I had several requests to continue this story, so here you are. Bailey and Eddie are back together.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. I appreciate the opportunity to tell the story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was sitting in the theatre, watching the credits roll upwards on the big screen. Most of the people who had been watching the movie with me had already left, but I stayed in my seat.
I was here alone today. That really wasn't usual for me, as I often attended movies alone, even if I had a girlfriend, which wasn't the case right now. I hadn't been able to keep a woman in my life for the last two years, at least, not for longer than a few weeks at a time. That coincided with my increased interest in the movie business.
Ah, there it is
...the reason for my distraction in terms of female companionship. The name, moving slowly up the screen, lost amongst the hundreds of other names to most, but glaringly obvious to me...and half the reason I wanted to see this movie in the first place.
I said 'half the reason', and it was relatively true. I always had a thing for Scarlett Johansson, which I'm sure puts me in a club with the majority of men on the planet. That 'thing' began long before I met her...I still have the pictures of that day at lunch on my phone to prove it...and before I slept with her stunt double. Given the resemblance between the two, I suppose the name on the screen now might be given more than half the credit for my attendance today.
Bailey Lewis. Now that was a great memory. A couple of weeks of incredible sex, in various interesting places. Lunch with Scarlett. It was, to say the least, fun.
Fun I wouldn't mind getting a little more of. It had been two years, but if you don't ask, you'll never get an answer. I tapped my phone, waking it up, and scrolled through my contact list, stopping in the 'K's. There was the person who might be able to answer my question.
I suppose it was hardly fair to ask any woman to match up with my memories. That's the real reason I hadn't been able to keep a girlfriend in my life since Bailey. It's almost as though I had really been with Scarlett, as the line between them was a little blurry, especially when I kept seeing her over and over on the big screen in various movies. By 'her', I mean Scarlett...or Bailey. I was having a problem with who was who. In my mind, it was almost as though
Scarlett
was
Bailey's
stand-in. I knew who really did the hard stuff, and who was the on-screen eye candy.
My phone crackled to life, and I heard it ring three times.
"You got Keith," I heard. During the time Bailey was in town, I had been folded into her circle of friends, which included a few of her fellow stunt performers...and the hulk, Keith, who had maintained contact even after the rest of the travelling circus had left town. You can never have too many friends, especially those who are as big as your basic silverback gorilla. If nothing, he'd be handy should I ever need to move a piano.
"Yo! Dude...how's tricks?" I laughed. "Lift any cars lately?" It was more than witty banter, as Keith's physique was more than just show. He participated in 'strongest man' competitions, and was getting a reputation for it. I had a feeling his set security days were numbered.
"Eddie!" he rumbled back. "What's up, you scrawny, lucky little turd?" It was said with affection, or at least the 'bro' version. He had called me variations of the 'lucky turd' moniker ever since we met...and I had benefited from Bailey's attention. To him, she was like a little sister, so it wouldn't pay to make her unhappy, and have to deal with an angry Keith.
"I'm at the movies, and just saw Bailey's name scroll past," I said seriously. "Have you heard anything from her lately?" It got quiet on the other end.
"I'm not sure I can answer that, pal," he said, like distant thunder. "I kind of promised I wouldn't." I suppose he realized that his comment might sound like she didn't want to see me, and clarified. "She's not ducking you, bud." Another silent pause followed, then he continued. "I guess I
could
tell you they're starting work on a sequel in a couple of weeks. Someone we both know will be back in town then, for a month or so, but you didn't hear it from me. That someone wanted her presence to be a surprise, and she'll have my balls if you wreck it."
I still found it amusing that a 5'4", 130 pound woman could intimidate a monster over a foot taller and 200 pounds heavier. I mean, she
was
intimidating... she intimidated me, a little... but for different reasons. Personal ones.
"My lips are sealed," I smiled, "but thanks for not telling me. I owe you one."
"Bring me a coffee sometime and we'll call it even," he laughed. "Talk to you later." The line clicked off.
Two weeks. I could wait two weeks. For her? No problem.
I just hoped I could sleep until then.
***
Two weeks is a long time to be excited. After a week or so, I felt like a kid before Christmas, knowing she was coming back to visit.
I ran through the memories of two weeks, nearly two years ago. That visit had been cut short...Bailey had been called away on another production, one that only needed her stunt performance, and not her closeup double work for Scarlett. I hoped this time would make up for it, and she would be here longer than scheduled.
Bailey had spent several nights in my bed last time around, and not just on the occasion of her doing a stunt and needing a release afterward. I had the distinct impression that we were becoming more than just physical, but never had the opportunity to explore that thought before she left. Maybe this time...
"Who the hell is that?" I cursed, as a loud knock on the door interrupted both my thoughts, and the TV show I wasn't really watching. I stood, and went to the door, looking out the peep hole.
Nothing. Just empty hallway. I opened the door quickly and stepped out, looking down the hall toward the elevator, expecting to see...I don't know...maybe someone delivering flyers or something. No one was there. I muttered under my breath and turned back, retracing the three steps I had taken in that direction. I was still grumbling as I closed the door behind me.
"Hi!" the cute blonde chirped from her seat on my couch.
The voice surprised me, and I jumped, eyes wide, until I recognized who it was.
"Bailey!" I gasped, looking around comically, wondering how the hell she got in. Apparently, she had added 'ninja' to her skills list, slipping silently past me while I was looking the wrong way down the hallway.
She laughed, and walked over to where I was trying to get my heart started again. "How? What? When?" I blurted.
"First...I'm sneaky. Second...you know what, and third...about an hour ago," she smiled, stepping into my arms. "Surprised to see me?"
Surprised? Yeah, you could say that, and I knew you were coming...just not so soon, and certainly not so quietly
. My mouth wasn't making noises, hanging open, so she took charge.
"I'm sorry," she giggled. "I should have called. Oh my! I'm not interrupting someone, am I?" she asked, suddenly realizing that I might have been with someone.
