Chapter Ten
Josie woke back in her own bed in LA with a sense of unease sitting heavy on her chest. Maybe she was psyching herself out, or maybe it was her fear of the unknown. Whatever the reason, after living in a bubble with Anders for the last two weeks, the thought of returning to the real world was unsettling. With a resigned sigh, she crawled out of bed and stumbled to the shower.
An hour later she pulled open the door of the studio, her stomach fluttering when she thought about seeing Anders. A smile played on her lips as she unpacked her things, her mind drifting to their time in Arizona. The sound of her cell phone ringing broke her from her memories and she scrambled to answer.
“Hello?”
“I don’t know what kind of place Argent is running, but they need to get a handle on their employees.” Anders’ voice was stern and playful, making Josie laugh then sigh.
“I bet it’s the costume department, isn’t it? It is, right? I swear,” she exhaled. “You can’t find good help anywhere these days.”
“It really is quite sad. Is it asking too much for the beautiful Costume Supervisor to be in my trailer wearing only a tie when I walk through the door? For modeling purposes, of course.”
Josie laughed, her heart skipping. “Of course.”
“It feels weird being back.” He spoke quieter, his tone softer.
“I walked outside this morning and my makeup didn’t slide off my face from sweating. It was very disconcerting.”
“Get your ass to my trailer and I’ll have you sweating in no time.”
“Mr. Ellis, that sounds highly unprofessional,” she chastised, grabbing her clipboard and heading toward his trailer. “We both know how you feel about remaining professional on the job.”
“Well I see your smart mouth found its way back to LA.” Anders shook his head, a small smile tugging up the corner of his mouth.
Josie grinned and pushed open his door but continued to speak into her phone. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you sound relieved.”
Anders snapped his head to the side, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he stood from his chair, his phone still pressed to his ear. “Relieved is a bit of a stretch. Although, I must admit, I’ve thought of some creative ways to shut you up.”
Josie licked her lips and dropped her phone to her side. “Creative?”
Anders tossed his on the vanity and crossed the room. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her before whispering in her ear. “You have no idea.”
“I have a few.” Josie grinned and hugged him close, her eyes falling shut and the tightness in her chest loosening for the first time that day.
Anders leaned his forehead against Josie’s. “Is it weird that I missed you?”
“Totally weird. You’re such a freak.” Her tone was playful, but the strain in her voice and the softness in her eyes showed her true feelings.
“Can I come see you tonight?”
“Yeah.” Josie smiled and tightened her hands in his hair just as his trailer door banged open.
“Anders!” Josie and Anders ripped away from each other, their eyes wide with shock and fear as Aubrey Nash burst into the room.
Anders was an actor, after all, and if he knew how to do anything, it was how to perform. Which was exactly what he did.
“Aubrey.” He smiled and shifted away from Josie. His eyes focused on the beautiful girl in front of him.
Aubrey flicked her eyes to Josie before dismissing her. Wrapping her arms around Anders’ neck, she planted her lips against his. “I have been waiting to do that since the day I heard you resumed this role.”
“Have you now?” Anders chuckled, his hand sliding to her waist and pushing, wanting to create a bit of distance between them.
“Oh, Anders.” Aubrey laughed, playfully hitting his stomach. “The only reason I took this role was to have dirty sex scenes with you.”
Anders grinned and gripped her a little tighter, unaware that the color had drained from Josie’s face. “Well, I’ll do my best to not disappoint.”
Josie swallowed around the lump in her throat and stepped to the side. She felt like an outsider and wanted nothing more than to escape the sick feeling twisting in her stomach. Unfortunately, slipping out the door and away from Aubrey and Anders did nothing to relieve her tension because neither seemed to notice her leave.
She marched inside the studio and down the hall to her department, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. Anders asked to keep things private, and while she knew part of the reason was to protect her, it was more to protect himself. As long as they played by his rules, they’d never be a normal couple. When she agreed, she hadn’t given their futures any thought. Perhaps that was the point; she wasn’t supposed to imagine them together long term.
While Josie wrestled to get a handle on her emotions, Anders remained trapped with Aubrey. He smiled and laughed at the right moments, but nothing about it was okay. His stomach had twisted when Josie walked out the door, but his stubbornness and blind determination to not show weakness kept him in place.
“We should grab lunch later.”
Anders didn’t want to talk about lunch. He wanted to go after Josie and wipe away the expression on her face when she slipped out the door, but he couldn’t, not with Aubrey focusing all her attention on him. “Sounds great,” Anders agreed. “I can have lunch brought here.”
“Not exactly what I had in mind, but I can’t say I mind the extra privacy.”
Anders’ stomach dropped when he realized her implication. Before Josie, he wouldn’t have hesitated. He knew the moment he accepted the role Aubrey would be all over him. When they hooked up during auditions, she alluded to the fun they could have during filming. At the time, Anders hadn’t bothered to correct her and quite possibly even agreed. Of course his agreement had more to do with the blow job he was receiving and less to do with his eagerness for a repeat. He realized his mistake now. Shutting her down would pique her curiosity. She’d never been one to take no for an answer. He needed to buy some time. He needed to talk to Josie.
Anders schooled his features before twisting his face into a look of disappointment. “Shit, I forgot I have a meeting with Nathan today. Maybe later this week, okay?”
Aubrey gave him a wide smile, but she got the distinct impression Anders was blowing her off. “Of course. After all, it’s not like we won’t see each other every day. I can’t tell you how much that pleases me.” Leaning forward she touched her lips to his, her jaw tightening when he flinched.
“I have a pretty good idea.” Anders grinned and stroked his thumb along the curve of her jaw before stepping away. He kept their eyes locked, trying to wipe away the curiosity in her eyes. One day back on set and already his involvement with Josie was affecting him. “I have to get to the set, but I’ll see you there in a bit, right?”
“Of course you will,” Aubrey sang, the wheels in her head spinning. “I’ll be along shortly. I have some things I need to take care of first.” Aubrey flashed a smile as Anders reluctantly left his trailer.
She looked around the room, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. The guy who just walked out of the room was different from the one she had met at auditions. He seemed distracted and jumpy. She didn’t want this version. She wanted the one she had set her sights on months ago. The one she had every intention of sinking her claws into and making her own, regardless of his absurd rules and hang-ups about dating.
Aubrey’s lips parted and her eyes widened as she remembered how he flinched away from her. She couldn’t help but wonder if Anders had already broken his rule. She thought about his most recent pictures and shook her head at the ridiculous notion. He was the same playboy he’d always been. Something was definitely different, though, and she’d figure it out sooner or later. Flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder, she strolled out of the room and toward the set.
While Anders and Aubrey discussed scenes with the director, Josie tried to focus on the drawing in front of her, but all she could see was Aubrey kissing Anders. The pencil in Josie’s hand snapped in two.
Jealousy was not an emotion she was accustomed to, but already she hated it. She looked at her phone, the screen black―no messages, no calls. “Fuck this,” she muttered and pushed away from the desk.
“Where ya going?” Madison asked from the doorway.
“To find you.” Josie laughed, relieved to see her best friend’s smiling face.
“Well, aren’t you lucky I have perfect timing?” She looked over her shoulder then turned back to Josie, her voice lowered, her expression full of mischief. “So are you going to bury me in work, or do I get to hear all the dirty details about your time in Arizona?”
Josie’s smile slipped, and even though she recovered quickly, Madison noticed. “No work. I thought we could grab some lunch.”
“One of these days you’ll admit you can’t hide things from me. Something happened. It’s written all over your face.”
Josie shook her head. “Arizona was great. I promise.”
“Then what is it? What’s got you looking like someone killed your cat?”
“I don’t have a cat.”
“Okay, then stop looking like someone cut up your fashion magazines.”
Josie gasped and clutched her chest dramatically. “Do not say such things. The mental image alone makes me want to go fetal.”
Madison laughed and hugged Josie. “I missed you.”
“Me too.”
Pulling away, Madison tugged on Josie’s arm and led her out of the room. “But don’t think I’m going to let this go,” she said in a singsong voice.
“Of course you’re not.” Josie smiled, resigned and relieved all at once.
“I need to grab my bag. I left it over by the set. Come on, it’ll just take a second.”
Josie swore under her breath but nodded and followed Madison. Anders and Aubrey would be shooting their scenes together, and after witnessing their encounter earlier, she wasn’t sure she could stomach it. As soon as they rounded the corner, her fears were confirmed.
The director stood in front of them, gesturing wildly as he explained how he wanted the scene to play out. Anders’ brows were furrowed, his eyes intense, as he focused on the director. It was Aubrey who made Josie’s stomach twist. She stood pressed against Anders’ side, her hand draped over his forearm and her attention focused completely on him.
Like he could feel her in the room, Anders’ head snapped up and his eyes locked with Josie’s. She froze, trapped in the intensity of his gaze, her limbs heavy as her heart tried to take flight from her chest.
“Josie,” Madison whispered. She grabbed Josie’s arm and gave a slight squeeze. “You ready?”
Josie looked away from Anders and nodded. “Yeah, let’s go.”
Anders flexed his hand into a fist as he watched her leave. Slight pressure on his arm caused his gaze to drift down and then to Aubrey. She wasn’t looking at Anders, though. Her gaze followed Josie and Madison as they left. Anders tried to keep his cool, but paranoia caused his anxiety to spike.
Pulling his arm free, he slid it around Aubrey’s waist and pressed his fingers into her hip. “We’ve got this, don’t we, Aubrey?” He gave her a charming smile―the one he used when he wanted to get his way―that no woman could resist. No one except Josie, but he couldn’t think about her. He needed to keep his head in the game.
“We’re going to blow their minds.”
The director smiled and sent everyone to their places. As promised, Anders and Aubrey blew everyone’s minds. Anders shut down and lost himself in his role. He wasn’t plagued with thoughts about costars, wounded expressions, or the clenching of his gut. Instead he became someone else. When he kissed Aubrey, when he touched her, Anders was nowhere to be found.
Josie pulled into the parking lot of Holden’s restaurant and killed the engine. The conversation between her and Madison had been superficial and easy. They didn’t talk about what happened at the studio or why Josie looked sick, but the reprieve wouldn’t last. Madison had no intention of allowing Josie to bottle up whatever was going on inside her head.
“Just because we’re eating here doesn’t mean I’m not about to ask you a million questions. Holden is busy. We’ll still be alone.”
With a tight smile, Josie stepped out of the car. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Once seated and their food ordered, Josie unloaded. She told Madison about Arizona―how strained things were in the beginning, how different Anders was without his walls erected, and how it terrified her to think about it all blowing up in her face.
Madison listened patiently, but her heart fluttered with nerves and her stomach sank with dread as she watched a million emotions play across Josie’s face. “It’s going to be okay. Just give it some time. He’s never done this. You guys are both finding your way.”
“But he has. Why else would he be the way he is? Someone burned him.”
“Why don’t you look it up? See what past relationships he’s had.”
Josie blew out a breath and shook her head. “I never realized how different their lives are from ours. We work with actors every day. We see their lives dissected on the news and in magazines all the time. But there’s so much we don’t know, so much that’s complete bullshit. I could look it up, but Maddie, if I want the truth, it’s going to have to come from him.”
“Pictures don’t lie.”
“But they can be taken out of context.” Josie thought about the fan picture that led her to believe Anders had been on a date. “I can’t do it. I’ll have more questions than answers. I have a hard enough time dealing with what I see now, trying to work out what’s real and what isn’t. Also, I don’t trust him to be honest.”
Madison furrowed her brows. “You don’t trust him. You have to keep your relationship a secret. And from the way it sounds, both of you have one foot out the door. I guess I just don’t understand why you’re together. What do you want from this?”
“That”―Josie sighed, lifting her drink―“is the million dollar question.” They spent the remainder of lunch talking about Holden and his restaurant search, anything to keep her mind off Anders and Aubrey. When she stepped inside her house, however, everything came rushing back.
The moment Anders escaped Aubrey, he called Josie. He hated the feeling of uncertainty that seemed to lie over him like a blanket, stifling the air and making it difficult to breathe. He wondered if he should just end things. He wasn’t delusional about how things would play out. They were in the home stretch, the second half, the last quarter. Their game was almost over. He felt it in every inch of his body. Yet when Josie’s voice sounded in his ear, all rational thought disappeared.
“Hey.”
That was all it took. One word from her and his chest constricted, trapping the air in his lungs and burning him from the inside out. She was going to ruin him. No matter how much he wanted to push her away, he just couldn’t do it.
“I’m coming over.”
Josie blinked at his forceful tone. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Josie opened her mouth to speak but stopped when she realized he’d already hung up. Pouring a glass of water, she settled on her couch and waited. The minutes ticked by, each one making her more and more uneasy. She wanted to talk to him about earlier, but if he was as agitated as he sounded, it would lead to a fight. She set her glass on the table when she heard footsteps on the front porch.
Opening the door, she grimaced. He looked as agitated as he sounded. “What’s going on?”
“I told you I wanted to see you tonight. What do you mean, what’s going on? Did you change your mind?” Anders clenched his jaw as he stared at a shocked Josie.
“What’s the matter with you? If anyone should be pissed, it’s me.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew things were about to get ugly. She didn’t want to fight, but she wasn’t going to let him act like a dick.
“Is that a fact?” Anders’ laugh was abrupt and harsh. “Tell me, Ivy. What is it that you have to be pissed about?”
“Because Aubrey molested you right in front of me and you did nothing to stop her.” Josie balled her hands, her anger and confusion rushing back full force.
“You make it sound like I asked for that. I didn’t do shit to make her act that way.”
“Bullshit. Everything you’ve done for God knows how long has made people assume it’s acceptable to act the way she did. Tell me, if you and I weren’t together, are you saying you wouldn’t have fucked her before the assistant director yelled take one?”
Anders’ heart thundered in his chest, and when he spoke, his words were low and strained. “But we are together. I wouldn’t do that. I won’t apologize for my past, and you can’t hold it against me. It’s completely fucking unfair.”
“So if some random guy kissed me in front of you, that’d be okay? Because I can’t control what other people do, right?”
“Goddamn it, Ivy. Are you trying to piss me off? Because it’s fucking working.”
“You came here looking for a fight! I don’t know who set you off, but you’re not going to dump your shit on me. Not like that.”
The truth was, the only person he was angry with was himself. The realization drained the fight from his body. His shoulders slumped and his eyes drifted shut. “I don’t want to fight. I’m sorry about Aubrey. She’s going to be...difficult.”
“Yes, I got that impression when she kissed you then talked about dirty sex scenes.”
“C’mere.” Anders moved until he was in front of Josie and wrapped his arms around her waist. Tugging gently, he walked them to her couch and fell onto it, pulling Josie with him.
“This is hard for me. I…I’ve never had to deal with anything like this. Seeing her touch you like she did, in ways that I can’t… I hated it.”
Anders nodded, relieved that the fight seemed to have left her too. She sounded genuinely upset, and as messed up as it might be, it made him feel better. “I’ll handle Aubrey. You just have to trust me. Okay?”
All Josie could muster was a nod. Trusting him was easier said than done, especially since his trust in her was superficial. It was for show and skimmed the top, a Band-Aid to cover whatever secrets lay hidden just below the surface. Cracks and holes littered the foundation of their fragile relationship, fault lines that shook with the slightest bit of pressure.
The next couple of weeks passed with little fanfare. Josie and Anders saw each other less and less on set, preferring to spend their free time together after work without fear of being watched. Anders was content. He was in control.
Josie, however, was not. Each day she felt more cagy, the feeling of being a dirty secret nagging at her. She wanted to go to the movies or out to dinner. It had nothing to do with showing him off. She wanted a semblance of normalcy, to experience things with Anders. She wanted to experience life.
Another thing Josie discovered was that she hated Aubrey Nash with unbridled rage. Every chance Aubrey had, she was all over Anders. Even though Anders did as he promised, keeping their interactions limited to filming, she was relentless. Which was why Josie wasn’t surprised by the magazine cover Anders tossed on her desk.
“Can you believe this shit?” Anders chuckled, his eyes darting to the hall then back to Josie.
She picked up the magazine and stared at the cover, her fingers tightening around the edges. “Hot on-screen chemistry leads to off-camera romance. Aubrey Nash takes role of leading lady both on and off the screen.” Josie’s voice was monotone, devoid of emotion, but on the inside she was anything but. Anger, jealousy, and hurt twisted inside her chest.
“What’s the matter with you? You know this is all bullshit, right?” Anders wrapped his hands around the back of the chair across from Josie, a small smirk on his lips as he tried to hide the unease her demeanor caused. He expected more of a reaction. She seemed unaffected, and it pissed him off.
“What do you want me to say? You want me―” She stopped speaking when Anders’ phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket and blew out an exasperated breath when he saw Nathan’s name light up the screen.
“What?” There was no point in ignoring Nathan. He’d continue to call until Anders answered.
“One day you’re going to answer the phone like a normal person. Obviously today is not that day.”
“Yes, I’m an asshole. Alert the press. At least if they printed that, it would be the truth.”
“Ah, so you’ve seen the magazine. That explains your sunny disposition.”
Anders clenched his jaw. “Nathan.”
“Okay, okay. Clarence wants to meet with you.”
“Why didn’t he call me himself?”
“Are you joking? You’re not the easiest person to talk to on a good day. Considering what came out today, he figured you might be...testy.”
“What does he want? I don’t have time for this bullshit.” Anders flicked his eyes to Josie, who wasn’t even looking at him. She’d tossed the magazine to the side and was furiously dragging her pencil across the pad in front of her. He snapped his fingers and waved his hand in the air until she looked up. “What are you doing?” he mouthed, annoyance clear in his features as he pointed to the drawing. He was being irrational, but it bothered him that she didn’t seem concerned with his conversation or the magazine she’d discarded.
“Working,” she drawled, the expression on her face meant to make him feel stupid.
The sound of Nathan’s voice stopped Anders from responding. “He’d like to speak with you. He’s waiting in his office.”
“He wants me to come now?”
“So it would seem. Try to be civil. I realize this can be difficult for you.”
Anders didn’t bother to respond. He ended the call and shoved his phone in his pocket. He stared at Josie, waiting for her to look up, waiting for a reaction, waiting for something.
“You have to go.” It wasn’t a question. Contrary to what Anders believed, Josie was listening.
“Clarence wants to see me.” Anders pulled in a deep breath, prepared to leave without another word but stopped. “You’re not mad at me about this are you?” His words came out in a rush, the slight edge to his voice caused Josie to startle.
She dropped her pencil and sighed. Pressing the tips of her fingers into her temples, she shook her head. “I’m not mad at you. I’m just frustrated. I kind of hate her, Anders.”
Anders looked over his shoulder, hesitating for a moment before pulling her into the office behind her cubicle and locking the door. Ignoring her protests, he pushed her into the closest chair and crouched in front her. “Ivy, hey. Look at me.” He planted his hands on the tops of her thighs, his voice softer when he spoke again. “I’m doing my best here. I know that’s not saying much, but I’m trying. I don’t want her. I just want to be with you, okay?”
“I just wish we could be normal sometimes.”
Anders’ jaw clenched. “I can’t give you normal.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
Anders gripped her a little tighter, hating the sudden pressure sitting on his chest. “We’ve talked about this.”
“And yet I still don’t know why.”
“I told you―”
“You’ve told me half-truths. There’s more. I’m not stupid. Or am I?”
“Ivy.” Her name was both a plea and a warning.
“Anders.” The challenge in Josie’s voice was unmistakable.
“Can you”―he reached up and stroked her cheek―“can you give me some time? Please?” He thought he’d have to school his features, force pleading sincerity in his expression. His stomach dropped when he realized he didn’t have to do any work at all; everything about his expression was genuine.
Josie saw it too. It made her heart clench. Her desire to believe him was enough to make her sink a little further, fall a little deeper, become a little more lost. “You’ve got to give me something.”
Anders rocked on the balls of his feet. Vulnerability made him anxious and jumpy. He wasn’t sure why he asked for more time, or if he was actually considering telling her about Eva and Nicholas. The moment their names popped into his head, his entire frame stiffened and the reason he was so guarded in the first place came surging back. No, never again. He wouldn’t give anyone power like that again.
“Come to my place tonight.” It was the first time he suggested she come to his home, and from the shock on Josie’s face, he knew he’d managed to deflect her again. At least for a while.
“What?”
“Come to my house. We’ll have dinner. Go for a swim.”
“But I thought you were worried about paps. What’s changed?”
Anders shook his head and smiled. “Let me worry about that.” He lived in one of the most secure neighborhoods in LA. What he’d told her about paparazzi hiding in his bushes had been true. What he failed to mention was that he moved after it happened and took out a restraining order against the offending bastard.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’ll text you later. I need to see what Clarence wants.”
“Yeah, of course. Okay.” Josie was still reeling from his offer. As he walked out the door, she tried not to let the bitter taste from his kiss linger on her lips, because suddenly she felt like a dog thrown a bone.
Anders pulled in a deep breath before entering Clarence’s office. His eyes widened the moment he took in the scene before him. Clarence and Tucker, both executives with Argent, sat at a table in Clarence’s office. It wasn’t the two men who had Anders’ attention, however. No, his attention was on Aubrey, who sat among them, a huge smile on her face.
“Anders, we thought Nathan had been unable to reach you.” Clarence smiled and stood from his chair. Crossing the room he clasped Anders’ hand and led him to the table. “Can we get you something to drink?”
“How about we skip the chitchat and get to why I’m here.”
Clarence cleared his throat and shifted his feet before settling in his chair and gesturing for Anders to do the same. Anders cut his eyes over to Aubrey before easing into the chair next to her. “We,” Clarence began, waving his hand toward Tucker, “came across some interesting information this morning and wanted the opportunity to discuss it with you.”
Anders stared at him, his expression annoyed and impatient.
“What he means,” Tucker cut in, “is we wanted to ask the two of you if there was any truth to this.” He pulled out a magazine and laid it on the table in front of Aubrey and Anders. The very same magazine Anders had dropped on Josie’s desk just earlier.
“Jesus Christ,” Anders muttered, raking a hand through his hair.
“Are the two of you”―Clarence paused and lifted his brow―“involved?”
“No,” Anders answered at the same time Aubrey answered yes. He turned toward her, his expression incredulous.
“Not yet,” she smirked, a devilish twinkle in her eye.
Tucker hummed and looked between the two actors. “Could you pretend?”
Anders’ eyes snapped to Tucker. “No fucking way.”
“There’s no reason to be so hostile, Anders. Do you have any idea what kind of buzz this has created? Twitter, trash mags, fan sites―people are salivating at the idea of an on- and off-camera romance between you two. Since this article hit, the film has been Googled almost half a million times. The IMDB MOVIEmeter jumped from 111 to 13. In one day. Do you have any idea the potential this has for sales? For your bonus?” Clarence smiled when Anders’ shoulders slumped. If there was one thing Clarence understood about Anders, it was his need for success. Buzz about the film, regardless of the source, was a good thing.
“It’s not like you have to do anything major,” Tucker added. “The story’s already printed. You don’t have to confirm anything, just go out for lunch. Be seen together a few times. Nothing major.” Tucker turned to Aubrey and lifted his brows. “Aubrey?”
Aubrey shrugged and inspected her nails. “I could fake it. It would be good for the movie. That’s what’s important, right? It’s the reason we’re all here.” She looked at Anders and smiled, then slid her hand over his. “It’ll be fun.”
Anders didn’t care about fun, and he was less than thrilled about the idea in general. What he did care about was the success of the movie. If pretending for a couple of months would get it more attention, then he’d do what they asked. This type of thing happened all the time. It wasn’t a big deal.
“Fuck it. I’ll do it.”
It was hours later, as Anders stared silently across the room, that he realized how big of a deal it really was. With his hands tented in front of his face and his elbows propped on his knees, he watched Josie pull on her shoes and grab her keys. Taking a deep breath, he dropped his hands to his knees and pushed off the couch. He moved in front of Josie, blocking her path before she left the room.
“Why won’t you just fucking listen to me?”
“I’ve done nothing but listen to you, Anders. ‘Ivy, you can’t tell anyone. Ivy, I don’t date. Ivy, we can’t be seen together.’ Your rules, your game. I’m the one that’s going to end up the loser. I’ll be damned if you’re going to take me down piece by piece. I’m cashing out.”
“What the fuck are you even talking about? You’re not making any sense. It’s fake. None of it is real. Why is that so hard for you to understand?”
“Why is it so damn hard for you to understand why I’m upset? You’re going to go out with her. You’re going to let people assume you’re a couple. You’re going to be in more of a relationship with your fake girlfriend than your real one. Unless part of the agreement is you get to fuck her. Then I’m fucking obsolete.”
“Ah, God. Here we go again,” he groaned in exasperation. “I’m not going to fuck her. The only reason I agreed to do this was for the movie. As you just said, you are my girlfriend. Not her.” It was the first time either of them had put a label on their relationship. Both were taken aback that the declarations happened during an argument.
“Anders, I’m jealous, okay? I hate it, and it makes me feel foolish to admit it, but I am. She gets to do things we can’t, and you agreed to it without giving a second thought to how it would make me feel.”
“Of course I care how you feel. Christ, look where we are.” He swept his arms out wide. “If you think I care so little about you, then why are you here? Why are we doing this?” Anders wanted to take the question back as soon as he asked. He didn’t want her to answer. He wanted to go back to an hour ago when they were naked in his bed. But he did ask and, just like he dreaded, she answered.
“Because you won’t let me leave. Every time I try to go, you stop me.” Her words were sharp and coated with venom. A poisoned arrow aimed right for his pride and hitting its mark. Lifting his chin, he stepped to the side and held his arm toward the front door.
“Well, I’m not stopping you now.”
Josie nodded and clenched her jaw before moving past him, her mind focused on getting as far away from him as possible.
“Motherfucker,” Anders hissed, his fist connecting with the door she slammed in his face. He squeezed his eyes shut as his heart pounded against his ribs. This was for the best. It was going to happen sooner or later. He needed to walk away. When her car door slammed, he reflexively reached for the doorknob. When her engine started, he was outside before he could stop himself. Sprinting down the driveway, he rapped his knuckles against her window as she waited for the gate to open.
Josie threw her car in park and rolled down the window, her anger and hurt morphing into shock and confusion. “What are you doing?”
Without speaking he opened the door and unhooked her seat belt. Pulling her from the car, he wrapped his arms around her waist and squeezed her against him. His words were muffled when he spoke, his face buried in her hair. “I’m sorry. I’m an asshole. Fuck, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Josie stood stiffly with her arms at her sides. “This isn’t healthy.”
“It’s fine. We’re fine. Okay? Don’t leave like this.”
“I thought you didn’t care if I left.” Her words were soft, the feel of his heart racing against her chest calming, comforting. She wasn’t the only one twisted into a ball of uncertainty.
Anders let out a humorless chuckle and leaned back before cupping her jaw. “It looks like I was wrong. I’m not done chasing you.”
Josie’s smile was small and sad. “I need a little time and I need to cool off. Right now, I still want to hit you.”
Anders licked his lips and swallowed around the lump in his throat. “At least if you hit me, it means you’re still around.”
Josie let out a tired sigh and wrapped her arms around his neck, her forehead falling against his.
“For now.”
“That’s better than nothing.”
In an equally secure neighborhood not far from Anders’, Aubrey sat on her lanai sipping a glass of wine. She held her phone to her ear and waited for the call to connect. On the third ring a man’s voice answered.
“Aubrey, love. I trust all is well.”
“Of course, Levi. I called to congratulate you on a job well done.”
“The article worked then?”
“Of course it did,” Aubrey scoffed, a smirk pulling up one side of her mouth. “I always get my way in the end.”