Читать книгу Tabloid Teacher - Dominique Butler - Страница 13

Sam pulled up to her parking space. Lexi and Ellie had both fallen asleep at her mom’s house. With help they had been transported to her car, but now she had to get them inside by herself. This was the normal routine. They fell asleep at grandmas then Sam had to wake them up to bring them into the apartment. Once they were awake they would want a snack then they’d stay up goofing off. By the time Sam could settle them down and back to bed it was eleven. Sam usually fell asleep on the couch trying to wind down with her favorite syndicated sitcoms. It totally defeated the purpose of putting them to bed at her mom’s earlier, but they had argued about this many times and Sam had thrown in the towel. Just as she opened her car door she saw Patsy’s door open.

Great. Sam tried to think quickly. Even if she closed the door now the dome light would stay on exposing her. There was no escape. No one else she knew had recognized her from the televised proposal, but Patsy would know it was her. She had given her the tickets.

Patsy came out of her apartment with a Tupperware container in hand. Sam stepped out of the car and braced herself for the barrage of questions.

“Oh honey, I’m so happy for the two of you.” Patsy pushed the container into Sam’s hands and wrapped her in a tight hug. Sam stood there shocked.

She couldn’t possibly believe it was for real. She thought. Just then over Patsy’s shoulder Sam saw the silhouette of a man in the frame of Patsy’s door. Her heart skipped a beat and she was sure her face was a bright red though the sunburn would make a color change difficult.

“Well,” Patsy said as she pulled away from Sam. “I’m going to leave you two alone. You probably have a lot to talk about.” She held Sam by her shoulders. “I just knew the two of you were perfect for each other. I can’t believe you never told me you knew him. All this time I was going on about him. Welcome to the family, sweetie.” Patsy turned and walked back towards her apartment. As she passed Jake she kissed him on the cheek and said good night. The door closed leaving Sam and Jake illuminated only by the car’s dome light.

“I can explain.” Jake started.

“I hope so.” Sam answered. Jake took a step towards her and she automatically stepped back.

“I’m sorry.” He said.

“For what?”

“It was a bad joke and now,” he scratched his head. “She was so happy, you know.”

Sam swatted at the bugs flying towards the light.

“I have to get them to bed.” Sam indicated the girls sleeping in the car.

Jake felt himself shrinking as though he had just drunk the potion in Alice in Wonderland. “The girls” he thought. Now I get it she has kids. Sam’s car was full of groceries and two sleeping girls.

“Can I help?” He offered.

Sam’s choked down her initial reaction. She would have normally said no. How often am I going to have a movie star carry in my groceries? She thought. In her mind she could picture the scene and it made her laugh.

“Sure.” She answered. She walked to the apartment door to unlock it and turn off the alarm. When she turned back around Jake was standing behind her cradling Lexi. Her head rested against his chest and his arm muscles flexed under her weight. She looked tiny and Sam could not remember the last time she had been able to hold her that way.

“I’ll wait here while you get the other one.” Jake said.

Sam robotically approached the car. She was struggling with inner turmoil. A man she barely knew had just picked up her daughter and was poised to enter her personal space. Even if it was Jake Jameson she was not comfortable with this scenario at all. She set the pot roast down in the car and gently picked Ellie from the back seat. Jake was waiting at the door as she carried Ellie to the apartment and switched on the light with her elbow. Jake surveyed the small space. The floor plan was the mirror image of Patsy’s apartment, but Sam’s was very tastefully decorated. She had a brown leather couch, a coffee table, a small entertainment unit and a dinette. Sam walked into a bedroom with Ellie; she quickly reemerged and trying hard not to struggle too much took Lexi from his arms. Sam walked into the girl’s bedroom once again. They had both slept through this transfer just as they had at her mother’s. She quickly tucked both girls into bed and stared at herself in their dresser mirror.

Jake Jameson is actually in your apartment. Come on Sam turn on some charm. Who am I kidding? I don’t flirt with regular men how could I flirt with him? Then don’t flirt, just be you. Her inner argument was not resolving itself. She found some cherry flavored lip-gloss on Ellie's desk and applied it. That’s a little better. She hurriedly tried to brush her hair, which was standing on end due to the incessant Miami humidity. That’s when she heard the front door close. Great Sam, you blew it. He left. Sam rushed out of the bedroom. Jake was nowhere to be seen.

“Damn.” She muttered.

“Sorry, I hope I didn’t wake them.” Jake called softly from the kitchen. He came into view.

Sam stared at him. Her mouth dropped open. He was actually better looking in person then on the screen. He was so real. He stood slightly over six feet, with broad shoulders and clearly defined muscles under his loosely fitting shirt. His jeans were just right in all the right places. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down.

“I brought all the groceries in and the pot roast my Aunt made you.” His tone was so apologetic.

“Thanks.” Sam managed to answer. She stood glued to the floor. Come on, Sam. She told herself. Snap out of it. Do something. “Can I offer you a drink?”

“Uh, sure.” Jake said. This was definitely more awkward than he could have ever imagined. Sam approached him since he blocked the entrance to the kitchen. The two did a slight dance trying to get out of each other’s way. Soon, they were able to exchange places. Sam stepped into the kitchen and Jake into the living room.

“Do you drink coconut rum and orange juice?” Sam asked from the kitchen.

“Sure.” Jake welcomed the thought of adding some alcohol to the situation to help him relax. He heard Sam get ice and glasses to make the drinks. She was obviously nervous because she dropped one of the glasses in the sink and the sound of shattering glass told him it did not make it intact. While he waited he glanced around the apartment. Pictures of Sam and her beautiful daughters were the main décor. The case to a movie rental sat on the coffee table. He offhandedly picked it up to view the title. It was his latest movie.

“Uh here.” Sam said awkwardly as she held the drink out to Jake.

Jake jumped back, not knowing whether to drop the case or try to hide it. Sam was obviously embarrassed. The glass shook slightly as she held it towards him. “Thanks.” He whispered.

“You can sit, you know. I mean if you want to.” Sam tried to find words. Jake sat on the couch and Sam pulled up a chair across from him. They both sipped their drinks.

“Did you like it?” Jake finally asked breaking the silence. He held up the case to the DVD.

“Yeah, it was cute.” Sam took another sip.

Jake put the case back on the coffee table, the long silence continued. Occasionally, a sip of a drink interrupted it.

“I really am sorry.” Jake began. “I hope this whole thing hasn’t caused you any problems.”

Sam scoffed. “No one knows who I am. And even the people who do didn’t recognize me. It wasn’t a problem, really.” She smiled. “Your ring was a problem though. Come on, a straw. Even my first husband did better than that.” The minute the words left her lips she winced. Why did I have to say that, too much information, Sam. Jake chuckled at her joke.

“Yeah, that was pretty bad. I’m so glad no one got a close-up of that.” Jake started to relax.

“Damn, I should have kept it. I bet it could have been worth something. Imagine the tabloid headlines Jake Jameson proposed with this.” Sam held up her glass to him in a mock cheer. They both laughed at the thought.

Then Jake got serious. “Speaking of the tabloids, I was wondering if you could kind of keep this to yourself.”

“I’m not like that, really.” Sam started defensively. “Believe me I’m the last person who wants to draw attention to myself.”

“I didn’t mean that you would, but” Jake took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. He thought then the words spilled out of him. “I was actually hoping you’d play along.”

“What?” Sam tried to make sense of his words in her head.

“Well, I have a movie coming out in a month and it might be really bad publicity if people were to find out that I was joking around. I mean it was all pretty juvenile and you would only have to do it for a month. I could make it worth your while, really.” He started babbling. He couldn’t look her in the eyes. He felt like a little kid confessing that he stole a gumball at the candy store.

“Are you serious?” Sam asked incredulously.

“My publicist thinks this could destroy my career and I think he might be right.” He looked at her directly. “I’m so sorry, I really am.”

Wow! Look at those eyes. Is this guy for real? He’s an actor Sam. This is what’s best for him not necessarily for you. Come on Sam. It’s not like you’re doing anything else with your life right now. Her personal angel and demon were sitting on her shoulders debating the issue. Finally, Sam spoke. “I guess.”

“You’ll do it?” Jake stared at her hoping that was what she meant.

“Sure.” Sam gulped down the rest of her drink.

“I’ll leave you my number so we can talk some more tomorrow.” Jake looked around for a pen and paper. Sam pulled out her cell phone from her pocket. She handed it to Jake and he programmed in his number. Then he pressed send. His phone rang in his pocket. Sam took back her phone.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.” He said and rose up off the couch to leave. Sam escorted him to the door. He bent down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Thanks.”

Sam nodded numbly and closed the door behind him. Her knees suddenly felt weak, but she managed to make it to the couch. She touched her cheek where he had kissed her. Before she knew it she was asleep.

***

Jake drove home in silence. By now Aunt Patsy has surely called Mom and discussed the events of the day. If mom knew I was using a marriage proposal as a publicity stunt she would be extremely disappointed. Actually, too many people already know the truth and could ruin this at anytime. All they would have to do is sell their story to a tabloid and everything could be ruined. No one else can know that this wasn’t real, no one. In fact, I need to convince the people who think this was a joke that it’s actually real now. Jake mulled over the situation. Sam seems nice enough. I guess for her this could actually be fun. She’ll get to be famous for a little while. Jake envied Sam for a moment. She would have her fifteen minutes of fame then fade back into obscurity. Of course, he knew that fame paid well and he definitely enjoyed the perks, but it didn’t come without its own price.