Chapter One

“I look ridiculous—like a fucking slut,” I say as I stare at my reflection.

My older sister Violet smiles at me in the mirror. “You look absolutely amazing—the best slut I’ve seen thus far.”

“Yeah right. You’re just saying that so I go to the wedding.” I search her reflection, hoping to see anything that would indicate I am right. Nothing.

Violet squirts some hair lotion into her hand and rubs it between her palms, working it through my beach wave curls. “Oh, shut up, Selena. You know deep down you want to come. No matter how hard you try to deny it, you want to see him.”

“I don’t. Caleb and I…we just…I haven’t spoken to him in a while, so I don’t know what’s going on. You know what, I think it’s a bad idea for me to go to this wedding. I’m sure Mom would understand.”

“Eh, yeah right. Mom would have your ass if you skipped out on this wedding. Hell, I would too. Juliet is like a sister to us. Don’t make her upset on her wedding day. You did enough damage when you said you couldn’t be a part of her bridal party.”

“You know why I couldn’t. She knew why too.”

“For crying out loud, Selena, it’s been five years since you last saw him. I doubt he’s holding a grudge against you for breaking up with him. You had to chase your dreams, and he was wrong to try to stop you. Now, look at you, one of the most sought-after actresses in the business,” Violet gushes.

I want to tell her that wasn’t entirely the truth. Caleb had been thrilled I landed a huge role on a number one sitcom. He was the first person I’d told when I received the call. We’d met in his downtown apartment in Kansas City and celebrated over Chinese takeout and cheap wine. The good old days. Then everything went downhill the next week when my agent suggested I leave my boyfriend behind and focus on my career. Later on down the road, there would be men more suitable for me and my line of work.

I tried to explain to Caleb about what the agent told me, and he got mad, no more like pissed the hell off. I tried everything in my power to let him know the breakup was only going to be for a short while until I got settled in Hollywood. He told me if I walked out that door, I could just forget about him.

I pleaded with him to see it from my point of view, and he told me if I had truly loved him I would have never entertained the thought of breaking up with him. I called his bluff and headed to LA two days later. I never saw or heard from him again. I was so mad that he stopped talking to me that I lied to my mother and sister about the breakup. I put the blame on him for everything.

“Hey, Sel, are you alright?” Violet says, staring at me with concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Truth be told, I’m nervous. I don’t think I can handle seeing him again. It’s going to kill me; I just know it.”

That was the honest truth too. Caleb had meant the world to me, and I let him go. For what, fame? Fortune? A career that had meant nothing to me for the past five years, because I couldn’t spend it with him. The love of my life…my soul mate.

“You will do fine, Selena. Besides, he’s coming with a date…see, nothing to worry about. He won’t even know you’re there.”

***

“So much for no one knowing I’m here.” Dammit, the paparazzi found me again. I’d told my assistant to give them a false location, and she’d said she was on it, but I guess not since at least fifteen paps were surrounding the church steps. “Anna, did you give them the false address?”

“Oops. I thought you told me to give them the church address. I’m so sorry,” she rambles.

I want to smack her upside her red-haired head, but I restrain myself since Violet did her hair, and I don’t want to hear her mouth either. So, I went with narrowing my eyes at her. “I didn’t want to outshine Juliet on her big day. Now she’s going to be worried that I might.”

She looks up from her phone with wide eyes. “Sorry, Selena.”

“Come on,” I say, sliding out the car.

She’s at my side the instant my feet touch the pavement. Anna is a great assistant when she follows directions; she’s also my crazy best friend, out to get anyone who dares to harm me in any way. I bumped into her five years ago and we’ve been joined at the hip ever since. I’m so thankful we met; I don’t know what I’d do without her.

Anna worked the paps like an artist. We offer them some pictures and answer questions in exchange for privacy for my friend’s wedding. They agree for now, but I’m sure they will linger behind to catch me at the reception to see if I have a slip-up. I never have slip-ups. I pride myself on never getting caught drunk or leaving my many one-night stands. After all, I have a very respectable reputation to uphold, and for that, I get the best films with huge pay.

“See, so far so good. The paps are off your back, but I think you should stay away from the party-goers. Look at how they’re staring at you. It’s creepy, like The Visit creepy,” Anna whispers in my ear, and she is right. People are staring at me with those plastered fake smiles that I so hate.

“I know, I’m trying not to look… Ah, there’s my mother.” I see her looking right at me with a huge smile etched on her face.

“Oh, darling, it is so good to see you again.” My mother pulls me into a bear hug. “I missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too, Mom. You know how work is.” I hug her back. “I wish I could have come home sooner.”

“None of that matters now. You are home, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She lets me go and looks over my shoulder, her eyes lighting up. “Anna! Come give me a hug too. I’m so happy you could accompany Selena here. I know it’s not LA, but Kansas City can be just as fun.” She winks.

“Nice seeing you, Mrs. Lane. I am happy Sel allowed me to come to such a private event.”

“Nonsense, Anna. You’re my best friend. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you,” I say. She knew how to get people to see things her way. Her power of persuasion was just that powerful. She gives me a sly grin as my mother ushers us to our seats in the first row.

“Mom, I don’t think we should be sitting so far up. It’s for family.”

“Sel, relax. Juliet wants us in the front. We were the closest thing she had to family at one point. So, of course, she’s put us in the front row—now sit.” I know better than to argue with her, so I take my seat in the front.

Conversations began to die out as everyone takes their seats. A few people come up for photos and autographs, but I kindly decline, stating I am here for Juliet. Today is her day, not mine, and if they can respect that. Some did; others mumbled underneath their breath that I am just being a stuck-up bitch. Five years ago, I would have cared, but now it doesn’t bother me. In my line of work, you were either hated or loved, never in between.

“They are so lucky we are in a church,” Anna huffs, squirming to get comfortable on the bench. “The nerve of that bi—”

“Hey, we’re in church, just leave it. It doesn’t bother me.”

Anna opens her mouth to reply, but the music begins to play. The groom and groomsmen walk out first, lining up on one side of the altar. That is different…I guess Juliet didn’t want the men walking the bridesmaids down the aisle. I scan the groomsmen but no Caleb. Maybe he isn’t going to show.

I spoke too soon.

He walks briskly through an offside door, making his way right behind the groom. He is more muscular and built than I remember. His dirty blonde hair is pulled up into a sleek man bun, and, sweet baby Jesus, he grew a beard. Heat swells between my legs, and I’m guessing I’m not the only woman here who loves the sight they’re seeing. Whispering breaks out, and I think I hear a lady behind me say she wouldn’t mind showing him how a fifty-year-old grandma does it. Gross.

I cross my legs. Wrong move. The pink dress raises when I walk, so imagine how high it goes when I cross them—very. I pull at the hem of my dress, bringing it down some. I look back up at him and our eyes lock. My body feels like it is going to burst into flames any minute under his gaze.

“Selena.” I tear my gaze from him to glance at my mother. “Legs down. The dress is beautiful; however, it is too tight. What you think is a simple leg cross could become a peeping session for the groomsmen. You don’t want them to see your glory gates.”

“Right,” I whisper, uncrossing my legs and linking them at the ankle.

***

The ceremony was beautiful. Juliet got her happy ending, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Somehow, I’d kept my eyes focused on the bride and the groom or my nude nails, even though I knew Caleb was watching me. I could feel the heat of his gaze roaming my body, and I knew he was getting a kick out of me squirming in my seat. It was so bad my mother began to ask if I needed to use the restroom. Go figure. Once the ceremony was over, everyone headed to the reception, so I took my time lingering behind with Anna. I needed to get my hormones in check before heading to the reception.

“Selena, are you alright? If you’re uncomfortable, we can leave,” Anna says, looking up from her phone.

“I’m great. It’s just the dress, that’s all.”

“Right,” she draws out. “Tight and formfitting isn’t usually your style.” She playfully rolls her eyes. “Time to go to the reception—you don’t want to show up too late. You aren’t here to draw attention to yourself,” she reminds me as we head out the door to the waiting SUV. Anna types away on her phone and gasps.

I look at her. “What?”

“You aren’t the only celebrity at this wedding. I knew one of the groomsmen looked familiar, but I wasn’t sure.”

“Groomsmen? What?”

“Caleb Hemsworth! Kansas City Chief’s linebacker. One of the highest paid athletes in the league.” I stare at her confused. I remember Caleb playing in college, nothing too serious, but it doesn’t surprise me that he got drafted. “Selena, you are so illiterate when it comes to sports,” she huffs, looking back at her phone.

“Caleb,” I whisper. “Wow.”

“Do you know him?” Anna’s voice rises, which means she is interested now. “Oh, Sel, you do know him. You slept with him, didn’t you? When? Where? Which high-profile party did you two meet at? I want all the deets.”

“Anna, it was a very long time ago, before he and I were even famous. Nothing serious. We went to college together.”

“You are so downplaying this. Why?” She knows me all too well.

“I don’t want to talk about it. He and I don’t speak anymore, and that’s all that matters.”

The rest of the car ride I think about Caleb and this new information. I’m not a sports fan so I could see how I wouldn’t have known. And Caleb wasn’t a topic of choice when I called to check in on my parents or sister because they thought he was wrong for trying to come between me and my dreams.

I pull out my phone and google Caleb. He has made it to the Super Bowl three years in a row and came out on top two out of the three. He was named Super Bowl MVP for the third time in his career, one more and he will be tied with Tom Brady.

“What’s with the scowl?” Anna leans over to check my phone.

“Nothing.” I exit out the browser. “I was just checking some emails.”

“Was it Karina? She has been blowing up my phone since we landed in Missouri. Why don’t you just give her the boot?”

“Anna, I am not having this conversation again.” The car comes to a slow stop—perfect timing. Anna and my agent, Karina, bump heads more than I would like them too.

The reception location comes as no surprise to me.

Anna looks at me as we enter. “A club?”

“Juliet is such a party girl. She wouldn’t have it any other way,” I tell her as I scan the club. Everyone was either hitting the bar or on the dance floor.

“This place is nice.” Anna looks around.

BeeBee Nightclub—the “It club” back in the day. Juliet, Violet, myself and other friends would sneak in here back in high school. The drinks were strong, affordable, and the music was great. I can see they made some major improvements in here since then. The dance floor is a bit wider, some strobe lights were added, and they finally put in bar stools. During my college years, I remembered that if you didn’t buy a bottle you weren’t getting a booth and that’s where the seats were. We would have to take several restroom breaks just to sit on the countertops.

“I’m going to get a drink. Do you want anything?” she asks.

“Yes, my usual. Thanks, Anna.” I watch her disappear into the crowd, and I make my way to Juliet. An arm wraps around my waist pulling me to their chest. Please don’t be a creepy fan, please don’t be a creepy fan.

“You’re back in town.” Caleb’s voice is smooth and holds more bass than five years ago. “That dress compliments you very nicely.”

I gasp. He rubs himself against my ass and I could feel his erection, and what a big one it is.

“You grew.” I slap my hand over my mouth. Shit! Why did I just say that? Way to play it cool, Sel.

“So have you.” He nips my ear and his free hand brushes across my breast. He turns me around, wrapping both arms around me. “I thought I would never see you again.” Caleb begins to sway with the music. Good idea, we can’t be feeling each other up on the dance floor—not dancing. My arms wrap around his neck, pushing my breasts into his rock-solid chest.

“Same. I hear you are quite the football player.” I’m flirting, why am I flirting? No.

“And you’re quite the actress.” He dips his head into the crook of my neck and nibbles at my spot. He remembers.

“Caleb,” I moan, tossing my head back.

“Selena,” Anna clears her throat. “Can I talk to you? In private.”

It takes everything in me to let him go as I turn around in a haze of lust and need for Caleb Hemsworth. Anna grabs my arm, dragging me into a dimly lit corner of the club. I see the excitement in her eyes and I roll mine. Here she goes.

“You two look so hot out there. I think he still wants you. I would have let you two continue dry humping one another, but people were starting to pull out their phones, and I know how you don’t want something like that out in the open.”

“Thanks.” I need to be more careful. I can’t let something like that make it to the press. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“I think I know what you want to come in you,” she jokes, thrusting back and forth. “So, tell me how you two—here he comes. I’ll be over at the bar.” Anna looks over my shoulder before scurrying off.

“I requested a song for us.” He wraps his arms around my waist again. Patrice Roberts “Slow Wine” pumps through the speakers and he winks at me. This was, and still is, one of my favorite songs. I’m surprised he remembers.

“I-I can’t.” I want to, but this dress was not meant to be whining in. My mother was here for crying out loud. “I’m going to take a rain check on this one.”

“Come to my house then. We can have our own private show.” He pushes me against the wall out of the public eye and hikes up my dress. His hand roams up my leg, stopping just where I want him. “No underwear. Fuck, I want you now.”

I have to put an end to this before we end up on TMZ. Sexing in the Club would be the headline, and I would lose so many movie opportunities.

“Caleb, not here. Not now. I’ll come to your place…tonight.” He takes a step back, digging in his pocket. I pull down my dress, running my hands over the material. He’s ignited a flame I’ve tried to keep out for five years and my body is in sexual overdrive.

“Here.” Caleb hands me his business card. A business card? “It’s my house key. I’m staying at Green Aces. This will let you in the front gate. I’m the second to the last house on the left. See you at nine.” He kisses my cheek.

“OK.” I put the key card in my cleavage. “I should go get Anna before—I should just go. Nice seeing you.”

“See you at nine.” He kisses me before walking off.

“Oh, my fucking Gaga,” I whisper to myself, touching my lips.