13
NATE
A few weeks have gone by since Holly and I decided to go exclusive. During that time, a number of things have happened. I handed my notice in to Charlie and finally called it quits with the construction business. He was sad to see me go, but knew that I was always destined for bigger and better things. As a leaving token he requested my first bit of business. A custom footstool so he can kick back while watching Millionaire reruns with his old lady. I guess some things never change.
Holly’s book still isn’t due for release for a few months. It will be on sale to the public before Christmas, but she’s already gathered quite a following. I’m not too familiar with the whole publishing business, but apparently these big companies like to make stars out of new authors. They set Holly up with a presence on social media and her profile took off overnight. No one can quite explain how it happens. Excerpts of her writing float across the web and a few journals even tip her for new author of the year.
Her following is rapacious, and she’s especially popular with teens. She’s done a few events now at small colleges and literature events, and I’ve been by her side at every opportunity. It’s wonderful watching her come into her own with each event, and her publishers are delighted with her presence. She’s a natural delight, and everyone loves her wherever she goes. They think she’s some underhanded mastermind when it comes to public speaking; they don’t realize that she’s just being herself. That’s enough.
We’ve grown closer in the past few weeks, and we spend so much time together now we’re practically living out of each other’s pockets. Holly basically lives in the house now, and her stuff has gradually ended up moving over to mine. Everywhere I look now I see something of hers, and I don’t even mind. It’s a small reminder of her when we’re not together, and it only makes me happy. Having her in the house just feels right, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s Friday night, and Holly has a big event coming up tonight. She’s doing another reading from her book at the National Writers Awards. There’s going to be thousands of people there, and this will be her biggest event yet. Her following continues to grow, and her publishers have had to bring in extra security in anticipation of the numbers.
Tonight is extra special because her book is officially available for pre-order. Holly is naturally nervous. She keeps asking me what will happen if no-one wants the book. I can only shake my head and laugh. She’s adorable.
The event tonight is black tie, so I pull the tux out and make sure I’m ready. I don’t want to make Holly late, she’s already stressed enough as it is. I’m in the workshop adding the finishing touches to a piece for a client when she pops her head in.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Are you ready?”
“Sure am babe.” I stand up from the bench and unroll my shirt sleeves. Grabbing my jacket off the back of the door, I walk over to Holly. She’s wearing a black dress which hugs her body all the way down to her ankles. Diamonds decorate her ears and neck, and her blonde hair is drawn up in a bouquet of curls.
“Do I look okay?”
“Breathtaking.” I say. “Shall we?”
She nods nervously and we head for the front door. She goes to grab the car keys and I stop her.
“Actually, we're not driving tonight. I arranged a little surprise for us seeing as it’s a special evening.” I open the front door to reveal the Limo sitting outside. I called in a favor with my old boss Lisa, and she was more than happy to help.
Holly bursts into laughter. “There’s not a hunk driving that limo is there?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ve been told the driver will be dressed appropriately for the occasion.”
“Darn, and here I was hoping to ogle some hot guy.”
“Careful.” I say while leaning in and kissing her. “You don’t want to make me jealous.”
I step outside onto the porch to leave when Holly pauses. “I’ll be one sec, I forgot something!” She runs off into the house and returns a moment later clutching a small notepad in her hands. I’ve helped her practice her speech a dozen times, so I know it’s not that.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.” She says while flashing me a mischievous smile. “Let’s go.”
A convention center downtown is hosting the awards. The limo drops us off at the front. As we exit, I’m surprised to see a wall of paparazzi photographing the guests as they walk in. Holly wraps her arm around me and I escort her toward the entrance. Photographers everywhere are shouting her name.
“Damn,” I whisper into her ear. “I feel like we’re at the Oscars. What is this again?”
“We might as well be.” She whispers back. “This is the equivalent of the Oscars in the writing world.”
We make our way inside and part ways. Holly’s publishers have secured me a seat near the front.
“You’re going to kill it.” I say while planting a kiss on her cheek. “Good luck.”
Holly’s new agent, Olivia, rushes her away from me and I go find my seat in the auditorium. Her relationship with Karen didn’t last too long after it started. Holly’s publishing company realized that her potential was far beyond that of the boozy soccer Mom, so they moved her onto Olivia, who seems vastly better on all accounts. It gets Holly away from that psychopath and means I don’t have to see her at these events either, so it’s win win.
The lights dim and the awards begin. The first half of the night is a rather standard affair. I’m almost falling asleep in my seat as they rattle through various awards, giving out small statuettes to people that I’ve never heard of before.
The readings are scheduled during the intermission and at the end of the show. I have to wait right until the end to hear Holly speak. Before her there are a couple speeches from other new authors, people who are doing short readings from their books. The crowd seems pretty tired by this point, and it’s obvious that everyone is ready to go home. I’m a bit anxious for Holly, but I know that she’ll crush it with the crowd.
The host calls her name, and I sit up straight in my chair. She wanders up to the podium under the lights, and I swear, the audience is going wild. I’m a little dazed, and Holly looks like it too. Even the host seems a little perplexed. I shift in my seat and look around the audience and see a see of expectant smiles.
She starts by thanking everyone for their warm welcome, and then she jumps straight into an excerpt from her new book, Roses for Autumn. The reading only takes her a few minutes, and during that time the entire auditorium is silent as her voice brings her prose to life.
When she’s finished, applause fills the auditorium. I jump to my feet and look around to see that every single person in the house is standing too. Holly is on the stage, looking back at me, her face glowing in gratitude. Her reading was beautiful, and there isn’t a dry eye in the house.
The host thanks Holly for her time, and he’s just about to show her off stage when she stops him, asking if she can do another short excerpt. The host looks confused, and I’m confused too, there was only one reading on the schedule, and Holly mentioned nothing about this to me. He looks as if he wants to say no, but the crowd gives their rapacious answer. They love her, and they want to hear more.
He holds his hand up to his ear, probably checking with his producer and gives her a nod. She takes the stand again and the room simmers down in quiet expectation.
“This one is just a piece straight from the heart. It’s for my guy out there. It’s titled: Fire Extinguisher.”
There’s a bubble of confused laughter. But then she starts reading, and the room quickly falls silent. As she reads I feel the emotion well inside of me. She finishes a minute later, and the room is deafeningly loud with applause. The show finishes on that note, and I rush backstage to meet her.
Backstage is a myriad of chaos, everywhere I look people are flocking to and fro, and it seems that most of them are wanting to talk to Holly. I spot her on the other side of the large room as her agent, Olivia, attempts to shield her from the adoring public. Holly spots me and runs over to smother me in a tight hug.
“You were amazing.” I say. “They loved you.”
“Did you like my surprise?”
“I loved it.” I kiss her and squeeze her tight in my arms.
“Sorry to interrupt the party guys.” Olivia says as she pushes in between us. “Just thought you’d want to know Holly. I just got off the phone with HQ. Apparently the site for your book has crashed. So many people are trying to get on to pre-order, it couldn’t handle the strain!”
“That’s a good thing right?” Holly asks.
“It’s great!” Olivia says. “We’ll have it fixed and back up again in an hour. I’ll leave you guys now. There are some big cats that want to talk about bids for your next book. Later!”
She peels away, leaving Holly and I to focus on each other in the packed room. Crowds of people surround us, and it’s obvious the majority of them want to approach Holly. I hold her close and they seem to take the hint that we want to be left alone.
“People are bidding for my next book and the first one isn’t even out.” Holly blinks hard. “This is all a bit much.”
“What do you say we hit the town and get some drinks to celebrate?” I say. “It’s getting a bit busy in here.”
“Actually I was thinking maybe we could just go home. It’s my favorite place, and you’re the only person I want to be with right now.”
I take her by the arm and lead her out of the room. “Sounds good to me.”
We’re barely through the door before we’re kissing each other, dropping our fancy garments to the ground. It’s a rare occasion when we manage to stay off each other long enough to make it to the bedroom, but we do this time. Lips crush, skin touches skin, and our limbs entwine as we meet in a passion of fury on the covers.
We come together three times before we stop for air or words. I’m absolutely consumed with my love and lust for her, and there’s nothing better than knowing she feels that way too.
People started to call me Notorious because I developed a reputation. I’m not proud of the way I used to live my life. I had some fun, but it never scratched that itch inside of me, the one that was calling out for something more wholesome.
I thought I knew what happiness was, but I didn’t truly know until I saw it stumbling down the gangway that one night.
Every day she makes me a better person, and everyday I fall in love with her a little more.
It’s strange, but if you told me back then that the love of my life would be the girl that doused me with a fire extinguisher, I would have laughed. She’s weird, she’s wonderful, and she’s all mine.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.