Chapter Four
Blossom eyed the fierce looking woman and felt an urge to hide behind Brexton. This was his manager? The woman looked like she chewed people up and spit them out all before she’d even had her morning coffee. The black hair, pale skin, and bright red lipstick didn’t do anything to soften the woman’s look. She supposed the big alien would need someone like her though. So far, Stella didn’t seem impressed with Blossom, or the fact Brexton had claimed her as his girlfriend.
“The damage is done,” Stella said. “You’re the one who told your fans that this woman was your girlfriend. If you retract that statement now, it would out you as a liar, and your fans would revolt. You’d be lucky to land a commercial for off-brand toothpaste by the time they were finished raking you over the coals.”
“She has a name,” Brexton said.
“I don’t care what her name is. The point is that you fucked up, big time. I’d thought you would be the one actor I could work with who would keep his dick in his pants, but apparently I was wrong. I’ve paraded models and actresses under your nose, hoping you would select someone who would further your career, or at least be good arm candy. But no… you go to the slums and pick up this… this…”
“Careful,” Brexton said, his tone hard and brittle. “Watch what words you use next, or they may be your last as my manager.”
Stella puffed up and her cheeks flushed.
Blossom placed a hand on his arm, but he only pulled her tight against his side, his arm going around her like a steel band.
“You’re going to choose some slut from the wrong side of town over me?” Stella demanded. “I’ve done everything for you, made sure you landed the best contracts, argued for top dollar on each movie. I’ve done things to make sure you’re a star, things you don’t want to know about, and you’re going to toss me aside now? For a piece of ass?”
Brexton growled and Blossom felt the muscles in his body tense.
“Brexton, I’ve been called worse, and once the papers figure out who I am, where I’m from, they won’t be kind either. I’ll be seen as some gold digging whore who is only after your money.”
His eyes flashed with fury and Blossom realized that he wasn’t going to be rational about the situation. She didn’t understand why he was so upset over the things his manager was saying. It wasn’t like they weren’t at least somewhat true. And she really had been called worse over the years -- but for whatever reason, Brexton had decided he was her hero. While it felt nice to have someone stand up for her, she was worried that he was about to tank his career, and she didn’t want that on her conscience. If he hadn’t met her, if she hadn’t let him into her apartment, then none of this would be happening right now.
“Use the head on your shoulders and not in your pants,” Stella said. “I bet she has a record. How’s that going to look to your fans?”
Blossom bristled. “I donothave a record. I’ve never received so much as a speeding ticket.”
Granted, it was because she didn’t drive, but still… she’d always obeyed the law. Just because she was poor didn’t mean she was a criminal. While she didn’t think Brexton saw her as one, she knew that a lot of people would feel she was a common thief or maybe even worked the streets just because of her address. It was hardly fair, but it was just the way the world worked. Unfortunately.
“Or maybe you just haven’t been arrested,” Stella said. “I’m sure cops are willing to look the other way in exchange for a favor or two.”
Blossom paled and clung tighter to Brexton, but he looked down at her in confusion. If people started saying that about her, if her name was dragged through the mud, what would it do to her son? Her daughter was small enough, that it wouldn’t make much of a difference to RaeLynn. But her son was old enough for kids to say mean things they overheard. Right now, she was an unknown, or had been until their outing. Brexton had put her in the spotlight.
“I don’t understand,” he said.
“She’s saying that I don’t have a record because I whored myself out to the cops in order to avoid being arrested,” Blossom said softly. It wasn’t true, not even close, but she knew it was what other people would think. Once they found out where she came from, they would paint her as trash.
“You’re finished,” Brexton said. “Get the fuck out of my home.”
Blossom started to pull away, trying to ignore the pain in her chest at his words, but he tightened his hold on her.
“Not you. Stella is the one leaving.”
“Brexton.” Blossom bit her lip. “She’s not wrong. She’s only saying what everyone will think. You can’t fire her for being honest, or at least telling the truth as your fans will see it.”
“She insulted you. I won’t stand for it,” Brexton said.
There was a sigh behind them and Blossom looked over her shoulder at another large purple alien.
“I had a feeling this might happen,” the man muttered.
Brexton leveled the intruder with a glare. “What are you doing here, Pryntar?”
“I heard you were asking about helping a human family.” The man shrugged. “I know you’ve wanted a family for a while. It wasn’t a big stretch to think you might claim them.”
Blossom’s eyes went wide. “No one is claiming anyone. He’s just letting us stay here for a short time.”
The man smiled faintly. “No, little one. Trust me. He wants to claim you. The papers might have started spreading the rumor, but he’s not upset with this turn of events. Are you, Brexton?”
