“You really should slow down, Sam. You know how hard liquor messes with you.”
I sneer at him. Not only has this man made me break up with someone who loves me, and I love in return, but now he’s trying to take care of me. “I’m fine. I’m not your concern. The pictures?”
He smirks, and I think I might be sick. “Oh, babe, you really think I’m stupid, don’t you? You belong with me. And, until you see it that way, the pictures are staying in place. Now, how about we get out of here. We can go back to my apartment or yours. You’ll see it my way in time. Assume I own your ass for as long as I want unless you want to be the laughing stock of Hollywood.”
The color drains from my face, and I swallow the bile that rises. “How much would it cost to make you go away and leave me alone?”
“I’m not going away. You know what I want. I’ll be able to help you get into directing, too. I have something in the works that I’m sure will lead to great things. Just stick with me.”
I shake my head. “No, Ben. This isn’t right. You can’t hold this over me. You can’t force me to date you, or not date Tait. It’s my life. What you’re trying to do isn’t ethical. How could you want to be with someone who doesn’t want you in return?” I stand to walk out on him, and I stumble. He is there to support me, and I cling onto him as I regain my balance. Then, I see a bright flash.
Chapter 29
I’m seeingred I’m so fucking pissed off. New pictures come out of Sam at home in some bar with Ben. She’s in his embrace, and he’s kissing her neck in the picture. I look at the small headline underneath.
Looks like old flames die hard. Samantha Riggs is spotted getting cozy with her ex, Ben Riley. Ben is an up and coming actor and is rumored to be appearing in a new Netflix series which begins filming this fall. I wonder if Tait now understands what his one-night stands feel like when he casts them aside?
I toss my phone to the other side of the small couch in my trailer.How fucking stupid am I?I tell her I love her on the phone and she blows me off like the words mean nothing to her. Clearly, Ben means more to her than she let on. I’m stuck in this hell hole for another week. I think I might explode.
Emily has been trying to get in touch with her since she hung up on us, but she’s not returning her call either.How did this all go so wrong?I should have kept up my playboy persona. At least, this way, I could have been getting laid. Who am I kidding? The only person I want to be buried in doesn’t want me. She is happy just going back to her ex. I thought she couldn’t stand him. Didn’t she tell me he was too controlling and that’s why she ended things with him?
The door to my trailer flies open, and Emily comes rushing in. “Did you see?” I nod my head, my jaw locked as she continues. “I know Sam, and that is not what it looks like. There is no way.”
“Really? It looks like she’s hooking up with her ex and making a fool out of me,” I deadpan.
“No. There has to be more to the story than this, Tait. She loves you.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Did she tell you that?”
“Well, no. But I saw it on her face the day she left. When I told her I could see on her face she loves you, she didn’t deny it. There is something going on that she’s not telling me. She wouldn’t leave you to be withBenof all people.”
“Sure, she would. I’m just Hollywood’s playboy. Random hook-ups are my game. Might as well get used to it.”
Someone knocks and opens the door. “You’re needed on set, Tait.” I get up, ending our conversation, and leave the trailer.
I head back to set, and Caleb looks like shit, too. He sent Quinn home right after Sam left without even knowing what happened. I guess Elena told him everything, and he has been trying to get in touch with her ever since, but she won’t return his calls.Sounds familiar.We really are two peas in a pod. Each of us messed upour love lives, and now we are walking around this set, moping. At least Elena and Bradley seem happy together.
Another day, another dollar, right?
* * *
It would bea lie to tell you I forget all about Sam. I can’t forget her beautiful brown eyes and the way she used to look at me. They haunt my dreams every night. I wake up with a damn boner every morning, and unless I take care of it, it doesn’t go down. It’s the same thing day in and day out for me. Wake up, jack off, go to work, drink, pass out, and dream of my perfect angel. I’ve officially gone insane from not hearing her voice.
Last night was the damn charity event, and it took Emily’s constant nagging to keep me from drinking too much. Now, today is the last day of filming, and I’m on the first flight to California as soon as we wrap. I need to know exactly why she did this, and I need her to look me in the face and tell me I mean nothing to her. I need the closure so I can finally get back to normal. Emily gave me her address and her key so I can let myself into her apartment. I know, if I try to give her a heads up, she will run. That’s the last thing I want.
My bags are packed, and I’ve already called a car to bring Emily and me to the airport.Hurry up, Emily.I want to get home, and I don’t want to miss this flight.
The elevator dings, and she steps off with her bag. I give her a hopeful look, and she shakes her head. She hasn’t heard from Sam today.
“I told her I’m coming home, but she hasn’t responded to my message.”
I frown and nod once. “All right, well, let’s get going. Are you sure you’re okay with me going to your place?”
She smirks at me. “Tait, you’re putting me up at the Ritz fucking Carlton. I’ll be ordering dirty movies and room service all night long. Trust me, I’m more than okay with this arrangement. Just go get her. Something isn’t right. It isn’t like her to go dark and not talk to me. Even when she’s pissed off at me, she still returns my calls and messages.”
“I just wish I could get her to talk to me. Why was she meeting with Ben? Did she ever tell you?”
She shakes her head. “No. That was the last time I talked to her. She’s told me she is still alive, but that’s basically it.”
