Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 145634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
My eyes close as I take in a long, steadying breath trying to figure out what to say and what I want.
“It’s just complicated.” I finally settle on the truth and it hurts to even admit that much to him. I don’t want to fight. Not in the least, and I’m terrified that admitting anything to him is going to kick off a conflict that will fracture what we have forever.
“Is it the girl?” he asks me. “You’re going to have people asking for your autograph too, you know?” he says halfheartedly as if he’s oblivious to the fact that she lit up from his simple touch.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I tell him as I tilt my head and slip off the earring on my right ear. It’s cheap jewelry and part of the costume. I’ve had them in almost all day and I’ll have to put them back in tonight, but I’ve just realized how much they hurt. They’re too heavy.
I slip off the other as Nathan takes a half-step back and loosens the tie around his neck, clearing his throat. I imagine he wants to say something and doesn’t, either because we’re surrounded by people or because he doesn’t want to fight either.
This isn’t healthy, are the words on the tip of my tongue. There are only three weeks left though and once it’s over, it’ll be better for us to be over too.
CHAPTER 15
Nathan
I’m in over my head, but that’s how it’s always been with Hally.
“Good work today,” Stevens tells me as I unfasten the top button of my dress shirt, making my way off the set and toward my room.
I pause and glance up at him. He’s not a talker, like me in a lot of ways. “Thanks. I’ll be here all week,” I respond easily and with a bit of humor. I resume walking since he’s already looking back down at his schedule or lines or whatever’s in the stack of papers he’s holding.
I take a covert look around, searching for Hally, but not seeing her in the scattering of people. Filming’s almost over and a large number of people are gone. Still, a dozen or so always come to watch when we’re shooting and Hally’s usually one of them. My stride picks up speed and my gut churns, telling me something’s wrong when I don’t see her. She hasn’t missed a single shoot yet.
Ignoring the gut reaction, I keep moving to my room. I’m keeping to myself and making a beeline for my dressing room, not that anyone dares approach me. Hally may have taken me out of my shell a bit and thrown me off my game, but I’m still not the socializing type and everyone knows it.
Maybe she’s waiting for me. I know it’s wishful thinking, but even as I open the door to my room, I’m picturing her on my bed, waiting for me to lose myself in her.
A low groan of satisfaction rumbles from the back of my throat as I imagine her like she was the other night, laid out for me and bared to me in every way. I’ll never have my fill of her.
The memory vanishes as I take in my empty room and have to swallow the fact that she isn’t here; she wasn’t on set and I have no fucking clue where she is.
I don’t like it. It’s none of my damn business, but that’s the very reason I don’t like it. I don’t have a claim to her and the instability between us makes me cling to her … and usually her to me.
I’m quick as I unbutton the shirt completely, feeling suffocated by the crisp linen for the first time all day. I toss it carelessly on the floor and swing the door open on the armoire, looking for a plain cotton t-shirt and sweats to change into. I need a shower first though, something to relax me.
I need Hally.
It’s when I toss the change of clothes across the room and onto my bed that I see what’s changed in the dressing room.
Another article sits dead center on the coffee table. Right where Mark leaves my schedule every day.
I don’t give a shit what it’s about or what it says, since I’m sure Mark will tell me regardless, but the picture is enough to make me pick it up.
The memories come back to me as I stare down at an old picture of us, although I don’t know how they got it. It’s of us in school, in the cafeteria. Maybe a photo shoot from the yearbook, I don’t know. But she’s so happy sitting next to me. What’s more is the smile on my face. She made me so happy. No one can deny that.
November 30
“I’ll see you after class,” I tell Hally and kiss the side of her head quickly, letting her waist go and watching everyone else file into class.