Love You Moore Page 14

  Holly returned and settled into Abby’s room with her. With a king size bed they would be fine, especially since they were used to sharing her queen size bed no problem. Jimmy was preparing to head to Vegas for his bachelor party with his friends. Most of them would meet him there. It was being held at the Palms. It was off the strip which is what Jimmy liked. He didn’t like to be in the middle of it all but the Palms provided an atmosphere like they were. He always booked the Playboy Suite. No matter why they were in town that’s where they stayed. Abby was fine with that, this is how he was before he met her, she knew he didn’t chase the girls whether they be dancers or bunnies. She could trust him. She was getting ready for her own party, all her girlfriends from school were coming. There would be about seven of them altogether. Abby had invited Karma to join them but made it perfectly clear she wasn’t going to hang out with a bunch of schoolgirls. Jimmy had the hotel makeover the living space. They brought in a large screen TV and DVD player. The couches and chairs were taken out to make room for two queen size beds, Abby’s bed was also brought out from her room. Some tables were brought in to hold the food and non alcoholic beverages. Abby and Holly had raided the video store and rented about 10 movies. Knowing they wouldn’t be able to watch them all but now they had choices. As Jimmy was getting ready to head out with Steve to the airport early Saturday morning, he kissed her and told her to have a great time, he would see her Sunday night. She encouraged him to have a good time, but not a really good time, kissed him back and waited with Holly for the other girls to arrive. Around noon time the first of the girls showed up, Krissy and Dee were very excited to be there. Abby had known Dee for as long as she knew Krissy, they were close but fell out of touch a bit since they started senior year. She had started seeing Billy and was afraid Abby would be upset.

  “Dee, please, I am glad you are dating Billy, just be careful and don’t let him talk you into anything you are not ready for.” Abby warned, but by the look on Dee’s face Abby could tell Billy already had.

  Jennie, Sarah and Nicole all arrived shortly after. After the squeal and hugs, Abby gave them a short tour and called room service to bring up the food. A few moments later there was a knock at the door.

  “That was quick.” Abby noticed, assuming it was room service.

  When she opened the door, there was an array of people dressed in white t-shirts and slacks.

  “Can I help you?” Abby asked curiously.

  “Jimmy Riley ordered spa services for seven.” A tall blonde man answered.

  “Oh my gosh, ok please come in.” Abby invited.

  Three similar looking men carrying massage tables come in, followed by two small Asian ladies with all the other spa items you could think of. The girls were going to be treated to massages, manicures, pedicures and facials.

  “Isn’t he amazing?” Abby asked to no one specific

  “Yes he is” all the other girls said in unison.

  They all laughed and decided who was going to get what first. Abby was sitting in a chair letting her pedicure dry, when there was another knock at the door.

  “This must be the food.” She assumed again.

  Abby opened the door to find two men holding eight very pretty boxes.

  “Pajama gram for Abby Moore and party.” One of the deliverymen said.

  Abby opened the door to let the men walk in. They set the boxes on one of the queen beds.

  “Oh my goodness.” Abby said tearing up. “He is the best isn’t he?”

  “Yes!” They all replied again in unison.

  Abby looked at the boxes and they all had their names on them. She handed them out to each of the girls. They were all matching light pink cotton pajamas. They had a short sleeve top with front buttons and Capri bottoms. They also each had their names stitched in a darker pink thread over the left breast pocket. Along with the pajamas there were ballet style pink slippers. There was an 8th box with Abby’s name on it. She read the card on top before opening it.

  “Have fun, make lots of memories. I love you, Jimmy”

  Abby opened the box. Inside were seven pink disposable cameras and a scrapbooking album with a pink cloth cover. There was embroidery the color of chocolate brown on the cover that read, Abby’s Bachelorette Party. Abby smiled and hugged the album to her chest. Holly approached her.

  “He really is a great guy Abby, you are very lucky. I hope the tow of you will be forever happy.”

  Abby hugged her. “You will find your prince someday Holly, I know you will and he will make you as happy as Jimmy makes me.”

  Holly nodded and they looked back at the girls all in pink. Abby took the first picture of all the girls and handed out the others. There was flashing and clicking. Everything was documented. The Spa Team was photographed, Dee getting her nails done, Abby getting a massage and one taken of Krissy exchanging numbers with one of the masseurs. Finally the food did arrive and the girls settled in to watch movies. They had all had treatments and were primped and relaxed. After a four to three vote to watch Twilight, Abby laid on her stomach on her bed with a plate of food that Holly made sure she had and ate. Abby looked around the room at her friends and knew, even though this was one of the best nights she could remember having with them, this was probably the last time they would all be together like this. Abby rested her head on her hands and turned to watch the movie.

  In the morning, after they had a huge breakfast delivered by room service, Abby hugged five of her friend’s goodbye. She promised to see them all at the wedding that was less than two months away. Housekeeping came in to put the rooms back together. Abby and Holly took the day to just veg and do nothing, except watch some of the movies they hadn’t gotten too last night. By the time Jimmy had gotten back it was about midnight Sunday night. He came into Abby’s room and woke her with soft kisses on her face and neck.

  “Did you have a good time?” he asked.

  “It was the best girl’s night ever, thank you so much for the gifts. You never cease to amaze me. Did you have fun in Vegas?”

  Abby noticed a peculiar look on his face and propped herself up on her elbow.

  “Everything ok?” she asked.

  “Yes everything is fine, I am so glad to be back here with you. Vegas was…Vegas. Same ole same ole.”

  “You sure?” Abby pried, examining his facial expressions.

  “Yes I am sure I am just very tired. Can I lay in here with you awhile?” Jimmy took off his shoes and got in bed next to her fully dressed. He held on to her tightly, Abby thought too tightly. What had happened in Vegas? Should she be concerned or was he just tired from the party and traveling? She was about to ask him again if everything was ok when she heard him snoring softly. She resolved herself that he was just tired and she had nothing to worry about. But she also had the nagging feeling that she was just trying to convince herself that everything was ok. Abby closed her eyes and tried unsuccessfully to go back to sleep.

  The following morning, Abby and Jimmy had made plans to go and register for the wedding. They had agreed to drive to the mall in Portland. Abby figured if they took the limo versus taking the plane, it would give them more alone time together. Before they got ready to go, Abby was sitting on the couch flipping through a bridal magazine not really looking at the pages. Holly sat next to her.

  “Why so glum Chicky, you get to go and do the ultimate shopping. Pick out what you want and have someone else buy it for you…I call that a win win?” She laughed and started picking at a muffin from the breakfast tray.

  “I know.” Abby started. “I just feel weird about it.

  About this time Jimmy came out of his bedroom and listened to the conversation.

  “Why do you feel weird?” Holly inquired.

  “Because it’s not my house I am picking things out for. It’s Jimmy’s. I feel like I am intruding on his space, taking over.

  “Abby he wants you there, he’s invited you into that space and you aren’t intruding”

  “But still, he a
lready has memories there, I am not naïve enough to realize he has had other women there. In his bed. I guess I just feel like, if I go in and change everything he has, then someday he will resent me for it. I know I’m being ridiculous, it’s stupid. It’s fine. Jimmy will be there and he knows what he already has. It’s fine.” Abby was rambling.

  Jimmy went back into his bedroom unnoticed by the girls that he was there. After about 10 minutes, he announced when he was coming back out.

  “Are we ready to shop till we drop?”

  Abby shot Holly a “don’t say anything” look and announced she was ready to go. Holly had made plans to get with the florist and go over the guest list of the ones that had already sent in their RSVP. The rest of the day turned out as Abby had hoped. A long car ride to the mall, shopping at Macy’s, picking out things she never could imagine buying for herself and feeling guilty she was expecting others to buy it for her.

  “Jimmy really, some of these things are very expensive, I can’t expect people to fork out the money for these things. My friends could never afford most of this stuff. One dinner place setting that cost $750.00? Really?”

  “Abby, I have friends and associates that could buy this whole registry 10 times over. Don’t worry about it. If you want, pick out some items that you feel your friends and family would want to buy for you. Besides, what doesn’t get purchased as gifts I am coming back and buying the rest for you anyways.” He informed her.

  She pointed the registry gun at him. “I want to put you on my wish list.” She teased.

  “Sorry Babe, not for sale, already bought and paid for.” He teased back and took her in his arms. “Anything you want I am going to get it for you, anything.”

  They finished up their list and went to dinner. It was after eight o’clock.

  “Hard to believe we shopped for 10 hours.” Abby was interrupted by Jimmy’s cell phone going off again. Abby had noticed that he was getting a lot of texts and calls. “Everything ok” she asked.

  “Fine, just something I need to take care of as soon as we get back to the hotel.” He told her.

  They went to get a quick dinner at the Olive Garden before heading back home. Jimmy had excused himself and went to the restroom. Abby noticed he had left his phone on the table when it began to ring. Abby contemplated letting it ring but she didn’t want to disturb the other diners so she answered the phone.

  “Hello”

  “Hello, is Jimmy there?” an unfamiliar female voice asked.

  “No I am sorry he is unavailable, can I take a message?” Abby asked trying to sound professional incase it was a business associate.

  “Yes, “ the voice purred, “could you tell him it was great being with him again the other night and I can wait to see him again? He’ll know who this is. Thanks doll.” The line went dead. When Jimmy came back to the table, Abby was holding the phone, her mouth partially open and her eyes were filled with tears. Jimmy’s heart sank. Something he was trying to hold off telling her for as long as possible finally came back to haunt him. He needed to have the dreaded conversation about his past. Jimmy had the waiter box up their uneaten dinners to go and paid the check.

  He took Abby by the arm and led her to the car.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 17

  They sat in silence in the car. He had waited a few minutes before asking the driver to head home. He knew he would have to talk to Abby about this before the wedding but was hoping he could wait awhile longer. Long enough to prove to her that she was the one for him and he would do anything to make her happy. Abby sat in silence the only movements were the tears falling down her cheeks. The longer Jimmy sat in silence the worse she would feel, he knew that but had no idea where to start, so he just spoke.

  “I met Brittany after moving to LA five years ago. I had gone out with some of the record execs to a local strip club. I had been old enough to get in but not old enough to drink. It didn’t matter though. I was totally out of my element. I had heard about those clubs but had never experienced one myself. Brittany was a dancer one of the guys paid to give me a lap dance. “Welcome me to the big city” he said. She could tell I had never been in that position. She thought it was cute. She gave me her number after and told me to call her. We went out a couple of times before we got….serious. She had promised me that she was faithful when she was in a relationship and I believed her. After we had been dating for two months she told me she was pregnant. The only thing to do was the honorable thing. My parents were not thrilled to say the least. But they respected me for stepping up and accepting my responsibility. We went to Vegas one weekend and just got married. No family, no friends. It was the typical Vegas wedding. We got married by an Elvis Impersonator and our witness was Little Richard. It was awful. We moved in together into her apartment. I was still forming a career and hadn’t bought anything permanent. Brittany wanted to continue to dance for as long as she could. It was good money and she wasn’t willing to give it up. After I was paid for my first composition, I tried to get her to quit going to the club. The environment itself wasn’t the best for a pregnant woman. I had offered to give her an allowance, subsidize what she would lose if she quit. She went ballistic, she thought I was trying to control her. She started throwing things and breaking dishes. Before I knew what was going on she was crumpled on the floor clutching her stomach, there was blood on her legs. At the hospital the Dr. told us she had miscarried. Even though I was in a relationship I didn’t want to be in, I was still upset over the loss of the baby. We tried to make it work. I had made more money from writing lyrics and music for the movies. I offered it all to her to get a divorce. She accepted. It was enough to get her a fresh start and quit dancing, but she took the money and moved to Vegas. She would get bit parts in some shows on the strip but nothing to establish her as a reputable dancer, so she would go back to the clubs and get paid for lap dances. One weekend after the band and I had done a show at one of the smaller clubs the boys had called for some strippers to come to the suite. I had had my fill of that stuff so I would usually go into the bedroom and work while they partied. One of the girls that showed up was Brittany. It had been three years since I had seen her. She made nice with Ben, he wasn’t aware of our past so he had no idea she was working him. He told her that every time we were in town we would get the Playboy Suite. She tried to hook up with me but I was over her games. I couldn’t get back in to all of that with her again. She took this as a challenge. She had a friend that worked at the Palms. Whenever girls were requested for the Playboy Suite, Brittany would get a call. Most times it wasn’t even me that was there but it didn’t matter, money was money. But the times it was me, she would do her best to seduce me. One of those times it happened to be the night of my Bachelor Party. When she found out I was getting married and for love this time not obligation, she said that no one could take her place and I would end up going back with her. I think it was more the fact I was successful now and had a lot more money now than I had when we were together. She felt I owed her. Somehow she got my cell number and has been calling and texting since I got back. I knew you would need to know all of this before we got married. I don’t want to have any secrets going in to our marriage. I am so sorry you had to find out this way. Can you please forgive me?”

  Abby sat in silence. She was the one feeling guilty now. Was this the right time to bare her soul as well? Get it all out in the open. She looked over at Jimmy. He was facing forward with his head down. She could see a tear glistening down his cheek. Her only thought at that moment was making him feel better, not add more turmoil. She reached out, wiped his cheek and leaned over to kiss him.

  “What you did in your past is no consequence to me. You tried to make things right. It didn’t work out. There is nothing to forgive. I love you. Nothing will ever change that.”

  Jimmy brought his eyes up to hers.

  “You aren’t going to leave me?” He stumbled through the words.

  “No.” she shook her head.
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br />   He grabbed her and held her tight. Brought her to his lap. Their kisses became more enthusiastic. Before long their clothes were on the floor and their bodies were writhing on the seats. They were fully dressed again as they drove into the parking lot back at the hotel. By the time they had settled into their own rooms, Abby had come up with a plan to stop the phone calls. Jimmy had mentioned that he would be working all day on some songs he had to write for his upcoming album. He had apologized that he would more than likely locked in his office all day. This worked into Abby’s plans perfectly. When she was in her room she called Steve. She asked to meet him in the lobby of the hotel.

  “Thank you for meeting me Steve.”

  “Is everything ok?” Steve asked concerned.

  “Well not really Steve. I am sure you have heard of Jimmy’s ex wife?”

  Steve looked surprised. “I am aware of her I am surprised you are. I know Jimmy was concerned about telling you.”

  “Yes well I need your help dealing with her.” Abby stated.

  “How can I help?” Steve asked very curious now.

  “Well, I have a plan but it does involve us keeping a secret from Jimmy.”

  Steve was not comfortable with this. Not only was he an employee of Jimmy’s he was also a friend.

  “I don’t know Miss Abby, I don’t like keeping secrets from him, it could not only affect my job but it could affect our friendship.”

  “I will take full responsibility if this goes bad Steve I swear to you, he will not be mad at you. Please Steve I need your help. There are other ways I can get this done but your help will make it less time consuming.”

  This had Steve curious. “Ok tell me what you are thinking and then I will decide on whether or not it is risking my job over.” he said with a smile.

  Abby filled him in on her plan. Steve was intrigued. He wasn’t totally convinced it would work but he was willing to give it a try. They planned on meeting in the lobby at 7 o’clock in the morning. They each had their story for Jimmy. Abby was taking the day to get some last minute things done and needed some alone time. Steve had to have the plane in for maintenance, it wouldn’t be available all day. Jimmy seemed skeptical but he was going to be busy as well and was glad that Abby wasn’t going to be bored all day.