Camden

I watched as Kate walked away from me, in total disbelief that this could end this way. In a fit of anger, I picked up one of the nearby director’s chairs that had been set up for grooming and tossed it aside forcibly, tears threatening but being held back by sheer will. Just then, I could feel my mobile buzzing in my back pocket and grabbed it to look at the caller ID.

“Tony! Where the fuck are you?” I screamed into the receiver. “All hell is breaking loose over here, and you’re nowhere to be found.”

“Calm down, man. What’s going on? Are you alright?”

“The paparazzi are fucking swarming over here, and I need you.”

“Fuck, man! I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, just get your ass over here!”

“I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t? I’m paying you good money to…”

“Cam! It’s Lizzy. She’s been in an accident.”

My already shot nerves frayed even more violently as I took in this bit of new information, my stomach flipping in anxiety. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m at the hospital…Saints Giovanni e Paolo.”

“What the hell happened? Is she okay?”

“We don’t know much yet. Sounds like she had too much to drink last night and had a fall. She’s unconscious at the moment but…”

“Wasn’t she with Castell?”

“Yeah, we tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up. You want to talk to him?”

“No! I don’t want to talk to him!” I said, now feeling overwhelmed by my now explosive emotions as I tried to temper my anger. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Please stay by her side and make sure she’s properly taken care of.”

“Everything’s going to be okay, Cam. Text me when you arrive. I’ll come meet you in reception.”

I took a deep breath, trying desperately to calm myself down. “Thank you.”

Hanging up, I made a beeline for the hallway, running into Megan on the way.

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

“No, Megan, today is just one big rubbish fire,” I said humorlessly. “Can you please make yourself useful and sort out the quickest way for me to get to the hospital—Giovani and Paulo or some such.”

“The hospital?”

“Lizzy’s been hurt. I don’t know details yet.”

“Oh, dear. I’ll get that sorted for you. Shall I cancel your interviews for today, as well?”

“Probably a good idea. Castell is at the hospital, too, so I’d say your press day is sufficiently fucked,” I said, rushing off toward my room to grab my wallet and passport out of the safe just in case.

Fortunately, the hotel had had the good sense to clear the lobby of press, so as I approached the elevator bay, I came upon Amber and James as they were headed down, presumably for a leisurely breakfast.

“Hey, man, you look like shit. Where’s Princess Publicity? Thought you two’d be joined at the hip this morning.”

I just stared at this little imp, and suddenly I’d had enough and turned toward Megan, who was headed to the concierge desk. “Megan, one more thing, can you see that James is on the next flight back to LA? He’s no longer required. Thanks.”

“What the fuck?” James protested as I resumed my path to the elevators, never looking back.

Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Amber followed after me, leaving James in her wake. “Cam, what’s going on?”

“What isn’t going on?” I sighed. “The media has sniffed out Kate and me; and she believes that I leaked the photos that put them onto our scent in the first place, so she’s pitched me. I assume she’s upstairs packing.”

“You’re not going to try and stop her?”

“Don’t have time for that, unfortunately, because Lizzy is unconscious at some hospital that I’m assuming I’ll need a fucking boat to get to.”

“Wow, okay?”

I was about to walk away from Amber but turned on her. “Wait a minute. You were with her last night? Did you see anything happen?”

“No! Of course not. She and Matt went off together shortly after you left.”

“Ugh! Castell!”

“Cam, let me go with you.”

“No. I’ll be fine. Look, I’m sorry I sent your playmate away,” I said, eyeing James in the lobby as he yelled at Megan, who was trying to calm him. “I just—can’t with him anymore.”

“I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner, actually. Look, you have my number if you need me.”

I mustered up a likely pathetic smile for her and squeezed Amber’s arm as I jumped into a waiting elevator car. It had been kind of Amber to offer her assistance, but I knew in my heart that there was really only one person that I wanted by my side at a time like this but she sadly at the moment couldn’t stand the sight of me.