ACE

A t first, she seemed like she was going to freak out about the helicopter and for a split second; I actually wondered if she was afraid of flying. Thankfully, my concerns were unfounded. As soon as she had the headset on, excitement took over.

We descended into the brush swiftly and landed with nothing more than a slight bump. Max was a fantastic pilot. He’d been in the British Air Force for decades before giving up his military career for the quiet and much more lucrative life of flying private aircraft for the wealthy. I’d met Max through other musicians in the industry and he was one of those connections that I could always count on to make me look good. And with Harley, it felt like I needed all the help I could get. Although she was still somewhat aloof towards me, it also seemed like she was enjoying herself. Hopefully, I could get her to talk and open up a bit more while we descended the mountain.

“I’ve actually never hiked this area before, so I’m relying on you to find the trail.” I joked with her once I’d caught up to her.

“Excuse me?” Harley spun around on her heels, eyes wide. “Tell me you’re joking?! I don’t even have the right shoes, I’m so not a hiker! I’m totally going to get us lost!” she laughed nervously.

Hmm… maybe this could be fun.

“Yeah… I figured you’ve been in LA longer than me and…” I mumbled, attempting to sound unsure and a little embarrassed.

Harley pulled herself up to the tallest that her tiny five foot four frame would allow and marched over to me. “So let me get this straight. You’ve brought me into a forest that you don’t know how to get out of and our ride just left us here?” she exclaimed, visibly shaken as she glared up at me, before frantically waving her arms in the air and yelling at the empty clouds between the trees.

Damn, she was cute.

“I didn’t say that…” I began, “But also… you know Max is long gone, right?” I called out, watching her run back and forth, still flailing her arms about.

“Call him!” she barked at me, pointing to the two-way radio.

“Damn girl, you really can’t take a joke, can you?” I snickered, lazily walking towards her and throwing an arm around her shoulders.

Harley rolled her eyes and groaned. “Guess I should’ve known.” She huffed before slipping out of my grip and jogging further into the forest. “You coming?” she called over her shoulder.

So feisty. I liked it. I liked it a whole lot.

We walked in silence at first. Me trying to find something to say that wouldn’t upset her and her, well… I had no idea what she was thinking about.

Finally, I pulled myself together and started up a conversation.

“So, Harley, tell me about your family. Where are you from?” I started.

Nothing but silence as a few seconds ticked by.

“I’m from here.” She shrugged finally. “Don’t have any fun stories for you, but I’m sure you do. You’ve led an exciting life these past few years.”

A small stream crossed the trail a few feet ahead of us and I reached for her hand as we approached it. “We can walk across the rocks and stay dry… as long as we don’t slip.” I grinned.

“Just don’t take me down with you.” She quipped, reaching for my outstretched hand. As soon as our fingers touched, I was done. Fucking done. My fingers curled around hers, her tiny hand fitting perfectly inside my larger one that came complete with the regulatory callused fingers of a guitarist.

My chest felt fuller, tighter… until she glanced down at our intertwined hands. “Sorry if it’s rough.” I apologized.

But Harley just smiled. “It’s okay… I like it rough.” She answered with a winking.

An electric current shot through me. Motherfucker.

Outwardly, I chuckled at her innuendo, but internally… I fucking melted. This woman was going to be the end of me.

We continued on, across the stream and through the thick underbrush, pushing aside branches and leaves as we walked. After I’d given her a couple of funny tour stories, she began to share, too. Harley slowly opened up about her job and the drama between the girls and the owner, Ron. She talked about her best friend Aria and how she seemed thrilled with my boy Jax. I didn’t mention that we all were seeing him seriously decline lately. He seemed pretty taken with this Aria chick and maybe she’d be good for him. Because, according to Harley, Aria was very much Jax’s opposite in every way. She was always trying to do the right thing and better herself. She had dreams and goals and nothing would get in her way of achieving them. Jax could use some of that energy.

“What about you?” I asked her. “Are you and Aria similar too?”

She bust out laughing. “I love my best friend, but no, we are the complete opposite in almost every way. She’s always pushing forward, trying to hit those goals, but that’s too stressful for me. I prefer to just go where the wind takes me. I’m not in to all that self-improvement shit.”

“Okay, I understand,” I said, “but isn’t everyone trying to improve their lives? It’s the whole reason people work and apply for promotions or try to be famous. You can’t tell me you’re the only person in the world who doesn’t want a better life?”

Harley stopped walking and stared right at me. Locking her eyes on mine, her gaze went blank, like she was staring right through me. A cool breeze swept through the trees and down my back.

“I like my life the way it is.” She deadpanned.

Something told me not to comment, so I just nodded instead. She seemed easily spooked. Like a deer caught in the headlights of a minivan, she remained frozen and void of any emotion.

“Well, okay then!” I smiled. “Change of topic to something a little more fun?” I suggested.

“Count me in for fun,” she answered, turning on the charm once again. She ran hot and cold like nothing I’d seen before. Why was it so intoxicating? It almost seemed like she was two different people all at once. I’d always loved a challenge, so although irritating, her behaviour only sucked me deeper into her vortex.

I needed to fill the space with something fun but neutral. “The band and I are starting a new album soon.”

Harley’s face immediately whipped towards mine, with pupils large as dinner plates. Those big, juicy lips stretched out into a mischievous grin. “Oh my god, tell me everything!”

I told her what I could without revealing anything too detrimental for the band. I’d learned long ago to only share what wouldn’t hurt us if it got leaked. It was always the same with the fans. Hang out with them for a while and they inevitably gush over anything they deem to be insider news.

I chuckled. “Not much to tell yet. We’re waiting for Jax to get his shit together. He’s been having writer’s block lately, but he needs to be inspired soon. We have a ton of work waiting for us.”

“Don’t you sometimes write songs with him?” she asked, climbing up on to a fallen log and walking its tightrope before jumping off like a kid in the playground.

“Nah… he’s the official songwriter. We all go over his ideas and add in our own too, plus I write my guitar parts, but overall, I’d say he’s definitely the main songwriter of the group.”

We continued on, my ears popping from the descent in elevation every so often. Harley seemed interested and a little more open. Her guard was lower, and she seemed genuinely interested in me. We were laughing, flirting, and before long, truly having a great time.

After about an hour, the incline lessened, and it was clear we were approaching the bottom. I had sent Max off with the helicopter, but of course my Escalade was waiting for us. My plan had been to take her out for a bite to eat and maybe even a brief trip back to my place.

“So, Harley, what are your upcoming plans? I know you like your job, but obviously you won’t stay at Sunset Dreams forever. What will you do after?” I asked.

Suddenly, an icy chill descended upon us. I glanced at her, expecting a response, but her stony expression took me by surprise.

“What does that mean?” she asked coldly.

“Nothing at all,” I continued. “I just assumed you had plans for after you left the club, that’s all.”

Back to feeling like Harley had two personalities. The fun, happy-go-lucky Harley from minutes ago had just left the building, and the cold, withdrawn Harley was back in her place.

“Wow…” she murmured under her breath. “And here I thought you were different. I just told you I liked my life the way it is. Besides, anyone who likes to hang out with strippers shouldn’t be asking them what else they want to do with their life.”

Fix this, Ace.

“Okay, I get that.” I nodded. “But every stripper I’ve ever met was planning for something else, saving up for…”

Her shrill laugh cut me off. “Let me guess? For college!” she chuckled.

“Yeah, or like hairdressing school, I don’t know!” I continued. “Anyway, the point was that if there’s something like that and you’re short a little cash to make it happen, I’d be more than happy to help you out a bit.” I offered, hoping to show her that I cared.

I could hear the other guys screaming at me already. You’re offering her money? No wonder you always get screwed!

“Excuse me?” she whispered, her head cocked to the side.

Yes, I knew better, but I also remained completely convinced that she was different. Harley really didn’t seem like the type to bleed me dry, like Sarina. “I really like you, Harley, and I want to keep seeing you, but also, I’d like to help you if you need it. Many people helped me on my journey and I like to give back when I can to those I care about.”

Maybe I was prying too much into her life, but I wanted her to know that she was important to me. “I could help you get back on your feet….”

“Shut up Ace. Just shut up.” She spat. “Thanks for the hike, but I’m done here.” She continued before speeding up her gait and moving in front of me.

“Hey wait up!” I called after her. “What’s wrong? Did I say something bad?” I called out after her.

Harley spun around on her heels and stared up at me. She was like this little fireball, spitting sparks as she threw my own words back at me. “I could help you get back on your feet,” she mocked me in her imitation.

“What’s wrong with a little help?” I asked cautiously.

“What’s wrong is that I didn’t ask for anything and I don’t need your help. I like working at Sunset Dreams, Ace. Changing my life was never the plan and even if it was, I don’t need anyone’s help. I’m not forced to do this work, and I’m not a charity case!”

Harley was yelling at me now. Her face was flushed and her eyes shone with anger. She was fucking pissed. And it was solely directed towards me.

Dammit. I’d really fucked up now.

There was only one way to fix this. As soon as Harley finished barking at me, she spun on her heels and began marching back down the mountain. We were close to the valley now and I could see a clearing about a hundred yards ahead.

“Harley wait!” I called out to her, but she only ignored me.

I ran to catch up with her, but when I reached for her arm, she just shrugged me off and took off. There was no way I was leaving things with her like this.

I called her name again. But this time, I didn’t wait. I took off after her and despite her early start; I caught up with her pretty quickly. Grabbing her shoulders, I spun her around and caught her in my arms.

Shock followed by anger spread across her face, but I didn’t give even her a second to think. Cupping my right hand around the back of her neck and my left around her waist, I did what I’d wanted to do since the very first time I’d seen her. Pulling her in tightly, our bodies firmly pressed against each other, I bent my head down and kissed her deeply.

The second our lips touched, everything went electric. My whole body lit up as the firing synapses of my brain morphed everything I knew into a brand-new world.

I was the Earth, and Harley was my Sun.