“You come from a rather entrepreneurial family,” Janet said as she waved goodbye to Billy and Joanne, her two newest friends.
They had had a wonderful time joking and talking as she and Wes watched Billy devour enough food to feed a small army. Janet supposed he had to eat that much just to stay alive. He was huge; almost twice the width of Wes and about five inches taller.
Wes scoffed as he buckled up, started the car and drove on. “Billy’s dreaming! His grand delusion of being a talent agent is ridiculous. He’s in for a rude awakening if he thinks it’s gonna be that easy. It takes more than a would-be baseball player not even out of high school and a singer to make it in that business. If he expects it to happen just like that,” he said snapping his fingers. “It’s just not gonna happen. He’s sadly mistaken if he expects Marc and Luke to be his meal tickets to fame and riches.”
“But they said Marc is really good, that he really could make it to the major leagues,” Janet said.
“Janet, there’s good and then there’s major league good. Marc may be in the top one percent of high school kids wanting to get into pro sports…maybe. To make it to the majors, he’d have to be in the top one percent of the top one percent. I just don’t see that happening.”
“And Luke?” Janet asked.
“Truthfully? Luke is the most musically talented person I know. He can pick up any instrument and learn to play it within minutes…perfectly! He’s amazing!”
“And he can sing, too?”
“He’s a great singer,” Wes said.
“So, then Billy’s right. He could be big if…”
“Well, here’s a secret that I don’t think anyone knows. Luke’s just not that ambitious. He has zero desire to be a rock star, to be famous and whatever else that comes with it. Sure, he loves to sing and he loves music and he’s really good at it, but he really doesn’t get a thrill out of all the attention. He hates it actually. And he hates that his dad pushes him in that direction. He wants Luke to be the next Justin Beiber or something!”
“Luke told you this?”
“Not exactly, but I see how he is when people ask him to sing. He’s modest about it, almost embarrassed. Does that sound like a rock star in the making?” Wes asked pointedly.
“No, I guess not, but everyone says he’s just awesome. When someone’s that good, they will be famous whether they want to be or not, won’t they?”
Wes laughed. “I don’t think it works that way. You gotta want to be a star to become one and I just don’t see him wanting it…unless he’s changed. It’s been more than three years since I’ve seen him.”
“Three years? Wes, he could be a totally different person now! I’ll bet he’s almost the next Justin Beiber already. At least in this town. Would explain all his fans coming to me to hook them up with him. Idiots!” Janet said derisively.
Wes laughed again. “Ah, my poor yenta has to deal with Luke’s fans even before he’s a rock star.”
She shrugged. “I can usually make them see reason.”
“How?” he asked curiously.
“I tell them he’s got a girlfriend already and they better pick someone else, someone’s who’s not a rock star,” she said.
"Not sure that'll work. Some girls just don't take no for an answer. They see a guy they want, even a married one and they're all over him. Kinda sick," he said derisively.
Janet frowned thinking about that. She couldn't imagine someone evil enough to try to break up a couple like that, but she knew they did in fact exist. She couldn't help hating them.
They fell silent but after a bit she spoke again. “Are you really going to do a website for Joanne for free?”
“Sure, why not? She’s almost family or will be when they do get married. I still can’t believe that,” he said turning onto his development.
“But it’s your job, it’s how you make your money. If you give it away…”
“It’s no big deal, Janet,” he assured, pulling into his driveway and turning off the car.
“Is this your house?” Janet incredulously said looking up at the large Tudor style home. “It’s beautiful!”
“Why don’t you wait until you come inside to say that? It’s probably a mess like usual,” he said, stepping out of the car and going around to her side. He opened her door and held out his hand to her. “Come on. I got something to show you.”
She gave him an impish grin as she took his hand and stepped out of the car. “Not sure I should. My fath…someone once told me never to trust a guy when they say that. They might show me something I won’t want to see.”
Wes laughed. “How about if I promise to be good?” he asked.
“Hmm…that might be okay if…” she stopped, her smile slowly vanishing when he stepped closer to her and put his hands on her hips. “What...what are you doing?”
“Nothing,” he said, stooping down and kissing her softly.
That most definitely was not nothing, not to her. Her heart pounded frantically and her head buzzed, even after he pulled away from her. It took a while for her to realize she was clutching at his shirt. She opened her hands and pushed against his chest. It was like trying to move a boulder.
“What do you have under here? A bullet proof vest?” she asked.
“No, that’s just me, my pecs,” he said.
“Pecs? What’s that?” she asked frowning slightly.
“Pectorals. Chest muscles and if you keep touching me like that, I’m gonna have to touch yours,” he said.
“ I don’t have chest muscles like this,” she said innocently.
“I’m sure I could find something enticing to rub in the general area. You have wonderful pectorals, Janet.” He laughed when he saw her eyes widen in shock and her mouth fall open.
“I can’t believe you just said that!” she said, trying not to smile. “You shouldn’t even be looking at my...my pecs.”
“Least I’m just looking,” he reminded her.
She swiftly pulled her hands away. “Um, sorry.”
“Do I look like I’m complaining?” he said. “It’s all about equal rights, you know.”
“Equal rights?” she said, making a face at him.
“Sure… tit for tat,” he said smirking.
“Wes!” Janet shouted, trying desperately not to laugh. She failed miserably.
They both burst out laughing and it took a while for them to stop. When they did, Wes wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Janet seemed to melt against him and he loved it.
“See? Any other girl would have smacked me for that,” he whispered in her ear.
“I’m not too sure I won’t yet,” she replied, breathlessly.
“No, you won’t,” he said, pulling back just far enough to look into her eyes.
“How do you know?” she asked.
He smiled and pushed a strand of silky hair out of her face. “You get me.”
“I do?” she said, incredulous. This was news to her!
“Yeah, you’re very comfortable.”
She looked her confusion. “What am I… an easy chair?”
He laughed and kissed the tip of her nose. “I mean I can tell you anything. I can be myself with you.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Who else would you be if not yourself?”
He stared in awe. “That’s why you make a perfect… friend, Janet. You’re real. There’s nothing phony about you. I’m definitely gonna keep you.”
Before she could respond to that he pulled her close and kissed her again. Head too fuzzy to think, she just clung to him until he abruptly pulled away.
“What?” she said.
“We should get inside before the neighbors call the moral police on us. Come on, I already promised I’ll be good. I never break my promises,” he said taking her hand and pulling her toward his house.
Janet, however, wasn’t too certain about that.
