51. Stella walks with Storm in Rome.
1185 Words
The next day, Storm left to go get coffee and pastries, cornettos and croissants.
Ash showered. The adrenaline from winning the race had worn off, he was wiped out. He lay back down on the bed and sighed.
" What?" asked Stella.
" I'm beat, my back is killing me today, gripping the steering wheel so tightly." He said.
Stella told him to roll over, she lotioned her hands and gave him a deep massage. He was snoring soon after.
She quietly left the room and shut the door.
Storm came back up, he was wearing a pair of distressed jeans, that belonged to Ash, and a black 3/4 sleeve button down shirt. His hair was still wet in soft curls.
He handed her a cappuccino with soy milk.
She smiled. " Ash is worn out, want to go for a walk with me?"
He pulled her into his embrace.
" I do, are you sure you can do it?"
She nodded.
They walked to Via del Corso (the ancient via Lata), commonly known as the Corso, it's the main street running through the historical center of the city of Rome.
Storm was easily recognized. He put a hat on and a pair of black rimmed Prada glasses. He walked slow with his arm around Stella's thin waist.
Stella wore a pair of khaki colored slacks and a white cable knit sweater. She had a navy blue scarf on her neck and a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses.
She looked like a local. Her hair was flowing softly around her shoulders and back.
Storm told Stella that they had several more car races in their series, he wanted her to attend.
" Actually, I'm going home to stay with Drake for a while, I promised him."
Storm frowned. "I know how Sam and Cash feel about you, I trust them, but honey...Drake isn't like us real men, he has no will power.
He can't be faithful like us Palmers.
Our parents are still married after 50 years. You will meet them soon, I hope.
I told mother about you. She wants to see the enigma called Stella Miller."
She bit her nail. " She won't like me, she might think I'm a...a..slut or niphomaniac or something."
He touched her brow. "Mother is not one to judge dear. Trust me."
" I've been thinking, researching really. You heard about a man taking several wives?"
He nodded as he walked, holding her hand.
"Why couldn't this work the opposite like one woman, me...and a few husbands?"
He shrugged. " Of course Cash is married now, so count him out. More of you for me."
He stopped and took her glasses off her face. He pulled a wild hair from her eyes. Then replaced the sunglasses.
" Stella, in this world, we can do or be how we want to be, if all parties are in agreement.
We can take care of you very well. I have money...I can pay for several homes for you."
She turned her head to the side.
" I'm very, very rich haven't you heard about me, I'm an heiress."
He grinned. "I could care less about money, you know why?"
She touched his chest and looked up at him. " Why is that?"
" Because you have a very nice ass." He pinched her side.
She threw a rock at him. He came after her and grabbed her.
He pretended he was going to throw her into the fountain.
She pulled on his shirt to take him in with her. He kissed her quickly instead.
" We should go check on Ash. He's probably up by now."
They turned around. Several people recognized him and surrounded them.
" Ash, can we have your autograph?"
It happened so often, that he never corrected people anymore. Storm seemed interchangeable with his twin.
Stella stood back and watched as the crowd rose. She sat down on a bench and waited.
Her phone rang.
" Hello? You sober now?" Drake asked her.
She smiled and held her head.
" I drunk called you last night, didn't I?"
He said," No why?" teasing her.
" I asked to see your...little Drake didn't I?"
He smiled. " He's still here if you want to see him. I did enjoy seeing your body though."
She smiled. " I decided to stay with you at the ocean house. If you still want me, that is."
He said," Well, I suppose, you are quite demanding, you made me show you my...uh reaction to you."
" Hey, your mom is on a cruise nearby isn't she... in Greece?" She asked, changing the subject.
" True. You thinking of visiting her? That would be nice, she doesn't know about dad yet, don't tell her....I want her to have fun." He said.
" I see, yes..your father wasn't kind to her?" She asked.
" My father was a huge skirt chaser, as you say it. He taught me to take what pleased me, no matter who it hurt.
He crushed her spirit fairly badly. She's on their anniversary cruise right now.
She left him just prior to the cruise, he was screwing his assistant." Drake told Stella.
Stella said,"That does explain quite a bit."
" I am a mess. But I am dedicated to this path of change. I saw how he died, it was pitiful." he said softly.
" Drake, that's why...I want to see you. I think you could help me to make ammends with my family.
I want my parents to be happy, I know I can't be in their lives. But my brothers are open to seeing me, I hope." She said.
" I think they are. We can have them over once you move in." He said.
" I'm moving in?" she said.
" Hell yes, we are getting married too." He said.
" I'm making a vision board, my therapist, it's a man by the way, he said I need to create a vision of my future." Drake said.
" Well, I see our future and it sure the hell isn't marraige and kids. I think it's like a quickie and a trip to the coffee shop in the morning on my way out." She laughed.
" You are right, I need to put kids on that board, I wasn't sure you were ready yet." he said.
She frowned about the having kids part, feeling sad.
She said. "You are so cute. Well... Storm is coming my way, we might make a trip to Greece after racing season is over. Would your mom still be on her trip?" She asked.
" I don't know. She is dating some doctor, I will ask her. I like you wanting to visit my mom. Just don't tell her about dad please." he said again.
" I won't." She said. "Goodbye, love you." She hung up. She froze, she didn't mean to say that last part, oh... well he probably didn't catch it.
Drake did catch it. He grinned.
" That was on the vision board, it's all coming true." He thought.
- Writer
