Katelyn steps toward me, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You do realize that not many marriages work in this situation. I think you should count your lucky stars that he grew up before he came back to you or you’d be on the front page of those rags with the headlines that make your blood boil. Believe me when I tell you it’s not easy to see people calling me a gold-digger and not worth a marriage proposal. Harrison has said time and time again that we’ll get married, but it’s not what he wants. I’m happy with the way things are and I don’t question his loyalty to me and the girls, but the outside world doesn’t get that.”
“The outside world is going to think that I blackmailed Liam into marriage, I think I’d much rather have the title of gold-digger.”
Leaning against the wall, I stare out the large window at the active nightlife below me. All night I’ve been trying to get ahold of Josie. Each time my text messages have gone unanswered and my phone calls end up going to voicemail. Logic would say to call our house phone, but that would require us to buy a landline phone and we haven’t done that yet. The phone line is used strictly for our alarm system.
Calling Katelyn was out of desperation. I didn’t know what else do to, except call Nick, and I wasn’t going to do that. I would’ve flown home before I dialed his number and asked him to go check on my wife. Call me stubborn or stupid, either way it wasn’t going to happen.
Now I stand here, worrying and wondering what the hell happened to my wife. A million thoughts run through my mind from a kidnapping, stranded on the side of the road without cell service, to a car accident. The latter is unlikely because someone would’ve called me, but I can’t stop the thoughts from being there.
I’ve stopped wondering if she was one of the bodies walking down the street, stopped imagining her face on every brunette I saw. I stopped thinking that she was miserable in her life because the truth is, she wasn’t until I came back. If I hadn’t, she’d be married to Nick. It pains me to think that she could’ve been his wife, but sometimes I wonder if he was the better choice.
Horns honk and police car lights create a swirling wonderment on the streets of Wilshire Blvd. The exclusive clubs are packed with today’s best – best actors, actresses, musicians and Hollywood royalty. That was my forced crowd – the one Sam insisted that I fit into. Being on my arm during a premiere was her glory, even though I hated taking her. I much preferred my fake girlfriends because I knew when the night was over I could do what I wanted. With Sam, I had to play by her rules for the night.
As I look around the living area of my penthouse, it’s like déjà vu. Everything is as I remember it, even if this wasn’t my apartment. What I remember the most is having Josie here, eating dinner across from me and introducing her to Liam Page. I knew the looks I was giving her affected her, and that she enjoyed it. She’s my best memory of this hotel, and the only one I want to think about.
The ding of my cell phone has me fishing it out of my pocket. Her name is backlit causing me to sigh heavily in relief. Opening her message, I read it quickly, trying to comprehend that she’s been home this whole time and is just tired. I haven’t spoken to her in over twelve hours and that is all she has to say to me?
I type out a quick “Let’s talk” and send it. I have an uneasy feeling about all of this and need to hear her voice.
Jojo: In a bit. I’m with Katelyn.
I stare at my phone in disbelief. A small wave of relief washes over me knowing she’s with Katelyn, but why the hell is she blowing me off? I pocket my phone and continue to stare out the window, letting the anger build. I don’t expect her to be at my beck and call, but I do have a certain expectation that she wants to talk to me. I know we’ve been apart before and maybe she’s already accustomed to the distance. If so, I’m not doing my job as her husband, not that I really know what I’m supposed to do other than love her. She has to know that she’s my world and that I’d do anything for her - the immensity of that scares me. I fear the day she asks me to quit being Liam Page because I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do as she asks. But I won’t lose her either, not to the music side of my life.
The sun starts to rise, peaking over the horizon. It catches me off guard, causing me to squint and move away from the window. Where did the time go? It’s felt like only minutes have gone by while I’ve waited for Josie to call me, not what many people consider a full day. My steps are slow and deliberate as I walk into my bedroom. The king size bed holds no appeal to me, but sleep beckons. Spending hours waiting for a phone call while staring out a window can be draining. Not only is my body tired, but my mind is about to shut down. Long gone are the days of me pulling all-nighters that can last up to three days.