Heart Of A Star

Chapter Twelve - Natalie

It was one of the best night's sleep I'd had in a long time. Even after only a few hours of rest, I felt wide awake when I heard Rachel's alarm go off at eight am. While she was in the shower, I stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy the morning sun.

Today was a brand new day. I'd let go of the secrets that had been holding me back for so long. There was no more having to wait to take phone calls from my family, no more having to dodge questions about my childhood or how my trips to the UK had gone. It was freeing.

I was toweling off after my morning shower when I heard my phone ring on the nightstand by my bed. In one swift motion, I wrapped the towel around me and dove, soaking wet, across the comforter for the phone. I wanted it to be Ray-Ray, and was almost disappointed to see Rylan's number appear on the screen.

"Hey Ry."

"I'm ordering room service for brunch. Do you have some time?"

I found it strange that my heart sank just a little. I hadn't really seen him in so long, yet I had been looking forward to seeing Ray-Ray at breakfast this morning. "Sure, I'll be up in a few."

I had to show ID when I reached the top floor of the hotel. It was a standard security measure anytime the band stayed at a hotel. They had to pre-approve any visitors to their floor, even those related by blood.

Rylan's suite was breath-taking, even bigger than most I've seen. It was clear that the last few years had been successful for the band. The suite itself was easily four times the size of our oversized rooms, and had a full kitchen, a large seating area, French doors that opened to the bedroom in a loft above an iron spiral staircase, and another set of French doors that opened up to the balcony. Just inside the kitchen sat a large cart on wheels, laced with a crisp white tablecloth which presented a mini-buffet of everything from Belgian Waffles to finger sandwiches, exotic fruits, and fresh-baked rolls.

Rylan stepped into the suite from the balcony, dressed in a pair of cargo shorts, a long-sleeved dark T-shirt pulled up at the sleeves, and sandals. He wore his sunglasses on top of his head, and his bright blue eyes were wide and alert, even for having been up as late as we had all been last night.

"Did your friends have fun last night?" He asked, motioning for me to dive into the buffet as he poured us each a mug of tea. I was hoping for coffee, but didn't see any.

"I'd say. They sure as hell were surprised. I think today I'll have a lot of questions to answer."

Rylan smiled, handing me my tea. We ate on the balcony, enjoying the already ninety-degree temperatures that greeted us even before noon. It was a peaceful, quiet view. We were about twenty-five stories off of the ground, and had a magnificent view of the Texas landscape, spotted with the occasional palm tree, and a large two-story high fountain below us.

After brunch, Rylan took our dishes inside, and returned with a pack of cigarettes. He leaned up against the railing so that he was facing me, pulled one out of the pack with his teeth, then handed me one before I could ask him. He flipped his sunglasses down to cover his eyes from the sun that had just peaked over the top of the building.

"I know you don't so much as check the balance, but I put a small deposit into your account for your birthday."

I rolled my eyes. It had been an ongoing debate over the years. Even the years that we hadn't spoken, the balance would sneak up on "my" account. "That's not why you called me to have brunch with you, is it? To discuss finances?"

I caught the start of a smile before he cut it off. "No, Natalie, hard to believe I just wanted to spend some time with you. It's been too long."