ThunderSnow

CHAPTER TEN: Not one

Lyn spent the afternoon curled up in the recliner in Eli's trailer. She watched tv for a little while, but eventually she turned it off and pulled her knees up, rolling on her side and closing her eyes to get some rest. That's where Eli found her when shooting wrapped for the day.

He smiled as he stood over her, watching her sleep peacefully in the chair. He crouched down beside her and placed his hand on her arm, squeezing and rocking it gently.

"Lyn."

Lyn sighed and stretched. She blinked slowly before turning her head to look at Eli.

"Oh... Eli. Sorry." She sat up quickly and smoothed her hair.

"No need to be sorry," Eli said. "I'm glad you got some rest."

He traced slow circles with his finger over the leather of the recliner, chewing his lip in thought. He looked up at her, rubbing his eyebrow.

"What is it, Eli? I know that look."

"So... Rob and I were talking. He decided to take a break from shooting tomorrow. With all that's happening... and the increased media presence... he needs to make some changes to our security.  So he's closing down the set for a day."

Lyn cringed. "I'm sorry, Eli. I feel so terrible. All of this is because of me." She sighed. "Maybe if I had been more careful, or thought about my actions first. I just never thought..."

Eli gripped her hand and looked into her eyes intensely. "No. None of this is on you."

"But if I hadn't stayed... if he hadn't photographed me..."

The intensity in Eli's eyes wavered. "Do you wish you hadn't stayed?" he asked softly, as if he feared her response.

Lyn pulled his hand toward her. "No! Eli, I meant what I said before. I don't regret it, and I would do it again." Her eyes dropped to her lap. "I just wish I could have prevented the outcome."

Eli dipped his head, lowering it until his eyes met hers, forcing her to make eye contact. "Lyn, listen to me. What you did... selflessly dropping everything to help me when I needed it... and then staying." His voice grew soft. "Not many people would do that for me."

He dropped down on the floor in front of her chair, looking up at her. "Can I tell you something, about when I went into rehab three years ago?"

Lyn sat forward, tucking her legs beneath her as she nodded.

Eli took a deep breath, then looked off to the side with a rueful laugh. "I thought I was hot shit. I was Eli Colton. I had everything. Fame, money, looks, girls..." He gave her an uncomfortable, apologetic half smile.

"I had a ton of friends. We partied non-stop. Drinking, drugs, sex ... life was one big, never-ending party. I was the King. And they all adored me. They loved me." He looked down. "Or so I thought."

His eyes met hers again. "I was spinning out of control, Lyn. I couldn't stay high enough. I started to need a fix just to function. I couldn't even leave the house without it. I'd get so anxious about facing the world as the real me – the boring, anxiety-ridden, sober Eli – there was no way anyone would find him cool. So, I kept him buried beneath a thick haze of drugs and alcohol. I started to get desperate. I made stupid, dangerous decisions..." He shrugged. "Well, even more stupid and dangerous. I fell deeper into the drug world. I met some really bad people, Lyn. People who would mess you up, or worse, eliminate you, without thinking twice. I nearly lost my life... more than once."