Page 46 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

I bite my top lip.

“I know that Brit. For fuck’s sake. Calm the fuck down. I’m not falling for their looks or charms. I just thought…” my voice tails off to empty silence.

She tilts her head with curiosity. “What?”

“Callum had this freakishly sexy look when he used to orgasm. It just popped into my mind. That’s all.”

“I’d love to say I witnessed it. But honestly, I don’t even remember sleeping with him. It was at a time when I was still datingHarry Skillet. Jagger and Callum were just…I don’t know…without disrespecting you, they were just drunken fucks.”

Brittney and I hold no secrets with each other. I knew she had a fling with both guys before I got with them. And I fully believed her when she said her heart held no strings attached to them. I had my own share of flings when we first started out in the industry, although I was much more careful about casual sex with random guys. Brit, on the other hand, fucked whatever dick moved in her direction.

Wrapping the keys she gave me in my fist, I open my palm and look at them.

“Keep the keys,” she says. “I expect some asshole to piss you off, and you’ll need somewhere to cool down. But in the meantime, you might find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone in the house at night while at Haze’s. I’ll be back in two weeks, and we can talk over the phone. I can be your agony aunt because I’m sure they’ll grate on your nerves eventually. But if this stalker is still around…” she stops abruptly and seriously looks at me. “Do they know?”

“About the stalker?” I ask; she nods her head. “Fuck no. And I don’t intend to tell them either. I never told them about it, even when we were still together. Back then, it was because I knew they’d go ape shit. Now I don’t need them to think I’m making shit up to dramatize my life.”

“I’m not sure they would think that. It would make more sense to them why you fled like you did.”

I shrug. It’s the past, and I’ve moved on.

At least I need to keep telling myself so.

“I need to pick up Storm,” I check my watch.

She nods and calls the waitress over to settle the bill.

“It’s on me, babe. Next time, you can treat me.”

I smirk at her.

“Daytime soap paying you well,” I tease.

She rolls her eyes playfully.

“I miss you. I can’t believe you have finally come here after all these years, and I have to film out of town.”

I smile, always feeling the familiar comfort whenever I’m in Brittney’s presence. We swore best friends back when we were thirteen and competed for a final place inTone Wars. She’s the sister I never had.

Just before we step outside, she secures her hat and shades. I do the same with mine.

As soon as I swing the door open, we’re met with three photographers standing on the curb.

Shit.

“Hello, Rob.” I hear Brit say as she protectively emerges in front of me to shield me from being photographed.

“Hey, Brittney,” the paparazzi and the other two continue a couple of snaps with their cameras. “Having coffee with a friend?” he asks as they follow us, crossing the street.

“Come on, Rob. There’s nothing to report. Can’t a girl have a decent cup of coffee in her free time?”

“Who’s your friend?” another asks, and I continue walking with my head down.

This is nothing like how it used to be years ago. At the height of our fame, we couldn’t leave our homes without an entourage of photographers waiting to get their photo opportunity.

At least they don’t recognize me, but I’ll breathe a sigh of relief when I’m inside the vehicle.

“No one you’d know,” she replies and clicks the key fob to the SUV. I quickly dash to the passenger side, and I’m met by an unexpected figure who appears from nowhere with an awkward gait, causing me to gasp loudly.

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