He was finding it hard to concentrate if he was honest. Trying to focus his attention on the
interviews he was supposed to be giving to various reporters along the red
carpet was proving difficult when he didn’t want to take his eyes off India. She looked like something straight off the cover
of a magazine; young and beautiful and different. That’s what was so special about her, she was
different. Different to anyone else he’d
ever wanted to be close to and that’s why he was desperate for her not to
disappear from his life when all this was over.
He couldn’t let that happen. He
didn’t know if he’d be able to deal with her not being there. But if he had no reason to contact her, no
reason to be around her then how could he make sure she’d always be there?
That familiar punch to the stomach he felt every time he saw Kenny Ross
touch her happened again as he watched India leave the side of Reece and go
back to her young, handsome co-star.
Kenny’s arm immediately fell back around her waist, his hand resting
lightly on her hip, and Michael felt as though the pain was becoming
unbearable. It was literally making his chest hurt. Was there something going on there? He didn’t know. He wished he did but he didn’t know. He knew they had an extremely close
friendship, that was no secret, and even that bothered him. Why wasn’t he ten years younger? Why couldn’t he be to her what Kenny Ross was?
But then, if she and Kenny were nothing but friends what was stopping
him from making a move? Because she
didn’t look at him that way, that’s why.
He turned his attention back to the crowd, back to the job in hand,
smiling as he realised she may not look at him that way right now, but that
just meant he’d have to work that little bit harder. And Michael Walsh was no stranger to hard
work. If he wanted something he usually
got it. And he wanted India Steven.
***
Terry had
already gone inside the theatre. He was
standing near the entrance, watching his sister as she mingled with the other
stars, talking to reporters with the ease of someone who’d been doing this sort
of thing for years and it was a strange thing to watch. He’d never imagined her doing this. She’d always been the kind of person who hated
being the centre of attention, despite her outgoing personality. Attention seeking was definitely more
Charley’s bag. But she was right there
now, someone who was commanding attention everywhere she went and she was
handling it so well. She looked just
like the professional young actress she was.
And the movie star she was going to be.
Kenny was never
far from her side though, Terry noticed.
Although glued to it would be a better description. But he had to remember this was their movie,
they were the stars, they were going to be doing a lot of promotional work
together, he had to get used to that. He
just wished he was closer, wished he could keep a better eye on her. Being so far away in Britain when she was here in L.A. wasn’t something he felt comfortable
with.
“You worry about
her, don’t you?”
Terry turned to
see Reece Brogan standing next to him, and he couldn’t help but flinch slightly
at the close proximity of such a famous movie star. He still couldn’t quite get used to being in L.A. “Of course I do. I’m her brother. And we’ve really only got each other.”
“What about your
parents?” Reece asked, watching India
as she talked to a TV reporter. She’d
taken to this so naturally. She was born
to do it, but he already knew that.
Terry looked
back out at the crowded red carpet. “Hasn’t
she told you anything?” he replied, starting to fiddle with his watch
again. It was becoming a nervous habit.
“She’s told me
you don’t have the same father. That she
doesn’t know who her real father is.”
“Then you’ll understand that she needs looking
after.”
Reece
nodded. “I want her to be ok too, Terry.
I’m only looking out for her, you have
to believe that. There’s nothing
sinister going on. I just want her to be
ok.”
Terry relaxed
slightly. He really had to start letting
himself do that. Some things he just
couldn’t control, no matter how much he wanted to. Reece had done nothing but care for his
sister since she’d moved over here; finding her somewhere to live, making sure
she got the right advice, saw the right people.
Maybe he should cut him a bit of slack and start trusting him. If he
couldn’t be there to keep an eye on India then maybe Reece could do
that job for him.
“It might take
some of the weight off you shoulders,” Reece said, almost reading Terry’s
mind. “She really will be ok. I’ll make sure of that.”
Terry smiled,
holding out his hand for Reece to shake.
“Thanks.”
Reece smiled
back, glad that Terry was finally letting someone in. He needed India’s brother’s trust more than
anything.
“It’s my
pleasure. Come on. Let’s go and get a drink.”
One step at a
time, thought Reece, as he followed Terry to the bar. One little step at a time.
***
Charley was
irritated. They’d been herded up that
red carpet like they didn’t matter, and Terry had told her they didn’t, in
reality. Nobody was there to see them.
They wanted India,
Kenny, Reece and Michael. But Charley
wanted to be noticed too, especially here in L.A. The
city of dreams. Because she had dreams too, didn’t Terry realise
that?
They were all inside the theatre now, photographers and reporters still
milling around looking for that perfect picture, that exclusive interview and she’d
tried to make sure she was seen, tried to get close to Kenny Ross especially,
but anyone who might provide a photo opportunity was fair game to Charley.
She’d been grateful to India for bringing her forward and introducing her
to a couple of people as her close friend from England, although she wished
she’d told them she was a model, let her talk to some of these people for a bit
longer. Everything was so busy, moving
along at such breakneck speed that Charley was finding it hard to keep up with
it all, and even Terry had disappeared now.
She stood up on her tip-toes, scanning the room, suddenly spotting Kenny
Ross on his own. Grabbing her chance she
made her way over to him, moving alongside him, gently bumping into him with
her handbag as nonchalantly as she could manage.
He looked around, recognition taking a few seconds to sink in.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Charley said, smiling at him.
He gave her a small smile back as he finally recognised India's friend. “Charley, isn’t it? You having a good time?”
“It’s amazing! I’ve never experienced anything like this before!”
He gave her a small smile back as he finally recognised India's friend. “Charley, isn’t it? You having a good time?”
“It’s amazing! I’ve never experienced anything like this before!”
Shut up Charley, she thought, you’re gushing.
He was still smiling at her, and the jealousy she felt at India
being so close to this man washed over her with an intensity she’d never felt
before.
“India’s
handling it like a professional though, don’t you think?” Kenny asked, looking
around the room as if searching for her.
Why did he have to start talking about India again? She’d had a whole speech planned and now he’d
thrown her right off track.
“Oh, great, just what I need,” Charley muttered under her breath as India
ran over to Kenny, almost flinging herself into his arms, and Charley felt that
stab of jealousy again. She couldn’t
help it. The way they were with each
other, it was something she’d kill for.
“Charley!” India
squealed, all smiles and Californian tan.
And what was with that outfit anyway?
Both of them looked like they should be at a rock concert not a red
carpet premiere. But then, India had
never really had much sense of style, Charley thought, pulling the hem of her
dress down slightly.
“Come over here and talk to Vince,” India went on. “You’ll like Vince. He’s Michael’s co-producer and business
partner and he owns this amazing hotel in Las
Vegas. We
always wanted to go to Vegas, didn’t we?
Maybe if we’re nice to him he’ll give us some free rooms, huh?”
She grabbed Charley’s hand and pulled her away from Kenny, dragging her
over to meet Vince Maine, and all Charley could do was run with it. She’d bide her time, and that time would
come. Charley would make sure of that.
© Michelle Betham 2011
'No Matter What' is available to download HERE.
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