Page 36 of Nathan

Nate leads me around the back of the building. The number of bright lights almost blind me. Although it’s pitch black, it may as well be daytime. Tons of people are wandering about with cameras, microphones, and cables. It’s like a community all of its own.

Nate grabs me a chair and sets it up against a false wall. It isn’t long before he’s called away, so after a final check to ensure I’m okay, he wanders over to who I presume is the director.

I take out my phone and send my sister a text, along with a picture of the set. Not that it will be exciting for Elva. She’s visited many TV and movie sets in the past. Still, it’s nice to share this moment with her. I need to tell her that our money worries are fixed, too—at least for now—although I’m determined to pay Nate back. Accompanying him on a trip to New York that he’s insisting on paying for does not make us equal, whatever he thinks.

I slip my phone into my pocket, but when I look up, I can’t see Nate. An excited buzz goes around as people start moving into position. A tall, thin guy ambles toward a car, holding a huge boom. It looks heavier than him, although he wields it like a pro.

Nate eventually appears with his arm wrapped around Sharla’s waist. She’s looking up at him, her face lit with desire. Nate draws to a halt. His lips move, but I can’t hear his lines from this far away. The director gesticulates, and Nate bends his head, taking Sharla’s mouth in a passionate kiss.

Jealousy slams into me, and my stomach hardens. It doesn’t matter that they’re only acting. I can’t help it. He’s like a book I loaned from the library. Mine to thumb through, to hold, to pore over, but eventually, my time will be up, and I’ll have to return him.

I don’t want to watch him kissing another woman, even if it is make believe, but I find myself staring, almost like watching an accident about to happen. It’s impossible to tear my gaze away.

Then a faint voice yells, “Cut!”

Nate breaks away from Sharla, and the two co-stars share a few words.

From behind the false wall, a guy mentions Nate by name. I hold my breath, my ears on high alert.

“Did you see that girl with Nate? Talk about deviating from his usual fuck.”

A snort, followed by, “Understatement of the century,” from a second guy. “She isn’t tall, nor blonde. Maybe it’s a bet.”

A prickle creeps up my spine, and the hairs spike on the back of my neck.

“Yeah, maybe. Poor cow. I bet she hasn’t got a clue.”

“It’ll have brought Sharla to heel, though. She might be more willing to spread her legs for him now.”

Laughs. Lots of laughs. All at my expense.

I dig my fingernails into my palms. Black and white dots appear in my vision as pure rage surges through me. I barely hear the rest of their conversation because one line keeps playing on repeat.

It’ll have brought Sharla to heel, though.

No wonder that kiss looked so real. That’s because it was fucking real. It seems as though my part in this little charade is to make his co-star jealous. She must be resisting him, and so Nate decided to increase the stakes.

A painful tightness constricts my throat, my breath coming in shallow little gulps, and I scramble to my feet. For one brief moment, I consider storming over to where the director is setting up the next shot and kneeing Nate right in the balls. And when he goes down, maybe stomp on them for good measure. I bet he wouldn’t be able to fuck Sharla, or anyone else, for quite a while after that.

Instead, I quietly slip away. Five minutes later, I reach my car. Relieved I didn’t get lost on the way, I climb inside and take a few moments to rest my head against the steering wheel while I wait for my tears to recede. Quietly, I pull out of the parking lot and head for home, my heart now in tatters.

Chapter 15

Nate

“Cut!”

I break away from Sharla and glare at her. “Garlic again? You’re such a bitch.”

She laughs. “I can’t stay away from the things I like to eat, Nate. Even if I do adore you.”

“Remember, two can play that game.”

She spreads her arms wide. “Bring it.”

“When you least expect it, sweetheart.”

She laughs again, linking her arm through mine as we walk over to our next marker. “So, Dex is the special one, then?”

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