Bottle It Up: (A Between the Pines Novel) Read online

  Josh chimes in next. “Yes, come by again and bring Molly. I haven’t met her yet.”

  Nick beams a smile from ear to ear at the invite. “That would be awesome!”

  “Well, we’ll have to make sure it happens then.”

  “Thank you, sir.” He nods to Max. “Miss Ford.” He nods to me as well, and then he and Nick leave the room, taking my heart with them.

  Josh and I stare at each other, silently acknowledging the weight of what just happened. I just met the son of the man I’m falling in love with. It’s a pretty big deal.

  I open my mouth to say something, not sure what, but Josh stops me.

  “Go change and meet me in my room. Friends will have to wait. We’ve got some serious shit to talk about.” He takes a bite of ice cream. “Like, how it’s possible he’s even hotter when he’s being a dad. I mean, talk about a DILF?”

  Chapter 21

  “You still sure you want to do this?”

  I’m helping him with his tie. The most beautiful man in the world can’t go to a premiere looking disheveled, now can he? It’s my job to make sure he doesn’t. Even if it’s not in the contract.

  If you had asked me last night, I would have said that there was no way I was going. In fact, for a good hour or two, I was moving back to Eastlyn and ripping the contract into pieces.

  When Josh finally showed me the text Max had deleted from my phone I went through all the emotions that would go along with a picture of my grammy sitting in her favorite chair looking out the window in her room at the retirement home along with a cryptic message.

  GO BACK HOME OR WE’LL PAY GRAMMY A VISIT.

  LOUISE FORD

  RIVERWALK RETIREMENT

  PENDLETON OR

  ROOM 52

  When he handed me his phone, my entire body trembled with fear, and my first reaction was not one of fight but of flight. That was it. I was going home.

  It wasn’t until I realized it was a picture I had posted over two years ago on my social media account with a message that just said Grammy with a little red heart that my fear turned to a seething rage. It may not have been a recent picture, and they knew I called her Grammy because it was in the post, and when we did a Google search, her full name and address came up, so it wasn’t that serious of a threat. But still, knowing someone would stoop that low and hated me that much.

  With security in place in Eastlyn, I decided to give this sicko a big F you and stay the course. There were moments all night when I thought I was making the wrong decision, and I should just go home to Eastlyn and pretend to be Josh’s fiancée from afar, but in the end, I decided the assholes didn’t get to win.

  We called Max and filled him in about where the picture had come from, but he had already figured it out. He was way ahead of us and already had additional support headed to Eastern Oregon.

  So, here I am, helping Josh get ready to go to a movie premiere.

  “Josh, it will be fine. Besides, I’ll have Max with me.”

  He smiles. “That’s why you’re in such a great mood! You get to spend time with Hopper.” He proudly busts me. “No hanky-panky in the car, Emmy.”

  I tsk him, playfully smacking him on the shoulder. “Do you really think after all the time I just spent getting my hair and makeup done that I would do anything to ruin it?”

  One of his eyebrows lifts. “Uh, I have a feeling a few minutes in the back seat with a man like Hopper would be completely worth it.”

  He’s right. Five minutes with Max would be worth it.

  “Okay, you’re right. Maybe on the way home.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  We leave Josh’s master suite both decked out in Tom Ford because you know, that’s how we roll. He looks sexy in his black suit, and I’m a perfect match in my little black dress. It’s classy yet sexy, and I love it. I’d love it even more if Max got to take it off me tonight when I get home. I haven’t even walked out the door yet, and I’m already daydreaming about what will happen when the night is over.

  Too bad, Reeves will be coming back with Josh, and Smith is here for the night shift. It looks like I’ll be the one slipping my little black dress off tonight.

  Jace, Max, and Reeves wait for us in the foyer when we come down the stairs. Max is closest to the door, placing himself behind the other two men. When he catches my eye, his chest lifts on a big breath, and his head ever so slightly moves from side to side. His fist lifts to his chest to rest over his heart for a beat before he drops it and returns to his usual stoic posture.

  It’s a small gesture, but it’s plenty to melt my heart.

  Josh squeezes my hand, letting me know he saw Max’s small show of affection. “Wow, Emmy. The man has got it bad,” he whispers out of the corner of his mouth. Just before we reach the last step, he lets go of my hand as the team guides us silently out the door.

  Tonight, there are two black SUVs waiting out front. Josh and Jace follow Reeves to the car in front, and I follow Max to the one behind theirs. Sibby is already there with another client, and Smith and Cleveland also left early to make sure things were secure before we got there. Smith will head back to the house once we all arrive. This means Max and I will get some much-needed time together, even if I am in the back seat while he’s in the front.

  “Ma’am,” he says, holding my door open for me.

  I don’t dare look at him when I pass him to get it. I’m not the actor in this dysfunctional family, and I’m afraid I’ll give us away if someone is watching.

  Once he’s in the driver's seat and the door is closed, he wastes no time in telling me what he tried to convey inside the house.

  “Emmett, you look absolutely beautiful,” he says, pulling away from the house behind Reeves. “I swear, I thank God every time you walk in a room.”

  “Max,” I say, not knowing how to reply to such a beautiful compliment.

  “As beautiful as you look in that dress, I’d give anything to climb back there and take it off you. God, I missed you last night.”

  “I missed you too.”

  His eyes meet mine in the rearview. “You staying for the after-party tonight?”

  “I was thinking I may be a little too tired to stay. I may need to sneak out the back door just as soon as the movie is over.”

  “Is that so?”

  Thinking back to Josh’s comment in the house, I giggle to myself. “I’d rather have five minutes with you in the back seat of this car, than to go to a stuffy Hollywood party.”

  “Well, you are the boss. Whatever you want, Miss Ford. I aim to please.”

  The crowd is on its feet, applauding the film that has left me in a puddle in my red velvet theater seat. Nikki, the star of the show, is sitting in the row in front of me with her face in her hands, doing her best to conceal her tears. Not even she could have expected the performance we all witnessed here tonight. It was stunning. Gut-wrenching. After the first few minutes, I forgot I was watching my friend up on the screen. She absolutely transformed herself into her character, and I couldn’t be happier for her.

  After a few minutes, the crowd finally begins to disperse with those in the industry or involved in the film headed off to their after-parties. Standing, I step in front of Josh and tap the star of the hour on the shoulder.

  When she turns and sees it’s me, she gasps. “I’m so glad you came. Thank you.”

  “Oh, Nikki. You were amazing.”

  She stomps her heeled feet in glee, opening her arms to me. We both lean for the other over her chair and hug.

  “I don’t think I embarrassed myself, so that’s good.”

  “What are you talking about?” I pull back from her so I can see her face. “It was absolutely beautiful. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Nicolette, she’s right,” Josh says from behind me, pulling my back to his front with his arms coming around my chest, holding me like any loving fiancé would. “You’re on your way, my friend.”

  Nikki’s manager interrupts, letting her k
now there are people waiting for her.

  “Hey, I have to go. I’ll see you at the after-party, right?”

  “I’ll see you there, but Emmy’s gonna head home.”

  “What? You aren’t coming?”

  “I’ll explain later, but I swear there’s a good reason.”

  “There better be. Call me tomorrow and fill me in. Promise?” she says over her shoulder as she’s ushered away by her people.

  “Promise,” I say, waving goodbye.

  “Um, Em. I believe there’s a brooding bodyguard waiting at the end of the aisle for you.” Taking me by the shoulders, he turns me in the direction of Max, who is just where Josh said he would be, hands clasped in front of him as per usual. “You should head out and get those five minutes.”

  “Executive protection associate.”

  He chuckles. “Well, I think he’ll let you call him whatever the hell you want.” He continues guiding me through the aisle to Max, who’s now waiting with Reeves.

  “Miss Ford, are you ready, or did you need to socialize before we leave?”

  “Nope. She’s ready, Hopper. Get her home safe.”

  “Thanks for speaking for me, Dad.”

  “Ma’am, did you want to stay?”

  “No, I’m ready. I just prefer to speak for myself.” I stick my tongue out at Josh.

  “I’m just looking out for my girl. Reeves, you ready to party?”

  “Sir.” Reeves nods his readiness to party.

  Josh steps around me, stopping to give me a kiss on the cheek, not to put on a show but with complete sincerity. “Love you, Emmy.”

  “Love you.”

  And I do.

  I love Josh, but nothing like the way I think I might love Max.

  Josh and Reeves head down the theater stairs, leaving me with my executive protection associate.

  “Ma’am.”

  He extends his arm, inviting me to walk ahead of him, and I do. Wanting to touch him yet resisting.

  With his hand on the small of my back, he leads me to the side door where we entered when we got here. The car is waiting close by, and without a word, he opens the door for me to climb inside.

  Once he takes his place in the front seat, the nerves are taking hold for some reason. Do I have the guts to ask him to pull over somewhere and climb in the back with me?

  “Emmett, tonight might be our only time alone without the cameras in the house watching us. Would you mind a pit stop?”

  He eases my mind before I have to find the words to ask for what I want.

  “I would love a pit stop.”

  The rest of the drive is quiet. Neither of us speaking.

  Eventually, we pull into the driveway of a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood. It’s one of those houses in the hills that look like it’s a simple brown one-story from the front, but you just know it drops down in the back. It’s sleek and contemporary, yet something about it is rugged. If a house can look manly, this one does. It looks like Max.

  Still without a word, he parks in the garage and pushes the button on his rearview mirror to close the garage door, jumping out to make his way around the car to get my door.

  “Ma’am.”

  “Max, do you live here?”

  “This is home sweet home, and the only place I know we can have complete privacy.” Taking me by the hand, he pulls me in a rush through the garage. “We don’t have long before the team will be expecting me to check in to confirm you’re home, so we’ll make this quick, but there’s someone who wants to meet you.”

  As soon as he says the words, I hear the tapping of excited paws on the other side of the door leading to the inside of the house. As the door opens, I can hear the sweet snorting of his beloved Frenchie, Molly, and the minute I see her adorable squishy face, I make a note to demand she come to work with him every day.

  “I know, sweet girl. I missed you too.” He leans down and picks Molly up. “Calm down, girl, I want you to meet someone.”

  He holds the door open with his foot, and I scoot past him while petting his sweet pup on the head.

  “Oh, Max, she’s adorable!” I hold my hands out so she can give me a sniff and decide if we’re gonna be friends. She’s tan but has a silvery charcoal color that covers parts of her face all the way down the top of her back. “I’ve never seen her coloring before; she’s beautiful.”

  “She’s a blue fawn, and yes, she is beautiful, and she knows it. I’ve done my best not to let it go to her head, but this is Hollywood. You know how starlets can be.” He puts her down and brushes the dog hair off the front of his suit. “I’m gonna let her out real quick. Be right back.” He starts to walk away, then stops midstep. “I know I said it earlier, but you look fucking beautiful tonight, Emmett.”

  He turns on his heel and is back out the door to the garage with Molly before I can thank him, but not before my cheeks redden from his compliment.

  Shaking off what his words do to me, I take advantage of being alone in the house and look around his space. Stepping into the big open space of his living room, I can’t believe how much this home feels like its owner.

  The room is large with dark gray granite floors, and the far wall is nothing but floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city while the rest of the walls are a kind of textured gray wood paneling that doesn’t look like old 70s type of wood paneling but instead is chic. Very expensive looking. It’s such a nice contrast to Josh’s all-white home.

  A floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace takes up a corner of the room just like the windows. There’s a giant TV hanging on the wall directly across from an oversized leather couch—large enough for a man the size of Max—that has a huge cream throw pillow in each corner and a matching blanket thrown over the back. On either side of the TV are blown up black and white photographs. One of Phillipsburg and one of Hollywood. Below the TV is what looks like a TV stand but since the TV is on the wall, Max has it filled with pictures of Nick, Molly, and the rest of his family.

  It warms my heart to see them here but also hurts it at the thought of him staying away from those who mean so much to him.

  I hear the tapping of paws and the snorting of the other woman in Max’s life headed toward me before I hear the door close.

  “Sorry about that, can I get you something to drink? Wine? Water? Whatever you want?” he says from across the room. From too far away.

  All I want is him.

  “A glass of wine would be nice if we have time for that?”

  “We have time. I told Smith we were stopping for you to spend some time with a friend.”

  “Is that so?”

  “It is. I know it’s only been a couple of days, but I missed you. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “I couldn’t be happier.”

  “Good. Stay there. I’ll be right back.”

  I know I’ve spent many nights sleeping in his arms and his lips have left their imprint on mine, but as I stand here in his home watching his beloved pup follow him over to the kitchen on the other side of the open space of what seems to be the main floor of the house, it still feels like I’m in a dream.

  Max Hopper missed me.

  He wants to be alone with me.

  He’s surrounded by wealthy, beautiful women all the time, and he wants to be with me, a small-town girl from Eastern Oregon whose fake fiancé happens to be a Hollywood star. I have a crazy stalker and a job planning people’s trips around the world, but I’ve never been abroad. Max has been everywhere and lived more in his lifetime than I could dream of, and he still chooses me.

  He not only chooses me but he sees me.

  He really sees me, and he still wants me.

  “That picture was taken when he was four. Taking my little boy to Disneyland for the first time was one of the best days of my life.”

  I didn’t realize I was staring at a picture of Max and Nick both adorning Mickey Mouse ears and smiling sweet smiles in front of the castle at Disneyland. It’s a selfie, but it’s perfect.


  “You’re a great dad, aren’t you?” I bring the glass of red wine he hands me to my lips and take a sip. It’s good and tastes like my new favorite bottle I’ve been hoarding from World Market every chance I get. I may be engaged to Josh, but I still buy my wine on sale or with discount coupons at World Market.

  You can take the girl out of Eastlyn...

  “I don’t know about that, but I do my best, and I love him more than I thought it was possible to love another person. He’s a great kid, and no matter what happens, I’ll always know I did something good in this world as long as he’s in it.”

  “He loves you too, you know. We had a pretty deep conversation over ice cream the other night.”

  “You mean over the two scoops of ice cream you gave him instead of the one I told you he could have?”

  He pushes a button on a small wall console and the blinds on the wall of windows close on their own.

  “It was one scoop. I swear.”

  “It was two scoops rolled into one giant scoop.”

  “It was still one scoop.”

  Taking my hand in his, he pulls me across the room to the couch. He picks up one of the cream pillows and tosses it on the loveseat a few feet away. Sitting in the corner spot, he pulls me down with him. Naturally, I snuggle into place, kicking off my heels and pulling my legs under me. He reaches around me and pulls the blanket from the back of the couch over us. Molly hops into her dog bed on the floor in front of the fireplace and spins around in circles for a few seconds before settling.

  “Nick really liked you.”

  Oh, how my heart swells to hear his little boy liked me.

  “Really?”

  “He said he felt like he was eating ice cream with a princess.”

  “What?” I ask, confused.

  “It was your dress. I mean, that dress you wore to the gala was something else. You looked more like a queen to me, but princess works too.”

  “It’s amazing what some fancy clothes and a hair and makeup team can do.”

  “I like you better without all that, but I’ll take you any way I can get you.”