Chapter 130

Two Years Later

Mark and Trevor Savage were born three months apart, 21 years ago. Since Mark’s father moved his family from Canterbury to Sheffield when Mark was 5, the two cousins had been virtually inseparable.

They experienced everything together – falling off their bikes, fighting over who’s skateboard was the coolest, arguing over which soccer team was the best, discovering girls, young lust, young love and first times for everything. Yes, they certainly did grow up together. And boy, did they ever grow up right!

All the lads wanted to be like them and all the lasses…well….just plain wanted them! Good looking, popular and talented – what more could you ask for?

Though close as brothers, they were as different as night and day. Mark was swaggering, while Trevor was reserved. Mark was shamefully bold, while Trevor was coyly shy. Mark had sinful green eyes and knew how to use them, while Trevor was clueless of the power his hazel ones.

Together, they were a tandem that no other lad in Sheffield could come close to. Now, for the last two years, they had been apart – on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, yet they were still causing a stir. Their looks, appeal and talent had only intesified as they matured. Their individual fame had indeed skyrocketed!

And they certainly wasted no time in reaping the benefits of their fame. Trevor purchased a townhouse in Manchester and kept a flat in London as well. Mark, being more of the rock star traveler, had a townhouse in London, a flat in Manhattan and a penthouse apartment in LA so he could keep commitments on both sides of the ocean. Their respective careers turned out to be more than they could ever have imagined as well.

Since Trevor took over the starting goalie position 2 months into his rookie season, he had won the hearts of the Manchester fans by the end of it. His superb playing also won the respect of his peers, the trust of his coaches as well as the starting position for the following year.

In his second full year as a starter, Trevor’s astounding skill as a goalie helped Manchester to post 8 shutouts that season – a team record. His popularity soared and numerous companies were tripping over themselves to nab Trevor as their spokesperson for their products. He had graced the cover of every soccer and sports magazine in England, was interviewed by every sports channel and made various appearances for charitable organizations. And, the train of female company never slowed. Trevor had his pick, whenever and wherever. Life was good being a somebody.

However, not a day went by that he didn’t think about the girl who loved him when he was a nobody.

As for Mark, well….he was your typical rock star with 3 residences, two sports cars, a high limit credit card and a bevy of young female celebrities to choose from. And Fusion was your typical young, hot band. Their sophomore album had gone platinum 5 times and they would up breaking away in the middle of opening up for Fractured Soul’s tour and was able to headline small venues of their own.

When the tour ended, they struck while the iron was hot and took only a couple of months off before they were back writing and recording their third album before embarking on their first ever headlining tour, which was just about coming to a close. Their third album went quadruple platinum and their shows were sold out. At the tender age of 21, Mark Savage was a millionaire.

But he wasn’t too high and mighty to secretly pine for the girl that he had hurt 2 years ago.

In London, Tara had finished design school and her work portfolio had earned her an entry level position at a company who designed clothes for Fire ‘n Ice – a line of 20-something clothing that was very popular in England. Her long term goal was to someday make it to New York City and work names such as Calvin Klein or Vera Wang. However, her secret dream was to have her own line someday.

But Tara knew that, wherever she went, she couldn’t get away Mark Savage. If it wasn’t the fact that he was still in her head after two years, his face was in videos on the music channels, on posters in every record store, on the cover of Rolling Stone and his drumming poured over the radio. He flooded her senses from every angle. She couldn’t escape him.

She wondered if she would ever break free.

Emily also finished up school, majoring in special education. Her heart was touched a year and a half ago when she watched a charity event which raised money for children who were mentally and physically challenged. She knew then and there that helping these children as her career was her calling.

The fact that Trevor was part of that charity event had nothing to do with it.

The fact that her heart ached whenever she saw him had nothing to do with it.

The fact that she kicked herself for not giving him the benefit of one last phone call two years ago had nothing to do with it.

She was haunted by the question of whether or not she would’ve been able to forgive him for what he did. Unfortunately, her chance was long gone. Trevor was a celebrity now - the most popular player on the best team in England. Supermodels, movie stars, even royalty weren’t off limits to him. It was painfully clear that Emily was forgotten in his eyes.

She wondered if that pain would ever go away.

Chapter 131

6 Months Later

Spring

London, England

The Sanderson Hotel was one of the hippest luxury hotels in the heart of London. Tonight, it was host to Fire ‘n Ice’s spring fashion show.

Behind the scenes, Tara continued to learn the ropes of the business as an apprentice to one of the company’s top designers. And working the backstage of a fashion show really tested her mettle – as well as her patience.

Tara stood next to one of the many seamstresses who was fitting Shawna Nicholson - a 5’10, honey haired, silver-blue eyed bitch of a supermodel. The only experience that Tara had dealing with supermodels was when she was introduced to Trevor’s sister Stephanie three years ago. But Stephanie was an exception in the world of high paid, claw bearing, obscenity spewing pampered diva’s that Tara had been subjected to since she became employed by Fire ‘n Ice.

And Shawna played it up to the hilt.

“For the fucking last time……where is my iced cappuccino? Its bloody, fucking hotter than hades back here! You? Do you just have to stand there, or can you get me my drink before I fucking pass out from the heat, if these pins don’t prick me to death!”

Tara huffed upon Shawna’s many demands of the day, but bit her tongue and chalked it up to experience. She constantly reminded herself that when she became a famous designer herself, to only hired pleasant, tempered models.

“Let me see what I can do,” Tara said as she went off. She found the refreshment area set up for the the backstage workers. As she waited for Shawna’s drink, another young assistant came up to Tara.

“Hey, you’ll be at the after show party, right Tara?”

Tara smiled at Wendy, a girl only a year older than herself. “Oh yeah, I’ll be there! And…first in line at the bar. That Shawna Nicholson makes me fume.”

“Yeah, she thinks the world revolves around her,” Wendy said. “As do most of the models here, but Shawna takes the cake. Poor thing! Her life consists of being fussed over, pampered and chasing her boyfriend all over the globe. Yeah, my heart bleeds for her!”

Wendy took off with a smile as Tara got Shawna’s drink and brought it back to her.

“Here you go,” Tara said, handing Shawna the cold drink.

“Thank God!” she groaned taking a huge gulp of it. She then made a face, before tossing the remainder of the drink in a nearby garbage can.

“Did they put cream in that? I specifically wanted skim milk!”

“I’m sorry Shawna, you didn’t specify……”

“Do I fucking need to specify?? I’m a fucking model. Do you think I get this thin guzzling cream in my coffee?”

“I’m sorry, Shawna,” Tara said, wanting nothing more than to smack her in the face. “I’ll go get you another one.”

Before Tara went off, a cell phone rang on Shawna’s dressing table.

“Nevermind, I don’t want one now. Quick, grab my phone! I’m expecting a call from my boyfriend.”

“What poor bloke puts up with her?” Tara thought to herself handing Shawna her cell phone

Without so much as a ‘thank you’, Shawna clicked her cell phone on. “Yeah? Hey baby. Did you make it? Cool. Oh, I can’t wait to see you! Listen, I’ve got tickets waiting for you in the lobby for the show. There’s gonna be a smashing after show party in the ballroom afterwards.”

Tara broke free for a moment to get more pins for the seamstress and missed the rest of Shawna’s conversation.

“What do you mean you can’t make it to the show?” she screeched into her cell phone. “Mark, I know you just got here, but you promised. I flew all over the place to be with you, the least you can do is be there for me! Yeah, fine, see you at the party afterwards.”

Shawna clicked off the phone in a huff. “Fucking rock stars!”

Chapter 132

Same Day

Manchester, England

Manchester had just gone ahead of Everton 3-2 at the start of the final quarter. Everyone was playing at their top of their game for this was the year of the World Cup and only the best players would be chosen to represent England. Of course, Trevor wanted to be one of those players.

Besides allowing two goals this afternoon, Trevor hadn’t been able to do any wrong. There was no other goalie in the English league to challenge him for the spot on the World Cup team. Even though Trevor had been dating Brynn Whitmore, the daughter of the current FIFA president, just about everyone in the league knew that he needed no outside help. His talent spoke for himself.

Trevor had the remainder of the quarter to protect Manchester’s lead – a feat that he had accomplished many times in his 2 ½ seasons. However, a slow drizzle began to fall on the field making the conditions less than favorable.

With five minutes left, Everton had made a huge steal and was able to volley the ball down deep into Manchester territory with only 2 Manchester players in the area to help defend. Trevor wiped the rain from his forehead and slicked his hair back to keep his view unobstructed. He kept his eyes on the lone Everton player who charged towards his goal. He kicked it with all his might to Trevor’s left side.

As if a scene from high school championship at the end of his junior year came back to haunt him, Trevor lunged to his left side to go for the ball. Only this time, his left foot stepped in a divet of mud which caused him to lose his balance. He fell on his left side as the ball sailed past him into the goal, tying up the game.

And, just like the championship game that year, Trevor fell hard on his left shoulder, only the crunch he heard this time signaled more than just a separation.

*******************************************

At South Manchester University Hospital, Trevor was wheeled into x-ray. Even though he was almost a 22 year old man, there were times he wished his father were with him, especially since sports injuries were his area of expertise. Trevor didn’t doubt that his father was watching the game in Sheffield and saw him go down with an injury.

The Manchester team doctor had accompanied Trevor in the ambulance on the way to the hospital and stayed with him. After his left shoulder was x-rayed, he impatiently waited for the results. When the doctor came out, the look on his face was not good.

“I’m sorry Trevor, but it looks as if you’ve fractured the humeral head of your shoulder and possibly some articular cartilidge damage. Now, its only a hairline fracture, but sometimes those can be even more painful. All I can do is bandage you up tightly and put you in a sling to keep your arm stable. The fracture should heal in 3-5 weeks.”

Trevor’s face dropped. “Three to five weeks? Will I be able to play right afterwards?”

“I’m afraid not, Trevor,” the doctor sadly replied. “After the sling comes off, you’ll need physical therapy until full shoulder motion returns. That can take anywhere from 6 months to a year.”

“What? A year? But……”

“Now, that isn’t to say that you won’t fully recover before a year is up. There’s only a month and a half left to this season, which you’ll be out, so you’ll have the entire off-season to recouperate. If all goes well and you stick to your treatment, you should be as good as new come the start of next season.”

Trevor shook his head with dejection. “I don’t bloody care about next season. What about the World Cup?”

The doctor glanced at the floor then back at Trevor. “I’m afraid you won’t be able to compete in that. I’m sorry.”

Trevor’s silence was his only answer. His spot on the World team was practically guaranteed until a little over an hour ago. He knew that this would be his prime year to shine. Now, he’d have to wait another four years to have another shot.

“C’mon Trevor,” the doctor said. “Let me check for any cartilidge damage before I immobilize your shoulder. Then the only thing I can recommend is a lot of rest and to keep your arm as immoble as possible. Do not lift your arm for any reason whatsoever. If you have any severe pain or swelling, or if your arm becomes numb or cold, I want you to call me immediately. Over the next few days, you will have a degree of pain, so I’ll prescribe you something to alleviate it. The medication will be very strong, so you are not to drive or drink alcohol while taking these. And..only take them as prescribed, understand?”

Trevor nodded. “Understood.”

Chapter 133

Later that night

Sanderson Hotel

London, England

The Fire ‘n Ice after-show soiree was in full swing in the hotel’s luxurious ballroom. In addition to the staff and models, various celebrities clamored about, taking full advantage of the open bar and lavish assortment of hores d’ourves.

Tara cautiously mingled, making sure not to overstep her bounds too much. She pretty much followed Wendy’s lead who had been with the company two years longer than her and knew who to approach and who not to bother.

She downed her second glass of champagne as her eyes fell upon Shawna Nicholson, who was attired in a golden-beige Badgely Mischka mini dress that displayed her long, endless legs. Her Jimmy Choo sandals were made up of rhinestones and topaz and probably cost about as much as her dress. Then again, being a supermodel, they were probably both freebies.

Tara saw that Shawna was talking to Veronica West, who was the top designing consultant for Armani’s New York office. In the last two years, Tara spent just about every free moment learning the ‘who’s who’ of the design world for just about every designer. She memorized photos and bio’s on all the important people in the business so she would be knowledgeable in conversation when the opportunity arose.

Tara took it upon herself to walk past Shawna and Veronica as they spoke, hoping for some kind of an ‘in’ to speak to Veronica. When she got close, she realized that Shawna’s speech was slightly slurred – a result of too many trips to the champagne fountain.

When she got within eye contact of both of them, it was Shawna who noticed Tara first. Gone was the demanding diva bitch from before. Instead, she was happily inebriated.

“Hey……you….I’m sorry, I never got your name,” Shawna said before draining her glass.

“Its Tara…..Tara Spencer,” she replied, before looking to Veronica. “Pardon my boldness, but you are Ms. West of Armani, New York Corporate, correct?”

Veronica looked pleased. “Why yes, I am. Are you with Fire ‘n Ice?”

“Yes, for the last two years,” Tara replied. “I’ve been carefully learning the business while working on designs of my own that I feel will fit the look of the line.”

“Well, you seem to have a fire in you, Miss Spencer.”

“Please, call me Tara. And, yes, I do. I’ve been designing since I was fifteen.”

“Well, someone with drive like yours will go far,” Veronica said.

“Thank you, Ms. West. That means a lot coming from you. Um, I’m going to get another glass of champagne. Can I get you anything?”

“No, thank you. I’m all set.”

“I’m not,” Shawna shot out, as she thrust her empty champagne flute towards Tara. “How’s about filling me up while you’re at it. Oh, and see if there’s a guy at the bar who looks like he’s out of place here. If you do, that’s my boyfriend.”

Tara tilted her head a bit. “Out of place?”

“Yeah. See all the men in this room,” Shawna swept her hand about. “They either look as if they stepped off the cover of GQ or dress gayer than the queen mum. If you spot a guy in jeans and a leather jacket, will you send him my way.”

“What does he look like?”

Shawna took a deep breath. “Ohhhhh, you’re typical gorgeous, brooding rock star,” she slurred out. “Hurry up. I’m thirsty.”

Tara rolled her eyes and went off towards the bar. She filled up two flutes from the pewter champagne fountain. She knew that Shawna was probably pouty because her conversation with Veronica West was interrupted. But Tara didn’t care. She finally got to speak to one of the top names in the business – face to face. It gave her a bit of confidence to try to casually speak to some other big names as well.

As she filled up the last glass, a British accent tingled her ears from behind as he spoke to the bartender.

“Double shot of Jaigermeister.”

Tara froze in place. Even though the voice was a bit deeper than she last remembered, she could’ve sworn that………….”

“Excuse me, luv,” the bartender said, holding out the double shot.

“Oh, here, let me,” Tara said, putting the champagne flutes down on the bar. She took the double shot and turned to give it to the man behind her.

And nearly dropped it when she looked into the incredible green eyes of Mark Savage.

Chapter 134

It took Mark a moment or two to register that it was Tara who was standing in front of him, holding his double shot of Jaigermeister with a shaky hand. His heart slammed in his chest over seeing the girl who’s heart and trust he broke 2 ½ years ago.

“T..T…Tara?” he stammered with disbelief.

“Mark,” she barely whispered as the drink continued to shake in her hand. Mark quickly took it from her, his fingers grazing over hers in the process.

“I…I can’t believe its you,” Mark finally said. “Are you part of this?”

Tara nodded. “Y…yes, I am. I’m a design apprentice for the Fire ‘n Ice line.”

Mark’s mouth turned up in a smile that almost caused her skin to melt off her bones. “Wow, I knew you’d make it, Tara. Your drawings were always so mega.”

“Well, I….I haven’t actually made it yet. But…..I’m aspiring to it.”

As hard as she tried, Tara couldn’t keep her eyes from inspecting every inch of him. He had certainly matured, there was no question about that. And, if Mark Savage was a heartbreaker in highschool, then he had to be a heart-thief now. He was absolutely, incredibly good-looking! His wispy, light brown hair fell over his browbone, his infamous green eyes seductively peeking through. His facial features had lost their boyishness and a faint hint of stubble gave him an enticing, graveled look. His black denim jeans, maroon, untucked barely buttoned shirt and hip length leather jacket completed his look. He was definitely every inch the rock star.

Rock star!

Shawna’s ‘gorgeous, brooding rock star boyfriend’!

“Oh my God,” Tara murmured to herself upon realization.

Mark’s eyes narrowed. “What? What’s wrong?”

Tara turned around to get the two refilled champagne flutes. “Um, listen, I….I can’t stay. I’ve got to get this to someone and then I have to leave.”

“Leave, why? Tara, don’t, please. I’d…..I’d like to talk…..”

“So, that’s what’s been keeping you so long,” Shawna’s voice came up from behind Mark even as she snaked her hand around his waist from behind. “I see you found him. Told ya he was gorgeous. Now….where’s my champagne?”

Tara saw Mark wince and bite his lip over the absolute horrible timing of the situation. She gathered her bearings and tried to put on her bravest face, even as tears were beginning to threaten.

“H…h..here you go, Shawna. Sorry it took to long. I…I was just making sure that…..”

“…….Mark,” Shawna finished. “His name is Mark. He’s the drummer for Fusion.”

“Y..y..yes, I know,” Tara nervously replied. “I was just making sure that he was the one you were looking for. And, since there aren’t any other guys here who fit his description, I guess my sleuth work is done here. Excuse me.”

Without another look in their direction, Tara took off towards the exit, downing her final glass of champagne with one hard gulp. She then hit the elevator button for the lobby and entered. As soon as the doors closed, she collapsed to the floor and sobbed her heart out.

Back inside, Mark’s eyes never left Tara as she fled the ballroom. He wanted so bad to get her alone and talk to her. It was something he needed….no, wanted to do, even after all this time. His heart and conscience depended on it.

“Hey, earth to Mark,” Shawna said, tugging on his arm. “You couldn’t have had that much to drink already.”

“No, I…I didn’t,” Mark replied, trying to settle the slamming of his heart in his chest. “I just got here.”

“About fucking time,” Shawna hissed.

“Look, I made it, didn’t I? Give me a break, luv. I just got in from LA. The time change has me off kilter. If I had any hopes of being awake tonight, I needed a nap.”

Shawna’s arm around Mark’s waist slid back and forth, as her hand ventured dangerously low towards his groin. “Good, because I want you awake later. I’ve got a comp room here for the night so we can party all we want, then just head on up later. We’ve got some serious reconciling to do.”

Shawna emphasized her promise by giving him a quick squeeze behind his fly, causing him to jerk.

“Ooooh, hard for me already! Perhaps we won’t hang down here too long after all. C’mon, lets mingle.”

Mark shifted himself to a more comfortable position and pulled the tail of his shirt down to cover over his fly.

Little did Shawna know that his aroused condition had nothing to do with her.

Chapter 135

About eleven the following morning, Mark slowly opened his weary eyes. He laid sprawled on his stomach in a lavish king sized bed while cream colored silk sheets entwined his naked, wrung out body.

He was awake enough to feel a velvety slender leg hooked around one of his own and a soft feminine arm thrown over his back. As his eyes opened more fully, wisps of honey blonde hair were mingled with his own upon his pillow.

Shawna.

Not Tara, as he had fantasized while he made love to Shawna several times the night before.

He couldn’t get Tara off his mind. Part of him wanted to tell his spoiled, supermodel girlfriend to go to hell and take off after Tara. But he knew that chasing after her was the wrong thing to do. It was obvious that their first contact in 2 ½ years was emotional for the both of them. Yes, last night wasn’t the right time.

But today was a different story.

He just hoped that Shawna didn’t have his entire stay in London planned out. After he and the band met with their accountant in LA following the tour, they all headed on over to Hawaii for two weeks to to absolutely nothing but celebrate the phenomenal financial success of their tour and album. After that, they headed back to LA where Mark unwound alone for a few days at his penthouse flat before heading to his London townhouse. His first and foremost priority was taking the tram into Sheffield to visit his parents and grandparents for a spell.

But not before he tried to hunt down Tara. That is, if he could get away from Shawna long enough.

He turned on his back which caused Shawna’s arm to slither down to the lowest part of his abdomen. The softness of her skin brushing against him way down there began to stir him, even against his will. His movement caused Shawna to awaken as well, and realize where her arm was.

“Mmmm, what’s this,” she said with a groggy voice as her hand found his morning erection.

“Something you wore out last night,” Mark replied as his hips involuntarily pushed against her hand.

Shawna then sat up and straddled him. “Well, I just missed you so much,” she purred, rubbing her center against him. The feeling so early in the morning when he was the most sensitive, not to mention most horny, was way too much to bear.”

Mark grabbed her hips and positioned her. “Well, how about showing me just how much more you miss me,” Mark hissed and he impaled her on him.

Shawna threw her head back and rode Mark as his hands snaked up her long, slender torso to cup her pert, model sized breasts. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to remember the feel of Tara’s breasts and the way her dark, glossy hair fell about her. He smiled at the image in his mind as he arched his body up to give over to his release.

Shawna collapsed on top of him and caught her breath. “Wow, you did miss me,” she panted.

“Mmm, hmm,” Mark lied.

“You didn’t fuck around on me, did you?”

Mark’s mind wandered to a few nameless, faceless groupies from the tour and a bikini or two from Hawaii. He looked at Shawna and shook his head with a lie.

She looked at him skeptically, then got off him. “Well, I want to be out of here before noon.”

“Where you going?”

“Shopping.”

“I should’ve known,” Mark groaned. Thank God supermodels get paid well that he didn’t have to fork over his own credit card to her. “If you don’t mind, I’m gonna sleep some more then head back to my townhouse to shower and change. We’ll go somewhere special for dinner tonight, okay?”

“Okay, I’ll let you off the hook. I’ll even pick out something really eye popping for tonight. A present…..from you.”

Mark turned to see Shawna’s open hand. “What do you want?”

“Your credit card.”

“Crikey, Shawna, don’t you make like 5,000 pounds a day or something?”

“You owe me for not coming to the show yesterday, especially after I traveled to see at least 10 of your concerts.”

Mark blew out a breath and gave in – if only to get rid of her faster. “Fine, my wallet’s on the dresser. Just take one!”

Shawna wrinkled her nose at him. “Christ, Mark….didn’t you guys sell like 7 million albums last year? You don’t have to be so stingy.”

“Yeah, like you’re so deprived,” Mark retorted. “Just don’t bring it back smoking, okay?”

“Sure, sweetie,” she said, kissing him on the nose and heading to the shower.

Once she was gone, Mark immediately got up and threw his clothes on from the night before. He immediately headed back to his townhouse to shower and change. It was time for him to do some ‘sleuthing’ of his own and hunt down Tara today.

Chapter 136

Manchester, England

Trevor rolled out bed with blinding pain coursing through his left shoulder.

He grabbed the bottle of painkillers off his nightstand and headed to the bathroom. After taking a piss, he placed his toothbrush down on the counter while he squeezed some toothpaste on it. It was difficult maneuvering with only one operating arm. Now he knew how his great uncle Rick felt!

After brushing his teeth, he left the faucet running and filled up a cup of cold water. He held the bottle of pills in his right hand and popped the top off with his thumb. He poured out two, the recommended dosage, and washed them down with the water.

He then went to the kitchen to get himself a cup of tea and was startled to find Brynn in there mixing batter.

“Aye,” he jumped upon seeing her. “When….?”

“Oh, I snuck in this morning,” she sweetly said as she put the bowl down. She walked over to him, slipped her arms up around his neck and kissed him on the lips. Her hand then lightly touched his left shoulder.

“How is it?”

“How do you think?” Trevor huffed. “Its killing me. I just took 2 pills so I can hopefully get some sleep without the pain waking me up.”

“Well, don’t fall back to sleep too quickly,” she said. “I’m making pancakes for you. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Trevor grinned as his eyes scanned her lightly tanned body in khaki green shorts and a white spaghetti strap tank. Her golden brown hair was swept up in a messy twist and held together with a tortise shell clip with little pieces escaping here and there.

Brynn was 23 and the youngest daughter of FIFA’s president. Her family was respected and very well know, not to mention wealthy. But right now, her tanned legs and outfit reminded him so much of the first time he saw Emily sitting by the pool. And the way Brynn stood there looking at him with the sweetness of a perfect spring day was also reminiscent of the way Emily……..

“Trev…..Trev, are you spacing, or what?”

Trevor snapped out of his thoughts to see Brynn waving her hand up and down in front of his face. He couldn’t believe that, even after 2 ½ years, little reminders of Emily crept back every now and then.

“I…I guess it’s the pills. Must be working fast.”

She looked back on the counter. “Well, maybe I should put the batter away and let you sleep a bit first.”

He reached out and grabbed her hand. “Nah, I’m hungry now.”

Brynn regarded him with her amber colored eyes. “For pancakes or……something else?”

Trevor continued to pull her to him as he walked backwards. When he felt a kitchen chair behind him, he sat down, taking Brynn down on his lap.

“Well, if you’re in the mood for the something else, I must warn you that I can’t do anything strenuous or move my arm in any way. I’m basically at your mercy!”

“Oooooh, poor baby,” Brynn cooed as she pulled his pajama bottoms down and eyed how ready his was.

“Guess you’re not that interested in the pancakes after all,” she teased as she stood up to slide her shorts and panties down. She then straddled him on the kitchen chair and gasped when he easily entered her.

Trevor wrapped his right arm around her back to anchor her to him as Brynn rocked herself back and forth with him deep inside her soft wetness.

Trevor buried his face in her neck and quickly released himself, the spontanaity of the moment combined with his natural morning horniness left him unable to last too long.

As his spasms subsided, he leaned back and gave Brynn a sheepish look. “Sorry about that. Couldn’t help myself.”

Brynn slid off of him with a grin. “Don’t worry. After you rest, I’ll get payback.”

“How about laying down with me?”

“An offer I can’t refuse!”

Trevor took Brynn back to his bedroom where she cuddled up beside him. It didn’t take long for the painkillers to kick in and give Trevor the relief he needed to get some decent sleep.

However, the pain returned after only a restless two hours sleep. Trevor grasped his left shoulder and winced as he sat himself up, careful not to wake Brynn who was sleeping peacefully beside him.

“Crikey, I just want at least five hours uninterrupted,” he thought to himself as he went to the bathroom where the bottle of pills sat on the counter. He knew the directions said every four hours or, ‘as needed’ and, to Trevor, this was an ‘as needed’ situation. He poured out two, thought a bit, then poured out a third one. If he couldn’t sleep with two, perhaps three would help. He swallowed them with water then snuck back into bed beside Brynn and was peacefully asleep within twenty minutes.

This was only the start of a vicious cycle that will almost destroy him.

Chapter 137

After several failed phone calls to different design companies, Mark decided to call the Sanderson Hotel. It was his last hope.

“Yes, hello, I….I was wondering if you could help me,” Mark said into the receiver. “Yesterday, there was a fashion show for Fire ‘n Ice, however, I’m looking for the name of the company who designs for them. They were part of the show last night.”

“Just a moment sir, let me see if I can find anything,” the woman on the other end said. After a few moments, she got back on the line.

“Sir, the name of the company is Cutting Edge Designs. They’re located on Talbot Street.”

“Thank you,” Mark said before hanging up. He then called information and got their number.

Taking a deep breath, he dialed and waited.

“Good afternoon, Cutting Edge?”

“Yes, hello….could you please tell me if Tara Spencer is available?”

“I’m sorry, but Tara is out for the afternoon.”

Mark sighed. “Could you tell me when she’ll be returning?”

“She’s taking continuing design courses today. She won’t be out until four pm.”

Mark’s mind went into overdrive to think of something, then he wickedly smiled. “Oh, yes of course. I knew she had her class today, but I was hoping to catch her before she left. You see…..I’m meeting her at lunchtime and she forgot to give me the address of the school.”

“Oh, certainly. Actually the classes are being held at the Ambassador Hotel in their conference room.”

Mark smiled with victory. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

A little before 4pm, Mark entered the lobby of the Ambassador Hotel and went to the front desk.

“Excuse me, can you tell me if the design classes in the conference room are still in session?”

“Yes they are, sir. But, there’s only a few minutes left.”

“Thank you,” Mark replied and went over to wait on the leather sofa. His mind reeled with what to say to Tara once he saw her. Would she avoid him? Shun him? Run out of the hotel? After the shock of seeing him last night after so long, he wasn’t sure how she’d react to him showing up here and surprising her. But, he needed some closure in his life with her, but that didn’t also come with the wonder if there was ever another chance for them.

His deep thoughts were disrupted when he heard doors opening and people filing out. He stood and waited in the lobby as he watched several people leave the hotel at once. His eyes continue to watch them until they fell upon Tara who was clutching her design portfolio and a case of pens.

His heart thumped in his chest upon seeing her again. She was almost halfway out the door when he called out to her.

“Tara!”

Tara turned upon hearing her name and froze as she did last night when she saw Mark. Mark cautiously walked up to her, afraid that she’d bolt.

“Hi. I hope you don’t mind me coming to see you like this.”

“How…..how did…..?”

“I got the name of your company from the hotel. I called and they said you were taking classes here today until 4. Tara, please….I…..I needed to see you. No…no…I wanted to see you. Well, both actually. Can we please talk a bit?”

“Well, I have to get back to work for a bit before I go home. Perhaps we can talk later.”

“We could do that,” Mark said with hope, before he remembered dinner with Shawna. “No, wait. I can’t. I uh……kinda made other plans.”

Tara stared down at the floor. “Shawna?”

“Yeah.”

“How long have you two been together?”

“Almost a year. We’re not really serious, though.”

“Almost a year is a long time Mark. Sounds serious to me.”

“Well, it isn’t - really,” Mark said.

“Did you tell her you were hunting down your ex-girlfriend today?”

“Uh…no.”

“Well, if you’re not serious with her, she wouldn’t care now.”

“Tara, c’mon…..”

Tara pinched her temples. “Mark, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say those things. Its really none of my business. We’ve been out of each other’s lives for almost 3 years. I mean, you’re not doing anything different than any other rock star would do – including dating supermodels. She’s awfully beautiful. Too bad her disposition doesn’t match.”

Mark smirked. “Yeah, she can be quite a wench when she wants. Tara, listen. I didn’t come hear to talk about her. I need something from you.”

“What?”

“Forgiveness. Forgiveness for what I did and how it ended between us. You didn’t deserve that, Tara. I knew that a relationship is hard to maintain with my kind of lifestyle, but I truly thought I could overcome it. I was wrong, and you suffered because of it. We suffered. I’m so sorry Tara. Please, I need to know you forgive me.”

Tara knew that Mark went out of his way to track her down just to ask her that. She couldn’t offer him any less than what he wanted.

“Of course I forgive you, Mark. I’m not saying that it didn’t hurt – sometimes it still does. I mean, you were everywhere. On the telly, on posters, in videos – everywhere. I couldn’t escape you.”

“Have you managed to finally do so?”

Tara stared at him as her heart ached. How could she ever confess that not a day went by that she didn’t think of him in some way. Hell, she’d be sitting at her desk tapping a pencil on it and think of Mark playing the drums! It was impossible. But, its obvious that he has moved on. He’s enjoying fame and fortune beyond his wildest imagination and is dating a beautiful model. She couldn’t give him a guilty conscious.”

“Yes Mark,” she lied. “I have. Like you, I’m concentrating on my career. I’m taking these classes as part of my apprenticeship, but I’m going to work my bum off to get out of here and make it to New York. I don’t care how, but I will.”

Mark’s heart dropped a bit. Even though she said she moved on, the look on her face told him otherwise. He wouldn’t push it. Perhaps, that’s what she desperately wants to do. And him standing here in front of her wasn’t helping any.

“I know you’ll make it, Tara. I believe in you, the way you believed in me – when I was a nobody in highschool and hadn’t a clue what do to with my life. I’ll never forget you for that. Never.”

Tara looked at him with tears glistening in her eyes. “Promise?”

Mark gulped upon seeing her tears and nodded. He then gave into his impulse and leaned forward to give her a chaste kiss, but hit her lips instead. It was is not a day went by since he last kissed her and his mouth immediately opened. He groaned when he felt her tongue and embraced her hard against him.

After a few careless moments, Tara pulled away. “Oh God,” she gasped, holding her fingers to her lips. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“No, Tara, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have….I…”

“No, you shouldn’t. You have a girlfriend, remember? And I shouldn’t have encouraged it. Again, I’m sorry. I…..I better go. Goodbye Mark. Take care of yourself.”

Tara spun and fled through the revolving doors before Mark could even react. He stood there as he watched her flee, feeling the taste of her still on his lips.

Rock star or not…….girlfriend or not….there was one thing Mark couldn’t deny.

He still loved Tara.

Chapter 138

Mark made it back to the Sanderson to meet Shawna in her room in time for dinner. She met him at the door wearing a shimmery, ice blue dress that just barely covered the illegal parts and a pair of stiletto’s that had faux aquamarine stones imbedded in them. Mark’s eyes swept her then looked at her warily.

“Oh, don’t give me that look,” she huffed out, handing him his credit card. “I kept the price under three figures – including the shoes.”

“A little fancy for dinner, don’t you think? I’m a little underdressed.”

“I’m a model Mark. I can get away with dressing like this to go to a funeral if I want. However, you could’ve at least shaved.”

Mark ran his hand over the stubble on his cheeks and chin. “Sorry, didn’t have time.”

“What did you do all day?”

“Me? Like I said, I slept more then went back to my house.”

“No you didn’t,” Shawna said accusingly. “I came back to my room about a half hour after I left to change my shoes. You were gone.”

Mark rubbed his face. He couldn’t do this anymore. He couldn’t lie, even if Shawna wasn’t the love of his life.”

“Alright, fine. I went back to my house after you left. I had…..something to do.”

Shawna folded her long, slender arms. “What was this something?”

Mark sat on the sofa and leaned his head back, not wanting to get into this with Shawna. Not now. Not ever.

“You were with another woman, weren’t you?”

Mark found his resolve, stood up and faced her. “In a way, I was. There was someone I had to go see.”

“Who?”

“Do you remember that girl from the party last night – Tara?”

Shawna narrowed her eyes. “What? You were with her? She’s nothing but a lowly little go-fer.”

Mark clenched his fists in an effort to control his temper. “Well, that ‘lowly little go-fer’ happened to be my high school girlfriend. We met the summer before my senior year and we went together right up until…..before I started my first tour with the band. We didn’t end on a good note and I never felt right about it, especially since she stayed with me when I was a lowly no-one.”

“So, just what did you want with her?”

“Forgiveness, Shawna. Plain forgiveness. Seeing her last night like that brought back…….a lot of memories. She didn’t deserve for me to hurt her like that.”

Shawna sniffed sarcastically. “I don’t’ know…sounds to me like you still got a thing for her.”

“I’m not gonna lie to you Shawna. A part of me will always love her. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I hated myself for what I did and I needed to know that she forgave me for it after all these years.”

Shawna rolled her eyes. “Hmm, sounds like a good basis for a song right there,” she snided.

Mark put his hands on his hips and shook his head in amazement. “You know, you’ve got a sarcastic answer for everything. I’m trying to be honest with you and all you can do is mock me.”

“Well, what should I do? Jump up and down for joy because you went to meet with your high school sweetheart today? How’s that supposed to make me feel?”

“To be honest, Shawna, I don’t think you have any feelings at all! As long as your out shopping with my credit card, you’re fine and dandy. That’s all you care about anyway. Face it – you’re only with me because I’m a rich rock star. You wouldn’t even sneeze upon me if I was who I was before.”

Shawna’s ice blue eyes narrowed even farther. “Oh, like your precious Tara didn’t care?” she spat out.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Mark shot back. “She didn’t care. Not a wit.”

“Well, then maybe you should go back to her Mark! If she was so wild about you when you were nothing, then she’d probably fall at your feet now.”

Mark headed for the door before he did something he would regret. “If I could, I would. But she doesn’t want me anymore. She wants to move on. And you know what….so do I!”

With that, Mark opened the door and left the room – and Shawna – for good. As he got into the elevator, he heard her open the door and yell after him before the doors closed.

He immediately headed back to his townhouse. He knew he couldn’t stay here, else Shawna would show up to pound on his door. He threw his empty suitcase on the bed and packed it. Then he called the tram station and got himself a ticket to Sheffield –pronto!

Chapter 139

Mark plopped himself on his parent’s doorstep and rang the bell. Grace answered it and nearly fell over at the sight of her long lost son.

“Mark! Oh lad, why didn’t you let me know you were coming?” she said, throwing her arms around him and kissing his face.

Mark scrunched his face as he allowed his mother to kiss him. “Well, I was planning on coming up in about a week, but coming here now was sort of last minute. Do you mind?”

“Are you kidding? Come in. Your father should be back soon. Abby’s at rehearsal.”

“Rehearsal?”

“Another play,” Grace said proudly. “She’s gotten the lead for the last three. They’re doing The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

“So…..is she the hunchback?” Mark asked with a snicker.

“No, wiseguy! Esmerelda. If you’ve seen your sister recently, I think you’d change your tune.”

“Eh, she’ll always be a little wench. So….where’s dad?”

Grace made a scary face. “He took both your grandfathers to the United-Wednesday game.”

Mark looked horrified. “Think dad’ll come back in one piece?”

“Who knows? Your grandfathers may be slowly approaching 90, but some things still get the blood boiling. I’m sure your father had to sit between them.”

“I’m sure.”

Grace went over to him and, with a mother’s instinct, combed her fingers through his hair and inspected him. “Tired?”

“Yeah, physically and mentally. The two weeks in Hawaii did me good, though. I’m just glad we’ve got a few months off before we began working on the next album.”

“How long will you be in England?”

“Well, I’ve got to be in New York in three weeks for the VMA’s. We’re performing and our video is up for Video of the Year.”

“Just think, not even 3 years ago you were worried about what to do with the rest of your life. Now look at you!”

Mark sighed heavily. “Yeah. But, you know mum…sometimes I wish it were still 3 years ago.”

Before Grace could question him, the door opened and the sound of two old men biting each other’s head off rang through the house.

“Now, don’t pout in front of your daughter,” Sav was heard saying.

“I don’t fucking pout,” Joe shot back. “Just don’t start gloating else I’ll knock your dentures down your throat.”

Mark smiled at his grandfathers when they noticed them. “I’m guessing Wednesday won,” Mark said, greeting them.

“Aye! Look who’s here,” Joe jubilantly said as he hugged his grandson. “Now this sure makes me forget about how Wednesday had to cheat to win!”

Sav rolled his eyes. “Cheat, my arse. How do you cheat, Joe?”

“Don’t talk to me anymore,” Joe whined at Sav as Tyler walked in.

“Aye dad,” Mark said, going over to hug him.

“Whoa, look what blew into town,” Tyler exclaimed, thrilled to see his son. “I didn’t think you’d be here until next week.”

“Change of plans,” Mark sheepishly said.

“Really? I thought you were gonna spend time with Shawna in London first?”

Joe knitted his brows. “Shawna? Who’s Shawna?”

Mark rifled through a stack of his mother’s magazines until he pulled out Cosmo. He handed it to Joe and pointed to the cover. “That’s Shawna.”

“Joe’s 80-something eyes popped. “Hot damn! She’s your girlfriend?”

“Was my girlfriend,” Mark corrected. “As of last night, we’re history.”

“What happened?” Sav asked.

“Well……there was someone else at a fashion show after party that I ran into while I was with her.”

“Who?”

“Tara.”

“Get out!” Tyler said. “You ran into her after all these years?”

Mark nodded.

Grace gave her son a look. “Let me get this straight….you ran into your ex-girlfriend while you were with your super-model current girlfriend?”

“Yeah, why?” Mark asked.

Grace then gave her husband a raised-brow look. “Sound familiar?”

Tyler cleared his throat. “Bloody women remember everything,” he murmured.

“What’s this?” Mark asked, suddenly curious. “Spill it, dad.”

“Yes, do tell son,” Sav egged him on.

Tyler rolled his eyes in defeat. “Well, after our second tour, the band and I headed to Q-Prime in New York for a meeting. Your mother and I had been broken up for a while. She was working at Q-Prime at the time, however, instead, I ran into her first at a local eatery in the city. But I uh….wasn’t alone. I was kinda dating this model too……forgot her name though…….”

“…..Krysta Pennington,” Grace filled in the blanks for him.

Tyler silently cursed. “Like I said, bloody women remember everything!”

“Oh, I remember her alright,” Grace sang out. “You don’t forget a woman who’s so flawless that she mades you feel like a trash bag.”

“Shit, half these models are airbrushed anyway,” Joe said, trying to make his daughter feel better.

“Sorry dad, but I got a very close look at her. She didn’t need airbrushing.”

“So, how did Tara react to seeing you, lad?” Sav asked.

“It was really awkward, especially with Shawna hanging on me. She wound up leaving right away. I think it upset her. Anyway, the next day, after Shawna wangled me out of a credit card….”

“…..ouch,” Joe interjected.

“…..I went looking for Tara,” Mark continued. “She was taking some continuing courses at a hotel. I met her in the lobby afterwards. I…..I needed to know if she forgave me after all this time. She said she did and, in so many words, told me that she’s moved on. I guess that means she’s over me. Then, I kissed her goodbye, but it got a little out of hand. She pulled away and wound up leaving the hotel. Long story short………I spilled the whole thing to Shawna – I just didn’t care – and walked out on her and, voila’! Here I am.”

After a brief silence, Grace spoke up first. “Well, one things for sure…..Tara’s lying.”

“What…..about forgiving me?”

“No…..about moving on,” Grace replied. “If she were truly over you, she wouldn’t have allowed herself to get carried away kissing you.”

“Then why didn’t she say so?”

“Because, at the time, you had a hot ass supermodel girlfriend, that’s why,” Joe bit out. “She probably figures she can’t compete with that.”

“Yeah, but I’m not with Shawna anymore.”

“But she doesn’t know that,” Sav said. “If you really care about her Mark, especially after all this time, then go back after her.”

Mark looked down and fiddled with the edge of his t-shirt. “I do still love her,” he quietly said.

“I know you do,” Grace said.

“So, hop back on a tram and go back after her,” Joe stated.

“No grandpa, I can’t. This all just happened yesterday. I need to give her some time before I hound her again. Anyway, I’m here to visit with all of you before I head to New York for the VMA’s in 3 weeks. After that, I’ll head back and try to hook back up with Tara.”

“You know, it may be a good idea to head up to Manchester to see Trevor after the VMA’s,” Sav said. “I don’t know if you know this, but he’s out for the season. Fractured his shoulder.”

“Bloody hell, no,” Mark gasped. “Man, he was gonna make the World Cup team for sure. He’s probably bummed.”

“Well, I think a visit from his favorite cousin will cheer him right up,” Grace said. “Maybe have him come to London to stay with you for a bit, just to get away.”

Joe slapped his knees. “Well, since my favorite grandson is back, lets all go do a shot of Jack.”

“Dad!” Grace warned.

“Maybe you should allow it Grace,” Sav said. “He needs to forget how badly United lost today.”

Joe pinched Sav’s upper arm.

“Ow!”

“Damn, you’re so boney,” Joe mused.

Chapter 140

3 Weeks Later

Manchester, England

Trevor waited in line at the pharmacy to refill for his painkillers. He had a hard time convincing the doctor to refill a prescription that wasn’t supposed to be, but Trevor convinced him that the pain was still bad.

The doctor agreed to call in a prescription for only one more refill, but Trevor had a plan of his own.

As he paid for his prescription, he went over to the corner of the pharmacy and opened the bag. He took out his prescription and opened the bottle. From his pocket, he took out the empty bottle from his original prescription three weeks ago. He emptied the current refill of painkillers into the old bottle that had the old label on it. He then reached into his other pocket where he had a bottle of over the counter aspirin that resembled his painkillers. He emptied those into the now empty prescription bottle with the new label on it.

He then went back over to water cooler towards the pharmacy and pretended to take one of his new ‘pills’. As he opened the new bottle that had the aspirin in it, he purposefully let them spill out all over the floor.

“Oh crikey,” he muttered.

A pharmacist came out. “What happened?”

“I went to go open the bottle and I fumbled with the child-proof cap. I just spilled my entire prescription.”

The pharmacist took the empty bottle and saw the current label on it. “No problem lad. I’ll do another refill for you. I’ll page someone to sweep up those pills.”

“Oh, that’s okay sir,” Trevor said, spotting a broom in the corner. “Let me take care of it. It’s the least I can do for my clumsiness.”

The doctor looked back at the bottle and noticed the name. “Trevor Savage!” he exclaimed. “The goalie?”

Trevor put a finger to his lips. “Shh, don’t tell anyone,” he mused.

“Sorry lad. And…sorry to hear about your injury. How is it?”

“Still very painful, but I’m on the mend.”

“Good to hear. Well, I’ll get this replaced for you in a flash.”

When the pharmacist took off, Trevor quickly swept up the spilled aspirin and tossed them in a nearby pail. He then checked to see if anyone was looking then took two of his real painkillers out of the other bottle and washed them down with water from the fountain.

He sat down and held his hands out. They were still shaking. They’ve been doing that a lot and only the pills calmed them down. He knew that the full bottle in his pocket would take care of him for a week or two and the one he scammed out of the pharmacist will carry him over after that.

He only hoped his dependency would disappear after that.

Chapter 141

New York City

After arriving at their rooms at The Plaza, Fusion headed over to Radio City Music Hall to rehearse for their performance at the Video Music Awards later that evening.

As the guys waited for their techs to setup and adjust their instruments, they took the time to catch up.

“So Mark, did Shawna wear you out?” Troy snickered.

“Didn’t give her too much of a chance,” Mark replied. “I broke up with her after only one day with her.”

Rob was aghast. “What? You broke up with that goddess? Have you lost your fucking mind?”

“No, just found it,” Mark mused. “Trust me – no fuck is worth that much bitchiness!”

“She’s a supermodel. You should’ve been prepared from the start,” Troy quipped.

“Yeah, well I just had enough,” Mark sighed.

Rob looked him over. “I don’t know, I think there’s more to it than that. Guys just don’t dump supermodels because of their attitude. You could’ve at least stayed for the sex.”

Mark chuckled. “Trust me – even that was getting tired.”

“Okay, fess up dude,” Troy said. “What’s the real reason you broke up with her?”

Mark debated whether to say anything or not. But these guys were like his brothers these past 3 years. There wasn’t much they kept from each other nor was there anything that they hadn’t caught the other doing at one point or another!”

“Okay, fine. You got me,” Mark gave in. “I ran into Tara at a party Shawna and I were at. It was an absolute shock. We didn’t get to talk much because Shawna was hanging all over me. Tara wound up leaving immediately. I tracked her down the next day. I just needed to talk to her. Even though she’s trying to move on, I think there’s still something there. There is with me. I still love her. I ended it with Shawna that night.”

Rob put a hand on Mark’s shoulder. “Hold on there. You mean you dumped Shawna without getting Tara back first? Dude, you have lost your mind!”

Mark looked at him. “At least I have peace. Don’t worry, after we get done here, I’m going back to London to go after her. I’m gonna have my cousin Trevor come down from Manchester to stay a bit. He got knocked out for the rest of the season and won’t be able to compete in the World Cup.”

“World Cup, huh?” Troy said. “That’s like the Super Bowl of football.”

“Soccer is football, mate,” Mark sassed back.

“Hey, don’t start with me,” Troy joked. “Remember, I’m a die hard LA Raider fan. We’re lunatics!”

Mark looked around. “Aye, where the hell has Paul been?”

Rob nodded over to the side. “On his cell with Bekka. And from the look on his face, I’m sure they’re breaking up – again!”

“Either he should break up with her for good, or commit to her,” Mark said. “This on-again, off-again shit is stressing him out.”

All three of them then watched as Paul clicked off his cell phone, walked down off the stage and sat in one of the auditorium seats.

“Uh, oh,” Rob said. “This looks like more than a ‘break up’ to me.”

The three of them went over to a very pale looking Paul. “Dude, what’s wrong?” Troy asked.

Paul looked up at his three bandmates. They were his best friends – his brothers. If there was anyone he could unload on, it would be them.

“Bekka is pregnant,” Paul let out.

“Oh shit,” Troy said.

“Damn,” Rob said.

“Congratulations,” Mark said.

“Well, at least someone has something positive to say,” Paul said, trying to find humor.

“So…….what’s the verdict?”

“Well, of course she’s gonna have the baby,” Paul said. “I mean, it is my child after all. I’m just…….shocked. I know Bekka and I have been through a lot and she’s always been supportive of me, even with all my fucking around. Hell, she’s been with me before I was a rock star. If there’s anyone I can trust, its her.”

Mark silently agreed to himself, thinking of how Tara’s love for him never waivered when he had no direction in his life.

“Maybe this is what you need to wake you up, mate,” Mark said. “The both of you can never quite know whether to break up or stay together. Maybe this baby is the kick up the arse you need. And….its not like you’re just starting out either. You’ve got 3 albums under your belt and getting ready to start a fourth one. You’re established. You’re what…..25..26 years old? How many more groupies can you shag before you realize that one is no better than the next?”

Paul looked up at Mark with a smirk. “Since when did you become the voice of wisdom?”

“Since he dumped his kick ass gorgeous supermodel girlfriend after he ran into his high school sweetie,” Troy joked.

“Yeah, he’s in love and he wants everyone else to be,” Rob said, putting his arm around Mark.

“Fine, have your fun with me,” Mark said.

Paul sat back in the chair and thought a bit. “You know, it really is exciting. I mean…..I’m gonna be a father! Maybe I’ll look at things differenty now. I do love Bekka. Always did. Sometimes I felt as if I didn’t deserve her. Just knowing how she put up with all my bullshit should be enough for me to wise up. This may not be as bad as I think.”

“There, problem solved!” Rob said. “C’mon, lets go rehearse.”

As much as Rob tried to make light of the situation, his heart was a bit heavy. He, too, was tired of the ways of the road. Sex with groupies became less and less fulfilling. In fact, it made him feel filthy at times. It would take an angel – a fresh, innocent angel to wipe away the dirt of the last three tours.

He wondered if someone like that even existed!

However, for Mark…..he knew someone did exist for him. And that person was Tara.

Chapter 142

Manchester

Trevor packed his belongings for his trip to London. He had a soccer commitment first to do an autograph signing before heading to his flat to wait for Mark to return from New York. He hoped that reconnecting with his long lost cousin and catching up on old times would put an end to the constant anxiety that had taken over his body.

Not once did he think that his steady addiction to the painkillers was the cause.

As he finished packing, he heard Brynn enter with her key. “Yoo-hoo, Trev?”

“In here,” he called out.

Brynn entered his bedroom. “I just wanted to come to say goodbye. When will you be back?”

One of the changes in Trevor’s personality, due to the pills, was an increasingly short temper. “Crikey, I haven’t even left yet! I’ll be back when I get back.”

“You know, you’ve been acting like a real bear these last few weeks,” Brynn said. “I know you’re bummed about getting injured and…..”

Trevor turned on her. “You have no idea how I feel, Brynn! None whatsoever!”

“Why are you yelling at me?”

Trevor stopped himself and pinched his temples. He went into the bathroom to get his pills. He took two to tie him over through the tram ride into London then threw both bottles into his overnight. He brought it out and tossed it on his bed.

“Trevor, are you sure you’re okay?”

“I will be once you stop asking me questions.”

While he continued to pack, Brynn sneaked a peak in his overnight and saw not one, but two full bottles of painkillers. She picked them up. “Trevor, what are you doing with all of these? Its been four weeks since you fractured your shoulder. You don’t need these anymore.”

Trevor looked at her with the look of an animal. “Brynn, put those back in my bag now,” he softly said.

“Trevor, I think you better call your doctor and…..”

“I said…now!” Trevor screamed the last word.

Brynn threw the bottles back in the bag and backed away a bit. “Trevor, please…I’m…..I’m worried about you. You shouldn’t be taking those still. And….how come you have so many?”

“For the bloody last time, stop asking me questions! Crikey, why do I put up with this?”

“Trevor, I’ve seen this too many times with other players. I think you’re getting hooked on those. You need……”

“What I need is for you to stop harrassing me like you’re my mum or something!”

Brynn took her key to Trevor’s townhouse and placed it on his dresser. “I’m sorry you feel that way Trevor. You have a problem and you need help. Until you realize it, I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

“Fine,” Trevor replied, unaffected.

“You don’t care?”

“Nope!”

“Then why did you stay with me so long?”

The pills were beginning to kick in as a calmness came over Trevor. However, they caused him to speak before he thought.

“Because………because you look like my ex-girlfriend, that’s why? I’m sorry, Brynn. You’re a wonderful girl. Really you are. But I don’t think I could love you. Not the way I loved her.”

Brynn bit her lip to try to stop her tears, but it didn’t work. She knew better than to attack Trevor for hurting her like this, especially in his condition. She just took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Trevor,” she trembled. “Whoever this girl is, I hope she’s worth what you’re putting yourself through. Either that, I hope that you can find her so you don’t destroy yourself further. Goodbye.”

With that, Brynn left his life for good. Trevor didn’t even react as he continued to pack. As hard as he tried to block it out, not ever hearing back from Emily three years ago still tore him in two. He never was given one last time to either explain himself or even talk to her. Even though he betrayed her, being brushed off like that by someone he loved so much, cut him to the bone.

Fortunately, the pills were killing a lot of the pain.

If they didn’t kill him first.

Chapter 143

Trevor winced as his hand shook while signing autographs. It had been several hours and he hadn’t taken his prescription. However, he couldn’t get up now. He had a line of children ranging in ages from 10-16, some of whom were physically disabled, who were there for the sole purpose to get the star goalie’s autograph.

He kept guzzling glasses of water, as he began to break out in a sweat. All he could do was pray that he could last this next half hour.

When the last autograph was signed, he excused himself as politely as he could and headed off to the loo. He pulled the bottle of pills out of his pocket and quickly popped them in his mouth. He ran the faucet and stuck his mouth under it to wash the pills down. He then splashed some cold water on his face before checking his appearance.

His eyes were a bit sunken and were rimmed with dark circles. A ring of sweat appeared around the collar of his shirt and his hands continued to shake. He took several deep breaths to stave it off. He kept hearing Brynn’s words about him having a problem. Maybe she was right. He was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to live without the pills.

He gathered his wits and exited the loo, only to almost run smack into someone.

“Oh, sorry miss, I………”

Trevor’s words were lost as he looked in the startled, golden brown eyes of Emily. His Emily. No, not his anymore.

“Emily,” he dragged out in a raw whisper.

Emily put a hand to her mouth. “Trevor? I..I didn’t know it was you who was going to be here today. I just got here. I work with these children in the afternoons.”

All Trevor did was stare – a blank stare that was a result of the pills. They also gave him arrogance.

“So, after all this time our paths finally cross,” he bit out. “Tell me, if you knew I was gonna be here today, would you have shown up?”

Emily was taken aback. This was not the Trevor that she knew. The Trevor she knew was reserved and respectful. Not even being a celebrity would change that – she knew it for sure. Something else had to be wrong.

“Trevor, that’s……that’s not fair to ask,” she replied. “I don’t have anything against you. I never did……”

“Bullshit, Em,” he spat out a bit too loudly. “If you didn’t, then how come you never returned any of my numerous calls after you left me in Manchester? Hell, I know I made a huge mistake, but I was willing to do whatever – crawl on my knees if I had to, but you didn’t even want to hear my voice. I knew you got my messages. I left enough of them. You just chose to ignore me and just wait for me to go away.”

Memories of what happened 3 years ago assailed Emily as tears welled up in her eyes. “That’s not true, Trevor. I mean, I know I never called you back, but I was so hurt. So betrayed.”

“Well, I was hurting too, Em! But I was willing to reach out and bend over backwards to make it up to you. You didn’t even give me the chance. If you ever loved me as much as you said you did, you could’ve at least given me the opportunity to……”

Trevor’s voice began to crack as he had to turn away for a moment.

Emily put a soft hand on his arm. “Trevor?”

He turned his face back to her and it was a face that frightened her. “I loved you,” he said with a graveled whisper. “I loved you so much, Em. These past three years you’ve tormented me. I was torn between trying to forget you and being reminded of you everywhere I turned. All I have is soccer. I threw myself into the game to be the best I could, even though I didn’t have you to share it with. Yeah, there were always other women, but only because of who I am. All I wanted was the girl who loved me because of who I was. But I guess I wasn’t worth a phone call back. That’s okay Em. I don’t care if the pain and memories linger. I’ve got something now that’ll take care of both.”

With that, Trevor brushed past her and out of the building. Emily stood there shaking. That wasn’t Trevor. That was someone she didn’t know. Someone who frightened her. Someone who didn’t look good at all. Someone who may do himself harm.

Now, it was her turn to hang. She wanted to find him, call him, meet with him and talk to him more about what he’s been feeling. She had no idea it was this bad for him. But she had no way of getting a hold of him. Unless……she called his parents in Sheffield.

Yes, she could do that. She had always regretted never calling him. She put her pride before love and she wound up hurting him even more. Now that they were both older and more mature they could both talk about this rationally.

And seeing him again, even as a shock and surprise, reminded her of how much she did love him. And knowing how he had felt these last 3 years made her realize that she still does.

Chapter 144

No sooner that Mark stepped foot back into London, he dropped off his luggage at his townhouse then headed to Tara’s place of business. Knowing that Trevor was already in London, he called him on his cell.

“Yeah?”

“Trev....is that you?”

“Who else would be answering my phone?”

Mark was a bit confused by Trevor’s disposition but quickly shrugged it off. “Listen, I just got back in London. I’ve got to go run a quick errand then I’ll meet you. You at your flat?”

“No, I’m at Southside getting drunk.”

“Trev....what’s wrong?”

“I just ran into Emily and now I’m trying to forget,” Trevor said.

Mark winced, knowing that it probably wasn’t best to tell Trevor about trying to win Tara back. “Trev, listen stay there. And don’t get too pissed. I won’t be long, okay?”

“Yeah, whatever,” Trevor drawled before clicking off.

Mark raced his car through the streets of London until he found Cutting Edge Designs. He went inside and came face to face with a young blonde man first who looked him up and down with appreciation. Mark was immediately uncomfortable, but was polite.

“Uh, yes could you tell me if Tara Spencer is here?”

The blonde man eyed Mark almost seductively and smirked. “She was here. Don’t know if she came back or not. If you have no luck with her, maybe I can help.”

Mark nervously cleared his throat. “Well, thanks but I need to see Tara.”

The blonde main shrugged. “The receptionist would know if she’s back.”

“Thanks mate.”

“Any time, sugar.”

Mark cringed at being called ‘sugar’ by another guy and just hightailed it quickly to the reception area. A fortyish woman greeted him with a flirting smile. Mark just seemed to have that effect on women - and men!

“Can I help you lad?”

“Yes, can you tell me if Tara Spencer is back?”

“No, I’m sorry. She’s out on an appointment and won’t be back until five. I have some messages and mail for her to pick up when she returns. Would you like to leave a message?”

“Yes, I would. Can I write something, please?”

The receptionist handed him a piece of paper and a pen. Mark scribbled a note to Tara then asked for an envelope. He put the note in the envelope then sealed it, writing Tara’s name and ‘Personal and Confidential’ on the front. He then handed it to the receptionist.

“Thank you,” Mark said.

“I’ll make sure she gets it, lad.”

Mark winked at the woman who promptly blushed. He turned to walk out and immediately locked eyes with the blonde man who winked at him. Mark gulped and nodded then left.

The blonde man huffed. “Always the gorgeous ones who are straight!”

***********************************************************

Meanwhile, back in Sheffield, Scott’s phone rang. “Hello?”

“Doctor Savage, hello. I don’t know if you remember me, but this is Emily Prescott.”

Scott smiled wide. “Emily! Of course I remember you, lass. How have you been?”

“Fine, sir. I’m working with physically and mentally challenged children in London. Its really fulfilling.”

“Well, my wife would love to know that you’re working with children. Sounds like a noble profession.”

“Doctor Savage, I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m calling.”

“I’m gonna guess that it has something to do with my son,” Scott replied with a smirk.

“Actually, yes,” Emily said. “We just ran into each other late this morning. He had an autograph session for the children where I work. I.....Dr. Savage, please. The next time you hear from him, will you please give him my number and have him call me. I need to speak to him. There are some things that we have to make right between us.”

Scott nodded to himself, knowing the vague details of how they split up three years ago. “Of course I will, lass.”

Emily gave Scott her number and he wrote it down.

“Dr. Savage, can I ask you something, well....personal?”

“What is it?”

“Is Trevor.....is he okay. Physically. He didn’t look too well.”

“Well, he fractured his shoulder 4 weeks ago. He’s close to being fully mended. He’s no longer in a sling, but he still has to go for physical therapy to get full movement back. Why?”

Emily figured that had to be it. She hoped. “Oh, nothing. I”m sure that’s why he looked so under the weather. Please make sure he gets my message. Its kind of urgent.”

“I’ll be sure of it lass. Hopefully, we’ll see you again soon.”

Emily smiled and blushed to herself. “That would be nice. Thank you sir.”

Emily hung up the phone not fully convinced that Trevor’s shoulder was the reason for his outburst today.

Chapter 145

Mark rushed into Southside and found Trevor in a corner booth slouched down with a pitcher of ale in front of him. By the looks of him, it was probably his second pitcher.

Mark sat across from him. “Trev...bloody hell, how much did you drink?”

“Not nearly enough, cous,” he slurred, then looked up at him with glassy, hazel eyes. “‘Aye, is that any way to greet me? We haven’t seen each other in so long.”

Trevor’s head flopped to one side and Mark shook him. “Crikey, Trev! That’s enough. No more ale. Tell me what happened.”

“Emily,” Trevor continued to slur in choppy sentences. “Ran into her. I poured my heart out like an idiot. Doesn’t care. Hell, I don’t care.”

Trevor’s eyes were beginning to close and Mark shook him again. “Trev, wake up. Dammit, let me go get you some strong coffee.”

“Noooo, I’m fine. I just.....I just want to forget. The pain’s almost gone now. It’ll be back soon, though. As soon......as soon as they wear off.”

“As soon as what wears off?” Mark asked.

Trevor just shook his head, not wanting to answer. Mark got up. “I’m getting you coffee whether you like it or not.”

Trevor waited until Mark was out of sight then got up. He headed to the door to leave, not wanting any help from anyone. He just wanted to forget. Mark turned just in time to see him try to sneak out of the pub.

“Trev!” he called out, running after him.

Trevor made it to the curb to hail a cab. When one wouldn’t stop, he walked in the middle of the street and stood there as a cab headed towards him. Mark ran out just in time to see it.

“Trevor, no! Stop!”

Mark furiously waved at the cab who slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting Trevor. All the time, Trevor hadn’t moved as if he were paralyzed and dazed. As soon as the cab came to a halt, Trevor turned to look at Mark one last time before he collapsed in the street

********************************

Back in Sheffield, Scott’s phone rang again. “‘ello?”

“Uncle Scott, its Mark.”

“Aye lad. Two surprise phone calls in one day. How are you?”

“Uncle Scott.....you’ve got to come to London. Trev.......they’re taking him to the hospital. We were in the pub, he was drunk, he ran out into the street and nearly got hit by a cab. Then he passed out. The ambulance is on its way now.”

“I”m on my way,” Scott said with his heart in his throat.

******************************

Several hours later, Scott stormed into the hospital and to the admitting desk. He was told that Trevor was no longer in emergency and had been admitted. He went to the floor where Trevor was on and immediately passed by the waiting area where he spotted Mark.

“Uncle Scott!”

“Mark, where’s the doctor? What happened to him?”

“I......you better talk to the doctor.”

Scott found the phyician attending Trevor. “Yes, I’m Dr. Scott Savage, Trevor Savage’s father. My son was admitted here after being brought here by ambulance. What’s wrong with him?”

“Dr. Savage, your son is stable right now, but he’s not out of the woods. We had to pump his stomach.”

Scott squinted. “What, he had food poisoning or somthing?”

“No sir. Your son overdosed on painkillers. That combined with the alcohol he was drinking caused him to black out. He’s fortunate that he didn’t have a good amount of pills in him, else.....”

Scott rubbed his face. “Oh my God,” he murmured. “He was given painkillers for his fractured shoulder.”

“When did he fracture it?”

“Four weeks ago.”

“He shouldn’t still be taking pain killers by now,” the doctor said. “Dr. Savage, according to the signs he was displaying, your son was addicted to the painkillers. Even though we emptied his stomach, he’s going to go through a withdrawel. Its not going to be pretty. We can keep him here for a few days till he gets over the worst, but after that....I suggest somewhere for him to get some help. He can very easily go back to the pill if he doesn’t.”

Scott felt like someone ripped his insides out. The last thing he ever imagined his son to be was an addict.

“Yes, I understand. Can I see him?’’

“Right in there,” the doctor said, pointing to a room.

Scott nodded then turned to see Mark. “Lad, why don’t you go on home. I”m gonna stay with him now. Just do me a favor and call your dad to let him know whats going on.”

“Sure uncle Scott,” Mark said, giving him hug. “I’ll be by to see him tomorow.”

Scott then went into Trevor’s room and saw the figure laying in bed and gasped. Trevor looked painfully thin, his face sunken and dark circles around his eyes. He was hooked up to an IV and was having his heart monitored just in case.

Scott got close enough for Trevor to hear someone walk in. He slowly turned his head, saw his father, then began to cry. Scott sat on the edge of the bed and took his hurting son in his arms.

“Dad,” he choked out. “Dad, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. It hurts so much. Please....please help me.”

Scott held his son with a death grip and cried harder than he ever did in his life. “Don’t worry, Trevor. I’m here. I’m always here. We’re gonna get you help.”

Trevor continued to shake and sob his words out. “I ruined it, dad. I had a chance with her and I ruined it. I could’ve forgotten about her not giving me another chance, but instead I got back at her for it. I just wanted the pain to go away, but not her. Not Emily!”

Scott remembered Emily’s phone call earlier. She noticed a problem with Trevor right away. It was obvious that she still cared for him. He certainly hoped so, because she may have to play an important part in Trevor’s recovery.

Scott planned on placing a call to Emily as soon as possible.

Chapter 146

Tara returned back to the office around six that same evening. And she wasn’t alone.

For the past 3 weeks she had been seeing Julian - a 28 year old assistant buyer for a large department store in New York. She had met him when he arrived at her company for a meeting about possible purchases of Fire ‘n Ice’s new spring line. When he cast his eyes on Tara, he was lost.

However, when Julian saw her own original designs that she had been secretly working on, he was impressed. Very impressed. His store was considering launching their own name brand, which would consist of chic, hip outfits at non-New York chic, hip prices. He was impressed enough with Tara’s designs to take a private meeting with her to run the idea past her.

Tara was dumbstruck. She couldn’t believe that someone would want her designs. Even though they wouldn’t carry her name on the label in the store, it was still a way to get her work noticed. And, it would complete her dream of finally getting to New York. Everything was happening so fast - too fast.

However, Julian was even more excited than her. He was almost 100% sure that the store would go for Tara’s designs. By scoring such a find would ensure him the clout he needed for the promotion to Senior Buyer and a six figure income. He would do anything to ensure that Tara make it to New York and her designs into his store.

When they both arrived back at her office, Tara went to the message center at the receptionists desk and pulled a stack of messages and mail out of it. She was too tired to sift through it and decided to take it home with her to look at later.

Julian came up behind her and nuzzled her neck. “Want to go get some dinner Tara?”

She craned her neck to look at him and smiled. She liked Julian. He was older, established and knowledgable of the business. She knew he could open a major door for her. Although things started to become romantic, she didn’t feel that spark. She knew it was only three weeks, but when something is right, you just know.

She immediately thought of Mark. Even though she pretended to despise him when she first met him, she couldn’t ignore the pull he had on her. It had always been there. It was the fate thing - her being Randy Spencer’s sister and Mark’s father being Randy’s bandmate and close friend. However, fate didn’t take into account the reality they would face after high school.

But....did fate have a hand in him running into her four weeks ago at the party? Did fate have something to do with him showing up after her class the very next day? Was that trying to tell her something?

“Tara?”

“Hmm?”

“You didn’t answer me. Dinner?”

“Oh, yeah sure. Fine. Just let me go to my desk and check my voice mail.”

Tara left her things on the reception desk then went in the back to her own. As Julian waited, the young blonde man made his way out from around a cubicle nearby.

“Oh, I thought I heard someone come in,” the blonde man said, taking an opportunity to size up Julian.

Julian crossed his arms and cleared his throat. “Yeah, well Tara and I went on appointments today. And now, we’re headed out to dinner.”

The blonde man raised an eyebrow and took on a haughty look. “Hmm, well, if I were you, I’d make sure to protect my interests.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean.....while she was out, a guy came in looking for her. A very good looking guy. Was adament about seeing her. I, uh....believe he left her a sealed message.”

The blonde main eyed the stack of Tara’s mail on the desk before turning on his heel and disappearing behind his cubicle.

Julian went over to Tara’s mail and sifted through it until he came across a sealed envelope with her name on it and ‘personal and confidential’. He had no idea who this guy was, but, whoever it was, he wanted to make sure that it was no one who would keep Tara from leaving London. His coveted promotion and large salary raise depended on him bringing Tara to New York.

Julian folded the envelope and put it in his dayplanner.

Chapter 147

Two days later, Trevor sat up in his hospital bed to get some much needed food into him. But, he had no appetite. All he could think about was the rehab clinic that he was ordered to enter the following day.

Fortunately, the hospital was very discreet about his condition to the public and press. Trevor feared that his reputation would be tarnished if word got out that the golden boy goalie for Manchester United was a drug addict. Even though he wasn’t doing cocaine or anything illegal, misuse of any drug of any kind was considered an addiction.

A Manchester representative, along with the team doctor, visited Trevor in the hospital. They assured him that his position with them was safe as long as he got treatment. Trevor knew how close he came to possibly dying and finally admitted to his problem. He agreed to a 30 day stay at a local rehab.

Even though the pain in his shoulder had slowly faded, the pain in his mind and heart did not. All he could think of was running into Emily 2 days ago. He came to realize that she didn’t ‘owe’ him a second chance for anything. He betrayed her and she had every right not to want to see him or return his calls. She was still in his heart and he had a chance to find out if his was still with her, but instead....he pushed her away by scolding her for not forgiving him for cheating on her. He now knew where she worked and, hopefully, once he got out of rehab, he can go make amends with her. He wondered if he could last the 30 days till then.

As he moved his fork around the food on his place, Scott came in. “Aye son.”

“Aye dad,” he blankly replied.

“Trevor, are you going to play with your lunch or eat it?”

Trevor just shrugged.

“C’mon, you lost a lot of weight and you’ve got to get your strength back. The next 30 days are going to depend upon you being strong enough to handle them.”

Trevor was silent for a few moment then looked at his father. “Dad?”

“Yes?”

“Am I a loser?”

“Absolutely not!” Scott adamantly stated. “Trevor, you just used bad judgement. You convinced yourself you weren’t addicted and you believed it. Thank God that your collapse wasn’t........fatal. Trevor, if I ever lost you.....”

Scott’s voice cracked a bit with the thought of Trevor dying. Losing his only son would devestate him beyond words.

“Thanks dad,” Trevor whispered. “Between you, mum, Mark and the team, I...I have a reason to get better and get back with my life.”

Scott moved back towards the door and smiled. “Well, you do have another reason too.

“What?”

“Not what, Trevor. More like who.”

Scott turned and left the room. Five seconds later, Emily walked in. Trevor dropped his fork and stared at her, afraid to blink that she’d disappear.

“Em?” he said in disbelief, suddenly feeling humiliated having her see him like this. “Em, how.....?”

Emily walked over towards his bed and took his hand. “Trevor, after I saw you two days ago, I was worried. You looked.....sick. I took it upon myself to call your dad to see if you were okay. It was obvious that they didn’t know. I gave your dad my number to give to you. Your dad called me and told me what happened.”

Trevor was more than grateful to see Emily, but wondered why she was truly here.”

“Em, why did he tell you? Why are you here? You must hate me after the other day.”

She sat on the edge of the bed and cupped the side of his head. “He told me because he knew I was concerned. I”m here because I want to be. And.....I don’t hate you. I never could. Trevor, I know you have to go into rehab tomorrow. I want you to know, that I’m going to be here for you. I”m going to come and see you as often as I can. I want you to get well. I want.......”

“What Em......what do you want?”

Tears slid down Emily’s cheeks. “I know its three years too late, but I want to know if there’s another chance for us.”

Trevor couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He pushed his food tray aside and took Emily in his arms and hugged her, letting tears of his own slide down his face.

His father was right. He did have one more reason to get well. He had his Emily back!

Chapter 148

Two days later, Tyler arrived in London to meet Kevin at the studio for some production work. He took the time while he was there to visit his nephew Trevor in rehab before tracking down his own son at his townhouse.

“Aye Mark,” Tyler said, entering Mark’s house. He looked around. “Um....when does housekeeping arrive?”

Mark shoved his hands in his pockets. “Sorry dad. I don’t do much entertaining so I’m not too concerned about making a mess.”

“Maybe this place just needs a woman’s touch,” Tyler said, wiggling his brows. “How’s it going with Tara?”

Mark flopped on his couch. “Well, I went to her office four days ago and basically poured my heart out in a note I left her. I haven’t heard a thing.”

“Did you try going back again?”

Mark shook his head. “I don’t want to push her, dad. Maybe she just needs a few days to think about it. I don’t know.”

Tyler slapped a hand on Mark’s knee. “Well, c’mon. Lets go meet uncle Kevin for lunch. If you want, head on over to the studio with us and hang out.”

Mark grinned. “The last time I hung out at the studio with you two I wound up in a rock band!”

“Then who know’s what’ll happen this time?” Tyler grinned back. “C’mon, lets go.”

Mark reluctantly went with his father.

***********************************

Later that evening, Tara packed her suitcase as a steady rain began to fall. Tomorrow, she’d be heading to New York. If things went well, the only return trip she’d make to England would be to tie up any loose ends and say goodbye to her family and friends for good.

One of those loose ends was Mark. She had this nagging desire to see him one last time, if only to say goodbye. Or perhaps, she wanted to know if there was a reason for her to stay.

She shrugged off her thoughts. Why would she want to stay? Getting to New York was her dream. What in the world would be enough to keep her from going.

“Mark, thats who,” her inner voice said.

She slammed her suitcase shut, trying to shut her thoughts off as well. She was going to New York and that was that.

She headed out to her little living room where Julian was waiting for her. “Listen, how about staying in and ordering some takeout instead,” Tara said. “Its starting to rain outside and, well, I really just want to get to bed early tonight.”

“Sure baby, whatever you say,” Julian replied.

“Listen, I’m gonna take a shower. I just want to unwind. Order whatever, I don’t care.”

Tara disappeared into the bathroom. As soon as he heard the shower running he picked up the phone to order dinner. However, he thought of doing something else first.

A devious grin spread across his face. He went to his dayplanner on Tara’s kitchen table and unzipped it. He then retrieved the note that someone named ‘Mark’ left Tara four days ago. And, by the contents of it, he was her ex-boyfriend who wanted her back. Julian decided to put the finishing touch on making sure that absolutley nothing would prevent Tara from getting to New York and boosting his career.

He took his cell and punched in the number Mark left in his note.

Chapter 149

Mark stayed at the studio long enough with his dad and Kevin. He was getting antsy and felt like he needed to go for a drive. Maybe he’d go visit Trevor.

“Dad, listen, I’m gonna get going. Guess being on the road made me unable to sit still for too long. You and uncle Kevin want to go to breakfast tomorrow?”

“You buying?” Kevin asked.

“Sure, why not?”

“Sounds good,” Tyler said. “Oh, wait Mark.....I got a new cell number. Your mother ‘washed’ my phone by mistake. Had to get a new one, but I went with another company.”

Mark took a piece of paper and wrote down ‘dad’s cell’ and the number then put it in his wallet before leaving.

As soon as he got in his car, his cell phone rang. As it did every time since he left the note for Tara, he thought it was from her.

“‘ello?”

“Yes, would this happen to be ‘Mark’?”

“Yes. Who’s this?”

“Listen Mark, you don’t know me, but I do know Tara. And, I know you’re wanting her back. I found the little note you left her at work. Very touching.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Mark yelled into the phone. “Where’s Tara.”

“As of tomorrow, she’ll be out of England and out of your reach. I’m taking her to New York. She’s gonna make a name for herself . So, whoever you are, just forget about trying to get her back. She wants to make it to New York and nothing is going to hold her back, so don’t bother trying to contact her. Have a nice life, dude.”

“Wait...wait!” Mark screamed into the phone as the caller hung up. He looked at the caller ID display and saw that the number was blocked. He angrily clicked off his phone and shoved it in his pocket. He had no idea who that guy was, but it was obvious that he was close to Tara. How else would he get a hold of that note? And...he was taking her to New York....where she always wanted to go. Mark had no choice than to accept the fact that she was lost to him forever.

He started his car, put his windshield wipers on and sped off outside of the London city limits.

*********************************

Back at Tara’s flat, Julian clicked off his cell phone with a victorious grin. He then placed a call for takeout then flopped back on the couch. Tara emerged from the shower in a terry robe and a towel wrapped around her head. She came out into the living room.

“What did you order?”

“Just Chinese. Should be here soon,” Julian answered.

“I think I have a bottle of white wine in the fridge. I’m going to pour myself a glass. Would you like one.”

“Sure, luv.”

Tara went into the kitchen and got the wine and two glasses. She put the glasses on the table to pour and halted when she saw a note addressed to her signed from.......Mark!

She almost dropped the bottle of wine when she realized who it was from. She put it down and picked up the note. She must’ve read it three times before her mind began to churn. Next to the note was Julian’s open dayplanner with an open envelope laying inside with her name on it and ‘personal and confidential’. Realization hit her like a lightening bolt. Mark had left her a note and.....Julian intercepted it. But...how?

She slowly came out of the kitchen with the note in her hand. “Julian, where did you get this?”

Chapter 150

Julian turned his head to look at her and paled when he saw her holding the note from Mark. He sprang from the couch.

“Now Tara....listen, I can explain....”

“I said!” she said with a much stronger voice, “where did you get this? No, wait......why have you opened it?”

Julian took a deep breath and calculated his words. “Tara, listen to me. Please. I saw this in the mail you picked up the other night. You were at your desk getting your voice mail, so I took it. Tara, I....I was just protecting you....”

“Protecting me?” she asked with absurdity. “From what?”

“From making a mistake. An emotional mistake. Tara, you are less than 24 hours away from making it to New York. You don’t know what an opportunity this is for a young woman like you with very little experience.”

“Oh, I see,” Tara said with sarcasm. “So you took it upon yourself to steal a personal and confidential letter to me to protect me from a mistake? Nevermind that.....why is it laying open on my table? Did…., did you call Mark?”

“I didn’t think he should be left hanging,” Julian said. “I explained that you were leaving tomorrow for New York to follow your dream and, if he wanted to do anything for you, then it should be that he not stand in your way.”

Tara was shaking inside. She couldn’t believe the utter audacity of this man. “How dare you! she seethed. “How bloody dare you!”

“Now Tara……don’t get...”

“Get out!”

“What?”

“What part did you not understand, Julian. “I said....GET OUT!”

“What about New York? We’re set to leave tomorrow.”

“No, you’re set to leave tomorrow. I’ll have to do New York another time.”

“Tara, trust me....you will never get the opportunity I”m offering you. And all for what? Choosing some guy who’ll probably just break your heart again. Then where will you be? Alone and still stuck working for a mediocre designer. You’ll never make it, Tara. You don’t have what it takes.”

Before he went out the door, Tara decided to have the last word. “You’re wrong, Julian. I will make it. And not alone! Goodbye!”

No sooner than Julian slammed the door, Tara fell upon the couch with Mark’s note in her hand. She couldn’t keep herself from reading it one more time:

Tara,

I came by your office today because I have no other way of getting a hold of you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since I saw you. You affected me so much that I broke it off with Shawna. Tara, I’m gonna lay it all out. I still love you. Now more than ever. Having people want you because you’re famous only makes you realize how much more special the people are who wanted you when you were nothing but a teenage lad without any direction in his life. We ran into each other that day in school for a reason - the same reason we ran into each other at that party. We can’t avoid each other. We can’t escape. Lets give us another try. Please call me on my cell.. I’ll be waiting.........love Mark.

Tara’s heart turned over in her chest as tears slipped down her cheeks. She couldn’t deny that she still didn’t love him - even when she hated him! She decided ot to wait one more minute to make the most important phone call of her life.

*****************************

Mark raced his sports car through the rainy outskirts of London. All he could replay in his mind was the conversation he had with that nameless bastard.

“As of tomorrow, she’ll be out of England and out of your reach. I’m taking her to New York. She’s gonna make a name for herself, not to mention make me a lot of money, I hope. So, whoever you are, you can forget about trying to get her back. She wants to make it to New York and nothing is going to hold her back, so don’t bother trying to contact her.”

If this were really true, then Mark was at an impasse. He knew New York was her dream. How could he expect her to chuck it all away to take a chance on a guy who betrayed her heart three years ago? He loved her enough to know that he wanted her back in his life. Now that love had to be strong enough to let her go and make her dreams come true.

He was too late.

He shifted his car into fourth gear and almost floored the accelerator, trying to run away from the memory of the girl who he let get away. His tormented mind and heart didn’t see the slick spot in the road which caused his car to skid into the other lane.

And into the path of an oncoming car.

The only sound that was heard within the carnage of the wreck after impact was the ringing of Mark’s cell phone. What could not be heard was the message left on his voice mail:

Mark, its Tara. Please call me. I...I know about Julian calling you. Its all a big mistake. Mark, whatever he told you is no longer happening. I’m not with him and I’m not going to New York. I can’t avoid you either, nor can I escape you. Here’s my number. Please call me as soon as you get this.”

“I...I still love you too.”

Chapter 151

Tyler was finishing up a late night in the studio with Kevin when his cell phone rang.

“Tyler?”

“Yes……sir, are you Mark Savage’s father?”

“Yes I am. Who is this?”

“Mr. Savage, I’m calling from North Middlesex Hospital. Your son, Mark, was involved in a car accident. They just brought him into the emergency room now. We found your number in his wallet.”

Tyler fell to the chair behind him. “Is…is he okay?”

“I don’t know, Mr. Savage. Like I said, he’s in the ER right now being tended to.”

“I’ll be right there!”

Tyler clicked off his cell phone then turned to Kevin. “That was the hospital…… Mark’s been in a car accident…….they couldn’t tell me anything…….I gotta get down there…..”

Kevin felt his own heart sink, as well as a spark of pain in his weak leg upon hearing the words ‘car accident’.

“I’m right behind ya, Ty,” Kevin assured as they both raced out of the studio together.

******************************

Tyler and Kevin entered North Middlesex Hospital within minutes and raced right to the emergency room admittance desk.

“Yes, I…..I just got a call about my son, Mark Savage. He was just brought in here from a car accident.”

The attending nurse checked a sheet in front of her. “Yes, Mr. Savage. I think your son is still in the ER being triaged. I’ll try to get a doctor to come out to give you an update. Here…”

The nurse handed Tyler Mark’s wallet and cell phone. “These were in your son’s pockets. I’m sure you’d like to hold onto them.”

Tyler held the cell phone in one hand, the wallet in the other and just stared at them, wondering if Mark’s injuries were so bad that they had to cut his clothes off. Just then, the emergency room doctor came over.

“Mr. Savage? Are you Mark’s father?”

“Yes…yes….where……how is he?”

The doctor took Tyler over to the side as Kevin hung back, leaning against the wall, dreading every single moment of this.

“Mr. Savage, your son was involved in a car accident just outside the city limits. It happened a little over an hour ago. He must’ve lost control of his car on the rainy streets and slid into the other lane. An oncoming car swerved to try to avoid him, but couldn’t. The other driver wound up slamming into the passengers side of Mark’s car, but, because it was a sports car, it didn’t hold up well against the impact. The other driver wasn’t hurt too bad and immediately called for help. But your son appears to be critically injured. We’re still assessing him. He’s barely conscious and his vitals are unstable. If you’d like, the ER waiting room is there. We’ll let you know when we know more.”

The doctor turned to leave, but not before Tyler grabbed his arm. “Doctor, is he gonna be alright?”

“I don’t know that sir. We’re still trying to uncover all of his injuries. I’ll let you know of everything as soon as we find out.”

When the doctor left, Kevin went up to Tyler. “Ty, what is it?”

Tyler stood there numb, not knowing what to do or say first. “Its an almost 30 year nightmare come back to haunt me, that’s what it is. The doctor said his injuries are critical, but don’t know the full extent of them.”

“Ty, c’mon…lets go wait in the room.”

“No, I….I gotta call Grace. She has to know.”

Tyler decided to turn on Mark’s cell to place the call since it was already in his hand. When he did, a beeping went off signaling a voice mail. Tyler decided to listen to it, in case it was anyone related to Mark’s band that needed to know what was going on. Instead, he got Tara’s voice.

Mark, its Tara. Please call me. I...I know about Julian calling you. Its all a big mistake. Mark, whatever he told you is no longer happening. I’m not with him and I’m not going to New York. I can’t avoid you either, nor can I escape you. Here’s my number. Please call me as soon as you get this.”

“I...I still love you too.”

The corner of Tyler’s mouth turned up in a grin. It seemed that Mark and Tara finally succeeded in hooking up again. And she was waiting to hear from him. She would have a long wait.

Tyler decided that, after calling his wife, he’d call Tara. He had a feeling that she’d want to be here.

Chapter 152

Tara entered the hospital and headed right for the emergency waiting room. She saw Mark’s father who was standing facing a wall, his arm resting on it, his head bowed.

“Mr. Savage?”

Tyler turned to see the beautiful, sweet face of his son’s girlfriend. Reliving the horror of almost 30 years ago also caused Tyler to see shades of Randy in his Tara’s face.

“Tara….thank you for coming,” Tyler said with a hint of hopelessness in his voice.

Tara approached him. “Is…..is he okay? Did the doctor say anything more?”

Tyler shook his head. “No. They’re still working on him. That worries me because it may mean he’s got a lot wrong with him. I just wish I knew something.”

Tara put her head down and shook it. “This is all his fault – it has to be! He upset Mark, I know it!”

“Who?”

Tara explained the entire scenario regarding being offered a position in New York, Mark leaving a note for her at work, Julian intercepting it and taking it upon himself to call Mark to basically tell him to bugger off before Tara finally telling Julian to buggar off!

“I think Mark may have been in his car driving when Julian called him. It was about a hour and a half ago.”

“Probably,” Tyler said. “So, you ditched the wanker?”

“As soon as I found out what he did,” Tara said. “If I never saw that note from Mark before I left for New York, I may have regretted it forever.”

For the first time in the last 45 minutes, Tyler smiled. “Fate’s been intervening with you two since you met. You were meant to be together.”

“I know that now,” Tara said. “Mr. Savage, can I get you something?”

“No, thank you lass. Actually, Kevin is here with me. He just went to go get some coffee. And my wife and daughter are taking the tram in as we speak.”

“Are you sure?” Tara asked again. “Maybe I can call your brother.”

“No, I don’t want to bother him just yet. He just went back to Sheffield yesterday after spending 5 days here getting Trevor situated.”

“Emily called and told me,” Tara said. “I’m so glad they’re back in each other’s life and that Trevor is getting better. That’s how I know that Mark’s gonna be fine. Those Savage cousins do everything together!”

Tyler grinned a bit. “Yeah, you’re right. You know, Tara, when I turned around and saw you, I swear it was like looking at Randy. Its so ironic, since the last time I saw him……”

“Its okay, Mr. Savage. Mark’s gonna be alright. We’ve got fate on our side, right? If we’re meant to be together, then he has to live.”

Tyler looked at her and smiled. “Right.”

**********************************

In the emergency area, doctors and nurses still feverishly worked on Mark’s semi-conscious body. His clothes had long been cut from his body as numerous cuts and and gashes were assessed on his arms and face. His right arm appeared to be broken from the impact from the passengers side. His neck was put in a brace to keep him stable until the checked for any damage to his spinal column. The one good sign was that his abdomen wasn’t swelling up, which was a sign of internal bleeding. Even though Mark was faintly conscious, doctors were concerned about a deep gash on the left side of his head from where his head slammed against the drivers side window upon impact from the passengers side. The area was also starting to swell as well. They had to get him in for a CAT scan immediately to check for any damage to the brain.

As soon as the doctor felt it was safe to move Mark upstairs for internal tests, his vital stats suddenly began to drop.

“Doctor, his pressure is dropping,” one nurse said.

“Pulse is erratic and dropping as well,” another said.

The doctor looked up at the screen monitoring Mark’s heartbeat and saw that it was slowly fading.

“Pressure still dropping fast,” the nurse said again.

“He has to be bleeding inside,” the doctor said, as he felt a slight hardness in Mark’s abdomen. “We have to prep him for surgery – stat!”

“Doctor, I have no pulse!” the other nurse said.

The doctor looked at the heart monitor and saw that it had flatlined.

Mark Savage was dead.

Chapter 153

Mark slowly sat up and swung his legs to the floor. He slid off the gurney and took a few steps forward before turning to look back. He watched with an emotionless expression as the emergency room doctor attempted to revive his lifeless body. He watched hands furiously pump his chest in an effort to start his dead heart before a nurse wheeled in the paddles to shock his heart to life.

Mark seemed unaffected as he turned and walked about the emergency room, suddenly intrigued by a glowing white light at the end of the hall. An unexplained sense of comfort overcame him as he headed towards the light.

When he got to the end, there was a door that he was unable to open, however he could see through to the other side. He saw a figure walk towards him. When it got close enough, Mark smiled upon seeing the face that he only knew from pictures and videos.

Randy Spencer.

Randy looked at Mark from the other side of the door. He took it upon himself to be the one to take Mark over. But he couldn’t help himself from imagining the torment that his friend would go through when the doctor came out of the emergency room to tell him that his only son had died. If only Randy could provide some comfort.

Randy left Mark on the other side of the door while he disappeared into the emergency waiting room. He stopped short when he saw two of the people who meant so much to him in his young life – and one that he regretted never getting to know.

Randy went over to Tyler first, who was sitting forward on the couch, elbows on knees, hands clasped and head bowed. Randy bent down next to him and embraced him.

“I’m so sorry, mate.”

An unexplainable chill went through Tyler that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. It was a mixture of anguish and…..comfort. He felt as if something was enveloping him, but knew he had to be imagining it. But he wondered if the eerie feeling was a sign. That……..

“Mark,” his raw throat choked out as he bolted off the couch and out into the emergency area. Something was wrong with his son. He just knew it.

Randy straightened up, knowing that, in a few moments, his friend would find out the worst. He didn’t deserve this and Randy couldn’t help but wonder what Tyler went through the day he and Mark Shepard perished in that car accident.

Randy then looked over to where Kevin was. He remembered going out that night like it was yesterday. The last time Randy saw Kevin while he was alive, he was laying across the backseat of his ’69 Corvette before it was demolished by a drunk driver. Randy’s spirit knew how Kevin fought to stay alive through almost paralyzing injuries.

He went up behind Kevin and put a hand on his back. “I’m so glad you made it, mate,” Randy whispered, before laughing. “I remember when I first met you, you hated me calling you ‘mate’.”

Kevin swiftly turned when he felt something very warm touch his back. When he realized that his mind must be playing tricks on him, he sat down on the couch that Tyler had abandoned.

Randy then set his eyes on the one person that he wished he had known. His sister Tara. She was sitting in a chair with her legs curled under her, her arms hugging her body. Randy bent down in front of her and studied her face.

“You’re such a beautiful lass,” he said. “I can’t believe our father abandoned you and mum like that. But you’re strong, Tara. You and mum survived all those hard times. I knew you would make it into Mark’s life. I can see how much you still love him after all you’ve been through. Oh lass, I’m so sorry that he has to be taken away from you. I want to see you laugh and smile and be so in love. Not like this.”

Randy sat on the arm of the chair and wrapped his arms around his sister’s shoulders and cried for her.

Tara sucked her breath in at the chilling feeling that coursed through her. At first it felt like comfort, but then……..it felt like sorrow. Like someone was crying on her shoulder.

Just then, Tyler came back into the waiting room and had to hold onto the wall for support. His face was anguished and pale.

“Ty, what?” Kevin said, going over to him.

“Kevin, he……they’re…….they’re trying to revive him. His heart stopped. Oh my God, my son’s gonna die!”

“No!” Tara cried out as she curled her body before sobbing into her hands. “No, please! Please…..no!”

Randy backed away from the scene. It was too torturous for him to witness. He left his devestated friends and heartbroken sister to drive the knife of sorrow in even further.

Randy made his way back to the locked door to which Mark was on the other side…..waiting. Randy locked eyes with him, assuring him of an eternal comfort, even as he put his hand on the doorknob to let him in.

As the door opened, Mark began to step over. The closer he did, the more Randy was assailed by the heartwrenching sobs of Tyler and Tara. They tore at him, even in his peaceful state. He knew how unfair this was, for he was a little older than Mark when he was taken from this earth. And now, his friend would lose his only son, who was partially named after him – who played the drums, just like him, and his sister would lose the lad that she loved enough to give up her dream.

He couldn’t do it. He just couldn’t.

Randy slammed the door shut back in Mark’s face, leaving him on the other side

“Doctor, I have a pulse!” one nurse called out.

“Blood pressure’s slowly rising,” the other nurse said.

The doctor had just finished jumping Mark’s heart with the paddles for the third time before he looked at the monitor – the tiny blips signaling life in his sleeping heart.

Mark Savage was alive.

Chapter 154

Two Days Later

Word of Mark’s near fatal car accident quickly made all the music news channels. Although he sustained serious injuries that would require a few months of recovery, he was alive. Fortunately, Fusion was on hiaitus following their last tour so Mark would have sufficient time to recouperate before the band regrouped to write and record the next album.

Mark laid in his hospital bed, his mind weak and his body banged up. His right arm was in a splint, the left side of his head bandaged and throbbing and numerous other areas either cut or bruised. A fresh scar below the left side of his rib cage where his spleen was removed matched the one below on the right from when his appendix was removed three years ago.

Today was his first day since being released from ICU into a private room. Only his parents and sister were allowed to see him, but today, Mark was able to receive other visitors.

He turned his head to stare out the window next to his bed. His mind trying to piece together the fragmented details of what happened before the accident. All he could think of was Tara, but he didn’t remember why.

Tyler walked in the room, still unable to get over almost losing his only son. He’ll never forget almost collapsing to his knees in thanks when the doctor came in to inform him that Mark had been revived and was to be wheeled into surgery to stop his internal bleeding. He went over to his bed and lightly put his hand on his shoulder.

“Aye son.”

Mark turned his head slowly to the left, wincing a bit from the pain from the bandaged bruise pressing into the pillow.

“Aye dad.”

“Go easy Mark,” Tyler said, turning his head a bit so that the there was no pressure on the left side of his head. “That’s quite an ostrich egg you got there.”

“That’s the least of my problems,” Mark said.

“You’re gonna be fine, Mark. You’ll need sufficient recovery, but you’ll be fine. You had me so scared. You have no idea.”

Mark looked his father dead in the face.

“Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“I died, didn’t I?”

Tyler stilled, not knowing how to answer. “What….what do you mean?”

“I think I died – if only for a short while. I…..I had a……what’s it called…..an ‘out of body experience’. I saw Randy.”

Tyler sat down in the chair next to Mark and kept his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You did?”

Mark nodded. “I……was standing in the emergency room, watching the doctors try to revive me. I……I then saw a light. A really bright one. There was a door at the end. Randy was on the other side. When I recognized him, he left me for a bit. I ….I don’t know where he went. Then….he came back and opened a door to let me in. Then he hesitated and shut the door. It was like……he didn’t want me to……come over yet.”

Tyler’s heart was pounding as the eeriness of his son’s experience reminded him of the dream he had. Or….was it ever a dream?

“I don’t doubt that that happened, Mark. A lot of people have those. Its….its true. Your heart did stop a bit, but the doctor’s revived you. I cant begin to tell you what that was like for me.”

“Brought back some bad memories, huh?”

“You have no idea,” Tyler half whispered.

“So…..where’s everyone else?”

“Your mum and Abby will be here in a while. I let them sleep since they were here so late with you last night. Rob called me. Said he and the other lads will be out here within a few days. Uncle Scott is arriving today. He’s going to see about Trevor getting a day pass from rehab so he can come see you.”

“Oh, that’s great. How’s he doing?”

“Pretty good. He’s antsy, but he knows he has to do it. Plus, Emily goes to see him just about every day.”

Mark sombered. His cousin has his high school love back in his life, but Tara was nowhere. Realization suddenly hit him. The note he left for Tara. The phone call from some guy saying she was leaving for New York.

“Mark? What’s wrong?”

“N…n..nothing. Its…….I’m glad they’re back together.”

“Then why do you look so sad?”

Mark turned his head and shook it, unable to speak his heart.

Tyler then heard someone at the door and turned. Grinning, he turned back to mark. “Well, I think someone’s here who may cheer you up.”

Tyler got up as Mark turned towards the door and cast his eyes on Tara.

Chapter 155

If ever Mark wished he could jump out of that hospital bed it was now. His mind had a hard time registering being told that Tara was leaving for New York and having her here right now. All he wanted to do was make sure she couldn’t get away.

“Surprise,” Tara softly said, walking in as Tyler walked out. The closer she got, the bigger Mark’s eyes got.

“Tara, how……I…I thought you were gone to New York.”

Tara sat in the chair next to his bed, her eyes never leaving Mark’s beautiful green ones, and shook her head. “I didn’t. I couldn’t. Mark, I wound up finding out about Julian taking the note you left me – and him calling you.”

“Julian?” Mark said with jealousy skepticism.

“Trust me – he’s no one to worry about. He promised me a chance to design for his store’s label. And you know….for someone who wants to make it as bad as I do as a designer, it looked like the opportunity of a lifetime. But….when I found that note from you……..the words you used…..Mark, I couldn’t leave. I called your cell and left you a message, but……you never got it. It must’ve been………after the accident. Your father retrieved my message and called me. I came right away. I’ve been waiting since that night to see you.”

Mark’s eyes watered, so overwhelmed with emotion he was. He couldn’t believe it. He thought he had lost Tara, when all along she never left his side these last few horrific days.

“What…..what did you say in your message?”

Tara leaned in and gently stroked his hair, careful to avoid his bandaged left side. “That……I couldn’t avoid or escape you either. That……I still love you too. Everything seems so much more in perspective, now that we’re older. You were still a teenager and starting out in a rock band. Although it hurt, I guess the temptation to test the waters was too great. Same with Trevor and Emily, I suppose. But they’re on their way to getting to know each other all over again. I’d like the same for us. Us ‘cousins’ have to stick together, you know!”

Mark reached his left hand up and stroked her face. “You mean it, Tara? Truly?”

Tara nodded as tears appeared in her eyes. “I love you, Mark Savage. Even when I didn’t want any part of you when I met you, I couldn’t escape you then. You chased me and caught me. I got away a bit, but now I’m back.”

Mark’s left hand slid from her face to the back of her head and pulled her down. For the first time since he saw her almost a month ago, their lips met and this time it was without guilt or reservation. Mark threw himself into the kiss a little too much and Tara pulled away.

“Mark, you better not overdo it. I don’t want you having a heart attack on me!”

Mark flashed his Savage grin and twinkled his infamous green eyes. “What a way to go!”

Tara chuckled. “I have a feeling that you’re going to recover just fine!”

“So….you want to date a rock star, eh?”

“No….I want to date Mark Savage, who just happens to be a mega rock drummer. Even when we were apart, I followed your career. I can’t tell you how proud I am.”

“You’re gonna have the same success, Tara. I just hope you didn’t give anything up that was important to you.”

“You’re important to me,” she adamantly said. “New York isn’t going anywhere. Besides, now that I think about it, I don’t want my original designs, that I’ve worked so hard on, to have some store label on them. If anything, they’ll have my name on it. And, since I had already quit the company to go to New York, I think I’m going to seek a position at a high end store here. I mean, if I want to know what the public wants to wear, I need to be around the merchandise. I need to see whats popular and what’s not. After some research, then I’ll work on trying to market my designs.”

“Tara, you know…if you need help….financially….”

“Don’t even suggest it, Mark. You are not going to support me.”

“I didn’t say support….I said help. And….its not like I don’t have the money!”

“Yeah, well save it for when you’re old and decrepit and can’t rock anymore!”

“Will you still love me then?”

Tara pursed her lips wickedly. “Well, if you grow up to be a hot looking old man like your grandfathers, then…yes!”

“Don’t ever tell my grandpa Joe you said that. I think you’d give him a boner!”

“I’d rather give you one……when you’re a little more recouperated.”

“Too late,” Mark said. “Already have one.”

Tara glance down and saw that Mark was hard under the sheet and blanket. Suddenly, Tyler peeked his head in.

“How are things in here?”

Tara turned and smiled. “Oh….lets just say your son’s back to his old self already!”

Chapter 156

Mark had a steady stream of visitors over the next few days. When his cousin Trevor walked into his room, it was as if every day that they spent together since they were 5 flashed in front of him.

“Aye cous,” Trevor said, giving him a cautious hug. “What were you trying to do – outdo me for attention?”

“A little drastic, huh?” Mark asked with a grin.

“Just a little. You scared the crap out of us, Mark.”

“Yeah, well I can say the same for you. Don’t you ever go collapsing in the street in front of me again.”

Trevor took his hand, as their bond was still as strong as when they were younger. “I’m glad your okay, cous.”

“Same for you,” Mark replied. “So….how’s it going in rehab?”

“Well, I was made aware just how dangerous my ‘problem’ was. I didn’t think it was bad, but just the fact that I couldn’t stop was as bad of an addiction as if it were coke or something. I never realized how out of control I was.”

“And uh…..how’s things with Emily?”

Trevor unabashedly smiled, his infamous shyness shining through in the renewed sparkle in his hazel eyes. “Good. Real good. Better than when we were in high school. I mean, we missed out on three years of each other’s lives. We’re really just getting caught up on each other and learning things we never knew. Its like I’m meeting her for the first time all over again.”

“I know what you mean,” Mark replied. “Tara and I have been doing so much talking these last few days. Probably because I can’t do much of anything else!”

“I see your injuries haven’t affected your sex drive!” Trevor mused.

“Man, I’d settle for a hand job – anything!” Mark complained.

“Don’t look at me! I love ya, but…..”

“So, you sneaking any action in rehab?” Mark asked, wiggling his brows.

Trevor blushed anew – a habit that he’ll probably take to his grave. “Well…….there was this one time that we snuck into the activity room. It was a beautiful day out, so everyone was just about outside. We hid on one side of a large bookcase and….did it standing up.”

“Oh man, forget I asked!” Mark groaned. “That just made me hornier than I already am!”

Suddenly, Tyler poked his head in. “Got room for two more in there?”

“If they’re hot looking nurses, yeah!” Mark joked.

“Will you settle for two incredibly wrinkled old blokes,” Sav said as he slowly made his way inside.

“Speak for yourself,” Joe said, making his way in afterwards.

Mark and Trevor’s grandfathers seemed to have aged even more these last three years. They knew that they’re time left on this earth was extremely limited with each passing year, so they knew that it was as important as ever to make each moment count.

“Mark, I’m supposed to be the one laying in a hospital, fighting for my life, not you,” Joe said. “Don’t you even dare think that you’re going before me.”

“That’s my job,” Sav said.

“Don’t start that shit again, Sav,” Joe said.

Trevor stood up and embraced his grandpa Sav and uncle Joe before offering them both chairs. Since Trevor sufficiently visited with them earlier, he left them to visit with Mark in private.

Before they sat down, Joe and Sav sat on either side of Mark’s bed and hugged him.

“We love you Mark,” Sav said. “You have no idea how bloody scared we were.”

“And you know, it doesn’t take much to scare me,” Joe said. “But, the thought of losing my only grandson…….it wouldn’t be fair for me to live this long.”

Mark sat there hugging his grandfathers – thankful for second chances and miracles.

Chapter 157

The following day, Tara was helping feed Mark his lunch since he was incredibly clumsy with his left hand. Truth be told, he just liked being waited on! They were interrupted by a very welcomed voice.

“Dude, this is no way to tell us you want to quit the band!”

Mark looked up to see that Rob had finally made it. “Aye mate,” Mark grinned. “Glad you were able to pull yourself away from whoever you’re snogging at the moment to make sure I’m still alive.”

Rob laughed as his eyes went to Tara. “Well, hey there, beautiful! Long time, no see. This is a… uh……good thing?”

Rob eyed Mark who nodded. “Oh yes…..very good thing.”

“Its good to see you again, Rob,” Tara said. “I’ve been following your career all these years. You guys are absolutely awesome.”

“Why thank you, sweetheart. And…something tells me that we’ll be seeing each other quite often.”

Rob, again, looked at Mark. “Aye, just because I’m convelescent doesn’t mean that I can’t get out of this bed and try to whoop your arse! Go hit on a nurse, will ya?”

“If I can find one that isn’t hideous.”

“Well, I’ll leave you lads to visit,” Tara said. “I think your parents and sister went to the cafeteria. I’ll go join them.”

Tara gave him a kiss then left the room. Rob gave Mark a raised brow look of surprise. “Well, well, well…….I see things are back on track with you two.”

“Yeah, too bad it took me getting twisted like a pretzel for it to happen.”

Rob sat on the chair beside him and gave Mark a good once over and turned serious. “God Mark, that must’ve been some wreck.”

“Totaled my bloody Viper!”

“Lucky for you, you can afford a new one. Only next time, get a Porsche.”

“I may just do that, mate. So…..I’ve had enough people ask me about my injuries. What’s up with you?”

Rob bowed head a bit then glanced his eyes up. “Well….I finally made peace with my brother.”

“Zak? Really. Aw, mate, how’s he doing?”

“Okay. Been in therapy for the past two years. I guess his problems went deeper than just anger and obnoxiousness. He’d been hiding it for a while, then finally told my parents because his therapist wanted to see them. They told me and, well…..the two of us finally sat down and had a real long talk. He forgave me for booting him out of the band – even understood that I had to do it. He still has a ways to go, but at least its in the right direction.”

“Glad to hear it,” Mark said. “Didn’t want the bloke hurting himself anymore. So…..how are those other two losers?”

Rob chuckled. “They should be here tomorrow or the day after. Paul went with Bekka to the doctors for a…….I think it’s a sonogram. She’s having a boy.”

“No shit! A little Paul! Daddies better start locking up their baby girls now!”

“Yeah, well, he’s changing. This fatherhood business is really grounding him a bit. He just isn’t sure about marriage. They’re committed to each other, but he still gets jittery. I’m sure they will when the time’s right.

“And what about Troy?”

Rob’s face lit up. “You’re not going to believe it! Remember that redhead with the gold bikini from Hawaii that he had the major hots for? He ran into her in Starbucks! She just moved down from San Rafael. He’s in absolute heaven. They’ve been practically inseparable since.”

“Seems like everyone’s hooking up,” Mark said.

“Everyone but me,” Rob replied.

“Still holding out for that virgin who doesn’t exist?”

“She exists….somewhere! In Cambodia, maybe.”

“Why don’t you do one of those ads? You know…..like for a Russian mail order bride or something.”

“No thank you! I’ll just wait for God to kindly drop her in my lap.”

Mark feigned looking up to heaven. “Did you get that order, big guy?”

A doctor came in to check Mark’s splint on his fractured arm. Rob stood up. “I’ll come back when you’re done. I’m gonna go try to find a nurse who isn’t a hag.”

“If you’re lucky, maybe she’ll be a virgin too!”

“Smart ass!”

Rob walked out of the room and down the hall. He passed by the desk that had 3 40-ish nurses behind it. He flashed them his well-honed rock star gorgeous smile and midnight blue eyes as he walked by. The three older women simultaneously sighed on cue.

Rob walked by the waiting area and glanced in as he did. He halted in his tracks at the sight of a young woman standing in the far corner, staring out the window. Rob stepped in the waiting room and slowly approached her from behind. As he got closer, her indescribable beauty began to unfold before his eyes.

Glossy, tawny colored hair with deep gold highlights fell straight and shiny to just graze the tops of her shoulders. From her profile, her pert nose, full pink lips and cheekbones that could cut glass gave her a look that was a cross between a girl and a woman. However, her body was all woman. Her white, hip-hugger jeans and pale green spaghetti strap tank with white and gold designs on it fit her tall, slender, sweetly curved figure to perfection. It was enough to make every thought leave Rob’s brain.

And…when she turned to see him looking at her, he felt as if his brain left his head.

Eyes that put an emerald to shame, framed by long fluttery lashes, made his mouth suddenly dry. But, it was when those magnificent green eyes widened, and that delicious pink mouth of hers opened with surprise, did Rob consider falling to his knees and profess his undying love to her.

“Rob? Rob Silver? Oh my God, is…is it really you?”

Rob rapidly scrambled for words that made sense as he drank her her youthful beauty. She had to be a fan – how else would she know him?

“Y…yes….that’s me. Do…do I know you?”

The young woman blushed, giving her that enchanting girlish look.

“You don’t remember me, do you? I’m Abby Savage. Mark’s sister.”

Epilogue

6 Months Later

Two Days Before Christmas, 2049

The Savages and Elliott’s were, once again, getting ready to celebrate their most cherished holiday. They had so much to be thankful for this year, that they didn’t know where to begin.

Most obvious, was the full recouperation of Mark from his car accident, as well as Trevor successfully completing his 30 day stay in rehab. The two cousins have since gotten back into the swing with their careers.

Trevor pushed himself with physical therapy the entire off-season to be ready for Manchester’s opening day game. With a fully repaired shoulder, a cleansed mind and body and, most important, the love of his life by his side, Trevor played as if that entire nightmare never happened. With Emily still based in London with her teaching job, she and Trevor spent a fortune in phone calls and tram tickets to talk to and see each other. When the difficulty of being apart became too much to bear, Emily sought out a teaching position in Manchester in order to be closer to Trevor. Little did she know, but Trevor had a very special gift for her to open on Christmas day!

As for Mark, he was home from the hospital after a three week stay and decided to spend his recovery in Sheffield where his mum could pamper him. Tara eventually found a position as an assitant merchandiser at a high end department store and kept a sharp eye on the changing fashions, even as she feverishly continued to create her own unique designs. Every weekend, she took the tram into Sheffield to spend with Mark during his recovery.

By September, Mark was sufficiently well enough to head out to LA to meet with the rest of the band to begin writing for the next album. His fractured right arm healed beautifully and was expected to be 100% before they began recording. He and Tara had many long talks about the demands their individual careers would have on their relationship, but they loved each other enough to be willing to do whatever they had to do to make it work. Tara was hopelessly committed to Mark and he positively adored her!

Joe and Sav had turned 87 and 86 respectively that year and was more grateful for each passing day. They were amazed that they lifestyle that they had lived decades ago had allowed them to live this long, even though time had taken their three bandmates earlier in the year. It was ironic that the two original members of Def Leppard would be the last to remain together. All they could do was live each precious day as it was afforded to them.

And today, Grace and Chelsea were busy preparing several Christmas dishes ahead of time. Tomorrow, the entire family would be gathered for two days of Christmas celebration.

“I bet you can’t wait to see your granddaughter, Chels,” Grace said. “How old’s Isabella now?”

“Amost four, and just as brash as her mother,” Chelsea said. “I feel bad for poor Frank – surrounded by females!’

“Ha, I’m sure he loves it. Oh, hell, I forgot to call the bakery to make sure the cake is delivered for tomorrow.”

“Cake?”

“Abby’s birthday. Nineteen years old. I can’t believe my baby is practically a grown woman.”

“And soon to be a famous actress too,” Chelsea replied. “How’s she doing out in LA on her auditions?”

Grace rolled her eyes. “She must’ve been on 15 of them – everything from commercials to some bit movie parts. However, she did call me about a script her agent wound up getting his hands on for a newly created television show for an American station called The WB. Seems that the shows on that channel cater to a teen to 30-ish age group. She seemed really excited about it.”

“Wow, Abby a telly star,” Chelsea exclaimed. “That would be amazing. So….is Mark having a rough time keeping an eye on her?”

“Who bloody knows?” Grace said. “We thought it would be a perfect scenario with Mark being out there to write the same time that Abby got auditons. Not much he can do while he’s writing with the band and she’s off traipsing all over LA. Just because they’re staying together at his flat out there doesn’t mean that he can watch her every move. I don’t know….I have a feeling that something’s going on with her and ……..someone.”

“Who?” Chelsea asked.

****************************

Meanwhile, at a tiny Las Vegas chapel, the minister said his closing words.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Abby bit her lip as she received her first kiss as Mrs. Rob Silver.