PRT 338- “Rock of Love”
“I have a really bad feeling about
this.” Raye said.
“So do I, but she said she was
sure.” I said.
“Guys, hush, Adam will be here any
minute.” Lita said.
“I can’t imagine how he must be
feeling right now.” Andrew said.
“I’d never do that with my ex.”
Serena said.
“Serena, you don’t have any exes.
I was you first boyfriend.”
I walked over and opened the door,
“Hey Adam.” I said.
“Hey
“No worried. Come on in. Make
yourself at home.”
A bunch of my friends had come
over to my apartment to watch Mina appear on Brett’s show. Mostly it was so be
could offer support for Adam. In spite of the fact he claimed to be fine with
it, we all knew it had to hurt for Mina to be doing this. I, for one, thought
it was incredibly dumb…but having the past with Jon that I did I also understood why she did it.
“Where’s RJ?” Serena asked.
“JKP. Had to work late.” I said.
“That sucks.”
I nodded.
“Shh…it’s
coming on.” Raye said.
Mina
~~~~
I was in my trailer getting ready
for the show when there was a knock.
“Come in.” I said.
Brett walked in, “Hey…wow, you
look great.”
I sighed, “Thanks.”
“I just wanted to tell you thank
you again for doing this. It makes me really happy you’re here.”
“I still don’t understand why this
is so important to you.”
“Mina, you are a very important
part of my past. I’ve been completely head over heels, madly in love twice in
my life. You and Kristy...I really want your approval here.”
“So why not
Kristy?”
“She’s the mother of my
children…of course I want her approval…but we decided it’s
best she not be on the show. We’re trying to keep the girls away from it.
Having both their parents on it would be too much.”
I nodded, “Fair enough.”
“And for the record I’m sorry I
hurt you and I’m glad you found someone to treat you as you deserve.”
“Thank you Brett.”
He smiled, “See you out there
Beautiful Girl.”
He walked out of the trailer and I
sat down in front of the mirror and sighed.
“What are you doing Mina? What are
you doing?” I asked myself.
As I sat there I thought about the
first time I met Brett.
I was 18 and Michelle and I were eating lunch when Brett
walked in. I had heard of Brett and knew he and Michelle were friends, but I’d
never met him.
“Michi?” he asked.
“Brett? Oh my god! Hey!” she cried as she stood up and
hugged him.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m good. Engaged.”
“I heard…boybander.”
We’ll skip that part of the conversation…Michelle doesn’t
like that boyband ex of hers discussed…ever.
“And who is this?” Brett asked looking at me.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Brett, this is my best friend Mina
Gordon. Mina, this is Brett Richards.”
Brett smiled at me, “It’s very nice to meet you.”
I blushed, “Likewise.”
“I’m just picking up some food to go but…maybe I’ll see you
later Mina?”
I nodded, “Yeah, hopefully.”
“Take care.”
“Brett…wait…here.” I said handing
him a contact card I had with my phone number on it, “Call me.”
Brett smiled and took the card, “You bet I will.”
After Brett left Michelle looked at me with the most
disapproving look.
“What?!” I cried.
“Brett? Seriously? Brett?!” she
cried.
“What’s wrong with Brett? He’s gorgeous and I’ve always
been a fan of his music.”
“Brett is a player. He doesn’t know how to settle down. If
you date him he will break your heart.”
“I know Brett is a rockstar and I
know what that means. I just think he’s cute.”
“Just be careful Mina. Seriously.”
“Oh, it will be fine.”
“Famous last
words.” I muttered to myself.
“10 minutes!” the director yelled
as he banged on the door of my trailer.
“Ok!” I responded.
I took a deep breath. I knew these
girls all wanted Brett but they really didn’t know what they were getting into.
Slutty skanks or not…they were in for heartbreak. I
knew.
Brett and I had been dating for a couple of years. We’d had
our ups and downs…several break ups and make ups…but we were happy. On this day
he was off on tour and Michelle and I were having a sleep over at her house
since Jon (her husband by this time) was off on tour himself. We were sprawled
out on her bed surfing the ‘net on her laptop. It was mindless fun until we
came across a website called “Groupie Central”. It was basically a website that
groupies could detail their encounters with rockstars.
Michelle and I wasted no time look up our men. All of Jon’s stories were from
past groupies…like way past…like when Michelle was practically his groupie too
past. Nothing she didn’t already know basically. Then there was Brett. Groupies
were telling stories from his CURRENT tour. Yes, that’s right.
When Brett got home from that tour I confronted him.
“We really need to talk.” I said.
“Can it wait, I just got home.” He said.
“No, it can’t. It’s been waiting for a couple of weeks
already.”
“Fine, make it quick.”
“I was on the internet and found some stories about
you…they were from groupies. Brett, I want the truth, did you sleep with any
groupies while you were on this tour?”
Brett sighed, “Yeah, I did.”
I took a deep breath. I knew he’d done it but hearing him
admit it felt like I’d been stabbed. “OK, that’s all I needed to hear.” I
grabbed a duffle bag I’d already packed.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I’m leaving. I’ll send for the rest of my stuff. I’m
moving out.”
“Mina, wait…I love you.” He said as he grabbed my arm.
“You don’t love me! If you did you wouldn’t have cheated on
me with those groupie sluts!” I cried.
“It meant nothing. It was just physical!”
“So does that mean it means nothing when we’re together?”
“No. That is more than physical. I love you Mina.”
“Ok…so if I go sleep with some guy fan next time I’m on the
road you wouldn’t be pissed? It won’t mean anything.”
“That’s different.”
“How is that different?! I have fans too. I’m sure I could
have a hundred guys lined up to have meaningless sex with me if that’s what I
wanted!”
“I know you could…but you wouldn’t. You’re better than me.
You’re a better person. You’re pure and kind and sweet…I know you’re too good
for me Mina and I know I screwed up. Please give me a chance to make this
right.”
“You can never make this right.”
“Mina, don’t leave me. Please.”
I sighed, “If you ever, ever, ever cheat on me again I’ll
leave you so fast it’ll make your head spin.”
Brett nodded, “I understand.”
I put my bag down, “Fine, I’ll stay.”
“Come here.” Brett said pulling me into his arms, “I love
you so much.”
“I love you too.” I whispered as he held me.
“If you were smart you’d have kept
walking.” I muttered to myself.
“I tried to warn you.” I heard a male
voice say. I looked behind me. Artemis had come through and open window.
“Artemis…you startled me.” I said.
“Sorry Mina. But I did try to warn
you.”
“Yeah, you did.”
“I never liked Brett.”
I laughed, “You made that
obvious.”
“How? I couldn’t talk around him. You have any idea how annoying
that was?”
“You didn’t have to talk for him
to get the message. You clawed his shoes, marked his clothes, and tried to
suffocate him in his sleep by curling up on his face.”
Artemis smiled, “Yeah…I did.”
“You never tried to smoother
Adam.”
“I never would. I like Adam. I CAN
talk to him and we’ve had some good conversations. He’s a much better man for
you Mina. DON’T BLOW IT!”
I sighed, “I have no intention of
blowing it with Adam. I’m going to marry Adam. I’ll be Mrs. Mina Park before
long.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I don’t know.”
“Brett is like poison.”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t all bad. You
remember the time he took me to
Brett had just finished touring in support of his latest
album and I was pissed because the album had more songs inspired by Michelle
than myself. Brett claimed that he had no feelings for Mich,
but she was his muse. I called BS and spent the entire tour furious. To try to
get on my good side Brett decided to take me on a trip any place in the world I
wanted.
We got to the hotel and settled in. It was a beautiful room
and I was actually really happy to be with Brett.
“Thank you.” I whispered as I hugged him.
“You know I love you Mina…nothing else matters but that.”
He whispered back.
I smiled and jumped over to the bed.
“Ohhh, so that’s what you wanna do first?”
“Of course, my favorite thing.”
“Mm…me too.” Brett said crawling up on the bed next to
me. He leaned over to kiss me but I rolled the other way and grabbed the
remote, “What are you doing?”
“I told you. My favorite thing. British TV!”
“British TV? Seriously?”
I nodded and cuddled in Brett’s arms and I channel surfed.
Brett wrapped his arms around me, “I guess I could learn to
like this.”
I smiled, “British TV and my man. Life is perfect.”
Brett kissed my head, “Yeah, it is.”
“Yeah, Brett could be smooth, gotta give him credit for that.” Artemis said bitterly.
“He loved me.” I said.
“In his way I’m sure he did.”
“Yeah. What are you doing here anyway?”
“Wanted to make sure you were ok.”
“I’m fine. You know that. Did you
come here to scratch the skanks?”
“No…although that would be fun.”
“I can see it now. ‘Oh, cute kitty
cat’, and when they lean down to pet you, *scratch*”.
Artemis smirked…as much as a cat
can smirk.
“No Artemis. They will sue.”
“Ok, ok. I won’t attack the
girls.”
“Or Brett.”
Artemis sighed, “Or Brett.”
“You just stay here. I’m gonna go do my thing and I’ll be back.”
“Be careful Mina.”
“I’ll be fine. You be good.”
I left the trailer and went to the
waiting area they had. Two other girls were there. One from
each of the other seasons of the show where Brett tried to find love.
Heather was from the first season and Ambre was the
winner from the second season. She’d actually dated Brett for 10 months.
“Hi.” I said softly.
“Mina Gordon? Wow…a blast from
Brett’s past.” Ambre said.
“And you are?” I asked.
“Ambre
and this is Heather. We’re from seasons 1 and 2”.
I rolled my eyes.
“I take it you don’t approve of
Brett’s dating endeavors?” Heather asked.
I scoffed, “I think it’s retarded
but it’s his life. Luckily I have an amazing fiancée.”
“You guys ready?” a security guard
asked.
We nodded and Brett announced us.
We walked on to the make shift stage area.
“Ambre,
Heather, and Mina, thank you for being here.” Brett said.
The contestant girls all looked
uncomfortable. I wish, for a second, Artemis would scratch their eyes out. Of
course when Brett brought out the girls’ exes the tension rose.
“Here’s how it’s gonna go down. Ambre and Heather
are going to go talk to the exes. Mina and I will go talk to the girls. Finally
Ambre and Heather will interrogate the ex couples
together.” Brett explained.
Ambre and Heather went off with the guys while I followed Brett
and the girls to another room.
“Ok girls, if you know anything
about me you know who Mina Gordon is. She and I dated for several years and
we’ve been through a lot together. A part of me will always care deeply for
this woman…married or not, so it’s important you all get to know her. Mina, I’d
like you to meet each of the remaining six girls. We have Beverly, Brittanya (pronounced “Brit-tanya”),
Taya, Jamie, Mindy, and Ashley.” Brett said.
“Ashley and I have met.” I
mumbled.
“Right…”
“Well girls, it’s nice to meet all
of you. I really do want Brett to find the happiness I’m experiencing so I hope
one of you can be that for him. I hope to talk to each of you a little and get
a feel for why you’re really here and what you’re looking for.” I said.
I stood back and watched the girls
interact with Brett for a bit but I noticed
“Hey girl, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“Didn’t you notice my ex didn’t
show up?” she asked.
“Yeah, you got off easy.”
“He didn’t care enough to come
here.”
“That’s kinda
good. If he doesn’t care about you that gives you room
to move on…maybe with Brett.”
“He knows how important this is to
me.”
“Girl, if you’re this upset to not
see your ex here then maybe you should question if you’ve really moved on.” I
said as I stood up and moved to the next girl. I sat down next to Jamie. “Hey.”
Jamie smiled, “Hi.”
“How’s it going?”
“Not bad. I’m a big fan of your
music. You totally rock.”
“Thanks.”
“Yeah, especially your song, ‘Badway’…it’s like so rock and the guitars are amazing and
‘Number One Camera’…oh my god, the hook is so catchy but it’s still so…I love
it.”
I shifted uncomfortably, this girl
was star struck. “Um, are you a fan of Brett too?”
“Oh totally? Aren’t you?”
“Back in the day he had some good
songs. Honestly, there’s not a lot of his recent music I’m in to. But then
again I didn’t date him because of his music ability. I really cared about him
and the man he was.”
Jamie looked at me, “Of course. He
seems like a really amazing man.”
“He can be.”
“I figure that the first time I
heard ‘Something to Believe In’. Only a great man could write a song with so
much feeling.”
I sighed,
this girl was a groupie…not a girlfriend. I stood up and went to Brittanya. “Hi. How are you?” I asked.
“I’m ok.” She said softly.
“Nervous about
the interrogation with the ex?”
“He’s not even really my ex.”
“Oh. Friend with
benefits?”
“Something like
that.”
“I know what that’s like.”
“You’ve had one?”
“No, not me, but
my friend Michelle. Actually back in
the day Brett was her friend with benefits.”
“Back in the
day? Like when you were dating him?”
I laughed, “God no. Way before that.
“Brett cheated on you?”
“Oh yeah. Many times.”
“He’d never cheat on me.”
“You sure about
that sunshine?”
“Yeah. I’m enough woman he wouldn’t need anyone else.”
“Oy…I’m
sure you are hun.”
“Are you mocking me?” she asked,
her voice rising.”
“No, of course
not. Nice talking to you.” I said
moving on to Taya.
“You ok?” she asked.
“Fine. This is a bit more than I expected I guess.” I said.
“You should try living in it. It’s
a nuthouse.”
I laughed, “I gathered as much.”
“So I assume you want to know
about me and if I’m the girl for Brett?”
“That is why I’m here, yes.”
“Well about me…I am a Penthouse
model and I am very proud of my career. I do care about Brett though and he’s
why I’m here.”
“You’re a Penthouse model?” I
asked.
“Yeah…you know,
if you’re interested I could probably get you a layout.”
I made a face,
I couldn’t help it, “No thanks. My fiancé is the only one that needs to see my
body.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Being a model of any type is a intense career. Do you think you can handle dating Brett
with his career?”
“It wouldn’t be a problem. I mean
I do a lot of jobs but…”
“Ok…I should go talk to the next
girl. Nice meeting you.” I said. I didn’t need to hear about her career
anymore. I moved on to Ashley.
“Nice to see you
again.” I said as I sat next to her.
“No it’s not. Don’t pretend. I
know you don’t like me.” She snapped.
“You’re right. I don’t.”
“Why? Is it because I’m a
stripper?”
“Um, well, no because I didn’t
even know that until right now…although I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“I know girls like you Mina. I’ve
known you my whole life. You’re the stuck up snobs that live on the hill and
think you’re all better than me…but you’re not. You don’t have the guts to be
me. You treat me like nothing because you’re jealous that you’re not me.”
“Ok, I was gonna
try to be nice to you but you wanna play that? Fine. I don’t think I’m better than you but I sure as hell
know how to present myself better. I wear clothes that actually make me look
respectable and I don’t walk around like a slut. That’s the real difference
between me and you. I respect myself and you feel like you’re nothing unless
you’re using sex to get ahead. I have no problem with your chosen profession but
I certainly have a problem with how you choose to present yourself outside of
the club. It’s trashy and honestly, Brett can do better than you. He has done
better than you. And I hope he does do better than you..”
Ashley glared, “You’re a bitch.”
“Yes I am. I’m also out of here.”
I stood up and went to the last girl, Mindy.
“Looks like you and Ashley didn’t
exactly hit it off.” Mindy said.
“Ya
think?” I asked.
“She’s a handful. Don’t worry…she
hates everyone. She thinks she’s awesome and we’re all lame.”
“I just can’t stand girls like
her. They drive me crazy.”
“Try living with her.”
“I think I just assume kill myself
first.”
Mindy laughed, “I don’t blame
you.”
I looked at her, “You are the most
normal girl I’ve talked with since I got here. You’re not crying or screaming
or bragging…I have to know, what are you doing here?”
Mindy smiled, “I care about Brett.
I’ve made mistakes in the past, as my ex will a test to I’m sure, but I am
ready for a relationship and I think Brett could be it.”
“You realize his life is insane,
right?”
“Yeah. I know. I also think I could handle it. I wouldn’t be here
still if I didn’t.”
I nodded, “OK. Fair
enough.”
When all was said and done I went
back to a green room with Brett. I sat with him and watched the interrogations.
It was interesting. Beverly appeared to really have issues surrounding her ex, Taya couldn’t get a word in edgewise due to her loudmouth
chauvinist ex, Mindy did fine and was open in honest as I expected, Jamie’s ex
claimed she was a groupie, Brittanya ended up trying
to beat up Heather and spit on Ambre, and Ashley
admitted she still lived with her ex-boyfriend but she claimed they never slept
together anymore; which her ex disputed.
“Mina,
thoughts?” Brett asked.
“Kick Brittanya and Ashley to the curb first and foremost. Keep Mindy. I also like
Ambre and Heather joined us and mostly agreed with my
assessments. We all agreed Britanya had to go,
although our thoughts on Ashley varied, but we all also thought Mindy was the
most down to Earth, honest one there.
Brett nodded, “Thank you girls.
It’s time to make a decision.”
“Brett, wait…I need a second with
you.”
“Ok.”
We went off to the side.
“Listen, I figure you’re probably
eliminating Brittanya tonight. After spitting on Ambre I think that’s a given…but if you do keep Ashley ask
her flat out if she still wants her ex. I don’t think she’s over him and I
think you could get hurt. I don’t want to see that. I really do want you to be
happy.” I said.
Brett nodded, “I will think about
everything you’ve said…and believe it or not I’m glad Adam makes you happy. You
deserve it, Beautiful Girl.”
“Goodbye Brett…and good luck.” I
hugged him.
“Goodbye Mina. Thank you…for
everything you’ve done for me.”
I walked back to the trailer.
Artemis was at the front door.
“Are you ok Mina?” Artemis asked.
“I’m fine.” I said as I picked up
Artemis and hugged him.
He nuzzled his hose against my
face, “It’ll be ok Mina. You have a better life now.”
“You’re right, I do…let’s go
home.”
I took Artemis and we went back to
the apartment we shared with Adam.
“Hey.” I said. He looked like he’d
just gotten home.
“Hey.” He said.
“Where were you?” I asked.
“At Michelle’s. A group of us watched the show over there.”
“Oh…what did you think?”
“The girls laughed…except Michelle
when you mentioned her being Brett’s friend with benefits. She mocked being
offended…I don’t think she really was.”
“And what did you think?”
“I think you and Brett looked
tight.”
“You know he’s my past.”
Adam nodded, “I know. I also saw
you say that you wanted him to be as happy as you.”
“Of course I do. I want everyone
to be as happy as me.. Adam, you’re my world. I love
you so much.”
“I love you too Mina.”
“This Brett thing is over. I
promise.” I said as I walked over to Adam.
Adam took me in his arms, “Good…it’s
just you and me?”
“Just you and
me.” I said.
“And me…can someone fill my bowl
please? I hate to break up this tender moment, but I’m hungry.” Artemis said.
I laughed, “Just the three of us.”
And what a life it was…chaotic perfection.