by Maree Green
I was beginning to regret the topic of conversation I’d started. Again, I shook my head. “Nope.”
Ashley pushed herself up to her feet and grabbed her towel. “We need to fix this. Right now.”
Sarah sat up. “What are we doing?”
Determination streamed from her eyes. “We’re going to watch movies with Olivia. It’s criminal that she doesn’t even know the basics of who’s big in the movie industry these days. It’s our job to fix that.”
Sarah’s face brightened and she clapped. “Oh my God, yes! Don’t worry, Olivia. We’ll teach you everything we know! You’ll be up with it before you know it.”
Oh, no. What had I done?
Chapter 30
Josh
With our surfboards loaded onto the racks of the Escalade, the guys and I quickly drove north. They’d all been pretty quiet since the moment I’d informed them of Liv’s visitors. From the small amount of information I’d been given from Liv, I knew I couldn’t risk the girls seeing me. And it wasn’t because I was frightened of Liv finding out who I was. I’d already resigned myself to the fact that she was going to know. It was purely because I knew those types of girls. They were the ones I’d been frightened Liv would be. They were the ones who immediately notified anyone and everyone of my whereabouts.
Mentally, I kicked myself as I watched the scenery fly past. If I’d only told her who I was, I could’ve asked her to keep my identity a secret. But I hadn’t, and now it was a very big possibility that she could unknowingly give me away. It pissed me off that I’d been such a pussy about it.
“Have you heard any more from Liv?” Corey asked from the front passenger seat.
I shook my head. I wasn’t in the mood to talk about it.
“Maybe you should message her,” Cain suggested. “Get a feel for how things are going?”
Lance made a sound of disagreement as he drove. “Texting her may draw questions from the other girls.”
I gazed out the window. I didn’t know anymore. It was obvious I was poor at making these kinds of choices. Silence filled the car again, no one knowing how to handle the position we were now in.
The sound of my cell phone pinging had everyone’s gazes straight on me. I pulled it out of my pocket with the breath stuck in my throat.
“Is it Liv?” Cain asked.
I stared at the screen and nodded before unlocking it and reading her message.
It’s official. I’m an outcast. I’ve managed to horrify them with 4 distinct things. 1 I need to lose weight. 2 I don’t carry my cell phone on me. 3 I’m not on any social media. 4 I don’t know any of the actors they’re talking about.
One, their comment about her weight pissed me off. There was absolutely nothing wrong with Olivia’s body. As far as I was concerned, it was perfect. Two, for obvious reasons, I loved her choice to stay away from social media. And three, my stomach felt sick.
My phone pinged again.
Except for Lucas Cantrell. Thanks to you, I actually know of one, so I don’t feel so lame.
My heart sank. If Liv told them I knew Lucas, shit could get out of control real quick.
“What’d she say?”
I looked up at Corey and frowned. I really didn’t want to say it, but it was their job to know what we could be dealing with. “Apparently, the girls told her she needs to lose weight, she’s weird because she doesn’t have any social media accounts, and they’re horrified she doesn’t know any of the actors they’re talking about.”
A chorus of curses filled the air. I focused on the screen of my phone and typed the only things I could answer with certainty.
Ur body is perfect exactly how it is & I love that you’re not a social media addict.
I sighed as I waited to see if she’d answer. I wanted to ask her outright if they’d asked her about me, but I knew I couldn’t. As I watched her reply come through, I tensed.
Haha thanks. But apparently I’m off to be schooled. They’ve dragged me into Aunt Jenny’s theater with a list of ‘must see’ movies. I might need you to save me or it could be a long night.
Fuck. Letting my head fall back against the headrest, I finally gave in. I was screwed. “Well, I fucked up.”
I met Daniel’s gaze beside me. “What happened?”
“They’re about to make her binge-watch a bunch of movies.”
Corey cursed. “I fucking told you to tell her, man.”
I was close to losing my shit. “I fucking know, all right! There’s not much I can do about it now, though, is there?”
Lance pulled off the road, into a rest area, and cut the engine. “What do you want to do, man?”
Opening the door, I sighed. “Just give me a minute, okay?”
Climbing from the car, I headed for the privacy of the trees and started tapping on my cell. What’s first on the list?
The wait between texting was going to drive me crazy. I just wanted to call her and tell her to go hide at my place until I could get there and keep her away from these girls.
It’s a close call between Cool Waters and The City of Denzen
If it wasn’t such a fucked-up situation, I would’ve laughed. Of course it had to be between one of my movies and one of Lucas’s. Another message appeared.
I’m pushing for Cool Waters bc apparently they’ve seen the other 1 like a bazillion times
I closed my eyes, wondering what she would do when she saw me on the screen? Would she tell them she knew me? That I was staying next door?
Ditch them. I’ll come back and we can hide out in my room
So tempting…
My fingers flew without any thought. Do it
Haha I can’t. AJ needs me 2 do this. Gtg movie is picked. Cool Waters it is. Pls tell me it’s good
I’d never felt such a heaviness in my chest before. It was impossible for this not to explode badly. I struggled to come to terms with the fact that I might not be able to return to the house. And if that was the case, I would never see Liv again. This would be it.
I stared at her message again and again. How the fuck was I supposed to respond to it? My only choice was to play it down with modesty. Drawing in a deep breath, I smiled in defeat.
I’m sure you’re going to love it
All I could do now was sit and wait, to see how big the fallout was going to be.
I prayed for a miracle.
Chapter 31
Olivia
Settling into a seat with the mandatory bowl of popcorn in my arms, I prepared myself for the apparent onslaught of male hotness I was about to be hit with.
Ashley pointed the remote and pressed play before kicking up her footrest with a sigh. “I can’t believe you haven’t heard of Joshua Emerson. You’re going to love him. He’s like sex on legs.”
The opening credits started, the camera taking me through a sweet little seaside town in the rain. It wound its way through the streets, past cute little houses and neat picturesque parks, until it slowed on a cemetery.
I frowned as it cut to a girl standing in the middle of a double funeral. She looked to be about sixteen, and it was obvious she was mourning the death of her parents. No tears stained her face, but the devastation on it was real. As the minster’s voice read out the rights of passage, the camera cut to a limo pulling up to the cemetery. The excited squeals beside me told me this was it. This was ‘the guy.’
The door cracked open, and I watched shiny black shoes and pressed black slacks step out onto the graveled ground. I waited, curious to see what Ashley and Sarah considered to be hot. The camera cut in for a closeup, the guy’s face filling the screen as he looked out at the funeral in progress.
What the actual fuck?
If I had been eating any popcorn, I would’ve choked. My jaw fell slack, and my eyes widened with shock. Ashley sighed from one side of me, and Sarah moaned from the other.
“That’s Joshua Emerson?” I asked, my voice higher than normal, with a slight hysterical tone to it.
“That,�
�� Ashley said, pausing the movie, “is Joshua Emerson. You’re welcome.”
I swallowed, watching my Josh mid-motion as he walked toward the girl on screen. “Is he . . . is he very well known?”
Sarah laughed. “Liv, I think you’re the only woman alive who doesn’t know who Joshua Emerson is. He’s, like, one of the highest paid actors around his age. He’s huge.”
“Really?” I said, finding it hard to make myself comprehend what was happening. “So, he’s like so famous he couldn’t walk down the street without being noticed?”
Ashley laughed. “Not even if he was wearing a hat and glasses.”
This was too much. I needed air. “Okay, got it,” I said, trying to appear normal. “I’m sorry, but I just need to run to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
I dashed from the theater and went straight up to my room, closing the door behind me. Josh was an actor. Of course I knew that. He’d told me. But why hadn’t he told me he was famous?
I rolled my eyes at my own question. Of course he wouldn’t come out and just say it like that. That would sound conceited. Looking back, I could see he’d tried to tell me in some ways. I mean, he told me he did all right at it for a living. And he told me he knew Lucas Cantrell.
I didn’t know why, but I needed Josh to help me make sense of this. Pulling out my cell, I typed.
You’re famous
I cringed as I looked over the words I’d sent, but I didn’t know what else to say.
His response came almost immediately. I guess you could say that
My hands shook. Josh was freaking famous. What the hell did I do with that?
I don’t understand
My eyes pricked. I didn’t understand that, either. Why was I being so emotional about this? It was like all my hopes has been dashed now I knew he was famous—like I’d had some sort of chance at a happily ever after with him beforehand or something. Jesus, I was delusional.
My heart skipped as another message came through. First, I need to ask. Do the other girls know? Did you tell them about me?
The message confused me until I realized he wanted to know if his identity was safe. I considered how Ashley and Sarah would react if they knew Josh was staying right next door. By their reactions downstairs, I assumed it wouldn’t be good.
No, I haven’t mentioned you at all.
Where are you? Can I call you?
Nerves fluttered around in my stomach. Why was I nervous for him to call me? Were things different now I knew he was famous? Maybe. With nausea churning my stomach, I typed.
Yes. I’m in my room
My cell rang a second later. Swallowing the nerves, I answered. “Hi.”
His voice came through the line, warm and soothing. “I’m sorry, Liv. I should’ve told you.”
“This is weird, Josh. Seriously. I feel like I’ve entered some parallel universe or something.” I sighed, trying to make sense of it all. “I mean, I kind of get why you didn’t tell me, but a hint or a heads-up would’ve been good.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Liv. I really am. I tried to tell you, but I didn’t know how.” Silence fell over the line before he continued, his voice soft, defeated. “So, where does this leave me now?” he asked.
His words didn’t make sense to me. None of it did. “What do you mean?”
I heard him sigh. The sound of it was so sad. “I mean, I came to the beach house to get away, Liv. The media doesn’t know it’s mine. It’s where I go to escape. What I’m asking is if it’s going to stay that way, or do I need to pack up and leave?”
He was asking if I was going to run to the media to let them know he was here. Hurt pierced my chest, but I understood why he might think like that. “I’d never tell anyone, Josh,” I said softly. “Your secret is safe with me.” I drew in a steadying breath, trying to work out how to say what needed to be said. “I just . . . I don’t understand, Josh. If you’re famous, why are you doing this with me?”
More silence fell. His lack of response drew an uneasy churn into my stomach. I waited for him to answer with a dread I couldn’t push away.
“Can you come see me later tonight?” he said, surprising me. “I’d much rather talk to you while I can see your face. I hate talking this way.”
It didn’t put all my nerves to rest, but it was better than the alternative my mind had been envisioning. “Okay.”
He sighed. “Just come up to the deck. One of the guys will let you in.”
“All right,” I said slowly, needing to end this on a lighter term. “And, Josh?” I waited for him to answer me, a tiny smile creeping onto my lips. “I get to watch one of your movies now.” I giggled and hung up before he could respond. As much as I was still weirded-out by the whole situation, I was honestly looking forward to seeing him act. If Ashley’s and Sarah’s gushing were any indication to go by, I was going to enjoy myself immensely.
Chapter 32
Josh
It was close to midnight when I heard the knock on my door. Nerves swirled deep in my gut as I pushed up off the bed. I wasn’t sure how Liv was going to act with me now that she knew about my fame, but I hoped to God it wasn’t going to be any different.
Opening the door, I met her gaze with intensity, trying to get a feel for what was coming. Her returning gaze was just as intense, searching mine for answers, curious with a hint of cautiousness.
She took a breath and held it for a little while, before exhaling slowly. “Hey.”
Relief started creeping in, but I held it at arm’s length, unwilling to let my guard down just yet. “Hey.”
I paused for a moment, still watching her, but then I stepped to the side and gestured for her to come in. Silently, she moved into the room, but didn’t go too much farther than the doorway. “Why didn’t you just tell me, Josh?” she said softly.
Sighing, I closed the door and turned to face her. “I’m sorry, Liv. This . . . thing with you was just so unexpected.” I shook my head, trying to find the words that would help her see where I was coming from. “This has been the first time since I was thirteen that I haven’t had someone look at me as Joshua Emerson, the movie star. You didn’t want to spend time with me just to get your picture online. You didn’t want to get to know me just so you could brag to your friends. You didn’t want to be with me just to boost your career.” Running my hands through my hair, I stared into her eyes. “I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t wanted to use me in one way or another in a very long time, Liv. I didn’t think it bothered me that much, but when I met you, and realized you had no idea who I was, I was fascinated. And when you took the time to talk to me, be nice to me, for just being me, I was hooked. I don’t remember ever having that—that pure kind of friendship that grows from just being compatible. It’s kind of addictive.”
A tiny crease appeared between her brows. “I can understand that. It actually makes a lot of sense. I just . . .” She shifted on her feet. “I don’t know. Knowing you’re famous makes me feel inadequate or something. I mean, you can probably choose from any girl on the planet—actresses, models, you name it. I’m just me, Josh. I’m not anyone special.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “You’re far from inadequate, Liv. Trust me. You’re beautiful and you don’t even know it. You don’t compare yourself to any other girl, wondering if you should change something just to fit in. You’re untouched and undamaged by society. You’re selfless and caring, and you’re strong and passionate. You fight for what you believe in. You stand up for yourself, and you stand up for others. That’s way more attractive than any other girl out there trying to be something they’re not.”
Her eyes widened as she watched me. I could see the surprise in them, but I could also see the disbelief.
Stepping forward, I touched the tips of my fingers to hers. “Liv, there are less than three weeks until my summer is over. I’ll understand if you want to cool things, but I really hope you don’t.” I sighed, regret settling in my chest. “I feel like an asshole for not being able to
offer you anything past the summer, but it’s my reality. The world I live in is too brutal.”
Her fingers twitched, stroking against mine until they slid between them, linking us together. “I know you’re not an asshole, Josh. And even though my head’s trying to tell me I should be treating you differently, my heart tells me you’re still Josh. I can’t see you as anything other than what you’ve been with me so far.”
I’d hoped for those words, but I hadn’t expected them. She was everything I hadn’t known I’d been wanting, and realizing it was like a knife twisting in my gut, because I knew I could never have her like that. She was too good for the back-stabbing world I lived in. She deserved so much more than that.
Taking her face in my hands, I leaned into her. “I’m selfish, Liv,” I whispered. “It’s wrong of me to do this with you, but I just can’t seem to help myself.” Her breath shook against my lips. “Be with me in this moment, Liv. Let me take the memory of you with me when I leave.”
I paused, waiting. “Yes,” she breathed. Then I kissed her.
I knew I wasn’t giving her much of a way out, and even though she said she knew I wasn’t an asshole, I had my doubts. If I was any sort of decent human being, I wouldn’t have started anything with her in the first place.
As she parted her lips, allowing my tongue to taste her, slowly, passionately, I breathed her in, pressing my body farther into hers. It seemed completely insane to me that she considered herself inadequate in any way. She was a rare commodity—not only within the industry I lived, but the world. She was pure. Untainted. Like a star that shone so bright it could only fill you with warmth. There wouldn’t be one person in the world who wouldn’t be drawn to that kind of light. It made me want to possess her in every way I could. So yeah, I was an asshole.
Running my hands over her body, I slid them under the hem of her dress, feeling the warmth of her soft skin, drawing them up over her hips. “Can I feel you, Liv?” I breathed, brushing my lips over her jaw. “Can I feel your skin against mine?”