Chapter 4 Don't Be A Fan Girl

"It's okay. I was 19." Tamera replied.

"Wow, at 37 you look good. I would have guessed 30, maybe 32." Lainey said.

"So no husband?" Lainey asked.

"No longer in the picture." Tamera responded.

"Run out on you as soon as the kids left the nest, did he?" Jake remarked.

"Last warning Jake!" Richard warned.

"Actually, as soon as they were settled in college, we had both decided to part ways. We only were together for the kids. He was a good provider and dad. We just didn't love each other. At least he wasn't like some of the husbands a few of my friends had. A man who was abusive and a horrible father figure. I've run into guys like that from time to time. If you will all excuse me, I've lost my appetite." Tamera replied.

Tamera leaves everyone shocked at the table. Then they all glared at Jake. He grins and drinks his drink. Everyone was still glaring at Jake several minutes after Tamera had left.

"You're an asshat!" Lainey yelled.

"Jake, you will apologize to her and keep your mouth shut!" Richard demanded.

"I'm good." Jake responded.

"We'll see what Dax has to say." Richard said.

"Tattletale, tattletale, hang your bitches on a nail." Jake replied.

"How childish." Jerry said.

"Look who you're talking to." Lainey told him.

Richard texted, "Sorry about Jake. He's a real pompous jerk."

"Don't worry about it. There's one in every bunch. Meet you in the room at 2pm right?" Tamera texted back.

"2pm." Richard responded.

That night it was hard for Tamera to sleep. She's so nervous about meeting Dax. She has had a crush on him since the first day the movie was released. She's terrified she will make a fool of herself.

Tamera thought to herself, "When I see him on TV my heart races, my stomach has butterflies, and I can feel my pulse race. How will it be in person?"

It's Saturday. Dax has just arrived and checked in. "Nice resort, why do I feel restless? After the week I've had I should be worn out." Dax thought.

Dax texted Richard. "I made it, all checked in and in my room."

"Great. Lunch at noon in the restaurant." Richard texted back.

"Okay." Dax responded.

"I need to talk to you before lunch. Your room in 15?" Richard asked.

"K." Dax responded.

15 minutes later Rich is in Dax's room.

"What's up?" Dax asked.

"Jake, being his usual jerk self." Richard replied.

"What did he do now?" Dax sighed.

Rich fills Dax in about dinner the night before. He also tells him about Tamera.

"I'll talk to him." Dax said.

"I really like this girl." Richard explained.

"Okay?" Dax said, confused.

"Well." Richard said.

"Just spit it out already." Dax replied.

"I don't want to compete with you for her." Richard explained.

"I've not even met her, why would you say that?" Dax said.

"She's your type. Smart, kind, loving, beautiful inside and out, but don't know it. And we always seem to compete for the same girl." Richard said.

"2 times, only 2 times has that happened and look how they turned out. The first one cheated and left, and the second was a psychopath." Dax said.

"Only because there haven't been any other women to get our attention. And I guess I should thank you, but Tamera is different." Richard told him.

"Well let's deal with Jake first." Dax said.

They go to Jake's room. He has some blonde-haired woman in his bed. They ask her to leave. Dax chews Jake out for his behavior and tells him he will apologize and be on his best behavior from now on. Tamera texts Rich that she won't be at lunch but will meet them at 2pm in the room. The caterer's driver was sick, so she had to drive into town for the pastries for later.

She gets back around 1:30pm and has minutes to get everything finished. The fridge is stocked with their favorite drinks. The pastries are out, the room is ready. Big sigh of relief. The crew started to arrive. They all compliment her on how nice the room is. Everyone is there but Rich and Dax.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Jake asked.

"Sure, what can I do for you?" Tamera asked.

"I'd like to apologize for my behavior last night at dinner. It won't happen again." Jake apologized.

"Thank you for your apology. I accept." She said.

"I'm a little cynical when it comes to women, long story. And it sometimes makes me say things I shouldn't." Jake explained.

"I'll give you a little advice. We all think stuff like that from time to time, but the key is to know when not to say it out loud and when to keep it to yourself." She said.

"I agree." Jake responded.

"For example, last night I was thinking about what an entitled playboy you are and how the tabloids probably are 75% right about you, but I kept that to myself." Tamera explained.

She walked away. His mouth was open. Then he grinned to himself.

"Touché my dear." He grinned.

"Oh, I really like her." Lainey laughed.

Just then, Rich and Dax walk in.

"Omg, don't pass out, don't make a fool of yourself, I can do this. Heart racing, butterflies fluttering, he's even more gorgeous in person." Tamera thought.

"Omg." Her mind screamed.

"Omg freaking out inside." She thought.

"Tamera, I'd like you to meet Dax. Dax this is Tamera." Richard introduced them.

She holds out her hand and smiles. He takes it in his while his eyes never leave hers.

"So, I finally get to meet the woman behind all this? It's a real pleasure." Dax said.

"I'm a huge fan. You're my favorite character." She blurted.

"Omg did I really just blurt that out." She thought.

"Well, thank you. My fans are what makes my job worth while." Dax said.

Dax thought to himself. "Especially beautiful ones like you, sorry Rich, but she is mine."

"I love the show. Supernatural, werewolves, vampires are all my favorites to watch and read." Tamera said.

She realized he was still holding her hand. So, she pulls it back and he lets it go.