CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Another awkward night sharing a bed with Tyler. When they’d returned to the hotel suite Billie had quickly taken off her makeup, brushed her teeth, and then slid into bed. All the way to the opposite side as far as she could get from Tyler. She was afraid that in her sleep she’d automatically reach out for his warmth and comfort.
After a fitful night’s sleep, she’d slid out of bed as the sun was coming up and straight into the shower as Tyler slept on. She hoped to be put together and in control when she spoke to him next. She needed to tell him what she was feeling because going on like this wasn’t an option. He’d challenged her to be “all in” and now that she was going back wasn’t going to happen. They could only move forward. Together.
Applying a touch of blush with a big, fluffy brush she grabbed her phone off of the bathroom vanity when it rang, not wanting to wake Tyler. He needed his rest for the day ahead.
“Connie, it’s good to hear from you. Is everything okay with Sierra?”
Billie had been working from the assumption that no news was good news.
“Things are really starting to look up for Sierra, Billie, and she has you to thank for that. The attorney filed for divorce along with a temporary order for support until they can go to court.”
Pffft. Waste of time.
“Brian’s never had a pot to piss in his entire life,” Billie scoffed. “He’s not going to give Sierra a dime. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if he sued her for support. She was the one who kept food on the table with her waitressing jobs.”
Worthless piece of skin.
“Your sister said something to that affect as well but the attorney said it’s standard. Brian has assets he could liquidate. A truck and a boat.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea. I’d pay for the lawyer to get those papers ready.”
“I doubt he’d ever sign them,” Connie sighed heavily.
The bastard was never going to give Billie’s sister a day’s peace.
“He doesn’t know where she’s living, does he?”
“I don’t think so. With your money she was able to get a nice one bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood. Once the divorce is final she can look for a more permanent solution. The social worker said it was important right now to be able to move quickly if Brian figured out where she was.”
There was something in Connie’s tone. Something she wasn’t saying out loud.
“The son of a bitch is out of jail, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” Connie admitted, her voice hesitant. “I think a couple of his buddies bailed him out.”
That’s just dandy. Shit and fuck.
Brian’s mom and dad had washed their hands of him years ago so it certainly wasn’t them, nor was it his brother who had once popped Brian right in the solar plexus when he’d verbally ripped into Sierra in front of the family one day. With his nasty temper, he’d pushed away most people in his life so Billie was surprised to hear he even had friends still.
“So how is Sierra staying safe? What if he finds her?”
“She’s in another town completely over two hundred miles from here under an assumed name. The social worker arranged it. She also recommended that Sierra change her name officially, and when the divorce is final leave the state.”
If Sierra was willing to relocate maybe she could move to California. The guest house was too small but comfortable. In fact…
“Connie, I need to talk to Sierra. I think she should just move out here with me.”
If she asked, she knew Tyler would hire security for her sister until Brian was dealt with. The stalker laws were also strict in California due to the number of celebrities.
More silence.
“Connie?” Billie prompted, her heart skipping a beat in panic. “There is something wrong, isn’t there?”
“No,” Connie finally piped up. “I’m telling the truth here. Things are looking up for Sierra. It’s just…”
“Just…?”
“Sierra isn’t ready to talk to you, Billie. I told her she should when she got her new cell phone. I told her she needed to call you and thank you for what you’ve done but she said no. She needs time, honey.”
“Time for what?” Billie asked, a bitter taste on her tongue. “She doesn’t want to talk to me? That’s fine. Let her know the offer is open.”
“Honey,” Connie said softly. “Don’t be like that. Sierra wants to talk to you desperately. I could see it in her eyes, but she’s ashamed that you had to bail her out of the mess she’s made of her life. She’s embarrassed and there’s a part of her that isn’t quite ready to admit what you’ve been saying all along. Give her some time.”
Shame was something that Billie could understand. She had her share of it. Damn, she and Sierra were a freaking mess.
“Just…just let her know that I want her to come live here with us. We can keep her safe. She doesn’t need to admit anything to me and I’ll wrestle myself to the ground before I say I told you so. It won’t be easy but I’ll shut up.”
That made Connie laugh. “This I’d like to see. But I will give her the message, honey. You just need to let her get settled in a bit and then I’m sure she’ll call you.”
“She doesn’t have to. The money doesn’t come with strings.”
Billie hated shit like that. Obligation and guilt. Neither were productive.
“She wants to,” Connie said again. “She has a few things to work out first. She’s seeing a counselor and hopefully that will help. She knows she has a lot of work to do. She knows she pushed you and pretty much everyone away.”
Billie’s eyes welled with tears as she thought of all the times she’d tried to reach out to Sierra only to be rebuffed. Eventually she’d given up. That had been a mistake. “He made her do it. He wanted to isolate her.”
She’d been so focused on the call she hadn’t heard Tyler come up behind her until his large hand came down on her shoulder, comforting and strong. This time she couldn’t stop herself from leaning her cheek against his arm, wanting – no, needing – to soak up his strength. When it came to her family she wasn’t the strong person she wanted to be.
“She knows that now, honey. She’s getting stronger. You’ll hear from her soon. I know it, so don’t give up on her, okay? She needs you.”
Billie thanked Connie and then placed the phone back down on the vanity as a few stray tears slipped down her cheeks. The last few days had been so full of emotion. It was a good thing they had a jam-packed schedule today. With any luck, she wouldn’t have time to dwell on her problems.
“Who was that, baby girl? Want to talk about it?”
It wasn’t asked in a pushy way. It was all up to her but she’d long ago decided to be honest with Tyler about her family situation.
“That was my friend Connie back home about my sister Sierra. She’s out of the hospital and relocated far from her asshole husband. The attorney has filed for divorce so things are in motion.”
Kneeling next to her, he rubbed the backs of his knuckles against her cheek. “That’s good news. Is there anything else they need? Anything at all?”
This was why Tyler was so precious to her. He might act like an idiot sometimes but he had a heart the size of the Pacific Ocean. Which was good when she told him what she’d offered.
“Well…I kind of told Connie that Sierra should move out here to California. That we could keep her safe here. I was even thinking she could stay in the guest cottage for awhile.”
There was certainly room in the main house but Sierra would probably want some independence.
Cautiously she watched Tyler’s expression and breathed a sigh of relief when his eyes lit up and a grin bloomed across his too handsome face.
“Babe, that’s a fan-fucking-tastic idea. And I have tons of contacts that can help her get a job. You wouldn’t let me help you but will you let me help her?”
Carding her fingers through his sleep-tousled hair she gave him her best smile. “I will let you help her but she’s not ready to talk to me yet. Connie said I need to give her time.”
His smile dimmed slightly at her reply. “That’s fine, I guess. But…she doesn’t want to talk to you?”
“The last time we saw each other we didn’t end on the best of terms, remember? Brian didn’t want her to be in touch with family and I left Wisconsin.”
“And you feel guilty about that.”
Sometimes Tyler was too perceptive by far. As an actor, he studied people for a living.
“If I hadn’t–”
“Don’t even go there.” Tyler waved away her objections. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t help someone that doesn’t want it.”
“That’s true but I didn’t have to be so goddamn relieved about it. There was a big part of me that was happy when she told me she never wanted to speak to me again unless I was nice to her husband. She gave me the out I was looking for. Her life was messy and I didn’t want to deal with it. I’m a terrible person.”
Lifting her into his arms, he sat down on the edge of the massive bathtub, placing her on his lap. His hand stroked up and down her spine in a soothing motion. “You’re not an awful person. You’re human. You were frustrated that you couldn’t help your sister and that she wouldn’t listen. I’ve been there too, although the situation wasn’t as dire. Tina was dating a real douchebag back in high school and she just wouldn’t listen to me no matter what I said. Long story short? She ended up with a broken heart.”
Tina was Tyler’s older sister by eleven months and that had to have driven him crazy that she wouldn’t listen to him.
“Did you say I told you so? Because I think Sierra believes I’m going to say it to her.”
Tyler chuckled and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Hell yes, I did and let me give you some advice. That’s a sure way to fuck up a sibling relationship for awhile. Don’t do it.”
“I wasn’t going to, although I’d want to. But I am happy that she’s getting better even if I don’t get to talk to her. I don’t want to make this about me.”
“I have an idea.”
Tyler had that dangerous look on his face. The last time he’d worn it they’d ended up on a road trip to the Grand Canyon because he was bored and in between movies. It was the best vacation they’d ever taken though. The pictures of him riding a donkey were priceless. If she ever had an inkling to retire young she could probably sell them for big money to any of the tabloids worldwide.
Groaning, Billie tried to wriggle off of his lap and run away. “Oh no. An idea. I cringe at the mere thought.”
“Just simmer down.” His hold on her tightened and his grin turned wicked. “Let’s make tonight about more than just talking. Let’s make it a celebration too. Celebrate your sister getting better. Hopefully she’ll join us out here eventually and we can have a real party.”
“You love anything with champagne,” Billie teased, her tears long gone. “But I think that’s a lovely idea.”
When they were like this, it was as if nothing had changed. Billie felt so close to Tyler at this moment. If only she could wrap this up and keep it for those times when she felt lost and alone.
For that time in the future when Tyler moved on and away from her.