Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“And … I lied.”
“You lied about being sorry?”
“No. I lied about … Chad.”
Huh? “You didn’t have sex with Chad?”
“Yes. No. Wait.” He rubs his temples. “I lied about it being nothing. He’s really been there for me during recovery, you know? With me being out of action and everything”—he gestures to his crotch—“we got to know each other on a deeper level. It wasn’t focused on the physical like you and me.”
My breath catches because it’s happening again. My throat feels tight, and tears well in my eyes, but I’m not going to let them fall. It’s not Ben that I’m upset over. He and Chad deserve each other.
It’s that I knew this would happen. I knew it.
“I hope we can both move on and keep this civil. For the production’s sake.”
Nope. Fuck civility, fuck this production, and fuck Benjamin Randt.
I blink at him. And then blink some more.
What are you supposed to say to something like that?
“Jordy?”
That snaps me out of the melancholy.
“What, you want me to congratulate you?” I snap.
“Well, no, but I thought you’d at least have some reaction.”
“Why would I care?” My voice goes high-pitched, giving away that I really do care. “We were just physical, like you said. And you weren’t the only one who spent the last two weeks getting to know someone better, so there’s that. You’re not the only one who can move on so fast.”
Ben’s eyes narrow. “Who?”
“Who do you think?”
And please give me a name so I can use it.
“Didn’t you go away with Blake?”
I don’t know who told him or if he’s going off tabloid gossip, but I may as well go with it.
“Yep.”
“He’s straight. There’s no way.”
“If you remember, that’s how I like ’em.” Ugh, the words taste bitter as they fall out of my mouth. “Was that all? Blake is actually waiting for me back at his place. I thought this was a meeting about the movie. If I’d known it had been a pointless expedition to find whatever closure you think you needed, I wouldn’t have left Blake in his warm bed to come here.”
Ben eyes me as if he thinks I’m lying, and hey, he has a right. I’m lying out my ass. But without tooting my own horn, I’m a good actor, and I’m believable enough.
“We’ll see you on set tomorrow for Blake’s and my sex scene, and don’t worry. We’ve been getting plenty of practice.”
Motherfucker.
I take my box of belongings and leave, texting the driver to come pick me up. When we leave the studio lot, I direct him somewhere I really don’t want to go.
Denver and Mason’s gate unlocks with a click when I buzz and give the camera an awkward wave, and then Blake opens the front door with a wary smile.
I take a deep breath. “I need a favor.”
Chapter Fifteen
Blake
“What happened with Ben?”
“He’s a dick. What else is new?” Jordan heads for the bar area in Denver’s house and then remembers it’s empty. “Probably better I don’t drink anyway. Apparently I do stupid things when I’m sober now too.”
“What stupid thing? Come sit.” I gesture for him to take the couch, and he flops down unceremoniously and slumps so his head rests against the backrest.
His long legs hang off the end, and it makes him look ten feet tall.
I want to join him, but if the last couple of weeks has taught me anything, it’s that I physically need to keep my distance from Jordan so I don’t break his rules. So I don’t push.
Because being in his vicinity drives me crazy.
I may have been able to play it off like everything is normal, we’re friends, I’m chill and whatever, but I’m really not.
I can’t actually remember a time where I’ve wanted to kiss someone more than I do Jordan Brooks. But I’m holding back because I respect him too damn much to cross lines.
We’re friends. That’s all.
“You’re gonna hate me,” Jordan says.
“There’s very few things you could do to make me hate you.”
“Okay, pick the worst one, and then maybe you won’t think this is that bad. Actually, times the worst by ten.”
I truly think about it because I can’t imagine anything he could do. “Seeing as you were reluctant to make murder a possible favor, I can’t assume you’ve done that. But if you accidentally killed Ben and need an alibi, I’m there.”
Jordan lifts his head. “Really? You’d alibi a murder for me?”
I shift from one foot to the other. “Umm, okay, I said that because I didn’t think you’d actually kill someone. But if we’re talking in the jokey way people do, then yes. Alibi at your service.”
Jordan sinks his teeth into his bottom lip and says it all in a rush. “I-might’ve-told-Ben-you-and-I-are-together.”
“What?”
He stands in a flourish and paces the room. “Ben is in love. Can you believe that?”