A Face in the Crowd (22 page)

“I do have some vacation days saved up.”

“You could use a few days at the beach. And, it would be the prefect birthday present for me,” she said it in a singsong voice, the way she sometimes did when she was talking people into things.

“Look at you pulling out the big guns,” Lexie laughed, then pulled her computer into her lap and started searching for flights.

“A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.”

“Okay, I’ll make sure my schedule is worked out and I’ll book a flight.”

“Yea! California, California . . .”

“Simone, stop singing.” Lexie’s protest caused her to sing louder. “Good night, Simone.” Lexie laughed and hit end, then fell backward into her pillows. A few days away from her normal life would be good. She missed Simone and this way she could figure out what in the world she was going to say to Oliver. She’d been such an idiot. How patient could one man be?

Chapter 22

Lexie nearly stumbled as Simone threw her arms around her neck at baggage claim, but the strain on her back was well worth it. The familiar warmth at seeing her friend washed through her and brought with it a relief she hadn’t felt in weeks. Finally, someone who made sense.

“You’re here.”

They held on as people maneuvered around them, laughing and fighting tears.

“So,” Simone let go and held her at arm’s length. “What do you want to do first? I was thinking we could drop off your bag at my place and then we could head to the beach. What better way to recover from your flight then by resting on the sand?”

“I like the sound of that. Lead the way.”

After battling traffic, taking the five-cent tour of Simone’s apartment, and driving to Zuma beach, the girls stretched out on towels and enjoyed the sun. The sound of the waves and faint music from some nearby sunbathers floated on the air. Sounds which usually relaxed her, but Lexie couldn’t stop her brain from obsessing over the fact that she was in Oliver’s city. Somewhere relatively nearby he was walking around. Maybe at the studio or hanging out at his new house? She picked up a handful of sand and let it flow from her fingers. What was she supposed to say to him? Would he even listen at this point?

She’d picked up the phone ten times to call him over the last few days, but could never bring herself to do it. She’d been a fool, not once, but twice.

“I bet I don’t have to ask you who you’re thinking about.” Simone turned her head toward her as she used one of her arms to shield her eyes from the sun. “Why don’t you just call him already?”

“I want to, but . . . I don’t know. What if he’s over the drama and doesn’t want to talk to me? What then?”

Simone pushed herself up onto her elbows. “A man doesn’t fall out of love with a woman that fast, not even a ding-bat like you.”

Lexie glared at her and threw sand at her leg. “Thanks a lot.”

“Why don’t you take today to get settled and then tomorrow maybe you should call him and let him know you’re here. Take it one step at a time.”

“One step at a time.” Lexie rolled onto her stomach. “I can do that. Hey, you’re sure your roommates don’t mind me being here?”

“No, I told them you were coming and Alison isn’t around this week. She’s taking time off to visit her boyfriend.”

Lexie blew out a breath. Take the day. One step at a time. She repeated the words in her head until the warmth of the sun pulled her towards sleep. She loved the beach and did her best to get there at least once or twice a year. Of course, she usually went to Florida not the west coast.

California, though lined with the same palm trees, had a different look and feel than Florida. The sand was darker and spotted with tiny pieces of rocks and shells, whereas Florida was a blanket of white sand. They were opposites and yet each beautiful in their own way.

Kind of like her and Oliver, she supposed. They, too, were opposites in a lot of ways, but one thing was for sure, he was a good man.

“Lexie,” Simone’s voice pulled Lexie out of her own head. “Are you awake over there?”

“Barely,” she grumbled into the towel.

“If you’re feeling up to it later, I got us tickets to see a concert at this awesome little venue. It only holds a couple thousand.”

While Simone went on about the plans she’d made, Lexie didn’t hear most of what she was saying. She was too busy talking herself out of a panic attack. For a moment, she’d feared what concert Simone was referring to. It was one thing to be in Oliver’s city, but to see him tonight? She wasn’t ready.

She shook her head. Her worries were unfounded. Survival of the Fittest was long past the days of playing in small venues.

“I think we should go shopping this afternoon and find something fun to wear out tonight.” At Lexie’s raised eyebrow, Simone continued, “Don’t look at me like that. I know you haven’t been shopping since I moved. You’re not a shopper.”

Lexie didn’t argue, but she did stick out her tongue playfully at Simone.

After a couple more hours on the beach, when they finally managed to motivate themselves to move, they visited a few fun stores Simone found out about from a local she worked with. They shopped, ate lunch by the shore, and caught up. It was the perfect afternoon and the exact kind Lexie missed.

“Who’s the band tonight?”

“Oh, just some local guys everyone’s raving about.” Simone climbed out of the car and grabbed the shopping bags from the back. “Supposedly, they’re going to be the next big thing.”

When Simone let them into her apartment, the place was empty, so they turned on some music while they dressed for dinner.

Lexie paused with her shirt halfway over her head as she surveyed Simone’s outfit. It wasn’t exactly her usual style. “That’s what you’re going with?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“When did bright orange become one of your colors?”

“Oh, you don’t like it? It’s supposed to be the color of the season.”

“Oh my God, you’ve been out here too long. I’ve never heard you use the words ‘the color of the season’. That’s it. You have to move home immediately. You sound like you’re one ring away from joining the cast of The Real Housewives of L.A.”

Simone threw her a scathing look and disappeared back into the cramped bathroom, but when she emerged she was still sporting the bright orange top. “Okay, funny girl, you ready to head out?”

Lexie followed Simone out of the apartment, and when she caught sight of her reflection in the elevator doors, admitted she liked her own new outfit. The designer jeans were a bit of a splurge, but she was on vacation and the grey shirt with silver studs around the V-neck showed just enough cleavage to make her feel sexy. She looked concert ready.

“You were right. These guys must be crazy popular,” Lexie commented as they drove past a line wrapped around the building. “We’re going to end up in the nosebleed section.”

“Did I mention that I have VIP tickets?” Simone grinned, clearly pleased with herself.

“How did you manage that?”

“A girl from work gave them to me,” Simone tossed a VIP parking pass on her dash.

“Well done, Simone.”

“Thank you very much. You see, L.A. isn’t all bad.”

“I never said it was bad. I just said you should move home. Purely selfish on my part,” Lexie threw an arm over her friend’s shoulders as they walked to the VIP entrance.

Simone leaned into her. “I miss you, too.”

Lexie released her as they passed through the double doors marked VIP Only. The building was old and smelled of dust, but it had a welcoming feel. The floor area was standing room only and the second level was ringed with plush seats which looked as though they were the originals.

“Is there an opening band?”

“Nope, just the main event tonight,” Simone led the way to the area directly in front of the stage and they leaned against the rail to stake their place as the doors opened to the rest of the fans.

As the throng of bodies pressed toward the front, Lexie couldn’t help but overhear some guys talking behind them.

“This is crazy. They haven’t done a show like this in years.”

“I know. I’m pumped. Let’s hit the bar before—”

“So, Lexie,” Simone almost shouted in her face, “how’s work? Janice still riding your butt at every opportunity?”

“Of course,” Lexie said still distracted by what the guys behind her were saying. She started to turn around, but Simone wove her head directly in front of Lexie’s line of sight so she could only see Simone’s face.

“And, how’s Donna? She hasn’t tried to call, has she?”

“No. Simone, what’s wrong with you?”

“Me?” Her eyes darted around like a trapped animal in a cage. “Nothing. What makes you think there’s something wrong with me?”

“You’re acting a bit weird, even for you.”

The lights went down and Lexie could’ve sworn Simone looked relieved, but she didn’t have time to dwell on her bestie’s crazy behavior. The crowd yelled and screamed in anticipation as one at a time in the darkness; silhouettes began to take positions on the stage. The excitement hung in the air like an overfull cloud about to break wide open to unleash a storm.

A single cord sounded from the lead guitar. The screams from the crowd grew louder and then all at once the lights came on and a familiar song began to pound. While her brain struggled to comprehend what she was seeing, Lexie stood dumbfounded and temporarily blinded by the sudden surge of light.

Survival of the Fittest was on the stage and directly in front of her was Oliver, not more than six feet away. She looked over at her treacherous best friend with murder in her eyes. Simone was already staring back at her. Lexie wanted to scream, but knew, considering the volume pouring from the speakers, there was no way Simone would be able to hear the insults she threw her way.

Lexie turned to run, but found the crowd too dense to move. When she pushed to try to break through, other fans pushed back leaving her stuck and unnoticed. As the song came to an end, her mind continued to reel. She couldn’t believe Simone would do this to her.

With nowhere else to go, she looked up at the stage and saw Bailey, Leo, and David playing together like they had so many times in the past, but this time, instead of enjoying the show she felt panicked. Her eyes darted back to Oliver. His smile was wide as he glanced at his brother. Oliver was in his element. Where he was meant to be.

The black T-shirt he wore showed off his arms. Arms which had once held her.

“Hello, L.A.,” boomed Oliver’s voice from the stage. “For being so supportive and patient with us over the past few months, we wanted you all to be the first ones to hear some of our new songs. This is our way of saying thank you and that you guys are the most kick-ass fans any band could have.”

The fans went wild around her.

“But first, if you guys will hang tight, I have something important to do.” As Oliver spoke to the crowd, some of the stage crew moved a large piano onto the stage. “There’s someone in the audience tonight who means a lot to me. Now, for some reason she won’t listen to reason. She’s stubborn, but sexy as hell.” The crowd cheered and there were some whistles throughout the audience as Oliver made his way to the piano.

Lexie’s heart flew to her throat.

Unable to breathe, she gripped Simone’s arm and felt her friend’s hand come to rest on top of hers and squeeze.

“Now, this girl, she seems to need some convincing that I love her. Would you guys mind helping me out?” Oliver struck the first keys on the piano and everyone cheered, not at all concerned that what was happening in front of them was highly unusual.

He played a few chords and the cheers died down as everyone waited to hear what Oliver would say next.

You don’t have to be strong all the time.

You don’t have to be afraid of loving me,

Cause I’ll stand by your side and

I won’t hurt your pride.

I want to be the man in your life.

You don’t have to be away from me,

You don’t have to stay in the dark.

Come out into the light and

Stand by my side.

I want to be the man in your life,

Let it be me.

Oh, please, let it be me that shares in your life.

Let it be me that shares in your dreams.

You don’t have to be strong all the time,

You don’t have to stay in the dark.

Stand by me,

Share in my dreams,

Oh Lexie, let it be me.

Tears streamed down her face as a sob stuck in her throat. She’d never loved anyone the way she loved him. Lexie looked over at Simone with a watery smile.

She mouthed the words, “He’s the one.”

Lexie nodded and began to clap as the rest of the crowd went wild. A spotlight swung across the front of the audience and stopped on the two of them.

“Orange really isn’t my color,” Simone half yelled into her ear, “but it sure is easy to spot in a crowd.”

Lexie laughed and as she did more tears slid down her face.

“Guys if you wouldn’t mind, could you help my friend up?”

When she looked up and saw Oliver at the edge of the stage with his hand outstretched, dozens of hands began to lift her up toward him. Her feet hit the stage with some help from a bouncer and then Oliver was there with his arm firmly around her waist.

She locked eyes with him and he kissed her, there on stage in front of thousands of people.

When he finally pulled away, he placed his lips against her ear. “Wait for me?”

She nodded and hurried off the stage where a member of the crew was signaling to her. Still overwhelmed she watched from the wing as the band continued to play, but her focus remained on Oliver. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him and every so often he smiled in her direction melting her heart over and over again. Survival sounded better than ever and Bailey, though perched on a stool for a lot of the show, seemed to be at the top of his game.

A while later as the concert wound down, a hand landed on her shoulder. Andy. She remembered how much she’d wanted to slap him the last time she saw him, but even he couldn’t ruin her mood. Oliver loved her and she him. Nothing else mattered.

“Lexie, I wanted to apologize for how I behaved in Atlanta. I was out of line.”