The Resistance(86)
I can’t help scrunching my nose at seeing the bruising that’s already forming and the swelling near his eye.
“Don’t look so grossed out,” he adds. “You’re gonna give me a complex.”
Smiling, I say, “Good, the humor’s still intact. Danny, I’m sorry.” I lean down on my elbows, dropping my head, feeling shame, guilt, and embarrassed. I look up and see his smile, a mixture of understanding and sympathy as I continue.“I don’t know what to say. I’m just… You’ve seen the worst of him, but he’s not normally like that. We had a fight this morning and left on bad terms, so I’m to blame. I’m sorry you were dragged into it and more sorry that you were hurt. Is there anything I can do for you?”
He presses his palms against the barrier, leans forward, and says, “You know, Holli, I’ve been in plenty of fights in my life. Today I tried to do the right thing, take the high road, and I ended up with a black eye from a sucker punch. I’m not gonna lie, it took a lot for me not to knock him on his ass, but I didn’t for one reason.”
“Why is that?”
“You.” He stands up and sighs. “I saw your face, the hurt on your face. I just didn’t want to add to it.”
I lick my lips then scrape my teeth over my bottom one, bringing it in and look down.
“I didn’t tell you that to upset you,” he says. “I just thought you should know that I didn’t hold back for him, because he’s famous, or your boyfriend.”
Reaching across the space that divides our patios, I place my hand on top of his, and say, “Thank you. Thank you for being a good friend.”
His other hand covers mine and with a soft, reassuring smile, he says, “You’re welcome, neighbor.”
Focusing my eyes up, I reply, “I can see stars forever tonight.”
“That’s rare for L.A.” He pauses, but the silence is broken when he asks, “Want some company?”
“Sure.”
He starts to climb up, but stops to ask, “You don’t have any crazy boyfriends hiding inside, do you? One black-eye is enough for today.”
“Stop,” I warn, totally teasing.
“Too soon?”
“Give it a day or two before the crazy boyfriend jokes are unleashed.”
“I’ll give ya a day.” He waves his hands out to move me away from the wall, and says, “Step back and don’t try this at home.”
“But you’re trying this at home.”
“I’m a professional.”
“You’re a photographer, a professional photographer, not a stunt man. You could fall and then where would your underwear modeling career be? It’d be sunk is where it would be.”
He raises an eyebrow up at me. “Are you really worried about my modeling career or about my body?” He winks with his hurt eye… yeah, he’s gonna live.
With a wry grin, he jumps, landing on my patio. Dusting his hands off, he follows me to the chaises and we sit down. “So how are you really?” he asks.
I glance over at him. He’s watching me, so I turn back and look up at the stars. “I’ve been better.”
“Yeah, not a great day for you either.”
I laugh, but there’s no humor. “No, not a great day.”
“Speaking of stars—”
I roll my eyes while resting my head back against the lounger. “Were we speaking of stars?”
“We were. You just mentioned the clear night and stars forever, blah, blah, blah.”
“Gee thanks for the blah, blah, blah.” I laugh.
“So your boyfriend’s famous?”
Rolling my head to the side, I smile. I get the intrigue. I’m still fascinated myself. “He wasn’t when I met him.”
“Really? Johnny Outlaw’s been around a while.” When I don’t say anything, he adds, “You know I used to think you were hot, when we first met.”
Now that makes me laugh for real. “You used to?”
“Well,” he explains, using his hands to help demonstrate. “I thought you were single that first time, the morning I invited you to the party.”
“I was single then.”
He quirks his head to the side and narrows his eyes. “I thought you just said you’ve dated Johnny since before he was famous?”
“I said he wasn’t famous when I met him. There’s a difference.”
“I’m confused. He wasn’t famous and you were single? Yeah, totally lost over here.”
I sigh. “I was single that morning of the invite. I drove to Vegas for a convention and met… Johnny while I was there, but I didn’t know who he was.” It feels so wrong calling him that. He’ll always been Dalton to me.