“Z McCartney Camp Still Quiet on His Whereabouts. Rumors Speculate Over Jail or Rehab Possibilities.”
~LA Metropolitan~
Chapter Eight
Aubrey
“Dr. Bentley has assigned someone else to cover your rounds this morning,” Angie said when I came to pick up my charts for the day.
“What? Why?” I asked, alarm spreading through me. Immediately I wondered if someone had discovered my connection to our current resident celebrity and my heart sank. I couldn’t lose this job. If Zane McCartney messed up one more thing in my life, my head might explode.
“He said he needs you to come to his office for a conference. He asked me to send you as soon as I saw you.”
Oh, this is so not good. Dread filled every fiber of my being. “Okay. I’ll get right over there. Thanks, Angie.” Turning away, I left the office, hoping that my voice had sounded somewhat normal. On the bright side, at least I was about to find out what fate had in store for me and I didn’t have to wait and wonder. That was something to be grateful for, at least.
My heart rate had practically reached galloping status by the time I reached Dr. Bentley’s office.
“Go right on in, Aubrey,” Tanya, Dr. Bentley’s secretary said to me, waving me on by. “They’re expecting you.”
They? I hadn’t thought it possible, but I grew even nervouser—more nervous—nervousest? Were those even words? Oh hell, forget the damn grammar lesson. I needed to get a grip.
Giving a brief knock, I turned the handle and stuck my head inside, finding a whole host of people sitting in the room, all of which turned to look at me simultaneously. I locked eyes with Zane and felt ill. They knew. They had to.
“Come on in, Aubrey,” Dr. Bentley said, throwing me off a little with how cheerful he sounded. “There’s a chair right over here next to Mr. McCartney.”
Slinking around behind the others, I recognized Dr. Wilson was in attendance also, but I didn’t know who the other man and woman in the room were. It was against protocol for Zane to have any visitors during his first ten days, so I had no idea who they could be. I slid into the seat beside Zane, but kept my eyes fixed on Dr. Bentley, feeling like a lamb about to be slaughtered and he held the ax.
“Sorry about the surprise meeting this morning and the change to your schedule, but we had some new things come to light regarding Mr. McCartney and we’ve tried to come up with a suitable plan that won’t compromise the care he’s receiving here.”
Damn it. They knew. This was it. I mentally prepared myself for the blow I knew was coming, feeling as if my neck was stretched across the chopping block.
He continued on. “These people here are part of Mr. McCartney’s team. This is Penelope Dantes, his personal assistant, and his lawyer, Mike Larson.”
His lawyer was involved? Was I in that much trouble? I gripped my hands together tighter in my lap, trying to keep them from trembling, even though I was sure alarm was written over every inch of my face.
“As you know, Mr. McCartney is of some considerable notoriety. Because he has come to rehab, and he hasn’t been participating in some of his normal industry obligations, this has caused a lot of speculation in the press. The studio he’s under contract with has become nervous and they’re wanting action taken to dispel the rumors—true as they might be.”
Relief poured through me and I had to fight not to sag down in my chair. “Okay. What does that have to do with me?”
“Well, there’s an awards event this evening that Mr. McCartney had committed to attending prior to his admittance here. He is supposed to be one of the presenters and has been advertised as attending the event. His team of people would like for him to be released from the facility for the night. Dr. Wilson and I had concerns about him being placed back in this environment, however, without even being through his first ten days of therapy. This is highly unusual.”
Zane broke in, staring at me. “I suggested that they send a staff member with me. Someone who could pose as my date for the event, but still help keep me on the straight and narrow. I suggested maybe you could do it since you’d be off work in time.”
“But then Ms. Dantes said it requires a considerable bit more time to prep you for such an event,” Dr. Bentley added. “If you’re willing, they’ve offered to pay you an additional day's wage if you’re willing to leave work and go with them.”
I couldn’t believe this. Zane had somehow managed to set up some pseudo-date for us right under the noses of everyone and he was looking pleased as punch about it. Not only that, if I said no, I’d seem like a complete and total uncaring ass.
“What about my other patients?” I asked, knowing I had many other duties than just the ones revolving around Zane.
“They’re all taken care of,” Dr. Bentley replied. “One of the other nurses picked up your morning rounds and one of the weekend nurses is coming in to cover the rest of the day.”
For the life of me, I couldn’t seem to grasp any other straws that might save me from this. My mind was drawing a complete blank. “It appears you have it all figured out.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about all this being done without even asking me first.
“So you’ll do it?” Zane asked, and I swore he was holding his breath.
“I guess so.” I didn’t have much of a choice.
He didn’t even try to hide his grin. “Thank you.”
Dear lord, that smile. It should be registered as a lethal weapon it was so infectious. It was a crime how much joy seeing it brought me. I didn’t want to think about that, though.
“You owe me,” I said, feeling a smile niggle at the corner of my lips in spite of myself. Plus, I didn’t want to look like a complete jerk. “Big time.”
“I do,” he agreed immediately, and something in his eyes suggested we weren’t talking about the same thing anymore. “You name it—anything—it’s yours.”
Eyeing him, I realized he was completely sincere. “Hmm. I’ll have to think on it and make it something really good.” Everyone in the room chuckled. They were obviously unaware of the past tension between us. “So what’s the plan from here?” I asked, not knowing what else to do.
“I turn you over into the capable hands of Ms. Dantes,” Dr. Bentley said with a smile. “You have the rest of the day off.”
The woman mentioned, stood, and extended her hand to me. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Hart.”
“You, too.”
“Why don’t you go grab whatever things you need, and we will meet you at Z’s room.”
“All right. It’ll only take me a minute.” I stood, nodding at the others. “See you soon.”
Nervously sitting in the limousine, I stared at the others accompanying me, not really sure what to say. I felt totally out of my element. I’d taken a few moments to call my mom and asked if she could let Dustin spend the night with them tonight. I told her I had to work late, but I would call her later to fill her in on the details. I still didn’t officially have permission from anyone yet to tell her about Zane.
“Um, I have a question,” I finally said, unsure of whom to address it to, so I glanced between the three of them. “I can’t break patient confidentiality, but I’m pretty sure my parents might freak out if they suddenly see me on television or something. Is there some way I can tell them what is going on, so they aren’t shocked by anything?”
“Tell them anything they want to know,” Zane spoke up, before anyone else could.
Penelope shuffled restlessly, glancing at him with a slightly annoyed expression. “We’ve tried really hard to keep things from leaking, Z. Are you sure this is wise?”
“It’ll be fine. There’s nothing they could say that will cause any problems. Besides, I don’t think they would want to cause any problems.” It made me pleased to hear him speak this way about my parents, knowing that he still trusted them.
“And you know this how?” the lawyer—what was his name—added.
“They’re good people. I’d trust them with my life.”
“How do you know them?” Penelope asked, confused.
Sighing, Zane looked at me. “Shall we tell them our secret?”
I wanted to shut him up; still afraid I’d lose my job over this. Nerves danced inside me. “I don’t know.” The less people who knew, the less likely someone might slip up later and spill the beans.
Smiling slightly, he glanced at the other two. “Aubrey was my girlfriend in high school. We dated for a year.”
“Wow. You know each other. I thought you were just trying to hit on some poor girl when you asked to go to her facility,” the lawyer said.
“Nope. I saw it as an opportunity to repair some old bridges. Something I haven’t been having much luck with it seems. But I’m hoping my luck will change.” His eyes never left me, their blue depths full of questions.
I kept silent, having no clue what to say. All I could think of was how angry he was going to be when he found out what I was keeping from him.
“Have you ever been to an event?” Penelope asked, thankfully changing the subject.
I shook my head. “No. I’ve never done anything remotely like this. Most of my life has been spent going to school and working. There wasn’t really a whole lot of time for doing much else.” I sounded like the lamest person on earth, but there was no way I was mentioning Dustin to anyone right now. I didn’t care what people thought of me. As long as he was protected, that was all that mattered.
Zane addressed Penelope. “I want her to be pampered, no expense spared—the best dresses by the hottest designers for her to choose from, and get her in with one of the big stylists if you can. I’ll pay whatever is needed.”
“No! That’s way too much. Really. I can just run home and pull out a cocktail dress or something. Don’t worry about me. It’s not a big deal.” My palms were sweaty just imagining the kind of money he was talking about.
The three of them laughed together as if I’d said something really funny.
“Actually, it’s a very big deal,” Penelope said. “You’re going as the date of the most sought after celebrity in Hollywood. You can make or break this night for him depending on how you look on his arm. Everyone will be speculating about who you are, what designer you’re wearing, and who did your hair and makeup. You need to be stunning.”
“She’s already stunning,” Zane muttered under his breath and heat flooded my cheeks. “It’s hard to improve on perfection.”
“Planning to lay it on thick tonight, are you?” I arched an eyebrow, hating that his words pleased me so much.
“Just calling it like I see it.” He seemed so confident and sure of himself. It was as if just being back in the limo had put him back into his Hollywood persona. Somehow he even seemed larger than life. Yet, he was still wearing the same t-shirt and jeans he had been earlier.
“I already have a call into Dominic Florin. He’s pulling dresses for her as we speak. After the dress has been picked, we’re going to Chico’s for the hair and makeup,” Penelope said.
Shock filled my system as I recognized the names of the people she mention, celebrities in their own right in the fashion world. I might not have the funds for all the designer labels, but it didn’t mean I didn’t know who they were. I often looked through magazines on my breaks at work. It was fun to see designer outfits and try to copy them with cheaper, more affordable items. Fashion was fun.
“I . . . I don’t know what to say,” I stuttered out like an idiot. “Thank you.”
“There’s no need for thanks,” Zane said. “We are the ones thanking you for helping to make this happen. It will save a lot of mess in the future.”
“Well, then, I’m glad I could help.” Surprising myself, I realized I actually meant it.
“I am, too. You have no idea how glad.”
Hours later, I stood waiting at the door for the limo to come pick me up at Chico’s salon. I wasn’t going to lie. While today had been crazy, and full of some very exciting and intimidating experiences, I now felt like the prettiest princess in the world.
My long, red, designer dress hugged my form perfectly and showed off plenty of cleavage. It was slit to mid thigh, and the hem of the dress dragged slightly on the floor behind me, as it was supposed to. The sexy designer shoes I was wearing, matched the silver clutch in my hand, and also the silver chandelier earrings I was wearing.
My hair had been piled on top of my head after some warm honey highlights had been added, and my makeup made my eyes look huge, like they were going to pop out of my head. I’d never known my eyes could look like this.
During all the pampering, Penelope had been filling me in on a list of do’s and don’ts. I was to be arm candy and not to speak unless spoken to. I’d memorized the names of all the designers whose products I was wearing, so I could answer if asked. And if anyone wanted to know who I was, I was just to say a friend of Z’s and do my best to turn the conversation back to him. And no matter what happened, I was never to use his real name. I was to call him Z.
I was a little terrified, but excited at the same time.
The car pulled up to the curb and Zane hopped out, looking very dashing in a smartly cut tuxedo. Instantly, my heart rate picked up. It was easy to see why everyone had fallen in love with him. He was extremely good looking, and oh so charming, too. Yep. I should know. I was the girl he’d charmed the pants off of. Sadly, I wasn’t the only one. That thought was like a knife twisting in my chest.
The door opened and he stepped inside, stopping in his tracks as soon as he saw me. “Dear heaven above,” he said in a low voice as his eyes trailed over me from head to toe, before he glanced at Penelope. “You won’t have to worry about the press wanting to know anything about me. All they’re going to see is her.”
Penelope grinned, seeming pleased. “If we are lucky . . .”
Moving toward me, Zane—Z—offered me his arm. For some reason, he even seemed like his alter ego tonight. “You look incredible, Aubrey. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful.”
I blushed. “You’re just being nice.”
“I’m being totally serious.” His eyes roamed over me again. “If I had my way, we wouldn’t be attending this event.” There was fire behind his words.
Heat filled my face. I knew exactly what he was hinting toward. “What makes you think I’d let you take me anywhere?” I smiled slightly, taking his arm and he chuckled.
“You’re letting me take you somewhere right now.” Leading me out, he paused and let the driver open the car door for us.
“Only because you suckered me into it,” I replied, refusing to give into his charm, even though I wanted to. Despite my hurt feelings, he still made me feel everything I used to. I’d missed feeling beautiful in his arms.
“Best thing I’ve ever done.” Ever the gentleman, he helped me slip inside, following behind me.
“Where’s Penelope?” I asked, when the driver shut the door behind him.
“She always rides up front to these things.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling slightly uneasy. Zane and I were completely alone in the back of this car.
“Are you nervous for tonight?” He stared briefly at my hands in my lap. “You’re shaking.”
“I am.” There was no reason to hide the truth. It was obvious.
“Don’t be. You look amazing, and I’ll make sure you’re never left alone. Just be you and enjoy yourself.”
“I’m hoping no one will notice me because they want to see you.”
Laughing heartily, he shook his head. “Let me know how that works out for you.”