Glam Metal (42 page)

Jay was on his phone when she came into the hallway. He was saying.

“Ok, be with you in ten minutes. And we’ll discuss it then. I gotta go.” He hung up without giving the person on the phone a chance to reply.

“Who was that?” Sam asked as he opened the door for her. He just said:

“It was business.” Jay opened the door for her and she got in. Hopping in beside her, he started the engine and tore off down the driveway.

They drove to the restaurant in silence. Sam looked over at him and put her hand on his leg, he covered her delicate hand with his. Looked over at her and smiled. A few minutes later he pulled up outside the restaurant. He said:

“Darlin, I won’t be long I promise.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I can’t avoid this.” She smiled as he leaned over her to open the door for her.

Sam watched him speed off and she went into the restaurant. She saw Damon and smiled broadly as she went over to their table.

As soon as he saw her, he was on his feet and gave her a kiss on both cheeks and a hug. She hugged him back. She was very fond of Damon. Turning to Ben, she held out her hand and he kissed it and they all sat down.

Damon was looking for Jay and she said:

“Damon, Jay has been delayed; he’ll be here in about half an hour.” He smiled at her and they talked for a few minutes about how she was settling in, in LA. Sam told them how she was finding it pretty interesting.

“I love it, but I do miss London.” She laughed and Ben said:

“Don’t think me intrusive. But, how is that beautiful young daughter of yours?” A warm smile crossed her face as she told them about Jaime. How big and strong she was getting.

“She has Jay completely smitten. He adores her.” Sam knew that Ben didn’t really like Jay but for Damon’s sake he was being polite.

“Has becoming a father changed him?” Ben asked. She looked at him fondly. She realized that the first few times he and Jay met, he had been strung out and Ben really didn’t get to meet the real Jay.

“Ben, he’s a great dad. Jaime has changed him a lot.” Damon told her he had spoken to Jay a few times and he was totally delighted with his daughter.

“You’ve been very good for him, Samantha!” Damon said. “You and Jaime have saved him from the road he was going down.” He patted her hand fondly.

“I love him Damon. I can’t imagine what he was going through but he has changed and for the better.” She smiled and they began to talk about the show.

Forty minutes later, Jay came in to the restaurant. He kissed Sam’s cheek and gave Damon a high five. Turning to Ben he smiled and shook hands with him.

“Sorry, I’m late.” He took Sam’s hand and said. “Dude, how have you been?” He laughed and they spoke briefly about some of the new things Damon was working on. Then he said.

“Ben and I are getting married soon, before we return to London.” Jay nearly choked on the water he had just taken a drink of. Sam flashed him a look.

“That’s great, man.” Turning to Ben, he added. “Where’s the happy event gonna take place?” Ben took Damon’s hand in his and said:

“I know it’s a cliché but we both want to get married in Vegas.” Sam congratulated them and the look she gave to Jay encouraged him to do the same.

Damon asked Jay if he were touring or back in the studio. He told them he was in talks with a music TV channel about a show, but that it was only in the early stages of discussion. And there was nothing firm decided.

“When are you going back on the road? You must miss the attention.” Ben said in his very polished accent.  Jay glared at him and said gruffly.

“You know Ben; you get tired of having women throw themselves at you. And as for the press.” There was a wry smile on his face. “Before we leave here tonight there will be at least two photographers waiting to snap my photo. Not to mention Friday at the show.” Ben smiled but Sam could tell he was feeling awkward now. She was furious with Jay.

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough and as they were leaving the restaurant; sure enough three photographers ran up to them snapping away with their cameras.

Normally, Jay wouldn’t give them any time but tonight he was very accommodating.

“Hey guys.” He said. “One photo and leave us enjoy our evening in private and with our friends.” They loved it. A photographer asked:

“Is it true you and Glam Metal are doing a new video next week?” Jay smiled at him and put his arm around Sam.

“Dude, we’ve just come off tour.” He kissed Sam on the cheek; sending the shutters of the cameras into rapturous applause. “I’m spending some time with my stunning girlfriend and daughter.” He put his hands up and then told them he would now like to continue his evening with his friends.

They left him alone. Damon laughed and said:

“You are not always so charming.” Ben was shaking his head.

They walked with Damon and Ben to their car and with a kiss from Sam, they got into their rental car and left. As the car drove away, Sam turned to Jay and hissed at him.

“What was all that?” He looked at her blankly. “You deliberately went out of your way to be horrible to Ben.” Jay laughed and took her hand and went to find his car.

*************

The gallery was full with people and there were various reporters and photographers. Sam was charming and circulating with the glitterati of Los Angeles. Most of them were curious about her. They had seen the almost blurred photos of her with Jay. And were wondering what kind of woman she was and why she was with a rocker with such a colourful past like Jay.

One socialite, a dyed platinum blonde, smiled sweetly at Sam and glanced at the painting then at Sam’s finger. Evidently looking for an engagement ring but not seeing any, she said:

“What a marvelous painting that is. Do you know the artist personally?” Sam put on her most charming smile and said:

“Yes, I represented him in London.” The dyed blonde looked her up and down and said;

“I understand, you have a child with one of the band members of Glam Metal!” Sam looked her in the eyes and said sweetly.

“I am the envy of a lot of women.” Spotting Jay coming toward her, she looked at the dyed blonde. “It took a natural redhead to tame him.” She walked over to Jay and kissed him on the mouth. He put his arm around her and caressing her bare back, said in a whisper.

“Babe wanna go somewhere private?” He was smiling. The dyed blonde came over and said:

“What an adorable couple you two make.” Jay turned around and said sarcastically.

“Lena, how lovely you look. You’ve met my beautiful girlfriend Sam!” She smiled bitterly. And turning to Sam he said. “Lena here was one of our favourite groupies, in the early years before she married a hotshot actor and then… what number husband is this?” She smiled and made her excuses to leave. When she was out of earshot, Sam said:

“What a horrible woman!” and putting her arm around him. “You’re late! Did you see Damon?” Jay kissed the tip of her nose and whispered.

“I came with Nick and Lisa. And yes I saw Damon.” He smiled. Sam knew she was looking great tonight, wearing a long white backless evening dress with diamantes’. Her long hair was tied up in a French knot and her skin was tanned slightly.

“Darlin, all eyes are on you tonight.” He was saying. Sam laughed and ushered him in the direction of Damon and Ben. She felt so proud being with Jay. He had made a special effort for her tonight. Jay wore a dark tuxedo and he looked so handsome.

The evening was going well; several collectors were buying Damon’s paintings. The reporters and the critics were raving about his style and use of colour.

Sam had several enquires about ‘Canvas at Dawn’, but she knew that of all of his work, it was the one that would make him well known throughout the art world.

One reporter from the local paper came over to her and asked gently.

“Such an eye for perfection; surely you must paint yourself?” Sam turned around and looked at him. She smiled widely.

“No, at least not since I was in university.” He laughed. They both turned to look at Damon’s seascape. The colours were so vivid and bright. His use of blue, so daring yet so vibrant; and his favourite colour, at least to Sam it seemed to be his favourite, crimson red. Used together with the blues, it could so overpower the scene. But Damon had a gift with using colour.

“A truly remarkable artist!” The reporter held out his hand to Sam. “I’m Josh Manteca.” She shook his hand.

“Samantha Wentworth.” Her smile was warm and she liked this reporter straight away.

“Of course, you are quite famous here among the glitterati, if I may say.” Sam laughed. “The question most people want to know is, who are you and where did you come from?” She smiled and said almost in a whisper.

“I’m sure they are mostly interested in Jay,” she added. “I certainly am not famous.” Just then a waiter was passing by with a tray of champagne. Josh took two glasses and handed one to her.

“Well, Samantha, with your beauty and talent, you already have it made in this town.” He raised the glass to her. She smiled and they chatted briefly about Damon’s work.

Sam didn’t see Jay until she felt his arm go around her. He kissed her cheek.

“Jay, this is Josh Manteca, a local reporter.” Jay didn’t say anything. Josh said:

“We were just discussing this new artist.” He held out his hand and reluctantly Jay shook it. Turning to Sam he said. “Good luck with the exhibition and talk to you soon.” She smiled and allowed Jay to lead her over to some Hollywood director.

They spoke for a while about some movie he was working on and Sam learned that he was the director, which Glam Metal used to direct their music videos. She also suspected that he did adult movies but didn’t say anything.

As most of the collectors and art dealers had left there were only a few people remaining at the gallery. Damon was talking to Sam about the unsold paintings.

“How long do you think we should run the exhibition for Samantha?” She looked around. Although the show had been a relative success, there were still a number of unsold paintings. She suspected it was because most of LA was curious about her.

“Damon, my instinct tells me we should let it run for the month. If the remainder is unsold then we should consider internet sales.” He looked at her for a moment. Then he said earnestly.

“Samantha, I trust your judgment, but,” he took her by the arm and they moved out of earshot of Jay and Nick. “Do you think it was a good idea, having Glam Metal here?” She looked at him. Sam knew that Damon was angry with Jay. And she didn’t blame him but they were friends for a long time. Sam liked Damon; he was kind and gentle and proved to be a good friend. But she loved Jay. Despite his obnoxiousness, he was a caring guy, a good father and a wonderful lover.