The Unexpected Life of Carnegie Lane (23 page)

Then he would change the subject, hoping to steer the conversation in another direction. It usually worked. Nate had learnt over time that if you don’t put much emotion or emphasis behind the side questions, it usually allowed him to return to the focus point. Always promoting what is new and current. In a way, he had been lucky to keep much of his private life separate, especially where his past was concerned.

Carnegie had taken the girls shopping, which was a deadly thing to do, although since she had avoided using her credit card for as long as she had, there was plenty of room on it for spending. They were sitting at a café in the city center when Olivia’s phone rang. She talked for a while, then turned to her mother, the phone stretched out in front of her.

“Mum…it’s Dad.”

“Who?” Carnegie asked, she totally missed what she said.

“Dad…” Olivia said again.

“Who?” She asked again, not quite sure she had heard right.

“My father…your ex-husband!” Olivia made herself perfectly clear.

“Oh..”Carnegie took the phone cautiously. It had been a very long time since she had spoken to him, and none of their conversations had been particularly nice.

“Um…yep?” She questioned.

“Hi.” He said, as if nothing had ever happened. He even sounded pleased to hear her voice.

“Umm Hi?”

“Saw you in the paper today.”

“Oh...which one?” She asked casually, there were three that she knew of that had a story about her arriving at the airport with Nate… She was wondering which one he had.

“The Sydney Herald, you look good…Carnegie.”

She didn’t say anything. She was still a bit bewildered as to why he would want to speak to her.

“I…I guess you’re wondering why I called.”

“Not really, I rarely wonder anything where you’re concerned anymore.”

“I miss you…”

Again… Silence.

“I…I left Amanda….It didn’t work out.”

Like I didn’t see that coming
….Carnegie thought. “Oh…that’s a shame for you.” She said sarcastically.

“Maybe…we should catch up. Try to work it out.”

The entire conversation was almost comical to her.

“Don’t think so. I think the working out has already been and gone. Do you want to speak to one of your other children?” She really had nothing to say to this man. Not now, not ever.

“Carnegie…I guess I just want to say I’m sorry.”

“Yep…I could imagine you would be. Here’s Connor.”

She passed the phone to her son and began to drink her coffee in silent contemplation. She couldn’t believe he would call her after all this time. And now…that she might be getting her life back on track, he seemed interested. Her mind went back to that picture in which she would look for the missing piece, trying to figure out what wasn’t there that should be. Perhaps she should have been a writer then, and maybe he would have stayed.
Who knows…Too late now buddy
… She thought.

As much as she never wanted that divorce at the time, she was pleased now. It wasn’t about meeting Nate Bowman, or writing the book, it was about finding out the calibre of the man she believed was her entire world. He had a completely separate life to her, one she hadn’t been invited to live with him, even though they had promised to share what they had and be grateful for it. She felt no emotion for him now, even if they tried again, it would end at her insistence before it began. There was no more love to be lost or gained for either of them.

Carnegie was listening to the one sided conversation Sobian was now having with her father. He was trying to get information out of her, she didn’t have the answers and a bit like her mother, she didn’t have the time to give him.

“Dad…I don’t know…How would I know?” She looked at her mother mouthing the words. ‘
Wants to know about you and Nate
’.

Carnegie raised her eyebrows a little. Could it be possible the one who let her go was now jealous? That was almost a poetic justice too sweet for words.

After their coffee and milkshakes they walked back to the hotel. It was four in the afternoon. The girls were keen to go see if the band was doing anything exciting. Carnegie wanted to go and say hi to Nate, she hoped he would be back. Talking to her ex had made her realize, that maybe Nate did matter more than she wanted to admit.

She was a little disappointed when she found out that he wasn’t there. Leonie made her a coffee and went back to her room with her, they watched the kids go through all the stuff they had bought, and caught up a bit on the day’s progression.

“Well, you’re all over the papers…have you noticed?” Leonie had noticed…her phone hadn’t stopped ringing from journalists wanting an official statement, one way or the other.

“Yeah…I don’t know what all the fuss is about though.”

“It’s not necessarily about you, not yet. It’s who is with
him
and why that matters to the media right now.”

“Why the obsession?”

“He is a global obsession. And it’s that obsession that sells stories.”

There was a slight tone behind this conversation, one that Carnegie wanted to explore more. Leonie was protective of Nate, she could see that. She needed to know where she stood with her.

“So, what do you think? Why do you think Nate invited me here?”

“He hasn’t said much. He just tells me what to do and I do it.”

“But you know him better than most. I’m asking your opinion.”

“All I know is he wanted you here more than anything, and moved heaven and earth to make it happen. I also know, his sister Katalie isn’t that impressed.” She looked at Carnegie, interested to see her reaction. It was just as she suspected, she had no idea.

“Why?” She asked innocently.

“Because to Kat, you’re her client. And any publicity that happens around you and Nate before your book comes out, could affect the way it’s judged. That’s why.”

“Oh…I had no idea…She should have said something. I wouldn’t have come if I thought it would cause a problem between them both.”

“They
will
sort it out. Carnegie…I have to tell you, to be careful. Your book is about to be published. Nate is about to start the next leg of his tour, promoting the new single. If you get lost in his world, you could lose focus on your own. I think that is what Kat is the most worried about, underneath it all.”

“Oh... I have to talk to her…She has been so good to me.”

“It’s because she believes in you. I talked to her the other day. She said she would contact you when you get back from here. Have a chat. I think she is going to start arranging all the promotion that goes along with your book release. It’s getting closer all the time.”

“It’s an amazing feeling, having accomplished what I have. If you told me a year ago I was going to write a book and have it published, I would have laughed at you.”

“That’s the way it happens sometimes. You suddenly fall into your own destiny, and straight on your feet.”

“When will Nate be back?” Carnegie had been dying to ask.

“About an hour... I have to go and start getting gear ready for tonight’s show. Remember what I’ve said…Just be careful.”

“Thanks Leonie.” She answered as she finished off her coffee. Leonie slipped out the door and was gone, before she even had time to say goodbye. Watching the shadows of the day outside of her window, she wondered what it was she should be careful of. What could possibly happen to her now that could destroy what was happening to her?

Carnegie was nearly asleep on the lounge watching television when there was a knock at her door. She got up and answered it, and the smile that met her made her day.

“Hey you!” Nate said, as he walked straight in past her and sat on the lounge. “How was your day?”

“Great…but my credit card is still smoking from the experience. How was your day?” She sat down next to him, happy to hear all the exciting events she had missed.

“Same Same…got through a lot though, interviews mainly.”

“Ahhh…the demanding life of a rock star.”

“Yeah… and every now and then, I recognize that I’m an aging rock star let me tell you.”

“Aw… You’re not that old.”

“Old enough...You coming tonight?”

“I’ll see how up to it the little ones are. Three nights in a row might be a bit much.”

“We could get a sitter, if you like.” Nate hadn’t thought about the little ones being tired. He hadn’t even thought of Carnegie not being there. To him, these three shows were for her, and her alone. It didn’t seem right that she wouldn’t be there.

“They are resting now, watching a movie…I’ll wait and see….” He cut her off before she finished.

“You have to come.” He hesitated for a second. He didn’t want to sound demanding, it wasn’t his intention. “I mean…I would really love it if you came. I missed you today.”

There it was again. This intensity that was building between them started to increase. Carnegie’s heart beat began to race a little, as if she was terrified of the outcome. The words that fell out of her mouth shocked her the most.

“I missed you too.”

Nate Bowman sat there, staring at her, as he had done in the past, finding something comforting in her eyes. He gently moved the hair that was hiding her face, placing it carefully behind her ear.

“Then you will come?” He finally asked again. Knowing he had to get moving, if he wanted to be on time, not wanting to leave until she had promised him.

“I will come.” Carnegie said without hesitation. All she hoped was that Sienna was in a good mood.

Nate kissed her on the cheek and said nothing as he bounded out the door. Leaving her in the whirlpool of her mind. She looked for a song, for something, anything that could help her find even ground. Again… there was no song…not even a chorus.

Once again, Carnegie Lane stood at the side of a stage, at the peripherals of the world she wanted as her own and watched as Nate Bowman turned her statues into people. Every now and then, he turned and looked at her, his eyes smiling as if he were a child, hoping to make their parents proud. His performance commanded attention, and that night, she made sure he had all of hers.

Carnegie had changed it around a little, she arranged for Sobian and Olivia to leave with Connor and Sienna straight after the show. They had attempted to protest, but knew that it was pointless to even try. Their mother had spoken in a way they knew was not worth even an attempt to negotiate.

Carnegie stood out the back of the venue and watched as the fans put their arms through the fences, trying to get Nate’s attention, trying to get him to sign autographs on everything from arms to shirts. The band went up and down that line, talking and interacting with the tearful screaming girls, as if they were lions on the opposite side of a cage. Eventually it ended, and Leonie made the call to get the cars. It was time to get out of here.

“Nate, I have an idea…” Carnegie whispered in his ear.

“Oh, I like ideas.” He said, with an element of wicked in his voice.

“See that building, just over there beyond the park?” Carnegie was pointing to their hotel.

“Yep…Our hotel.”

“Well, let’s not drive back. Let’s make a run for it.” She had a grin from ear to ear. It was a great idea. Would he be game was the question.

“Do you think we will make it out alive?” he asked genuinely.

Carnegie turned and grabbed a baseball cap off one of the roadies. She put it on his head.

“Think we’re good. Go tell Leonie, that we are walking back.”

“Ok…wait here.” He ran over to Leonie who looked back at Carnegie and shrugged her shoulders. She had totally given up on this one.

“Best way out?” Nate asked her as he looked around. The fans were still there at the side fence, or a lot of them were hoping for that last minute contact.

“Best way out is the point they least expect it…Through the front door.”

She grabbed his hand and walked back inside. Back through the side stage door and out into the empty room. They walked past the bar, that was still open, hand in hand, Nate with his head down. No one was looking for him, so no one even noticed them as they strolled almost casually by. Out onto the road that lead to the main street opposite the park. Finally they were free and laughing like children as they walked over past the fountains, lit up by colored lights and then they sat on a chair that overlooked the river.

“Well done...I must say.”

“Done it before... A long time ago” She said, rather chuffed with herself.

“Ah so you’re an expert in kidnapping.”

“Only Rock Stars…Well, an expert in sneaking around with some of them. Although, that was a long time ago now.”

“So you’re a retired kidnapper.”

“Yeah, I think I just came out of retirement though…Come on.” Carnegie grabbed his hand again and began to walk slowly back. She felt a drop of water on her face and looked up into the light soaked sky. The clouds were reflecting on the lights of the city. She could see the rain as it began to fall gently.

“Oh no…It’s going to rain!”

“Yeah, well” He said, very optimistically. “A little rain never hurt anyone. I can’t remember the last time I walked in the rain.”

“Either can I.” She said, searching her mind for a memory like this.

The rain became heavier, and before long they were both soaked. It didn’t seem to matter, they were having too much fun.

“Sing me a song, Nate Bowman!” They had stopped at the far end of the park, looking at the hotel across the road. Neither of them quite ready to walk over there and back into the arms of everyone who was waiting on them.

“I have a better idea, Carnegie Lane. How about you sing me a song.”

“I can’t sing…that’s your job!”

“I’ve sung for you all night. The least you can do is sing to me…Please.”

“Ha Ha! In your dreams…”

“I’ll sing with you then.” Nate suddenly looked serious.

He put his arms out around her and began to hum a tune. She closed her eyes, aware of a perfect sound that came from inside him.

“
Baby how much closer can we be, when I feel you’ve become a part of me. You are with me everywhere I go, and if you feel it I already know.
” Stevie Nicks – ‘
If I were you
’…Had to be one of her favorites. It didn’t take long for her to sing along with him. Carnegie hadn’t noticed that he stopped. His eyes were open as he held her, the smile on his face told its own story as she continued.