Disillusioned Love Page 2

  “Bloody hell!” The Canadian half yelled, half laughed as she rushed napkins to Ri’s aid. The scene was total chaos. Matthew quickly knelt down and helped wipe up spilt coffee. A sense of panic and embarrassment grasped him. He quickly regretted his hasty idea to meet them.

  “Oh yeah, just perfect. Should have known I’d look like an ass in front of D.M.A.” Riana mumbled as she shook her head and mentally scolded herself for appearing so incompetent.

  The Canadian with the blonde hair with deep red tips tried to hide a giggle. “Hey, it’s kind of like when you called Ryan…” Riana closed her eyes and groaned. “the dead sexiest guy on campus!” The brunette finished along. They both fell back into a laughing fit, though Riana was reluctant to join. Riana’s boyfriend of the last three years, Ryan, had struck her fancy immediately but the beginning of their relationship wasn’t the course they had together at the university, it was the moment in which he overheard Riana deem him the dead sexiest guy on campus. Riana knew in that moment, much as in this moment, she could either face the music and talk to Ryan after she realized what he heard or run away with her tail between her legs, never to look back.

  Riana finally broke, “That bastard still won’t let me live that down.” She laughed. Matt stood back up and looked at Derek and Alex in disbelief. He couldn’t fathom that they were being ignored; it was practically unheard of.

  Riana quickly appeared to compose herself, though her mind still reeled from being face to face with some of her favorite musicians. “Now,” she started and cleared her throat. “Who’s going to replace my wasted caramel macchiato?” She asked as she stood up and looked in the direction of Matthew. A perfectly arched eyebrow was lifted in expectation over her stern, brilliant, cobalt eyes. The brunette snickered.

  “I, um,” Matthew started as he reached for his wallet. Ri raised her hand to silence him.

  “I’m kidding. It’s fine, there’s more.” She smiled and lifted her still half full, large, lavender porcelain cup for him to see. Her smile was bright and friendly. Her ultramarine eyes danced playfully. She placed her cup back on the table. “Hi.” she offered while she extended her hand to Matthew. Matthew smiled back as he grasped her petite hand. “I’m Riana, this is Samantha,” she motioned to the Canadian with the blonde and red hair with thick rimmed black glasses after she released Matt’s hand “and this is Lexi.” She finished as she nodded towards the curly brunette who had a large, contagious smile. After a quick exchange of greetings there was a moment of awkward silence. Heavy uncertainty filtered around them as they glanced at each other.

  “Hey, didn’t we meet you in Minnesota?” Alex questioned Lexi. If all else failed, start with something familiar. Lexi smiled.

  “Yeah, I didn’t think you’d remember.” She blushed lightly and Alex smiled at her.

  They had met, briefly, before one of their concerts at a meet and greet. It was a memorable moment for Alex. Lexi had come in with a group for a meet and greet, she was polite and soft-spoken but when she got to Derek she couldn’t even bring herself to look him in the eyes. Derek, ever the gentleman, never wanted fans to be uneasy around them so he attempted to bend down, catch her eye and engage her in some kind of conversation. He failed miserably.

  “Well, sometimes faces are easier to remember than most people think.” Alex explained.

  “Yeah, but then sometimes you get people coming up to you asking, ‘Don’t I know you? You look awfully familiar’ when you know, they don’t know you.” Ri rambled quickly. “That’s annoying.” She finished as she sat back down and gathered more napkins to clean up her mess. Her hair drifted down in front of her face and she gave a little puff of air through her lower lip to move it out of her way.

  “Yeah…” Matthew slowly agreed. He eyed Riana as she finished wiping off the table. He hadn’t seen a picture of the girl from his past in so many years; it was difficult for him to decide if the angles of her face were the same as the woman in front of him. It just didn’t seem possible.

  “I’m sorry if we disturbed you guys. Riana here can get pretty obnoxious.” Samantha quipped as she cleaned her funky glasses. Samantha had a wonderfully quirky style, bright colors and patterns graced her clothes and satchel. She was just a touch taller than Riana, but with oddly similar features. They were both blonde, curvy, and their smiles mirrored each other but Samantha had adorable dimples deep in her round cheeks where Riana didn’t. They could have passed as twins, or at the very least sisters. Ri quickly snapped her head in Samantha’s direction, set on defending herself.

  “No, no, you didn’t disturb us.” Derek quickly insisted before Ri’s offended look turned into words.

  Lexi’s brow furrowed as she tilted her head to the side. “Um, then..” she started as she glanced between Riana and Samantha.

  “Why’d we come over?” Alex offered. They nodded.

  “We sort of overheard you all talking,” Matthew started. Lexi was the first to drop her head as she felt caught in their exploits of the guys and their fans. “And it was really quite intriguing and--”

  “Really?” Samantha questioned. Matt looked at Derek and Alex while they nodded.

  “Did you want to sit down?” Ri offered as she motioned to the empty spots around them. “I’m feeling shorter than usual with all of you standing around me.” At a mere five feet tall, the difference between Riana and the guys was drastic. Each of them had at least a foot on her.

  “Is it possible for you to feel any shorter?” Lexi teased with a grin. There was obviously an unique dynamic between Riana and Lexi. Lexi was the odd one out of the group of women, much as Matthew was the odd one out with the guys. Riana and Samantha shared the same features that Lexi was almost completely opposite of. Lexi was quite a bit taller than both Riana and Samantha; she had dark, curly hair that was pulled back off her longer face. She had large, bright, carob colored eyes, her nose was more petite than Riana’s, and lips that were just a touch fuller.

  Riana gave a deliberate smile as she cocked her head to the side. “Lick it.” Matthew’s jaw dropped, Derek and Alex gasped and the women broke into laughter. Alex pulled up a chair next to Lexi’s and Derek sat on the other side of Samantha on the couch. Matthew took the chair across from Riana and continued to gaze at her. He was still attempting to decide if he had found the woman he’d grown so attached to all those years ago without ever having directly conversed with her.

  They easily fell into conversation. It was refreshing for the guys; to find people who didn’t seem to treat them any differently. The women were filled with what seemed like endless topics; from random trivia facts, to mind-boggling questions of life, to stories that got everyone wheezing through their laughter.

  Hours later, their small world was disrupted by the punk kid from behind the counter when he informed them the cafe was closing. Riana checked her watch as if she didn’t believe him. “Damn, it’s like midnight.” The rest of the group also checked for the time. “I’m going to be absolutely dead for my meeting with my publisher tomorrow.” Riana complained as she stood up and grabbed her purse. The rest of the group followed suit, Lexi and Samantha with concerned looks on their faces. Riana left hastily, she didn’t even turn to say good-bye. Lexi quickened her pace to catch up to Riana as she burst out the door and onto the sidewalk. Samantha grabbed Alex’s arm to get him and the other guys to follow.

  “Ri! Wait!” Lexi yelled as everyone got outside. Despite the time, the street pulsated with people; street artists, groups of friends, and couples on dates. Chicago wasn’t exactly known as the city that never slept, but it certainly kept up with New York City.

  Riana turned around about thirty feet from the door, her hand buried in her purse. The imposing skyscrapers surrounded her, made her appear smaller, almost lost in the bustle of the city. “Honey, I have the keys.” Samantha called from Alex’s side. Riana let out a sigh of relief as she shuffled back to the stunned group outside the cafe. Lexi was at her side and rubbed Ri’s back comfortingly.
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  “It’ll be okay Ri. Your meeting will be fine. You can function on less sleep than this.” Lexi assured.

  “Yeah, but…” Riana stopped as she reached Alex, Derek, Matt and Samantha. “I’m sorry.” She expressed softly. Her head was dropped and she glanced up at them from hooded lids. The misting of rain which had started left what looked like fresh dew drops on her cheeks and along her collarbone. As they gathered in the hollow of her throat the coolness brought goose bumps to the surface of her skin. It was in that moment Alex decided she was truly beautiful. “...didn’t mean to leave so quickly. It’s just I have an important meeting with my agent and publisher in the morning and I have to be on top of my game.”

  Matthew reached out and stroked Riana’s arm. She looked up at him quickly, shocked at the small sign of affection and he smiled. “Hey, no, it’s totally okay. We remember what those kinds of meetings are like.” She smiled back at him. “Go, get some sleep. You’ll do wonderfully.” Riana nodded. Alex looked over at Samantha and she smiled at him; a way to apologize for Riana’s running off and to relay that Matt’s gesture was sweet.

  As Riana turned to finally leave with Lexi and Samantha, Alex reached out and gently grabbed her upper arm. He grinned and bit his lip lightly. “So, if you have time or whatever tomorrow…” He was nervous, there was no reason to be nervous, was there? “Um, you could, well, I’d like it if you’d call and let me--us--know how your meeting went.” A look of shock barely passed over Riana’s face before she smiled.

  “Okay.” She simply replied as she took out her cell. Alex dictated his number and she grinned again as she saved it. “Thanks. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Alex smiled again as Riana turned and jogged to catch up with Samantha and Lexi.

  “Wow.” Derek gushed from Alex’s side as they headed towards their car. “That was…”

  “Awesome?” Matt finished.

  “Definitely awesome.” Alex agreed.

  Chapter Two

  I Write Sins Not Tragedies

  Friday May 26, 2006

  Riana found herself underneath the safe canopy of a huge magenta umbrella at one of the sidewalk cafes in downtown Chicago with Lexi and Samantha. She stared at the screen of her cell phone as the new entry “Alex Cell” taunted her. She had wanted to call sooner; her meeting had been over for almost three hours. She had the time to call before she met Lexi and Samantha for a late lunch but she simply couldn’t. She wasn’t sure if she needed encouragement, all she knew was she just couldn’t bring herself to hit that one, tiny, insignificant green button to dial his number.

  Roughly four miles away Alex was restless in the hotel suite he shared with Derek and Matt. “She said her meeting was at nine, but she hasn’t called yet.” Alex complained. There was no specific reason as to why it bothered him so much. Although Derek seemed to have a theory.

  “Just because you’re Alexander Jennings doesn’t mean every woman in the world considers your number to be a gift from God.” Derek quipped from the couch in the living area of the suite. Alex stared at him with his mouth agape.

  “I...never...said…” Alex started. Perhaps it was true; Alex was used to getting a bit more attention. Of course that didn’t mean he believed giving Riana his number would somehow possess her to call at her earliest convenience. However, he also didn’t think she wasn’t going to call at all.

  “Alex, relax.” Matt spoke from behind Alex with his head half in the refrigerator. “You know how long, not to mention stressful, meetings with any kind of executive can be. Whether it be producers, management, accountants…” Alex began to inwardly groan as he tuned Matt out. Matthew had a habit of rambling. Alex always thought it was because in D.M.A. Matt always got the majority of the attention in any public situation. He had to learn how to carry the conversation. It was rare when the questions were directed at anyone but him. The sudden sound of Alex’s phone brought him back to the present time and also thankfully stopped Matthew’s rambling. Alex grinned excitedly as he picked up, “Hello?”

  “Riana just call him.” Samantha ordered. Riana sat at the cafe with Lexi and Samantha; her phone in her trembling hands. “He gave you his number for a reason.” Riana knew it may have been true, but calling him was too real for her. She worried it would go badly, she might interrupt something, or he might get annoyed. Riana nervously glanced up at Lexi and Samantha. Lexi gave her a reassuring smile. There was something about Lexi’s smiles that brought comfort to Riana. No matter what the situation, Lexi gave Riana a sense everything would be okay. Given the eleven years of their friendship, it was a logical feeling to have as Lexi had stood by Riana’s side through absolutely everything.

  “Besides, Ri, you have some pretty fantastic news to tell him.” Lexi encouraged. Despite the lack of sleep, the meeting with Riana’s publisher had gone better than expected.

  Riana looked between her two best friends and nervously spun the barbell placed simply in the middle of her lower lip between her teeth and tongue. She took a deep breath, “Okay, here it goes.” She highlighted “Alex Cell” and hit talk.

  Alex hopped onto the kitchenette counter and smiled. Matt looked at Alex and laughed at the ridiculously happy look on Alex’s face. Matt mouthed “say hi” and waved. Alex rolled his keen, dark eyes but nodded in compliance.

  “Hey Alex, it’s Riana.” Her voice had an edge of nervousness to it.

  “Well how are you this afternoon?” Alex asked in an almost sing-song kind of way, his lame attempt to ease her nerves.

  “I’m good.” Alex could hear in her voice she was smiling. Alex smiled in silent victory that his lame attempt worked. She apologized for not calling sooner. She explained her meeting ran pretty late then she met Lexi and Samantha for lunch.

  “Hey, no problem.” Alex assured. Matt walked by and hit Alex’s arm. “Ow! God Matt you can be such a bitch sometimes!” Riana started to laugh on the other end of the line. “Sorry about that.” Alex apologized coolly. “Matt says hi.” Riana was still giggling and it elicited a deep laugh from Alex.

  Riana attempted to reply through her giggles. “Well, make sure you tell the diva I said hi back.” Alex smiled. It was exhilaratingly different to deal with someone who didn’t get tongue tied and star struck when dealing with the Golden God of D.M.A. Typically Matthew, with his shaggy, silky blonde hair that fell perfectly above his incandescent cerulean eyes stunned women into some kind of muted stupor. “Oh, and Sam and Lexi say hi to everyone as well. And make sure you tell Derek we all say ‘what up dawg, holla back.’” She started to laugh deeper and again Alex joined her. “No, seriously, tell them.” She encouraged. Alex laughed harder as he hopped off the counter.

  “Okay.” Alex relented with a snicker as he skipped into the living area of the suite. “Hey Matt; Lexi and Samantha say hi.”

  “Sweet.” He smiled triumphantly. “Wait, what about Riana?” He pouted. Matthew had the pout absolutely perfected. Not only was his hair perfect and well suited to frame his eyes, but his face was blessed with long, even lines, a strong jawline, perfectly groomed and arched eyebrows. A pull of his lower lip and sadness to his eyes made his pout flawless.

  The pout had no effect on Alex after nine years and he fought to remain calm as to relay Riana’s message to Matt. A light giggle escaped before he could say it, “She said, and I quote, ‘Tell the diva I said hi back.’” Alex let go of the full force of his laughter once he got the whole statement out.

  Matthew’s jaw dropped in horror. “She. Did. Not!” Alex lost all control and grasped the edge of the couch as he laughed the hardest yet and practically fell into Derek’s lap.

  Derek laughed along with Alex and agreed, “Well Matt, your reaction supports the diva theory.” That topped it off for Alex and he snorted, which set off Riana into another fit of giggles.

  “Wait.” Alex called as he waved his hand in front of himself and tried to catch his breath. “She also said she, Lexi and Sam all say ‘what up dawg, holla back.’ to you D.” Derek laughed and held up the
peace sign. Alex laughed a bit more and proceeded to his room, and left Matthew stunned in the living area; complete with his hand defiantly on his jutted hip.

  “That, was perfect.” Riana complimented.

  “Thank you, thank you. I aim to please.” Alex grinned. “So tell me, how did your meeting go?” He asked as he plopped down on his bed.

  “Wonderfully.” Riana sighed happily.

  “Oh yeah? That’s great Ri!” Alex exclaimed with relief, she seemed so worried last night. Alex laid back on the cool comforter of the king size bed and stared up. He attempted to keep his eye on one spinning blade of the ceiling fan above him. The conclusion--don’t try, it was surprisingly difficult.

  “To say I was relieved it went so well would be a drastic understatement. We’d been butting heads quite a bit about how we were going to market my book now that it was transgressing local markets to national. I think my lack of sleep actually helped. I was more stubborn than usual.” She laughed.

  Lexi and Samantha were inadvertently being ignored by Riana, but Riana felt it was their own fault as they were the ones who pushed her to call. They were happy she finally called and when she would find their eyes with a smile on her face they returned the gesture. “So what’s this infamous book about?” Alex probed light-heartedly. Riana dropped her head and wished desperately for a light-hearted answer.

  “Well,” she began to play with the vertical labret barbell which rested in her lip. It was a habit—a nervous habit more precisely. Lexi’s eyes grew concerned when she saw. Lexi knew Ri better than Ri knew herself sometimes, which was often simultaneously comforting and frustrating. “It’s kind of… the story of… my life.” Riana took a deep breath. “Not all of it of course, just…”

  “Ri?” Alex interrupted gently.