Chapter Seven

 

The band was ecstatic about their new album cover. I’d spent every spare moment editing it to perfection. The lighting was vintage, the fisheye lens provided a cool effect that actually made Paul look taller, and Theo, well, there wasn’t anything I could do to make that man look bad. He was absolutely perfect.

“See, you are photogenic,” I flirted with Theo while the rest of the band focused on their new artwork.

“You’re just an amazing photographer. You can make anyone look good,” he smiled.

Damn. I’ve missed him.

It’d been over a week since we’d hooked up, and with our schedules growing more hectic, I was missing him, badly.

“That’s not true,” I argued, but secretly enjoying the compliment of my work.

“Sure it is. Look at Paul. You managed to actually make him taller,” he laughed.

“That’s the lens we’re using tonight. You still coming?” I asked.

Theo smiled and nodded. “Of course. Can’t let down my fans,” he sighed, rolling his eyes playfully.

The girls at the photography club were certainly fans of Theo’s. I knew the majority of them had developed crushes on him just after that first night, and a couple of them I noticed in the bar on nights he played. It’s just promotion and marketing, Willow. Relax.

I hated that feeling of jealousy I had with Theo, but with the same profession as my ex, and all the same temptations—and then some—it was tough not to worry.

“I’ll have to drive separate,” he said, offering a pouty lip before the guys came back over.

I finally had my schedule cleared for the entire week, and Theo had the night off, and the next day. I could deal with not riding together, knowing that we had an entire evening and an entire day to spend together afterward.

“I’ll see ya there,” I said as casually as I could, and then left for the club.

We hadn’t talked about what we were doing with each other. Hell, we’d barely spoken at all, being so busy. I wasn’t sure what the band members knew, or didn’t know, so I just acted like nothing had changed between us when they were around. It sucked as I walked to my car though, knowing that I couldn’t kiss his lips or touch his warm, hard body before I left.

I wouldn’t be able to at the club, either. We were close professionally, but they weren’t women with which I’d share my personal life. Except for Lark. She knew everything. She was tired of hearing about it.

I pulled into the parking lot wondering what were we doing. Was it just a hookup, or were we exclusive, or were we dating?

My brain took over once again, screwing with everything that felt good, and turning it into a giant mess. I calmed myself down, convincing myself that we’d both been too busy, that’s all.

Still, it was strange sleeping in my bed all week after staying in his. Waking up to his warmth, his scent, his body pressed against mine, it was what I yearned for every night when I fell asleep alone.

You could’ve climbed into his bed, Willow. You were asleep first, in bed before he made it home each night. But he could’ve climbed into mine as well. If he really wanted me, that is.

“Willow!” Jeanette called out, waving from across the parking lot.

I got out of my car and tried to act enthusiastic about seeing her, even though she was my least favorite club member. “Is he coming?” she asked before I could even make it to the sidewalk where she stood.

Her long red hair glistened in the sunlight, making me wonder what I’d look like with that color. Her smile was warm and inviting, but always felt fake to me. I wondered if anyone else thought so.

“Who?” I asked, playing dumb.

“Theo. Is he coming tonight?” she asked eagerly—too eagerly.

“Yes. He’ll be here shortly,” I replied with my own fake smile.

Maybe it was that she was too pretty. She was intimidating with her bright white teeth, perfect figure, and uniquely stunning features.

“What I wouldn’t give for a bite out of that prime rib,” she growled, like, literally growled. Ugh!

“I think he’s seeing someone,” I snapped at her quickly.

“What a shame. Lucky girl, though,” she sighed.

“She sure is,” I replied with another fake smile. What was wrong with me? Was it me, or was it Jeanette? Either way, it always felt like a chore talking to her, one which neither of us appeared to enjoy.

I looked around for Lark, desperately needing one of her pep talks. She was the only one I could even talk to about Theo, and the only one that would tell me to get out of my own head. I needed that right now.

Theo pulled up and immediately Jeanette rushed toward him. I waited on the sidewalk, calling Lark’s number and getting no answer. Where the hell is she?

It pleased me to see Theo look annoyed as he listened to Jeanette rattle beside him on his way through the door. “You coming in?” he asked, almost pleading for help.

“In a minute,” I smiled, hoping to see Lark before the meeting began.

Everyone started to arrive, and of course, Lark was the last one to pull in. I gripped her arm tightly, filled her in on the anxiety I was feeling, and waited for her to tell me I was being foolish.

“You just need to ask him,” she said. What the fuck was that? How was that helpful?

“Don’t you think that might freak him out?” I asked.

“It’s weird that you guys live together. But if you didn’t, would you be this concerned, this quickly?” she asked.

No. I wouldn’t. “So, he could still be dating other women while we’re dating, and living together?” I sighed, realizing just how messed up that truly would be.

“I mean, yeah. I guess. But he wasn’t dating anyone before you, so why would he now?” she asked, wrinkling her nose at me.

A couple of the girls came out, insisting we get inside and get started.

Everything was perfect, especially Theo. He was a natural, and the camera loved him. I noticed Jeanette giving him little glances, and a couple smirks that she appeared to think were hidden from anyone else’s view. It was like they had an inside secret. How long was I outside waiting on Lark?

At the end of the night, I noticed a bracket was missing from my lens mount. I knelt down on the floor, searching for the small black piece on the dark carpet when Theo snuck up behind me. “What did you lose?” he asked.

As I explained to him what the part looked like, Jeanette was already on his tail. “Oh no,” she exclaimed, even that appeared fake.

After searching for several minutes, I decided it wasn’t worth it. “It’s not that expensive. I’ll just order a new one,” I said, calling off the search.

I’d had enough time on the floor with Jeanette and her fake expressions. I didn’t care if it was a thousand dollars to replace; it would be worth it to escape from her.

Jeanette pulled Theo away as soon as the hunt was over, showing him the photos she’d taken of him the last time he’d modeled.

Watching the two of them together, smiling, leaning over one another’s shoulders, it was disgusting.

Lark had a client meeting, so she was already gone, leaving me to deal with my irrational feelings alone. When I watched Jeanette whisper something in Theo’s ear, tiptoeing to reach it, I was filled with jealousy. When she handed him a white piece of torn paper, most likely her number, I was filled with rage. But, when Theo put that paper into his back pocket, giving the room a once-over to make sure he wasn’t seen, I was filled with heartache. It was a familiar feeling, one I’d never wanted to feel again.

Jeanette left, waving at me from the door. My hand barely hit the air for her weak goodbye wave. That bitch!

I was an idiot. Why did I believe he’d be any different? He wasn’t going to commit, not when he had so many women fawning over him everywhere he went.

Theo stacked the chairs, and folded the tables, pushing them against the wall while I packed up my equipment. “You ready?” he asked, a smile wide on his face. Yeah, you have plenty to be happy about, don’t you, playboy?

My stomach churned at the thought of Theo having his way with me tonight, only to have his way with Jeanette tomorrow night, and whoever else the night after that. “Yeah,” I snipped, my tone short and cold.

If he flinched at my screech, I hadn’t noticed. I tossed my bag over my shoulder and headed for the door. I held it open while he walked out, and then locked up without saying a word.

“I’ll follow you home. Unless you want to stop somewhere?” he suggested as we walked to our cars.

“There’s nowhere else I need or want to be. If you have somewhere in mind, or someone, don’t let me stop you. No need for any favors,” I tightened my lips and squinted my eyes.

“Whoa,” he gasped, backing up a step as I climbed into my car. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he asked.

“I saw Jeanette throwing herself at you, and you loving every second of it. You have her number in your back pocket. Why don’t you just call her? She obviously doesn’t mind sharing,” I snapped, slamming my car door.

“Wow. You’re a nut case, Willow,” he said with surprise.

“You’re right. I am nuts for believing you’d be any different. I told you, all musicians are the same,” I scolded.

“I’ll see you at home,” Theo said, shaking his head as he walked away from my car.

Mac had the same way of making me feel like the crazy one when he fucked me over. Not this time. He may not have been caught with a pair of red lips around his cock, but given time, he would’ve been. They’re all the same.