Chapter 19
John-Michael followed me when we left the closet and went back into the living area of the house where most of the guests were congregated. I told him to wait for me, and I elbowed my way through the crowd to talk to Jonathan. He was taking some video of a group dancing, and I waited a few feet over for him to finish what he was doing.
I took a few photos from where I was standing just because it was more comfortable for me to do that rather than just stand there. The party was in full swing. Hundreds of beautiful people were dressed up in costumes and dancing to the music. I cut in as soon as I saw Jonathan stop what he was doing. I touched him on the arm and he glanced at me, a giant smile crossing his face.
"This party is sooooo fire, Shy. Look around yourself. How did we ever get here? I can't believe this is my life! You are such a queeeeen."
"Can you take some still shots for me?"
"I already had like four and some K. I need to take it easy. I'll go to the bar with you if you want to take one, though."
"I'm asking about the camera. Do you remember how to take still shots? The regular photographs—not video?"
"Oh, yes! I've taken a lot of those already. "
He was constantly moving as he talked to me, and I touched his arm again to ground him and get him to look at me.
"Okay, well, Jonathan, I'm leaving. I have to go for the rest of the night, and the trip."
"What? Why in the world? Are you okay? You look so fire in these feathers, Shy-girl. Stayyyyy! Dance with me!"
"I have to go. Listen. I want you to still take photos and video if you want, but don't kill yourself, Jonathan. I'm not taking the money from Nick. I hope he'll still pay you but if he doesn't, I'll pay you when we get back. Listen, Jonathan, I'll see you at the airport. I'll meet you there Monday for our flight. If something happens, and you feel uncomfortable here, just jump in an Uber and call me. I'll tell you where I'm staying."
"Why would I ever feel uncomfortable here? And why are you leaving?" he asked gesturing around us in a fluid motion that went with the music.
"I have to leave."
"Whyyyy would you everrrrr?"
I smiled, and he took my picture. His smile was gigantic when he put down the camera, and I reached out and hugged him.
"I’m having fun," he said.
"I know."
"So, you're leaving now, and I'm not going to see you till the airport?"
"Yes. That's right. "
"Why, Shy?"
"I just have to. I'll leave a note for Deadpan."
"Oh no, are you sick? Are you too messed up? I'm sorry. The party's just getting started! Maybe you can lay down for a minute and come back out."
"No, thank you. I'm okay, but I've already made up my mind about going. I have a ride. Have fun, Jonathan. I'll see you soon, okay."
"Okay, I miss you, but, you-do-you queennnn!" He hollered at me as he walked away, going back into the crowd.
I took one last look, scanning the room to make sure Nick wasn't looking at me. I didn't see him, and I looked at the perimeter of the wall and saw John-Michael who was waiting for me.
I motioned for him to follow me and waited for his nod before I took off toward the hallway. I was ten steps ahead of John-Michael, but I glanced back continually to make sure he was following me. I went through the kitchen, and toward the back hallway that led to our bedrooms.
"Hey, Andre, my assistant is behind me," I said, turning to gesture to John-Michael who gave Andre a wave.
We both walked past Andre and to the hallway that would take us to the stairs. I moved quickly because I didn't know where Nick was and I didn't want to run into him.
"Close that door, please," I said, coming into the bedroom .
I went straight to the bed where I set down my cameras, and then I crossed back to John-Michael and threw myself into his arms. I could feel his chest rise and fall as he took a deep breath, holding me. I wondered what he thought of all this, but I didn't take the time to ask. I kissed his cheek and broke the hug.
"I'm going to get my things together and write a note. I'm changing, too. It's going to take a minute."
"That's fine."
I kissed his other cheek before adding a light one on his mouth.
"This place is crazy."
"I know. I was wondering what you thought. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Just do what you need to do and we'll get out of here."
I kissed him again, a quick one before breaking away and getting to work. I went to my luggage and searched for some other clothes. I changed in the bathroom and situated the costume and cloth mask in the closet where I found it. Then I wrote a note.
Nick,
Thanks so much for having me and the great hospitality. Something has come up and I unfortunately cannot stay for the rest of the party. Jonathan is going to finish the job. I am leaving my media card with all of my photos so that you can edit and use them as you wish. I am not taking any payment for services since the full contract was not met. Jonathan is still working. I had promised him twenty-five hundred dollars. It would be great if he could get paid since he is able to continue working. Thank you for the hospitality this weekend. You were a kind host, and I wish you a happy birthday. I'm sorry I had to leave so abruptly. Best of luck with your music.
All the best,
Shy
I hated it when he and Jonathan had been calling me by that name all weekend, but now I loved signing it. I was already out of that dress and back to being Sadie. Shy was someone else, and I got to leave her here, on the note and in the closet.
I set the note and two of my own camera storage cards on the table. It was my own equipment, but I wanted to be done with this party and not look at them again. I packed and within minutes, the two of us had all of my things in our arms and were heading outside.
I walked ahead of him, and we both moved quickly through the outskirts of the house to the nearest exit. We had to walk around the yard, and I hesitated from a distance when I saw the valet station at the front of the house.
"Where did you park?" I asked, turning to look at him .
"It's a little way down the street. It was my only option if I didn't want to use valet, and I didn't want to do that. Stay here. I'll go get the car and I'll pull up right there and get you."
I nodded, and John-Michael left the luggage with me and took off, jogging through the yard to the street. He was in shape, and I just kept feeling like he was such a champion. There I was, in a dark yard with all of my best camera equipment and personal belongings. I would be so stuck in this house without him. I depended on him for every step of this process.
I waited there for five or six minutes until I saw a silver convertible pull into the valet. I knew it was him by the way he whipped into the front driveway.
He got out of the car and began talking to the valet. He pointed in my direction, and I headed that way with my three bags. John-Michael came jogging toward me to help me back to the car. He had lost the mask and his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar. He was strikingly handsome, and he moved quickly and coolly.
He spoke to the valet once I sat inside, but I didn't hear any of it. I sat in the passenger's seat while he got the luggage packed into the trunk. My camera bag was back there, and I didn't even turn around to check on it. I was so ready to leave.
Within seconds, John-Michael opened the driver's door and sat in the seat next to me. He locked the door and then reached down to put the car in gear.
"You have to switch gears? Is this a racecar or something? Who drives a standard?"
He let out a laugh. "It's all they had. That's why I got a car at all. Something happened, and it was a mess at the rental car company." He moved, shifting gears and looking out of the windows to get onto the road. We drove to an intersection and took a right before he slowed down enough to type an address into his GPS.
"I'm heading to my hotel," he said. "We can put your things in there."
"Thank you."
He got up to speed and as soon as his hand was free, he reached out for mine. "You're beautiful."
"In jeans and a sweatshirt?" I asked, feeling self-conscious after the quick change.
"Yes," he said. He pulled my arm close to him and let his cheek rest on the back of my hand. I leaned toward him. "I have a suite, so you can have your own room and I'll sleep in the living room, on the couch. Will that be okay?" I looked at him when he said it. "If you want your own room, I can get that, too."
"A suite's fine. I was thinking about the couch. I'll sleep on the couch."
"No. "
"It's the least I can do. And I love couches. Remember I used to be a party girl. I'm used to it. I lived on couches."
"I really don't mind giving you the bed," he said. "Or I can get you a room. We can see how you feel when we get there."
"It's perfect," I said, once I was inside a few minutes later.
It was a normal hotel room—a one-bedroom suite. I felt comfortable there with him from the first few seconds.
"I don't want my own room. I'll stay right there." I pointed excitedly to the couch, and he laughed.
He put down my bag and I went to him, landing in his arms, feeling loved and protected—rescued.
"Did that dude hurt you? Because you need to tell me if he did. I'll go over there before we leave this city."
"No, he didn't. He was just really weird. I mean, I guess he's the type of weird I would've been okay with a few months ago, but it was just too much for me."
"Was he trying to hook up with you?"
"Yes. But he didn't do anything. He just mentioned it. I'm sorry I got myself into that. I didn't think I'd need rescuing. I didn't have a car or anything. I didn't expect to feel trapped, but I did."
"Jonathan, is he okay? He seemed like he wanted to stay. "
"Yeah, he loved it."
"I saw that money sitting in your room."
"Pretty dramatic on a plate."
I held his hands and stood in front of him, checking him out.
"You look amazing in all black, and you looked good in a mask," I said.
He smiled at me. "You think?"
"Yes, but you look good without it, too."
"I'm glad, because I'd rather be out of that thing. I'm so glad you were willing to leave. I would have been wound up all night, watching over you. I was going to do it, but, uhh."
"I might still want you to watch over me all night," I said in a soft tone.
"Don't worry," he said, with a smile.
"Do you love me?" I asked, feeling like I needed to hear it.
"Do you think I fly to other states and put on masks for women I don’t love?"
"So, yes?"
"Yes, I love you, Sadie."
"I love you, too," I said. "I don't deserve you, but I'm keeping you." I fitted his arms around my waist securely. "Food?" I added before he could respond.
"What about it?"
"Do you want some?"
"Like, out to eat?"
"Sure," I said.
"Are you up for it? "
"Of course, I am. I'm rescued. I'm excited. I feel great. None of those people know where I'm at or care that I'm gone."
"I could definitely go for some food."
I smiled. "I saw a diner that was open on the way here."