A Hero’s Blog Hop

Okay everyone, it’s blog hop day. All participants are writing about their story heroes or what they think makes a good hero. My contribution is an excerpt from my latest book, Skin Deep, but written from the perspective of the hero. We have a ton of authors participating, so make sure to click on the link at the side (the one that matches the hunky picture below) or on the link at the end, to check out the other blogs and their heroes. It’s fun, it’s easy, and there are a bunch of great prizes offered! 1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet; 2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card; 3rd Grand Prize: Swag Pack! My prize will be an Amazon gift card and a signed copy of my book. In order to win ANY prizes (all participating authors are offering them), make sure to comment on the blogs (as many as you read) and leave your email address so we can contact you. Are you ready?

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Photo courtesy of Carrie Ann Ryan

We have a new makeup artist on our TV show. Her name is Valerie. She’s seems sweet and tonight a bunch of us from the cast and crew are going out after work. I heard she won’t be joining us, so I thought I’d see if I could change her mind.

“Valerie?”

“Oh, hi, John. Do you need something?”

“No.” I think I might have startled her because she jumped when I knocked. I’m sorry about that, but not surprised. I’m large, six-foot-three. I grew up on a farm and my current role requires me to work out, so I can be pretty intimidating. I hate that, and I hate makeup trailers, so I’m staying by the door. Maybe if I give her more space, she won’t be afraid of me. “Michelle told me you were not joining us tonight. I thought I would see if I could change your mind.”

“She is persistent.”

Valerie rolled her eyes when she said that—it’s cute and makes her look like a teenager. She’ll get along well with the rest of the crew. She’s amusing.

“So, what can I say to make you join us?”

She’s staring at me. I can’t tell if she’s still scared of me or not, but it’s embarrassing. I should be used to stares, but she’s blushing. I wonder what she’s thinking. She’s balled her hands into fists at her stomach. Is it because she doesn’t want to go out tonight, or is it me?

“Tonight, not even chocolate will change my mind.”

She’s a chocolate lover. Hmmm, good to know. I’ll have to keep that in mind.

“I will remember that. But next time you will not get off so easy.” There’s something about her that makes me want to stay here and talk to her, despite the cramped trailer, but I have to join my friends. Another time.

* * * *

We’re a social cast and crew that hangs out a lot. Last night was fun and tonight we are going out for pizza. This time, I’m going to make sure Valerie joins us. I’ve come prepared.

“We are going out for pizza. I will pick you up in ten minutes.” I’m dangling a bag of M&Ms in front of her. She grabs for them, but I won’t let her have them yet. Not until she comes with us. I leave before she can get them.

It’s ten minutes later, and I’m back. She’s ready, so I accompany her out of the makeup trailer and down the steps. I won’t touch her, she wouldn’t like that, but just having her close to me is enough. I like walking next to her. She comes up to my shoulder and if I turn my head, I can smell her shampoo. It’s fruity. I’m taking her to meet the others in the parking lot. She seems happy to follow my lead. I’m glad, but I can’t tell her that.

I’m not sure what to say to her, so I remain quiet. Besides, it’s dark out and I want to make sure she’s safe. I’m so busy scanning our surroundings, I don’t notice she’s grabbed the bag of M&Ms out of my pocket until she’s opened them and stuck some in her mouth.

“Hey, those are mine!” I reach for the bag, but she’s quick and dances away from me.

“Not anymore.” She’s graceful and I can’t stop watching her. She’s mischievous and I want to smile. No one’s ever acted like this with me before. If I play along, will I scare her away?

I bring my hand up to my heart. I’m an actor and I pretend what she’s done has wounded me deeply. It would be an Oscar-worthy performance, except I can’t seem to hide my amusement. That’s never happened to me before. I can see her trying not to laugh. I’m glad she thinks this is funny, but I wish she’d laugh. I wonder what it would sound like.

“You did not have to take them, you know. I was planning to give them to you later.” I pout—Me? I never pout!—and I have all I can do not to smile.

“Oh really? When?”

“After dinner, of course. I would not want to spoil your appetite.”

She thinks I’m funny. She’s laughing, and her laugh is better than I could have dreamed. Sincere, not contrived, warm and rich. As I listen to her, all I can manage is a grunt. She doesn’t seem bothered.

“What’s so funny?” Lara, from editing, asks us as we join the group of friends clustered outside the lot. All other conversation stops as everyone waits for the answer.

I know this sounds crazy, but I hate being the center of attention off camera. Any amusement I felt disappears. I look at Valerie and back up, unable to answer Lara. Lara rolled her eyes—I don’t find her eye roll as attractive as Valerie’s yesterday—and walks ahead. Valerie bends over to massage her stomach. I leave her talking to Michelle, another makeup artist, and I walk ahead.

We reach the pub. It’s dark and noisy, but makes the best pizza around. I hold open the door for the rest of the group and everyone enters. Everyone, that is, except Valerie. She stands in front of the open door and sways. Her face gets pale and she leans against the brick wall. She stares down the street and I can tell, in that moment, she wants to run. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I want to help her.

I walk up to her and stand behind her, close enough to talk without being overheard, yet far enough away to give her air.

“Don’t back out on me now,” I whisper. “I already gave you the M&Ms.” I hear her take a shaky breath and I wait.

She turns toward me and raises her hand. I can’t help it, I back up. I can’t let her touch me. I stare into her blue eyes and hold her gaze. I hear her swallow, watch her tongue drag across her lips, see her close her eyes and sway again.

She is afraid.

I don’t know why, but she’s afraid here, in this place. I frown and placed myself between her and the crowd at the bar. She breathes a little easier. I walk with her, nodding to fans as they smile at me, but not stopping to talk to any of them. As much as I appreciate them, I have to help Valerie. We pass the band and reach our table in the back. I pull out her chair and sit next to her. I hear her release a breath, as if she’d been holding it the entire time.

I turn to her and lean forward, holding her gaze until I can see her relax. Her color comes back and she seems better. Good. I want her to enjoy herself. “So, how do you like things so far, Valerie?”

“Here?”

“Well, I actually meant at work, but here too.”

She blushes again. She does that a lot and I like it. “Oh, well, I love working on the show. I was a huge fan before I got the job, so it’s amazing to be a part of it now.”

I smile as she babbles a bit. “What may I order for you?” I flag down our waitress. Everyone orders beers. Valerie orders a diet soda.

“Not ready to let loose yet, huh, Valerie?” asks Miguel, one of the crew, with a soft chuckle.

Valerie smiles and looks away. I catch her eye and smile to reassure her. It’s a new feeling to be the one to reassure someone. I actually make someone feel good. I relax into my chair and join the conversation.

The waitress returns with our drinks and takes our orders. Her ballpoint pen scratches across her pad as each person orders a personal pizza, but changes the sauce, type of crust, and combination of toppings.

When the waitress turns to Valerie, she orders a mushroom pie and a house salad. She’s unassuming and satisfied with things as they are. She’s not the typical LA girl. I like that.

The waitress pauses, raises an eyebrow and asks, “Is that it?”

“Yes,” Valerie answers.

“Are you sure?”

Valerie furrows her brow. “Of course.”

The waitress shakes of her head and turns to me. She asks me for my autograph at the same time. I scrawl my name across a napkin and give her my order—two personal pepperoni pizzas.

During the course of the evening, I keep an eye on Valerie, made sure her drink never runs out, and that she participates in the conversation. I fill her in on things she might not understand. She’s new; I want her to be comfortable with us.

When we finally leave, Valerie takes her first deep breath of the evening outside in the muggy night air. I don’t know how she can stand it, but she seems more comfortable here than inside. I walk with her back to her car.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” she asks me as we cross the street.

“No one should walk by themselves at night.”

“Thanks, that’s really nice of you.”

We walk next to each other, but as usual, I keep my distance. I don’t want to crowd her or scare her. We reach her blue Honda Civic and she thanks me for walking her out.

“See you tomorrow.” I wait while she starts the engine. She waves and drives away. I’m unable to drag my gaze away from her until her car’s taillights fade into the distance. Something about her intrigues me—more than just her nerves or her simple pizza order, although those things contribute to it. She’s different from the people who usually surround me. She has a vulnerability that arouses a protective urge in me. I know she’d never ask for my protection. She’d never want me to take care of her, no one would. But still…

Okay, I hope you enjoyed that insight into my hero from Skin Deep. [image error]Don’t forget to leave a comment (with your email) if you want to win a prize. And don’t forget to check out the other authors here.