Author's note: Thank you's to the other Chris fans out there that enjoyed the first chapter and sent me words of encouragement. I realize this story targets a very niche audience, but we're dedicated. The trilogy will wrap up with one more chapter. If you have a special Chris fantasy, I'd love to hear it.
*
The two bodyguards stood in front of the door with menacing looks on their faces. I wasn't impressed. I wondered whose idea it was to have them.
"Well?" I asked again. "Are you going to let me in or not?"
"Lookit lady, we said no, ok? Now just run along," said the one on the right. He was big, but not muscular – it was mostly fat. The kind of fat that started at the base of the skull and ran all the way down to the feet. I wondered how he was able to find shoes for those big fat feet.
I sighed and turned, but not without enduring one more indignity.
"Of course..." began the one on the left who had remained quiet up 'til now. "Me and my boys could take you on."
I didn't even turn around to deliver a comeback. It wasn't worth it. Instead I stalked off to the elevator and went back to my room. Once inside I felt the shame redden my face as I sunk down on the bed. What started out as a potentially adventurous weekend was turning into a dud.
I turned the TV on and flipped around the ten or so channels that were provided and thought about things. Maybe if I had spent a little more time thinking I wouldn't be in this situation. Thirty brooding minutes later I finally noticed the light flashing on the phone. I had a message.
"Hi, um, Kat...this is Chris Cornell. Wow, like I saw you in the lobby tonight and I'm sorry I didn't recognize you at first. I wasn't, ah, expecting it. Anyway, I guess you're here to see the show and that's cool. I was, um, wondering if you would like to come up to our suite later for the post show party. Nothing too fancy. Um, so call the room first so I can have you let in, ok? So...hope to see you."
I listened to it twice more and hung up and stared at the phone. Holy shit, he called! Dashing into the bathroom I surveyed myself in the mirror and was satisfied with what I had on and how my hair was arranged. I took a few deep breaths and picked up the phone and dialed the suite number.
After four rings someone picked up and there was lots of noise in the background.
"Hello?" said a male voice.
"Um, may I speak to Chris?" I asked.
"What? You gotta speak up."
"Chris...can I talk to Chris?" I said loudly.
"Yeah, sure...hang on."
The phone was dropped and all I could hear was music and people talking and yelling and even singing. Whoever answered the phone was shouting for Chris over the din. Finally after what seemed like an eternity I heard the phone pick up.
"Hello, this is Chris."
His voice sounded rough from singing and I almost lost my nerve and hung up.
"Hello?" he said again, but not angrily.
"Hi, Chris...it's...it's Kat."
"Kat! Hey, how are ya?" he shouted. "You got my message."
"Yeah. Um, thanks for calling."
"Hey, no problem. You wanna come up?"
I laughed.
"What's so funny?" he asked. It sounded like he had moved somewhere quiet. I could hear some noise but it was muffled.
"Nothing. I'll come up. Tell your boys at the door to let me in this time."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind," I said, laughing again. "Be right there."
We hung up and I went back up to the suite. This time it was different. I faced the goons and told them to let me in. They apologized profusely and stood aside to allow me entrance.
I was immediately struck by the noise and smoke of cigarettes and other things. Everyone was drinking and having a good time by the looks of it. I scanned the place for Chris and finally spotted him making some drinks by the makeshift bar. As I plowed through the crowd, no one seemed to take notice of me. When I reached him I stopped and cleared my throat.
He looked up abruptly and his face broke into a wide smile. I almost melted. He handed me the drink he just made.
"Tequila sunrise...just for you," he said.
I took it and stood there, not knowing what to say.
"Enjoy the show?" he asked, trying to break through.
"Y-yes...it was great," I said lamely.
"This is uncomfortable for you, isn't it?" he asked.
I nodded. "Sorry...I'm not used to this...whatever..."
"That's ok, I know just the thing." He placed his hand on my arm and I felt that incredible heat again. I had forgotten what his touch was like. "Follow me."
He steered me across the suite to a door which led to another suite. That one was empty. We slipped inside and he shut the door and locked it. A quick look around told me it was his sleeping quarters. Suitcases were stacked in the corner and newspapers littered the table. An open guitar case lay on the bed.
We stood there for a moment assessing each other.
"So...what's going on with you?" he asked still standing.
"Oh, I live in Tucson now."
He raised an eyebrow. "Done running, are you?"
I swallowed. "Yes. All done. I moved there a few months ago."
He nodded. "Then that explains why I couldn't get a hold of you."
"You tried to call me?" I asked, incredulous.
"Oh yeah. I told you I would. I still have your card." And, as to make a point, he went over to a table that was littered with papers and found an organizer. He pulled my card out of a pocket and proudly displayed it to me. "See?"
"Yup. Well, I'm flattered."
He made a mock frown. "But I called you and you weren't there."
"I know, I'm sorry. When I moved I changed numbers...it was easier to-"
"No apologies, I understand."
We were still standing. He looked good close up. Previously that night I had seen him briefly in the lobby but he was being whisked away by his entourage. Later I saw him on stage in all his glory as he sang and strutted with the band. Now he was calm and maybe a little tired, but smelling fresh and clean.
"Looking California and feeling Minnesota," I said suddenly.
He burst out laughing. I smirked, sat down on the couch and took a long swallow of my drink. I had been drinking all evening and it was making me do silly things. But there were more things to do and I hoped I had the nerve. At least the desire was there. It had been buried since early last summer when we met in the desert.
Relationships are never easy to end, but when I went back to Texas after spending that one night with Chris, I realized it was time to move on. And I did. I quit my job and my relationship, sold my condo and moved further west and south to Tucson. Out there I was anonymous and it was refreshing.
Chris joined me on the couch, but not too close. There was a bit of awkwardness between us.
"So, tell me...what happened after I left you," he asked reading my thoughts.
I set the drink down. "Well, that morning after we, um, said good-bye, I actually turned around and headed east to catch up with you."
