When Angela makes eye-contact with the object of her attention, she breaks into a breathtaking smile and seductively saunters up to him and—I can’t believe my eyes—she kisses him like they’re all alone on this beach. The crowd swells around them, and I can’t see Drew’s reaction. I’m overcome with jealousy. The green-eyed monster is definitely bubbling up inside me. There have always been rumors in the tabloids that they secretly had a thing for each other. Of course, each one has vehemently denied them, but my mom always says where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. I feel like running away, but I sit in the seat with what I hope is a neutral look on my face.
Sandra jumps to her feet and yells for everyone to take their marks, and they all scramble to do her bidding. I spy Drew talking to the cameraman. Angela is having a young girl put color on her lips. How thoughtful of her to wait until she kissed Drew so he wouldn’t have to remove it from his lips.
The rest of the shoot is a blur. No longer is it exciting. I feel like I’m watching two people madly in love. My hands start to hurt, and I look down to see them pale white, clenching the sides of the chair. The umbrella that’s attached to my chair is no longer keeping me shaded, and I decide I’m going back to the hotel, even if I have to walk back alone.
“Take five,” Sandra yells, almost bursting my eardrums.
Drew walks away from Angela and makes his way to me with a worried expression on his face.
“Dora, are you okay? You’re getting a little sun,” he says, reaching up and angling the umbrella so I’m in the shade again.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Great, I sound so stiff and formal that he looks at me strangely.
“You don’t sound fine,” he replies, stroking my cheek.
“I guess I’m just tired.”
“I’m tired too,” a sultry voice from behind Drew says. “Who is this little person? Did you finally get an assistant like I told you to?” Angela moves beside Drew and lays her head against his shoulder, looking at me like I’m insignificant. She proves it by moving between us and putting her hand up to his cheek. “Sweetie, I think we should go over to the tent and get some refreshments and talk about our next session. I’m not turning red, am I? I put maximum sunscreen on, and I wouldn’t want this body to get burned.” She’s standing so close to him that I want to drag her by her bottle-colored hair and beat the crap out of her.
“You go and I’ll be there in a minute.” Drew moves around her and leans down to me.
“Okay, but don’t be too long. I haven’t seen you in days, and we need to catch up.” She doesn’t look back, but walks toward the tent as if she’s walking down a runway.
“I’ll bring you something back to drink, okay?” Drew kisses my cheek and then follows Angela like a little puppy dog.
That seals it. I’m leaving. I don’t belong in this world. I watch as he catches up with her and the perfect-looking couple strolls into the tent together. I grab my bag and make my getaway. Luckily, when I reach the top of the sand dune, limos are lined up waiting to shuttle people back to the hotel. I snag the one we came in. I say, “Hotel, please,” as I settle in and he takes me there without question. I ask him to wait for me, as I need to grab my things before heading to the airport. He doesn’t bat an eye, just nods his head.
The maid has been busy. Our hotel room looks immaculate. I quickly stuff all of my things into the carry-on bag. With tear-filled eyes, I leave, taking a long ride to the airport.
Flying back is so different. No plush seats, just economy, but I’m lucky that a seat was available. Even though I have to change planes, it’s worth it to get home.
Home. I don’t want to go back to the loft, and I don’t want to go back to my parents’, and I’m not going to go to Julie and Kevin’s, so I call Jeff when I land, hoping he’s not at the loft with Liam.
23
“I can’t believe you just up and left him without leaving a note or anything.”
This isn’t the first time Jeff has said that since he picked me up from the airport. All I can do is cry my heart out and let him rant. “It was a shoot. Drew had to look like it was real because that’s what he gets paid to do.” He hands me another tissue at a stoplight and turns to look at me. “Dora, quit bawling. Let’s talk this out.”
“I can’t. My heart is breaking,” I get out between sobs.
“What else did he do? Did he say he and Angela are an item? Did you even ask?”
“I don’t belong in his world. It was just a fling, but now my heart is broken … again.” I finally catch my breath, and though my heart is aching, my tears begin to subside.
“You need to call him. Don’t leave him hanging like this,” he continues, giving me advice until we pull into the parking lot of the student apartments on campus.
About an hour later, sitting on the plush blue couch in his apartment, he hands me my cell and tells me to call Drew or he’ll call my mom and tell her I’ve had a breakdown. I glare at him and his devious blackmail attempt.
I look at my phone and see twenty missed calls—all from Drew. Shit, my ringer has been off. I hit the call button and hear it ring. The butterflies are back and they’re going crazy. I know my blood sugar is out of whack because the last time I had anything to eat was, like, twelve hours ago. I’m starting to shake and feel drained of all emotion.
“Hello,” a familiar female voice answers.
“Um, yes, can I speak to Drew?” The shaking is getting worse. What is Angela doing answering his cell?
“He’s in the shower. Can I take a message?” she purrs. I swear she is.
“Tell him Dora called.” I should’ve just hung up, but I don’t.
“Does he have your number?”
“Yes,” I reply, thinking how dumb she must be since my number will be saved in Drew’s call log.
“Okay, I’ll tell him, but we’ll be out until late tonight, so he probably won’t call you until tomorrow sometime.” And before I can say anything, she hangs up. More tears stream down my face, and Jeff holds me as I sob my heart out again.
“Dora you’re going to be late for class.” Jeff’s voice seems so far away, but when I open my eyes, he’s right in front of me.
“Go away,” I say, pulling a pillow over my swollen eyes.
“Nope, not doing it. It’s okay to miss the first day of class, and maybe the second, but not the third. So, get your lazy butt out of bed and hit the shower.” He pulls the pillow away from my face, and I stick out my tongue. “Really mature. Clean that body while I make breakfast. You’re so lucky to have a friend like me.”
“I know,” I mumble, and I hear his laugh as I enter the bathroom.
“You look better. Except for the dark circles and puffy eyes.” Jeff puts a plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of me.
I resist a snappy comeback because I don’t have one. It’s been more than a week since I left Drew in Florida. After I talked to Angela, I decided to block all of Drew’s calls. I didn’t want to hear any of his lame excuses. Of course, that didn’t stop him from harassing Julie, Kevin, and Jeff. Thank God he didn’t contact my parents. It’s been about three weeks since I’ve seen them, and I’m running out of reasons for why I can’t make the trip. I know as soon as my mom sees my face, she’ll be trying to find out what’s wrong. She can’t use her psychic powers on me, but her motherly instincts work just fine in that department.
“Eat up before it gets cold.”
“Yes, Mom. Okay, Mom. Anything you say, Mom,” I say sarcastically, but it just rolls off Jeff’s back.