CHAPTER 22

 

 

Seth and Fawn fell back onto the bed after making love for the third time that night. Each and every time was more intense than before. Soft words of romance, promises of a future and apologies had been whispered in the dark as their bodies found more ways in which to please each other.

Seth had never known it could be like this. This all encompassing feeling of love that he felt for Fawn. With her lying in the crook of his arm, her head resting on his chest he knew he would do anything for her.

She still hadn’t opened up to him, or proclaimed her love for him but Seth knew she felt it. You couldn’t touch someone the way she had touched him and not love him.

“I need food.” She yawned into his chest.

“That might be a good idea.” Seth said as he started to get out of bed. “You got anything in the house?”

Fawn laughed. “I only got back yesterday, although I do think I’ve got some eggs.”

“Fried eggs it is.” Seth said slipping on his pants and heading downstairs, giving Fawn a few minutes of privacy.

He pulled open the fridge and pulled out some eggs, milk, cheese, red and yellow pepper and some ham. After setting all the ingredients on the counter he noticed Fawn walking into the living room and headed straight for the remote. Within seconds the EP he had recorded onto CD was playing through the house.

Lost in her own world Fawn sat down in the living room listening to the songs. Seth decided to let her be and decided on making omelets after his find in the fridge.

As the fourth song came to an end Fawn walked into the kitchen with her silk kimono and sparkling eyes.

“Seth! It’s wonderful, I love it. I have a proposition to make. I want you to be my producer for this album.”

“Album?” Seth asked confused. “We only have four songs.” He said placing a plate on the breakfast counter in front of her.

“We’re going to make more. I’m sure John is going to love this, even if we have to fire the current producer. I want you to make music with me Seth, please say yes?”

Seth knew he wanted to produce music, but he never expected Fawn to give him a free ride into the business, he was willing to start at the bottom. “If you’re sure and John’s all right with it, I’d be happy to.”

“Then it’s a deal.” Fawn said biting into the first piece of her omelet. “This is just as great! Where did you get the ingredients, and how did you learn to cook like this?”

Seth laughed as he watched her snarf down another bite. “In your fridge, and the hotel cooks.”

“Remind me to thank Callie, she does the shopping.” Fawn said smiling as she took another bite.

“I will along with the flowers I already owe her.”

“Flowers?”

“Well she did borrow me her keys which has led to numerous orgasms, love declarations, and 3am omelets.”

Fawn laughed. “Fair enough, flowers it is.”

“How are we going to do this? Do I need to move to L.A.?” Seth asked, if he had to he would leave the Hamptons.”

“Aaaw, sometime you’ve got to fly the nest Seth.” Fawn teased.

“I don’t mind coming out quite often, it’s just the Hamptons have always been home.”

Fawn smiled at him, but Seth could see the wheels starting to turn in her head, what was she up to now? “We’ll sort out the details later; first I think I need to write more songs to make an album.”

“What was that you sang when I found you yesterday out on the deck?” Seth asked as he placed their plates in the sink and poured them each a glass of milk.

Fawn smiled sadly at Seth as she accepted the milk. “It was a song about losing the love of your life. It’s a very sad song.”

Seth realized the song had been about him, without thinking he stepped around the island counter and took her in his arms. “Does that mean you love me Fawn?”

Fawn lost herself in the grey depth of his eyes. “How could I not? I’ve never felt this way Seth; I don’t want to ever lose you again.”

Seth smiled “You’ll never lose me again.”

A tear slipped down Fawn’s check as she gazed into his eyes. “You better not be an asshole again.”

They both laughed before Fawn ran towards the stairs calling over her shoulder. “I bet you can’t catch me.”

 

 

“Hey man, this is awesome. Debbie just wanted to say thanks in person.” Stefan said as he slapped Seth on the back. He smiled at his friend, glad they had come all the way to Manhattan for Fawn’s first folk show. A few months ago he wasn’t sure Stefan would ever speak to him again, or that he wanted him to. But there was nothing a few beers couldn’t fix when it came to their friendship. Stefan had apologized and Seth had apologized in turn before they both got drunk and reminisced about the good old days.

Seth looked at the young girl standing next to Seth; she was barely thirteen and still had innocent eyes. He couldn’t fathom that six months ago she had caused all the trouble that had nearly pulled him and Fawn apart. The young girl pursed her lips and twiddled her fingers before looking at Seth. “Thank you for inviting us and giving us back stage passes.”

“It’s a pleasure.” Seth smiled as the opening act started playing their first song.

Debbie kept looking at Seth before saying softy. “I’m sorry about what I did.”

Seth smiled and bent to her level. “It’s all right, everything worked out. Hopefully you’ve learned a lesson in the power of social media.”

“Yes.” She nodded before walking away, Stefan short on her heels.

Seth shook his head and headed towards Fawn's dressing room where she was getting ready just as John stepped out.

“Seth I’ve got to say it, no matter how hard it is. You’ve done a great job on those songs, now we’ve just got to believe the crowd’s gonna love them as much as we do.”

Seth nodded, tension bunching his shoulders. His whole career as a producer hung in the balance, as well as Fawn’s future in the music industry. He knocked twice before opening the door.

Amidst the railings of clothes and the bright lights from the dresser stood Fawn. She looked nothing like the pin-up image that graced posters for her world tour. The red patent leather bikini was gone along with the nine inch heels and bright red lipstick.

In front of him stood the Fawn he had come to love and to know. She wore a light figure hugging jean that bellowed from her knees with brown boots. The white cotton shirt she wore was slightly transparent giving you a glimpse of the tank top she wore underneath. Her hair hung loose in natural ebony waves over her shoulders. Her ice blue eyes had none of the dark eye shadow that had featured in her previous tours; instead they were slightly enhanced with liner. Her lips were painted a bare nude color and were stretched into a wide smile.

“How do I look?” The question was no-brainer, but Seth could see she needed reassurance.

“You look like Fawn, the Fawn I know. That writes beautiful lyrics and sings them from the heart.”

She bounced on the spot. “I’ve done so many shows and yet I’m so nervous Seth. Why am I so nervous?”

Seth knew why, so did Fawn but now wasn’t the time to remind either of them that their careers hung on tonight’s performance.

“You don’t need to be nervous. You’ve got a crowd out there that would pay to see you sing Baa-Baa Black Sheep and you’re going to awe them with original folk music with a twist only Fawn could give.”

Seth stepped closer and pulled her into his arms, drawing in the familiar scent of citrus perfume. The scent had taken residence in his home as well; it seemed as natural to Seth as air.

“Are we going home after the show?” Fawn asked as she leaned her head against his chest.

Seth couldn’t help the warm feeling in his heart when she called his house their home.

Ever since the record had been finalized and Seth had returned to the Hamptons, Fawn had been coming out to visit at least every other week.

“Yes.” There was a brief knock at the door giving Fawn her queue. “Go get ‘em.” Seth said as he released her.

Seth made his way to the golden circle where he joined Stefan and Debbie; he didn’t want to hear Fawn from back stage. He wanted to see her.

The lights in the arena were switched off. People pressed against Seth from all sides, wanting to be the first to see Fawn. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation.

He started to hear fans chanting throughout the arena, first softly and then louder and louder.

“Fawn – Fawn – Fawn – Fawn”

He turned to Stefan with a self-satisfied grin. “That’s my girl!” He announced proudly. Fawn had made a statement with regards to their relationship a few months ago; there was no more need for secrecy.

Stefan laughed. “No need to brag about it.”

A spot light shone on the stage, Fawn sitting on a stool with her guitar and a microphone. None of the dancers and stage effects from her previous shows.

There was a collective gasp in the audience when Fawn’s voice rang through the speakers and her fingers started strumming the guitar.

Instead of screams and dancing the crowd was silent, swaying to the music and intently watching the stage.

For a while Seth thought they hated it, until Fawn’s song ended and a roar of applause rang through the arena. They didn’t like it, they loved it!

After the show Seth pushed through the throng of people to Fawn’s dressing room. As he stepped inside, John popped the champagne.

“And here he is, the man of the hour!” John said as he poured champagne into the glasses Callie held. His hair was swept back, the armpits of his shirt damp. “I have to say, I thought it might work. I never thought it would be received this well. A reporter already came up to me saying they are going to refer to the show as refreshingly honest and soulful, void of the commercial entrapments.”

Seth looked at Fawn who was smiling from ear to ear. “I can’t believe it.” She said as Callie handed her a glass of champagne. Seth could see the happiness shining in her eyes.

“Believe it honey! You’ve officially done it! You’ve gone and changed your sound.” Callie said as her bright red curls bounced on her shoulders.

John slapped Seth on the back as he handed him a glass of champagne. “I’ve got to say it would not have been possible without you. I don’t know under which rock Fawn found you, but please don’t crawl back. We’ve got loads more music to make together.”

Seth laughed, overwhelmed by the praise and the success of the show. “Thanks for taking a chance on me.” Seth said clinking his glass with everyone.

 

Fawn and Seth only managed to get out of Manhattan at two in the morning. Seth had suggested they stay over at one of the family hotels, but Fawn had insisted they drive back to the Hamptons. Barely thirty minutes into the drive Seth glanced over only to see Fawn fast asleep.

He didn’t mind. She had a long day and an even longer night. Let her rest, he didn’t think she’d be getting much once they got home.

As the car swallowed the miles Seth thought about an idea that had been brewing in his mind for weeks. Although he stayed with Fawn when he was in Los Angeles and she stayed with him when she was in the Hamptons, it wasn’t anything official.

For the first time in his life, Seth wanted commitment. Fawn had unconsciously started to bring some of her into his beach house. Little things like the scent of her perfume that hung in his bedroom, the small glasses filled with pebbles in every room. The scented candles in the kitchen, the few songs she had added to his playlist. Bit by bit she was becoming more and more part of his life.

As he turned off the main road and headed towards his house, he knew what he wanted to ask her. To some it might not be a big step, but for Seth it was the biggest step he’d ever been willing to take in a relationship.