Page 61 of Uncharted Desires
West let out a long breath. He didn’t want to tell them first. There would have been a time, probably even ten days ago, where they would have been the first to know, but now he felt like he owed Kat that answer first. But as two pairs of expectant eyes glared at him, he nodded, and they both smiled at him, clearly happy with his decision.
West wasn’t so sure he had made the right one if these two were so on board. He tilted back the rest of his drink. He had talked to his accountant that afternoon, and after the tour, the trips, and all their expenses, his accounts weren’t looking so good.
West had been right about his music streams going up thanks to his disappearance, but until he figured out where his money was disappearing to, he needed a large payday, and Onslaught Pictures was offering a lot of zeros to do two pictures, provided the first one did well at the box office.
Kat’s disappointed face flashed through his mind, but he pushed it aside. He had to do something, and she just didn’t understand this part of his life. This was the one time where the fact that they came from two different worlds played a role in their relationship. It would take time for her to understand that acting was a sacrifice for him, not the easy way out.
He looked over at Declan and Luke, sipping on their drinks, and was ready to leave them and get back to Kat. If he had learned anything after his time on the island, it was that he was done with shallow conversations and pointless parties.
“I have dinner with my dad and a press event later tonight. I’ll see you guys later,” West said.
“I’m flying back to L.A. tomorrow with Gia since you’re safe,” Luke said.
West left the bar realizing his longest friendship had completely changed forever, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about it.
Seventeen
Why did he agree to dinner with his father and Kat’s mother? He just wanted to be alone with Kat. He completely understood that Mrs. Brooks would want to be with her daughter, but he wanted to be with her more. He needed to tell her how he felt about her before they went back to L.A. in the morning. After everything they had been through together, he knew he would never find anyone who understood him as she did, and he wanted to be with her, preferably forever, in whatever capacity she wanted. He was thinking about marrying the woman. An idea that had previously felt so dated and old-fashioned now sounded like the perfect life if it was with Kat.
He sipped his whiskey and watched his father shamelessly flirt with Mrs. Brooks over the rim of his glass. He could tell they had spent a lot of time together over the past few weeks, and their conversation flowed easily. It didn’t really bother him; he was used to seeing his father flirt and tease women, although they were usually much younger than Mrs. Brooks. He must have said something funny, as she laughed, her eyes crinkling the same way her daughter’s did, and West ached to see Kat. It had only been a few hours, and already he was missing her.
“Where is Katy?” Mrs. Brooks voiced his thoughts, as she looked around the hotel restaurant.
“I’m sure she’ll be down momentarily,” his father said, patting her hand reassuringly. West’s eyes narrowed in on that small touch, wondering if the two had been up to anything else these past few weeks. He wouldn’t put it past his father to take advantage of Mrs. Brooks.
Kat’s mom turned to West and smiled. “I hear you’re going to be in a movie?”
West almost choked on his drink. He didn’t want to talk about this in front of his father, who had somehow found out—from Declan most likely. “I’m still considering my options,” was all he could reply.
His dad scoffed. “Like some prancing pony.”
“That’s not very kind, Tommy,” she admonished, and if West’s eyes could have fallen out of his sockets they would have. To West she said, “You can call me Doris. I think after everything you and my daughter have been through there is no need for formalities.”
“Uh . . . I haven’t signed any deal yet, ma’am.” West nodded, still stunned she had said anything to his father, and also not wanting his father to know what he’d actually decided.
“Well, whatever you decide to do, just make sure it’s what you’re truly passionate about. Everyone always gave me such grief for letting Katy go to UCLA for music, but I believed in letting her choose her own path. I told all my kids, whatever you do, you do it well.”
She gave a pointed look at his father, who looked chagrined, and for a moment West wondered if this is what his life would have been like if he’d had a mother to keep his father in check.
His father cleared his throat, piercing West with his eyes. “She’s right, of course. I’m sure if you put your mind to it, you’ll be rather good.”
West gazed longingly at the door and debated the merits of running away. Was he in the twilight zone? His father had just said something sort of nice to him. He brought the glass of whiskey to his lips and downed the rest of it, unsure what to say to a comment like that. Thankfully, he was saved.
“Oh! Here she is,” Doris exclaimed, seeing Kat at the door.
She had been beautiful on the island, full of strength and courage. Her clothes had been torn apart, her body stitched up, covered in dirt, hair a mess, and he hadn’t cared. To him, she was a warrior queen.
Now she stood before him in the doorway, and it wasn’t the dress that hugged her curves in all the right ways, the makeup that perfectly accentuated her features, or her hair that flowed down her back that drew his attention. It was the confidence that flowed from her in waves that drew West to her. Without thinking, he rose from his chair and walked toward her, offering his arm.
She looked down at it and smiled, slipping her arm into his. He walked her across the restaurant and held out her chair. Sure, these were all antiquated male rituals, but after days on an island, she deserved a little pampering.
“You look beautiful, Katy,” her mother said. “Even if that dress is a bit tight.”
“Thanks, I guess,” she said, dipping her head behind the menu. West saw firsthand how a compliment from her came with a backhanded comment. It seemed she hadn’t changed much in the absence of her daughter. And yet, Doris Brooks had greatly affected his father. He was being nicer to West, and seemed more relaxed.
“Oh, I see you have your grandmother’s bracelet on,” her mother said.
Kat lifted her wrist, and West noticed the gold band with a turquoise pendant in the middle. “Your grandmother asked if you had it. Were you wearing it?” her mother continued.