Somewhere in My Heart (8 page)

Billie taunted, “Well, that all depends on the person.”

Ricky decided it was time to put Billie’s leg to the test.  He asked her to dance. 

She feared, “But, won’t  that make my leg worse?” 

He objected, “On the contrary, it may actually help.” 

They danced slowly.  Then, as the music got faster, so did they.  Ricky began spinning her around and she didn’t collapse.  They started laughing. 

He boasted, “I told you not to give up.  All you had to do was believe in yourself.” 

She grinned, “I believe in you, too.” 

Ricky reached over to kiss her and her lips couldn’t reach his fast enough.  They kissed, it seemed like forever.  To Billie, it was like magic, the fourth of July, fireworks going off everywhere, and that they were the only two people on earth. 

Billie’s first kiss with Ricky was all that she was thinking about the next day.  She couldn’t concentrate on a single thing.  She wondered if he regretted it, or if he didn’t want things to move so fast.  She decided she would ask him when he returned home.  He responded with another kiss.  They paused long enough to catch a breath. 

Ricky announced, “I want to make love to you so bad right now.” 

Billie asserted, “Then, why don’t you?” 

He ruled, “I think it’s best if we wait.  At least until your leg is better.” 

Billie insisted, “If that is all you are worried about, I think we can manage to make me forget about my leg for awhile.”

He started to remove her dress, as she unbuttoned his shirt.  He was kissing her on her neck and rubbing his hands up and down her back.  He went to unhook her bra, as she was trying to undo his belt.  They were in front of the fireplace, but there wasn’t a fire going, at least not in the fireplace.  Billie was thinking how it couldn’t be happening.  It was only a dream for her for so long.  She wished he could have been her first.  Just moving her hands on his chest was orgasmic enough.  He was much better than she expected. Once the sweat became unbearable, they decided to stop. 

Ricky acknowledged, “I don’t need to do my workout today.  I think I am good for a couple of weeks.  Join me in the shower?”  Billie was willing and able for the task.  Things continued in the bathroom.  He double checked to see if Billie’s leg was not bothering her first.  It hadn’t fazed her.  They washed each other and finally pulled away long enough to get out and get dressed. 

Ricky commented, “Doesn’t it feel like we are on our honeymoon?” 

Billie paused and then said, “Honeymoon, why does that word come to mind?” 

He grinned, “Who knows what the future might bring, I mean this could go anywhere.”  Billie was never one to want to get married, but she hadn’t been asked by Ricky Todd before either.

They proceeded back downstairs.  Ricky looked over at the rug where they had been only moments ago.  Billie caught his stares. “Maybe we should return to the scene of the crime,” she commented. 

Suddenly, they heard a well-known voice coming from the front door way.

“Where might that be Billie, Nashville?” asked Dennis. 

Ricky demanded, “Don’t you knock anymore?  You could have interrupted us.” 

Dennis advised, “Actually, I did.  I just went back outside and waited a few minutes, although I should have stopped you then.” 

Ricky challenged, “What are you up to now?” 

Dennis claimed, “Maybe you should ask Billie that question.  As a matter of fact, I think I should talk to her first.” 

Ricky ordered, “Whatever you have to say, you can come right out and say it to both of us.” 

Billie instructed, “No, that’s okay.  I’ll see what he wants.  Maybe then he’ll leave us alone and we can get back to what we were talking about earlier.” 

Dennis grunted, “That's what I thought you'd say.”

Billie went in the next room, hoping Ricky wouldn’t follow.  Dennis grabbed her arm and said, “I told you I would catch you, I guess there was just a part of me that hoped it wouldn’t be true for my brother’s sake.  If you had just gone out with me instead, this conversation wouldn’t be happening.” 

Billie pleaded, “What is it that is so catastrophic that you have on me?” 

He informed her, “I know who you really are, and I have proof to show Ricky.  I should give you a second chance, and I would have if you hadn’t already slept with him.  I should have known, according to what I dug up on you, you are a real slut.” 

Billie slapped him.  He warned, “That’s not going to help you now.” 

She begged, “Please don’t tell him, let me do it.  He’ll never forgive me if you are the one to tell him.” 

Dennis commanded, “I told you, it’s too late to beg, and it’s not very becoming. You have had plenty of time to tell him.  It’s not my fault you are a lying bitch.  If I were you, I’d be packing.  You don’t want to see him when he gets upset.” 

Dennis went back in to the living room, expecting Billie to go upstairs.  Instead, she was right behind him. 

Ricky asserted, “Could you tell me what is going on now?” 

Billie tried to say something, when Dennis interrupted her.  He stated, “Billie is a fake.” 

Ricky cried, “What are you talking about? What, her name isn’t Billie?” 

Dennis answered, “No, that part is true, except the last name, and her real occupation.  She has lied about a lot of things, especially her intentions. She is really a photo-journalist and used to date Chris Brady.  That was privileged information, since their relationship was never public.  It’s amazing what you can dig up on the internet, I'm surprised you didn't run a background check on her.  While in Nashville, I had a hard time finding some of her old hangouts, but I had to be sure.” 

Ricky looked at Billie and said, “Is this true?”  She was afraid to say anything. 

Dennis added, “I am not making this up.  Her best friend might tell you the truth.  It is Maria Dawson.” 

Ricky asked, “Was she the one who told you about Billie?” 

Dennis admitted, “No.  But, I found that out in Nashville, she worked for a magazine there.  The so-called agent she had was actually her boss. I think she’s had this planned from the start.  Who knows what kind of story she was doing on you.” 

Billie complained, “It’s not like that.  I didn’t plan it.  Ricky, I’ve been trying to tell you the truth.  Every time I got up the courage, something would happen.  Like the day we were at Rose’s ranch, before the accident.  Remember?  My boss wanted me to wait and not tell you right away, but I told him I would quit.  I didn’t enjoy lying to you.  If Dennis had done his research properly, he would have discovered that I have always had feelings for you.  Hurting you is something I never wanted to do.” 

Ricky lectured, “If that is true, you’re too late.  I thought we loved each other, and even started thinking about us having a future together.  But, you have to have trust.  How can I trust you now, since you have been lying to me all along?  It’s like I fell in love with a complete stranger.” 

Billie wanted Dennis to leave so she could talk privately with Ricky.  But, that didn’t look like it was going to happen.  So, she decided to leave, maybe things would cool down.  She had to get away from the embarrassment and the hurt in Ricky’s eyes.  She knew he was right.  She should have told him when she had planned to, and not listen to her boss.  She feared in the beginning that she wouldn’t have had the great experiences she had, if she were just a plain journalist.

She returned later to find all of her belongings thrown out on the lawn.  She didn’t bother trying to talk to him.  He wouldn’t answer the door and he took back her keys.  She didn’t know what else to do.  She decided to go back to Nashville.  She tried to get her old life back, before she went in to a depression.  She returned to her friends and her old job.  Maria and Bobby were very supportive.  Things were almost back to normal, except Billie was heartbroken. 

One day, after weeks of hearing nothing, Billie received a note to meet Ricky at the Bluebird Café. She wondered what he was doing in town and why he was summoning her.  She caught up with him. 

He began, “All I wanted to hear from you was an explanation.  It was that simple.  You didn't have to run away like that.  I know I didn’t give you much hope by throwing your stuff out in the yard.  But, I was mad at the time…mainly disappointed.  We had just shown each other how we felt, and then to have our life torn apart so quickly.  It was like a commitment based on lies.  But, I know the truth now.” 

Billie whispered, “You do? Do you know all of it?” 

He admitted, “Yes.  I know about what happened with Chris and not just what Dennis told me.  I also know that was you on the beach that night.  Why didn’t you turn him in for attacking you?” 

She claimed, “I just couldn’t.  Besides, you saved me before he had a chance to do anything.” 

Ricky requested, “What were you doing on the beach in the first place?” 

She explained, “I guess you haven’t found out everything about me either.  I was a major fan of yours before I went to work for you.  I thought I was in love with you, but didn’t really know for sure until I spent time with you.  You have always been sort of like a promise of what my life could be like.  You gave me my dreams and gave me hope.  I believed that true love could exist because of you.  You were the inspiration I needed and you are the reason I love country music.  You are the strong, silent type, and so am I.  Or so I thought.  Without you in my life, I feel the strength slowly slipping away.” 

Ricky insisted, “Just tell me one thing, was this all your idea?” 

Billie assured, “No, I would have never planned this in a million years.  I had wanted to meet you forever.  You had been out of the spotlight, and I was beginning to think I would never get to interview you. I admit I would have done anything to meet you…but, not if I had to deceive you.  I was already in Hawaii, because of the Witness Protection plan, during Chris' trial. My boss came up with this idea of me being your new manager. Maybe I shouldn’t have listened to him.  But, I was in too deep before I knew it.  I’m sorry I waited so late to tell you.  I’ve just been through a terrible ordeal.” 

He agreed, “I know.  At first, I couldn't wrap my head around all that I learned. The thought of you with those guys hurt more than your deception. The up side was that you did, in fact, help Bobby Douglas with his wife and you did try to help Chris Brady.  I don’t want to see you get hurt like that ever again.  I admit, I was going to ask you if we could maybe start over, and take things slowly, to earn back trust. But, now that I've seen you and talked to you, I know that I intend on taking better care of you, because I love you.  You are the first woman I have ever truly loved.  The love I had for Lydia was more of an appreciative love, since she helped me get my life on track.  I’ve never told anyone that, but you.  I want us to be together so...”

Billie cried, “So, what are you attempting to say?”