working, but Dallas keeps finding ways to distract me. He was working out back right by my window. Then, he had to hang a photo on the other side of the dining room I’m trying to work in. Next, he randomly walked through the room with no shirt on twice, and now, he’s sitting at the other end of the table, typing on his phone.
Thankful for the break when my phone rings, I’m surprised to see it’s Belle. She’s a pretty popular singer also at Landon and Dallas’s record company. She started out about the same time as them and was on one of their tours, and the only other female at that time. So, we bonded and have kept in contact ever since.
“Belle, hey.” I answer when Dallas gives me the ‘who is it?’ look.
“Austin! Is it true? Are you in Nashville?”
“I am.”
“Oh, please tell me you’ll meet me for lunch. I know it’s short notice, but we haven’t seen each other in forever! We have so much to catch up on.”
“Hang on, let me check.” I pull the phone away and put it on mute.
“Belle wants me to meet up with her for lunch. You okay with that?” I ask Dallas.
He looks out the window for a minute, before looking back at me.
“Yes, as long as you take my security guy. He can be here in an hour. You stay with him, and he’ll blend in, so you’ll barely know he’s there.” He says in a firm tone.
“Promise.”
I unmute the phone.
“I can get together with you. I’ll need at least an hour, but we can meet at that southern buffet place we went to last time?” I ask.
“Of course, see you there soon!”
I hang up and save what I was working on. Then, I walk over to Dallas and kiss him on the cheek.
“I promise I’ll stay safe. Plus, Belle has her own security. You have the tracker on my phone, and I’ll be fine.”
“It’s scary, Aust. I want to keep you safe in this bubble and not let the outside world touch you, but at the same time, I don’t want to be that guy that keeps you from your life and your friends. You mean everything to me, and I just need you safe. Not to mention, Landon will kick my ass.”
“Why don’t you come help me get ready?”
“Baby, if I come upstairs you won’t be going anywhere for lunch.” He growls, and I laugh.
I head up to my room to get ready. I keep it simple, but I also know this lunch will be photographed. Belle can’t go anywhere without her fans posting about it and guys hitting on her. We actually find it kind of funny now. She was like me and a bit of an outcast in school and couldn’t get dates to save her life.
I pull on Dallas’s favorite jeans. The ones he says make my ass look great. I pick a dressy top with a high neckline and pull my hair back in a crown braid, before tossing on a bit of makeup.
By the time I get back downstairs, a guy who looks like he could be the hulk if he was only green, is standing with Dallas in the kitchen.
“Yeah, he won’t stand out at all.” I roll my eyes.
“Austin, this is Mason, and he’ll be your security today.”
I sigh, “Thank you, Mason, for indulging Dallas’s overprotective side. I promise to not make your life difficult. I’m having lunch with a friend, and I’ll even feed you.”
“Not necessary, ma’am.” He says.
“Very much so, because this place has kick ass food, so you will let me feed you, or I won’t agree to this.” I glare at Dallas, as I say this, but I notice Mason’s mouth tilts up slightly.
“If you insist.” He says, but my eyes still haven’t come off Dallas, who is glaring at me.
“Don’t make this difficult, or I’ll keep you prisoner here,” Dallas says.
“Plan to tie me to your bed?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Yes.” He says.
“Explain that one to my brother.” I kiss his cheek and head out the door.
Once in the garage, I turn to Mason. “You driving, big guy?”
“Yep.” One word answers, great.
“Which one we are taking?” I’m referring to the car collection here. The boys love their cars.
He tilts his head to the SUV with tinted windows at the far end, so I follow him. At least, he’s a gentleman, opening my door and all.
The ride to the restaurant is quiet, and as we pull into the parking lot, I get a text from Belle telling me she got a table in the back.
Before Mason can climb out of the car, I place a hand on his arm, and his eyes shoot to me.
“So, I don’t want to forget to say thank you for doing this. I know you were hired on for Dallas and Landon, not me.”
“You’re Landon’s sister, and our contract covers you. Always has, but never had a need to use it, until now. Stay there, and I’ll come around.”
I’m a bit shocked. He’s always had me covered in his security contract? I guess it makes sense, especially after our parents died, and it was just us, but Landon never told me. Add it to the list of things to talk to him about, when he gets home. Maybe, I will open with this one.
Mason helps me out of the car, and we head inside. The waitress seems annoyed, when I try to walk past her, saying I know where I’m going, and the manager tries to stop me from getting to Belle’s table until she runs up and hugs me.
Her hair is done up in some fancy twist and is blonde this time, instead of her normal dark brown. Her tan skin stands out in her white shorts and navy blue shirt. When she pulls back, she gives me a once over. She then pulls a classic Belle move and gives a flirty wink to Mason.
“Hey, big guy. You can join my team, so just pick a table.” She points to the table in front and behind her, each with a guy about the size of Mason sitting at it.
Before joining Belle, I turn back to him, “Remember our deal. You will eat.”
He gives me a cocky half smile.
“A deal a deal.” He says.
I nod and sit down with Belle.
“Girl, we have so much to catch up on. Did you really go on tour with the guys?”
“Yeah, Landon convinced me to sing two songs at each stop.”
“Oh, I’m so jealous I wasn’t there. We really should do a duet. I think it would be killer.”
“I’ll have my people call your people.” I joke, as we place our drink orders.
This place makes the best sweet tea, and the food is all true southern cooking. The first few times we were here, we did the buffet to try it all. Now, we order from the menu, because we know what we like. After I order, I turn my head to Mason and watch him order, before nodding in approval.
“So, what’s with Mr. Sexy Hulk?” Belle asks.
“See! I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks he looks like The Hulk. I wonder if I can get him to let me paint him green for Halloween?” We both break out into giggles.
“You could dress as Black Widow and hang over him all night.” Belle jokes.
“His wife wouldn’t be too happy, and my brother would freak!” I laugh.
“Speaking of, how is your brother?”
“Ahhh, he’s been busy. He’s working out of town. Some sponsorship he’s working with, and a charity that he’s on their board. But we are... okay, I guess. I’m not his biggest fan at the moment.”
“Why, what happened?”
“Oh, you know he’s told me who I can and can’t date. No one’s good enough. The usual.” I wave my hand at her and sigh.
”Isn’t this why you moved to Portland?”
“Yeah, but here’s a story for you.” I go on to tell her about Branden, and how it was casual, and he proposed after three months, and then randomly showed up on my doorstep a few days ago. I leave out the part that my brother is looking into him, and that’s why I have security today.
“What!” She screeches just a little too loud, making heads turn.
“I couldn’t get my boyfriend to propose after two years, and here it only took you three months. Damn girl.” She shakes her head.
“It would be nice if that was my goal, but him being good in bed was all he had going for him.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
“So, I heard a rumor, and I need to confirm it because if it’s true it will break my heart.”
“Oh, what’s that?” I ask.
“There’s a rumor that some girl tamed Dallas. He’s done with his playboy ways, and also cut off contact with all his hookups. I need to know if it’s true, and who this lucky bitch is.”
I take a deep breath. Shit. I can’t tell Belle, before my brother knows, but I also hate the idea of lying to her. I know I can trust her, but Dallas and I hadn’t agreed to tell anyone yet, so I need to keep this under wraps for now. But I need to give her something.
“Well, I know he’s done with the sleeping around. Has been for months, and he’s just tired of the lifestyle. Landon doesn’t seem to believe he’s changed, but I’ve seen it. I’m proud of him.” I tell her.
“And the girl?”
“I don’t know of one. He’s pretty much a homebody. He doesn’t go out anymore or anything, so I don’t think there’s a girl. If there is, I haven’t met her.”
“Damn.”
“Did you ever sleep with him?” I ask her.
Belle had a bit of a wild side, when she first started making a name for herself. She was always partying and was known to sleep with other singers. She calmed down and started dating her ex and was happy, until he dumped her for no reason a few months ago.
“No, and not for a lack of trying. He said he would never sleep with one of your friends. I told him you gave me the go ahead, and he still said no. Then, he avoided me like the plague the rest of the tour. Think I should come over and try to get a date?”
I’m relieved they never slept together, but the thought of her flirting with him doesn’t sit right either. What’s one more white lie, right?
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. He doesn’t want to date right now and complains about everyone asking him out. How did you hear about this rumor?” I ask.
“Oh, it’s all over the biz, since your tour. I guess, the girls he hooked up with had some pillow talk, and the word spread.”
I shiver, “Gross.”
Belle shrugs, as our food gets there.
We take our time eating and talk about her last tour, a few bad dates she’s been on, and the gossip at the label. We get to dessert, before people start coming up to her asking for autographs and photos. She agrees because like Landon and Dallas, she knows she’s nothing without her fans.
I help take photos, kind of happy to fly under the radar. I can tell Mason doesn’t like this at all. He’s right by my side and making sure everyone keeps a distance, until their turn. Then, one of the guys recognizes me.
“Score! Austin Anderson, too! My buddy is going to be so mad he ditched lunch! Can I get a picture with both of you?” He asks.
I agree, and after that, Belle has Mason take a few photos of just the two of us.
“Since we have been outed, might as well make our own posts,” Belle says.
Mason leans down to my ear, “We should get moving. They’ll be posting those online, and we don’t want people to track you here.”
By people he means Branden. Great.
“Belle, I have to get going, but how long are you in town for?” I ask.
“Oh, I leave tomorrow.”
“Damn, call me, when you get back, and we can hang out at our pool, working on our tans.”
“Sounds perfect.” She hugs me and not just a quick hug. This is a huge I’m going to miss you like crazy hug.
Mason walks me out to the SUV and helps me in once again. Then, we are on the road home, and all I can think about is Belle’s comment about wanting to ask Dallas out. I don’t doubt she’s the only one.