Page 31 of Stuck with a Billionaire Rockstar

While I think about the answer, I grab the large remote from the nightstand between our beds and go to Netflix.

She said she didn’t want to watch any of my sci-fi shit, but she never mentioned anything about romances, and her groan isn’t a shock to me at all. “Okay,” she says with a heavy sigh. “I get to pick the marathon next time.”

“Do we have any snacks here?” I ask in a clipped tone because the more I think about Brent using me, the more irritated I become. Is that all I’ve been to him, a way to fix his image?

I can’t complain much; I’m using him as well, but I’m also not the one who suggested doing this. He approached me and offered his services, and I accepted. My feelings are becoming much more, and to think that he sees me as some plaything rather than a woman is hurtful.

“I’m pretty sure there’s a snack machine down the hall, I can go grab something out of it if you want.” She’s staring at me awkwardly, but I ignore the question in her eyes.

I wave a hand at her, eager to keep myself busy, or else I’ll think more about Brent than necessary. “I’ll get something. You just relax.”

I’m standing at the snack machine minutes later, watching mine and Mallory’s snacks fall down, but just as I reach for them, a hand wraps around my waist and tugs me back. I scream, but a hand presses against my mouth and muffles it.

“It’s just me.”

“Brent?” He loosens his hold on me, giving me the ability to spin to smack his chest, which feels just as glorious under the t-shirt he’s wearing, and I glare at him. “What the hell are you doing? You can’t just walk up on people like that. Shit,” I mutter with a hand on my chest, my heart beating rapidly beneath it.

Brent frowns and leans against the wall next to us. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Sorry, but you weren’t texting me back. Did Mallory talk to you?”

“Yes,” I mumble. “Unfortunately. How the hell did a picture get out of the two of us anyway?”

He shrugs. “I got no clue, Julia, I swear.”

“Is this some kind of PR stunt for you, Brent? That’s not what you said we were doing,” I whisper, then glance at the machine behind me. “Maybe we should slow down before things get worse.”

“What?” he asks. “Do you really think I’d do that to you?”

I sigh. “I don’t know what you would do, Brent. It’s funny how, as soon as we step foot out of the resort, there’s someone there to take our picture. You shared it on your Instagram. What else am I supposed to think?”

The most pressing question for me, though, is – Am I the laughingstock of America now?

His mouth parts, the light dimming from his eyes, and my heart aches at the idea of him being hurt. He looks surprised by the news, and it almost has me stepping forward, wrapping my arms around him and letting him know it will all be okay. I can’t tell him that, though.

“I can’t do this right now, Brent.” My eyes are burning, so I swiftly grab the snacks from the machine and push past him without uttering another word. He says my name, pleading for me to turn back and give him a chance to say his peace, but I keep my back to him.

I swipe the tears from my cheek when I get in front of my suite, knowing what Mallory’s reaction will be if she sees them, and confidently step into the room even though I’m dying a little inside.

16

Brent

I could’ve run after her, barged into their room, and demanded we talk it out, but I can understand why she is upset, and she deserves the time to work through those emotions.

I’ve barely taken a breath since stepping into my room when Mack’s ringtone blares, and I roll my eyes before answering. “Mack, I know,” I mutter while running a hand through my hair.

“You’re lucky I was able to figure out a quick solution before things got out of control,” he mutters. “You went there to lie low, Brent. That picture? It’s not lying low.”

It would be smart to tell him to get the image taken down, but do I truly want that? “Wait,” I say while shaking my head. “You were the one who shared it on my account, weren’t you?” ”

“Well, of course., You were just involved with a scandal, that was the best thing to do to keep you out of hot water. When the time comes, we can figure out a way to shine light on a break-up or whatever.”

“We’re dating,” I blurt. It’s not something I should’ve mentioned, but if I didn’t say that, I’ve got no doubt he would have it taken down.

He clears his throat. “I’m sorry, did you just say dating?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve barely been there a week, there’s no possible way you’re already dating her. She’s not even your usual type, so what the hell is this?”

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