“Oh God, they’re going to flip when they find out about this. About those guys who hurt you and then Si and his two buddies. They’re already jealous as hell. Plus they’re your guardians, Eliza Grace. This isn’t good at all.”
“I know. I know, believe me I didn’t get much sleep last night and then felt guilty for not texting Parker on time. I was surprised that they weren’t outside my apartment building when I got home.”
“How about disappointed they weren’t there?” Missy Ann asked very seriously.
Eliza Grace gave a small smile as she stared at her hands. “That too.”
“Well, let’s process this situation and see where we stand. It’s not so bad because no one knows you performed there and it was only two nights. You can put it behind you as the before the Hayes brothers adventure. You won’t have to ever see Si, Vic and Daville or Luther again, so no big deal there.”
“Not entirely.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Si was at one of the shoots I was in. That’s how I recognized him the first time I performed at Luther’s and he was in the crowd. He’s friends with Clarissa.”
“Oh shit.”
“Exactly. I don’t know how close they are or if they do business together too, so hopefully it won’t affect my modeling jobs either.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Just wait and see what happens. I have a special shoot down by a marina somewhere with Kelly Monday and a very busy week of other shoots. I wouldn’t have had time to sing at Luther’s anyway,” she said and felt sad about it. Getting up on that stage had definitely helped with her confidence level, but once she was one on one or ganged up on, she reverted back to being fearful. She hated that.
“You really enjoyed singing there despite the other crap?” Missy Ann asked.
She looked at her best friend. “I did. It was so amazing, and people loved my voice and applauded and asked for more. It was so incredible, but I don’t think I can see myself singing like that and being in the spotlight all the time.”
“You’re in the spotlight in modeling too. I mean, look at all the people who saw the calendar.”
“Don’t remind me. The Hayes brothers were furious.”
Missy Ann chuckled. “But it led to them kissing you and you accepting their guardianship. It seems everything has a way of working itself out. You need to learn to trust them.”
“It isn’t easy.”
“I get that, but maybe you can look at this relationship, this attraction as sort of a challenge to yourself to learn to trust and build up that self-confidence.”
“I can’t see it being that way. They’re older and so commanding and in charge. I think another fear with them that I have is to become so submissive that I let them boss me around and make me do whatever they want to do. I don’t want to lose me, or what character I have as a person.”
“That’s silly. They like you for who you are.”
“Petite, shy, passive, easily scared? Is that what you mean?”
Missy Ann gave her a shove. “Get serious. You are not passive. You’re cautious, and your shyness is a positive character. Most models seem stuck up on themselves and self-absorbed. You worry about others and put them before yourself all the time. If you’re so worried about the Hayes brothers’ intentions then just ask them what they see in you and what it is they want.”
“And if they lie to me?”
“Then you took a chance. Life is about taking chances, not sitting still and letting it pass you by. Go out on a date with them. Spend some alone time with each of them and see how it goes. Or, just sleep with them. Maybe popping your cherry will build your self-confidence and loosen you up,” she teased.
“Oh yeah, wise guy, what about you?” she teased back.
Missy Ann smiled.
“Well, I guess when the time comes and the right man or men come along I’ll let you know. But for now, I’m thinking I should entertain some of my own fantasies and adventures, minus the creepy guys part, of course.”
“Of course,” Eliza Grace said then chuckled.
“So what do you have planned for the rest of the day? Want to grab lunch or something?” she asked Missy Ann.
“I have to go help Mrs. Parker with the kids. Gabby has an ear infection and she has to take her to the doctor and the other kids have a busy day with karate lessons and birthday parties. This was my time of relaxation and enjoyment. The rest of the day is going to be pure chaos.”
Eliza chuckled. “Well, she’s lucky that you’re always ready to help her out.”