Page 40 of Angel

“You get to fuck this guy?” She points to the phone while shooting an astonished look at me.

“I already did.” I march over to them and pluck my phone out of Hayden’s hand. On the screen is the selfie Angel took while he was mowing the lawn, and I can’t help gazing at it for a second before swiping away.

“Oh lord!” Anna exclaims.

“See what I’m dealing with?” Hayden gestures vaguely in my direction.

“Uh huh. I do, I do.”

I glare at both of them. “What?”

“You, hunny, are smitten.” Anna declares.

I scoff. “I am not smitten.”

“That’s a good word for it, actually,” Hayden says to Anna with a nod.

“No, it’s not a good word for it, because I’m not smitten. I’m not anything.” But even as I say it, I know it’s not true. I’m totally smitten by Angel. Utterly. Helplessly smitten.

But that’s fine. It’s fine. Because it’s just a little crush, an infatuation. This happens sometimes between performers who find themselves with really good chemistry. If they vibe off-screen as much as they do on-screen, it’s easy to mistake that chemistry for actual feelings.

That’s all this is. My heart’s getting ahead of my head. It doesn’t help that I know Angel from the old neighborhood. But it’s fine. It’ll blow over. A couple weeks, maybe a few months. Once the video is out and the hype is over, we’ll lose touch and my life will go back to normal.

My hand flies to my chest at the sudden and unexpected ache. I spin away from Hayden and Anna, grabbing the bottle of water on my dressing table and chugging a few mouthfuls.

Fuck. What is going on with me? I need to keep my shit together.

My phone buzzes and despite myself, I grab it, heart lurching at the prospect of another text from Angel.

Teddy Bear

Good luck with your show tonight!

Or am I supposed to say break a leg? *leg emoji*

Fuuuck. The guy is too damn sweet for his own good.

Rhys

Thanks, teddy bear. *kissing emoji*

Teddy Bear

*blushing emoji*

When I set my phone down again, Hayden and Anna are behind me, watching me in the mirror. Anna looks amused, but Hayden looks worried.

“I just don’t want you to get hurt,” Hayden says.

“I won’t,” I answer.

He doesn’t believe me. To be honest, neither do I.

“Come on.” Anna points her thumb over her shoulder toward the stage. “It’s time for you to go on.”

I stand and slip my dressing gown off my shoulders. Hayden gives me a hug and kiss for good luck, then follows me and Anna out to the stage. He slips through the stage door so he can watch from the front of the house, and I wait behind the curtain for Anna to announce me.

Then the curtain rises and the crowd cheers. Music flows from the speakers and I step out onto the stage. I’m Rhys Rawlings. Pole dancer. Camboy. Performer. Entertainer.

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