Page 16 of Wandering Wild
Her brow furrows as she looks away from me and into the garden. “Does this have anything to do with what happened to Summer last year, and how you?—”
This time it’s me who interrupts her. “Not directly, but that’s certainly made things difficult for me, and it’s part of the reason why I don’t want to lose this movie. Well, that, plus it’s a kickass role, and I’ll be devastated if Titan goes to someone else.”
“And humiliated.”
I jolt. “Pardon?”
“It was announced months ago that you’re playing Titan Wolfe,” Charlie says. “If they cut you, it’ll be pretty obvious why. The gossip sites will have a field day.”
Now I’m the one looking out at the garden. “Thanks for the reminder.”
There’s another pause, before she says, quieter, “Sorry. I didn’t mean?—”
“It’s fine.” My voice is harsher than I intended. “It’s not as if I’m oblivious to how it would play out. That’s why I’m here, after all. To try to keep that from happening.”
“Which leaves you with a problem,” Charlie says. “Me.”
“You,” I agree. With a rueful smile, I add, “Here I was, worried about surviving four days with a stalker-fan, only to discover I’ll be with someone who is the complete opposite. I never imagined that could be worse.”
“Gee, I’m flattered.”
I nearly backpedal, but then I see the reluctant humor in her gaze. An idea comes to me—it’s a risk, but at this stage, I have nothing to lose. But first, I have to make sure I’m right about her motives.
“I answered your question, now it’s your turn—why areyouhere?” I shift into a more relaxed position. “You’re clearly not thrilled about any of this, so why did you agree to take Ember’s place?”
Charlie uncrosses her legs only to cross them again, her own stalling tactic. “She’s my best friend. I’d do anything for her.”
“Seems a bit of an extreme ‘anything.’”
There’s silence for a moment, before Charlie says, “I don’t know how much your people told you, but Ember was sick.”
“Gabe mentioned she had a chest infection. I’m glad she’s?—”
“No.” Charlie shakes her head. “She was sick, as insick. For years.” Her throat bobs, and a haunted look comes to her features. “She was diagnosed with leukemia when we were fourteen.”
My stomach pitches. I can’t reconcile the thought of the bubbly, effervescent girl I met today with someone who had to endure that kind of nightmare at such a young age.
“It was—I can’t explain what it was like. For her. For her parents. For me.”
Charlie’s voice cracks on the final word, and I fight the overwhelming urge to comfort her.
Pulling herself together, she continues, “She entered remission earlier this year, and she’s doing well now, but this recent infection hit her hard. When she won the competition, she learned she could still meet you if she transferred the prize to someone else.” Charlie blows out an aggravated breath. “So, yes, it’s an extreme ‘anything,’ but after everything she’s been through, and how much she’s been there for—” She breaks off quickly, before changing direction to finish, “She’s my best friend, and meeting you has always been her dream, so of course I agreed to do this trip in her place.”
“Even though you don’t want to be here?”
“Even though Ireallydon’t want to be here.”
I hold her eyes. “And why is that?”
“A lot of reasons.” She looks past my shoulder. “This may come as a shock, but you’re not as irresistible as Summer West claims.”
I wince, wishing I could turn back time and retract that statement.
“You don’t like me,” I say, a statement, not a question.
Charlie rolls her eyes. “At least your observational skills are better than your acting abilities.”
Ouch, again.
