don’t you think?”

“Dammit, woman,” he murmured before facing the officer.

“Hey, man, you haven’t had any sleep either. If you don’t
mind hangin’ around a little while longer, I’ll put the kettle on. Bit of
caffeine and you’ll be right to drive home. Don’t want you falling asleep at
the wheel now, do we?” he said, smiling at the man in blue.

“Okay, but only if you’re sure it’s no bother. I wouldn’t
want to intrude.” Constable Bennett hid his boyish excitement beneath his
professional exterior, but in Sam’s mind he was jumping for joy.

Two cups of coffee later, Shane left a very happy man with
the promise of free Jerico tickets and backstage passes when they toured
Australia in the coming months. He couldn’t wait to get home and tell his wife
the good news. She was a bigger fan than him and he anticipated receiving her
gratitude—in whatever form she chose to give it.

Sam smiled as he slowly drove away. She was grateful for the
innocuous vision after being bombarded with Katherine’s hateful energy.

* * * * *

They rose early Saturday morning, beating the sun. Starving,
Caitlin cooked up a storm of sausages, bacon, eggs and mushrooms. The sun
peeked over the hills just as they cleared the table.

“I think we should get out of here,” Sam announced. “Let’s
go back to my place. I’ve got some packing to do.”

Only a few hours after arriving home in Sydney, she got the
call from her mother.

Charli had committed suicide in a small cottage just outside
Wollongong on the southeastern coast of New South Wales. She’d leased a holiday
house, paying three weeks in advance, and slit her wrists in the bathroom after
sending a final text message to Sam.

She was found by the maid in a vintage bathtub with brass
feet…just like Sam had dreamed all those years ago.

Epilogue

Ten weeks later…

“Caitie!” Jesse and Rick crowed in unison as Sam shut the
hotel room door behind her cousin. Rick flew across the room like a bat out of
hell and lifted Caitlin off the ground in a giant hug.

Sam gravitated toward her man and melted into his warm
embrace. “So much for him playing it cool, huh?” She snorted against his neck.

In the weeks since she, Jesse and Rick had flown back to the
United States so the boys could continue Jerico’s promo tour, Rick had kept in
contact with Caitlin, calling her on a regular basis. He insisted they were
only friends, but Sam had witnessed how his face lit up during every call.

Jesse chuckled and twirled her to the music on the stereo.
“Yeah, I think he likes her more than he’s lettin’ on.”

“Well you know what they say about he who protests too
much.”

He stopped their spin in the corner of the room, cupped her
jaw between both hands as he leaned forward. “Do you have a kiss for me, baby?”

“Always,” she whispered, pressing her lips to his once,
twice.

“So you girls manage to pack your place up then?”

“Yeah…all done.”

“Good. One less thing for you to worry about.” He trailed a
line of soft kisses across her cheek, ending at the lobe of her ear. “And have
you told Caitlin yet?”

“Ah, no. Not yet.”

His eyes shot back to hers, one eyebrow cocked.

She sighed. “I kind of got distracted and didn’t get around
to mentioning it.”

“What could possibly distract you more than—”

She put her finger to his lips. “Tom came to the house, and
then…well…you know I’m nervous about telling her,” she said quietly.

“What did
he
want?” he growled, red-hot anger
flashing in his eyes.

She grabbed his face this time and kissed him hard on the
lips, smiling as she pulled away.

He looked stunned for a moment.

“He only came to say goodbye.”

A grin rapidly spread across his face. “It doesn’t matter,
does it?” He twirled her in circles again, moving toward the window.

“Nope, doesn’t matter,” she said as he carefully dipped her
and planted another kiss on her lips.

“
Please
tell her now. I really think she’ll be hurt
if you don’t tell her before you spill the news to the rest of your family
tonight. Or would you rather I told her?” He lifted her back up.

“No, I’ll talk to her. You wait out here with Ricky and I’ll
take her into the bedroom so we can get ready. Your job is to keep Ricky out.
He’ll have to keep his hands off her long enough for us to chat.” She turned
toward the couple kissing on the couch like love-struck teenagers.

Just friends my arse!

Tonight they were dining at Caitlin’s father’s restaurant,
meeting with her parents, Sam’s parents, Daniel and Julie. Sam’s closest high
school friends—Mattie, Adam and Lachlan—were also attending with their wives
and children. Tonight was the only break the band had before flying to
Melbourne for more promos the day after tomorrow.

Sam had resigned from her position at Murphy Graphics, Jesse
finally convincing her to live her life instead of just working through it. She
was now the official artist for Jerico, and once the current tour was over she
planned on settling down in New York and painting to her heart’s content.

Jesse had told her of a surprise awaiting her return to the
States, but wouldn’t tell her anything else. He seemed to enjoy taunting her
with the secret. She refused to give him the satisfaction by letting him know
how much his teasing annoyed the living shit out of her. She’d never handled
surprises well.

“Hey! Get off my cousin so we can go get pretty for you
boys,” Sam said in her best New Jersey accent. She was fairly good at it now,
but Jesse still laughed when she imitated his own sayings.

She grabbed Caitlin by the hand and dragged her into the
wide master suite. “So what clothes did you bring with you? You can wear
anything of mine if you see something you like. I’ll jump in the shower first
while you rummage.”

Sam strode to the bathroom and closed the door. Ten minutes
later, she re-emerged wearing her robe and a towel wrapped around her head.
Caitlin had found several outfits she seemed to fancy more than her own and had
laid them on the bed.

“You know, your clothes have certainly gone up a notch. Sam,
everything is beautiful.” Her focus stayed on the purple evening dress at the
end.

Sam smiled knowingly, eying what had been selected. “You
obviously didn’t find my other bag. It’s filled with jeans and t-shirts. This
bag’s all good stuff.”

“What are you going to wear?” Caitlin queried, still gazing
at the purple gown.

“Probably the purple one on the end,” Sam stated coolly, but
couldn’t stand to torment Caitlin any longer when disappointment crumpled her
face.

“Aw, I’m only joking. You can keep that one if you want.
Consider it an early birthday present. It’s brand new. I think the tags are
probably still on it.” Sam picked up a royal-blue dress, holding it against her
body in front of the full-length mirror.

It was another new dress she hadn’t yet worn. One of many
Jesse had bought her in Paris…or Italy. She couldn’t remember which.

Caitlin picked up the dress, caressing the soft silk A-line
gown. She flipped the tag. “Holy shit!” she screamed. “Four
thousand
eight hundred euros, Sam. That’s over…eight thousand Australian dollars! I
can’t keep this.”

“You can and you will. I can see how much you love it and
what’s the point of having all this stuff if I can’t share with my best
friend?” Sam stripped down to her underwear and slipped into the gown she’d
chosen, keeping her back to Caitlin.

“Well, if you’re sure. Oh Sam, I’m so happy for you. This
new life agrees with you. You’re absolutely glowing, you know that? Okay, I’d
better get a move on and hit the shower before Rick comes looking for me.”

When Caitlin reappeared in her underwear she ran to the bed,
fawning over her new gown. It truly was to die for, but Sam was happy to give
it up. Caitlin was nervous about her parents meeting Rick and she wanted to
look her best. She slipped it on over her curves, needing some help with the
zipper. When she turned around, she was beaming.

“Caitie, you look gorgeous. It fits you perfectly. Rick is
going to ravage you when he sees you in this.” Sam smiled. “You really like
each other, huh?”

“Shit, does it show?” Caitlin actually blushed as she looked
in the mirror.

“I have to say he’s been very well-behaved since he met you.
I haven’t seen him even so much as bat an eyelid at another woman. Even the
ones throwing themselves at him. He spends most of his free time with me and
Jess.”

“Really?”

“Yes
really
. I don’t know how I’m going to cope when
Jesse goes on these things without me in the future.” Sam switched on the
hairdryer as Caitlin applied her makeup.

“You have nothing to worry about there, Cuz. He’s yours
hook, line and sinker.”

Finishing with her locks, choosing to leave them loose, Sam
moved on to makeup as Caitlin took control of the hairdryer, straightening her
long black hair.

It didn’t take long for Sam to finish her face, still
preferring minimal makeup. Luckily for her as her hands were shaking. Searching
through the small hard case containing her jewelry, she found a simple pair of
diamond stud earrings—yet another gift from Jesse.

Her palms grew sweaty and her heart raced as she faced
Caitlin. It was now or never. “Caitie, ah, there’s something I want to tell
you.”

“You’re getting married,” Caitlin said matter-of-factly. She
put down the hairdryer and added the finishing touches to her outfit—some gold
hoop earrings and the bracelet Rick had given her from his shopping spree at
the lake. She shrugged. “I had a dream a few weeks ago that you asked me to be
your bridesmaid.”

“Caitie! God, can’t I have any surprises? You’re such a
spoilsport.”

“Not in this family. Both our mums know too, by the way. But
they haven’t told anyone else yet. Just us girls know.” She smiled at Sam in
the mirror, sizing them both up. “We scrub up okay, huh?”

“Caitlin…I’m pregnant,” Sam said, unable to hold back the
tears that had been brewing since she’d stepped out of the shower.

“
What
! How? When?” Caitlin’s mouth gaped, her wide
eyes on Sam’s stomach.

She laughed at the total amazement on her best friend’s
face. “On the houseboat, we think, going by the due date the doctor gave us.”

“But…how? You were told you could
never
conceive.”
Caitlin reverently touched Sam’s belly, examining the barely noticeable swell
of her abdomen.

“It’s not a window, Caitie. You can’t see through there.”
She wiped the tears from her face, turning back to the mirror to check her
mascara was still where it should be.

“Sammie…this, this is a fucking miracle. You know that,
right? Holy shit! We certainly didn’t get wind of
this
. Oh my God, your
parents are going to flip,” Caitlin squealed. “But hang on. How do you feel
about it? I mean…are you ready to have a child? I know I’m not.”

“We’re both really happy. Jesse’s been ecstatic since we
found out. He asked me to marry him only a few days after we got back to New
York and I thought he was happy then, but this has put him over the top. He’s
dying to tell everybody, but considering my nerves about carrying to full term
we’ve decided not to tell anyone but family until I get past the halfway mark,
just in case something goes wrong. Rick knows, of course, but no one else.”

Caitlin touched Sam’s stomach again, closing her eyes. When
she finally reopened them, unshed tears gleamed on the surface, making her eyes
sparkle. Her grin was wide when she hugged Sam.

“Bub is going to be just fine, Sammie,” she whispered. “You
have nothing to fear. You’ll carry to full term without any real problems. I
promise.”

Sam hugged her fiercely, so relieved to hear the words she’d
been praying for. She’d dreaded this moment, but had no doubts about Caitlin’s
assurance. If
she
said her baby would be healthy, then everything would
be okay.

“Now help me figure out how to tell Mum and Dad that I’m
leaving with you. Maybe you should tell them your news first. You know, to
soften the blow.”

“For real? You’re coming back with us?”

“Yeah, Rick asked and…yeah…for a few weeks at least.”

Sam jumped up and down on the spot she was so happy.

“C’mon. I’m dying to see his face when he sees you in this
dress. Let’s hope he’s got his asthma sprays on him ’cause he’s gonna need
’em.” Sam laughed, taking Caitlin by the arm and leading her out of the
bedroom.

Wolf whistles and mighty smiles of appreciation greeted them
in the living room. Jesse eyed Sam from head to toe before speaking. “So! Did
you tell her?”

“Yes, she told me!” Caitlin screamed and ran into his arms.
“Congratulations, studly. You’ve helped create a miracle baby. You do realize
that, don’t you?” She grinned from ear to ear as he pecked her cheek, his smile
infectious.

“Don’t I know it and you’re going to make the best godmother
ever!” He picked her up and spun her in a circle. “So tell me, fairy godmother,
have you decided if you’re coming with?”

“Yeah, I’ve decided. Just
try
to get rid of me,” she
challenged with a cheeky grin.

“Hey. Enough’s enough already, rock star. Leave some hugs
for me.” Rick joined them. Taking Caitlin by the hand, he led her back to the
couch, speaking softly in her ear.

“So you ready to tell everyone tonight? I’m a bit nervous
about meeting your folks.” Jesse slipped into his suit jacket and straightened
his tie.

“Stop worrying. They are going to adore you. They’re musos
too, remember? It’s not like you’re meeting normal parents. They’re not going
to insist you get a
proper
job or anything. It’ll be fine.”

“How did I come to deserve you?” He pulled her close to his
chest, staring deeply into her eyes as he wrapped her safely in his arms.

“Simple…it was destiny.”