13. Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER 13
~STARLA~
I don’t know why I’m nervous.
Nat and Luke have been my friends for a long time. Luke is in the business. They’ll understand.
Or, if they don’t, I’ll just rent a suite at a hotel for the interview. Either way, it’ll work out.
I knock on the door, and Natalie answers it, holding a baby on her shoulder.
“Hey, Starla, come on in.”
“Thanks.” I close the door behind me and follow Nat to the large living room off the kitchen.
“Livvy’s in school, and the others are napping. I just finished feeding this little one, and she should be asleep soon.”
“Can I hold her?”
Nat looks at me in surprise but then smiles. “Of course, you can.”
She carefully lays the sleepy baby in my arms, and I sit in the rocking chair, looking down into green eyes. The girl’s little fist closes around one of my fingers, as sure as if it was directly around my heart.
“Oh, you’re a charmer, aren’t you?”
“Just like her mama,” Luke confirms as he walks into the room and scoops his wife into his arms, planting a passionate kiss on her. We’re all used to Luke’s blatant affection for his wife.
The baby’s eyes are heavy, and as I rock her back and forth, she falls asleep, still gripping onto my finger.
“She’s out,” I whisper. “Is it okay if we still talk?”
“Of course,” Nat says in her normal voice. “If we had to be perfectly quiet during every nap time, I’d never get anything done. She won’t wake up. What’s going on?”
“I need to run something by you.” I brush my fingertips over the baby’s soft hair. “I got a call from my manager last night.”
I tell them about the phone call, and my reluctance to go to LA right now.
“Levi thinks I’m being followed, and I’m not convinced he’s wrong. I mean, I don’t think someone can follow me twenty-four-seven, but they have taken photos of me while out with friends. He has the cops watching me all the time. In fact, one of his officers drove me over here because I’m not supposed to be alone.”
I look up, mortified. “Oh my gosh. I promise you, I haven’t brought anything bad to your home. I swear, I don’t think they’re really following me all the time.”
“This place has more security than Fort Knox,” Natalie assures me.
“Are you asking if you can hold the interview at Nat’s place?” Luke asks with a frown.
“Yeah. I am. And I know about your intense need for privacy, so if the answer’s no, that’s okay. Honest. I can rent out the penthouse at a hotel or something.”
Nat and Luke exchange a glance. Natalie smiles in that serene way she has that never fails to put someone at ease.
“I don’t have an issue with it as long as it’s stated on-air that you’re vacationing at the time of the interview, and no identifying images of the house are used,” Luke says. “No shots of the front of the house.”
“That won’t be a problem.” I smile down at the baby. “I would never do anything to hurt your family.”
“We know,” Nat says. “It’ll be great. It’s exciting that they want to interview you.”
“I’m not sure why they do,” I reply honestly. “Frankly, I’m not in the middle of a tour, I don’t have a record dropping anytime soon. Hell, I’m not even in the studio. Although, I have some songs finished that I’d love to record, and I’m thinking of asking Leo if I can use his studio.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’d let you,” Nat says. “They’re home for a while now. You should call Sam.”
I stare at her and then laugh, trying not to be too loud so I don’t wake the baby. “You do remember that there was that one time, back in the day, that Leo and I saw each other naked, right? I don’t think Sam likes that, and I can’t say that I blame her.”
“Do you plan to be naked with him now?”
I hold Luke’s gaze with my own. I know he’s intensely protective of his sister, as it should be. “Of course, not. I have a feeling that Levi will be the last person to ever see me naked.”
Natalie grins again. “That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“You’re kidding me, right?” Luke demands, making me laugh again. Luke’s only the most romantic man ever born in the history of men.
“I mean, it’s pretty romantic,” I agree with a snort. “Leo’s a great guy. A good musician. And four-thousand-percent married to Sam. I’m not interested in anything more than music.”
“Say it just like that, and Sam won’t have an issue,” Luke says with confidence. “She’s not stupid. Regarding the house, we’re good there. We trust you.”
“Thank you.”
I don’t know why I suddenly have tears in my eyes. It’s ridiculous. I have an amazing life. There’s no reason to cry.
Maybe it’s the relief that these people that I care about and respect, trust me. Perhaps it’s the stress of the stalker.
Maybe I’m about to start my period.
I don’t know.
“I think you need a huckleberry treat,” Nat announces as she stands from her seat. “I have some huckleberry delight in the fridge. Do you want a piece?”
“Yes.” I swipe a tear away and smile at both of them. “Yes, that sounds amazing.”
“There are too many people coming in and out,” Levi says for the third time. “It’s a safety issue.”
“This is a production crew,” I repeat. “And I have security. I have you and Aaron.”
I point at the security guard my company sent up. He’s currently standing by the front door, looking down at his phone.
“Are you serious?” Levi asks. “They sent one guy, and he’s not even paying attention.”
A man walks through the front door carrying cables looped around his shoulder.
“He didn’t even glance up,” Levi says, pointing. “That dude could have been a murderer.”
“Right.” I pat his shoulder. “Calm down, tiger. There are at least twenty people around.”
“Damn it,” Aaron mumbles. “I can’t believe that dude killed me.”
“You’re on the fucking job, and you’re playing video games ?” Levi says, stomping toward Aaron. “What the hell?”
“Who the fuck are you?” Aaron asks.
“Who am I? You met me, asshole. I’m Levi Crawford, SPD. And you’re fired.”
“I don’t work for you, asshole ,” Aaron sneers. “You can’t fire me.”
The two men are in the middle of a stare down, and I simply roll my eyes and leave, headed up to the guest room where the production crew has set up hair and makeup.
Men are ridiculous.
“Hi, Starla, I’m Yvette. I’ll be doing your hair and makeup today.”
“Hi.” I sit in the high director’s chair and sigh. “It’s blissfully quiet up here. I thought my boyfriend was going to murder that security guy down there.”
“Well, the security guy is a dufus,” Yvette says with a smile and pulls my hair back into a ponytail, exposing all of my face and neck. “I walked through four times before he asked me who I was.”
“So they didn’t send the valedictorian of the security class.” I shrug a shoulder. “It’ll be okay. This feels good. It’s been a while since I’ve been in hair and makeup. I need a spa day. Maybe I’ll do that this weekend.”
“Good plan,” Yvette says, spreading primer on my face. “I could use a facial too, now that you mention it.”
Over the next half hour, we discuss our favorite spas in LA, and which treatments we prefer. Just when she gets my fake lashes applied, Levi walks through the door.
“Good timing. Makeup’s done, so now we just have to do hair.” My smile fades when I see his face. “What’s wrong?”
“I had Aaron fired.”
I sigh and close my eyes in defeat.
I’m dating an overbearing, overprotective cop.
“He was my only security, Levi.” Yvette discreetly exits the room, closing the door behind her. “And just like you always remind me, I have a stalker. Now I don’t have anyone here to protect me.”
His brown eyes narrow as he leans into me, speaking low.
“I can protect you better with my eyes closed than that idiot. If you think anything’s going to happen to you on my watch, you have another thing coming, sweetheart. He wasn’t helping anything. He was a liability. I’ll be sticking with you, and my guys are outside. We don’t need him.”
“I feel like I should be paying the Seattle Police Department for all of the man hours I’m taking away from law and order.”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t mind a generous donation.” His lips twitch as he leans in closer. “I’m going to kiss you.”
“Don’t you dare!” Yvette yells from the other side of the door. “She looks perfect the way she is.”
I giggle. “Yeah, keep your lips to yourself, Detective.”
He presses his lips to my ear. “I’m going to do a lot more than kiss you as soon as all of these damn people leave.”
“It’s a date.”
“Is there anything you don’t want me to ask today?” Diane asks before we begin filming.
“I never talk about my family,” I inform her. “Aside from that, we’ll see how it goes.”
Diane smiles. I’ve met her before. She’s interviewed me at least a half-dozen times. “Fair enough.”
“And, action.”
“Good evening,” Diane begins, staring right into the camera behind me. We’re outside by the pool, both mic’d up, and there’s a large boom mic over us. “I’m Diane Dobson, and tonight we have a special guest on 20/20 . I’m thrilled to be in Seattle, Washington, with the pop megastar, Starla. Thank you for letting us crash in on your vacation, Starla.”
“Thanks for crashing,” I reply. “I’m just happy you have sunny weather.”
“It is a nice day,” Diane says, but I can see in her eyes that the small talk is just to get me to relax. I’ve seen it dozens of times before. This isn’t my first rodeo. “We thought this would be a good time to catch up with you since you’re between tours and albums right now. You’re usually a very busy woman.”
“I do like to stay busy, yes.”
“How is vacation going?”
“I have to be honest, relaxing doesn’t come easy for me. And because I can take my job anywhere, I find myself working, even though I’m on a break.”
“Working how?”
“Writing songs, mostly. I had my piano shipped up a few weeks ago, and I’ve had time to enjoy the artistic process of writing.”
“You’ve stayed in excellent shape, if I may say so,” Diane says.
“Thank you. Being active is a big part of my career. I enjoy tumbling through the air and dancing. Putting on an exciting show is important to me, so I do my best to stay in shape, even when I’m not actively touring.”
“I’ve seen that show, and you’re a crazy woman on that stage.”
“Thank you.”
“Will you play us some songs on that piano before we go?”
“I’d love to.”
Diane looks down at her card.
“Do you mind if we get a little personal here?”
I cock my head to the side. “Let’s get personal, Diane.”
“Have you recovered from Rick’s death?”
I take a deep breath and look up at the trees. “You know, grief is a journey, not a line in the sand. It’s been a long journey, and while I will always mourn the loss of Rick, I can honestly say that I’ve healed a tremendous amount.”
“Are you in contact at all with Rick’s family?”
His family hated my guts.
But the smile stays in place.
I’m not sure why we’re talking about this. Rick’s death was five years ago.
“Unfortunately, no. I think it was too painful.”
“What was it that helped you heal from that loss?”
“Music.” I smile. “Having people in my life who are incredibly supportive. And time, honestly.”
“Good for you. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
“Thank you.”
“Cut.”
Diane sags in her seat as soon as the camera is turned off.
“What’s this all about?” I ask her. “Why all the questions about Rick? He’s been gone for a long time.”
“Because next week is the fifth anniversary of his death.” She looks at me and frowns. “Didn’t your people tell you this episode is about remembering Rick?”
No. Because if they had, I wouldn’t have done it, and it pisses me off that Donald left that out when he called.
I should have known.
“I must not have gotten the memo,” I mutter.
“I’m sorry.” Diane looks sincere as she frowns. “I really am. I would have talked with you more before the interview if I’d known.”
“It’ll be okay.”
“Can I ask you some questions, off camera?”
“Sure.”
Yvette comes over to powder our noses.
“Did you talk to him that morning, before the accident?”
“I did,” I confirm with a tight nod. I don’t trust Diane to keep our conversation confidential, so I’m especially conscious of my words.
“What was his mental state that day?”
“He was tired,” I reply. “But aside from that, I think he was fine.”
“Not angry or upset about anything?”
I smile, not willing in the least bit to confide in Diane about my last conversation with Rick.
“Not when he spoke with me,” I reply. “So, what are we doing next?”
The director steps over, notes in his hand.
“We’re going down to the waterfront to let you two take a walk and chat as if you’re two friends who haven’t seen each other in a long time. And then we’ll come back inside, and you can sing some songs on the piano.”
“Okay. Let’s do it.” I hop off the chair and smile at Levi. “But I don’t want anyone to forget; no shots of the front of this house.”
I already put any personal photos of the family away from prying eyes. I didn’t just put them in a closet, I took them to Nat and Luke’s house just to be safe.
People are nosy.
“Action!”
We’re walking on the sidewalk along the waterfront. There are cameras in front of us and behind us, but Diane and I are just walking casually.
We both changed our clothes. It’ll look like we’ve spent several days together.
“One of the things that your fans love about you is your willingness to be accessible to them. You interact on social media, almost every day. Why is that so important to you?”
“Well, I gave up trying to fight social media a long time ago. And, yes, there are some pitfalls to having your life out there, exposed for all to see.”
Like crazy-ass stalkers.
“But for the most part, it’s fun to interact with fans. They’re supportive and funny. So funny.”
“Sometimes, they aren’t nice,” she reminds me.
“I think that’s true in every walk of life. Sometimes, people aren’t nice in real life either.”
“You recently had a bit of a social media hiccup when a video surfaced of you and a man in a restaurant.”
My face is neutral, my voice even.
But, man, I hate this conversation.
“Yeah, sometimes I think there are trolls who try to turn something simple into a big deal.”
“So you’re saying that wasn’t a big deal.”
“It really wasn’t.”
“The waitress sounded pretty horrible. I saw the video.”
I nod. “She wasn’t very gracious, but I really just wanted to leave. I didn’t want a scene. I think the whole situation was blown out of proportion.”
“Well, one of the things that’s been especially talked about since that video is the guy you were with.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads over my lips.
“Ah, I see that smile. What can you tell us about him?”
“What if I said I didn’t want to tell you anything about him?”
“Come on, Starla. We’ve all seen him. Give us a little something.”
“It’s new,” I reply, looking up at Levi, who’s behind the camera in front of us. “And it’s going very well. That’s all I’ll say for now.”
“No chance of him speaking with us on camera?”
I laugh and shake my head no. “Absolutely not.”