Page 7 of Lani

Usually I come in here with my friends on a weekday when it’s not busy at all, but I didn’t think about people recognizing me.

I forget that I’m a famous celebrity because in my heart I’m not that at all.

Trey sits on one side of me and Vinny on the other. More and more eyes are on me and I start to get nervous.

What if they post a picture of me and Freddy sees it, figuring out where I’m at? I really don’t want that to happen.

Someone takes out their phone, points it in my direction and snaps a picture. Just great. I just about got here and now I think I have to leave.

“Why the fuck are so many people staring at you, Lani?” Trey asks, and I shiver at the deep raspiness of his voice.

I wince, dreading even having to tell them that is a major fear of mine, because I don’t want people to see me differently.

More and more people make their way into the room, huddling around the bar looking at me and talking amongst themselves, and I also notice that the majority of them are men.

“Lani?” Trey asks again, touching my shoulder as one of the guys starts in our direction but stops at the last second, going back to the horde of people.

“I am a model…plus size model…and I’m kind of famous,” I admit, watching both of them closely for their reaction.

Vinny smiles. “Shit, I’m going to google you right now.” He takes out his phone and searches my name.

Right before my eyes, my latest lingerie shoot comes up. I look down as Trey yanks the phone out of Vinny’s hands so he can see.

I’m not embarrassed, but I am nervous to see what their reaction will be. Not every guy in the world is attracted to curvy women.

“Fuck, I didn’t think you could get more gorgeous,” Trey whispers and touches the screen gently.

“I agree,” Vinny says, and my face warms. That was really sweet. I smile at the both of them, but then someone gathers the courage to finally approach me.

“Are you Lani?” he asks, his eyes widening as he gets a closer look. I look down and notice my boobs are trying to put on a peep show. That’s just great.

I adjust myself and push my hair over my shoulder. “How can I help you?” I don’t confirm that it’s me because I really don’t want to deal with this.

I’m usually very considerate with my fans, but my anxiety is so bad right now because of what happened with Freddy, I just can’t help but be nervous.

“Can you sign my hand for me?” he asks and lays down a Sharpie for me, then smacks his hand down onto the table, causing my beer to spill slightly over the side.

Okay, that was really rude.

I scoot the marker over to him. “I’m sorry but I can’t sign your hand right now. I’m trying to enjoy my night out. Have a nice night.” I try to be as nice as possible, smiling, but his eyes narrow in anger because he realizes I’m blowing him off.

He walks off and goes to his group of friends, all of them looking back at us as he continues to speak to them.

I look away and know that if I continue to stare, it will just make it worse, so I turn my full attention to the guys. “I’m sorry for the trouble it’s causing,” I confess.

Will my life ever be normal?

“Nah, don’t worry about it, darlin’. Just forget about those fuckers and dance.” Vinny takes my hand and leads me out onto the dance floor, far away from the fans.

I look at the both of them, each one holding one hand, and then Trey pulls me into his chest, his hand going to my ass and pulling me tight against his front.

I laugh and throw my head back, then move my hands to his chest, loving the feel of his strong chest under my fingers.

My hands ache to reach under his shirt. Will he have chest hair? Tattoos?

That’s when I feel Vinny press against my back, his hands closed around my hips, holding me tightly before I’m sandwiched right in the middle of both of them.

Pure heaven.

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