Page 101 of From the Moment We Met

Chapter Seventeen

Jacob

Jacob paused outside the bathroom in a futile attempt to squash his emotions before confronting his ex-girlfriend. Get a grip, mate. Go in there and tell Victoria to leave. Then get down on your knees and beg Lilly to forgive you.

After a few moments, he realized the anger he felt towards Victoria would never simmer down and stalked to the rec room.

Victoria perched on a chair, resplendent in a black dress, downing a glass of whiskey like it was milk. Her loving smile was all prepared for Jacob’s entrance, but it faded when she noted his stony expression. She slipped over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Hi, baby.”

Jacob disentangled her hands from his body and grabbed her by the arm, muttering, “What in bloody hell are you doing here?”

Victoria feigned surprise at his words. “I’m here to see you. I’m going back to America in a couple days, and I didn’t want to leave without seeing you again.”

“Don’t give me that crap, how did you even know I was here?”

Her smile resembled a snake, ready to sink her fangs into flesh. Her hand grasped Jacob's chin, as she whispered, “I always know where you are, remember? Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. It's your decision. But don’t forget, Albert has yet to finalize his casting choice.”

“That wasn’t part of our deal; I’m your escort in public only.”

Victoria’s lips found his ear, sucking the lobe into her mouth. “I changed my mind. I want you back as my lover—both publicly and privately. And since this is my game, we’re playing by my rules. Your choice, my way or you kiss your movie role goodbye.”

“I’m beginning to think no role is worth the hell I’m living with you.”

“Sweetie,” Victoria hissed, kissing his neck, “that role means more to you than anything, you said so yourself. Now be a good boy and play along, the walls have ears, and you wouldn’t want something unfortunate turning up in a tabloid.”

“You’re a twisted maggot.” Jacob stalked over to the bar where Roger stood, shooting him a look of reproach. “Save it, Roger, give me a damn drink.” He grabbed the whiskey and swallowed it down, the burn of the alcohol nothing compared to the burning in his heart. “Who the hell told her I was here?”

Roger shrugged and motioned to Edward. “Edward would be my best guess. They became friends when he was in her last video. I didn’t think he knew your history with her though.”

Jacob scoffed. “The world knows our bloody history.”

Roger gripped the edges of the bar, apparently aggravated by the situation. “I’m going to say this once, because you’re my friend. No role is worth selling your soul, and it certainly isn’t worth hurting an amazing woman.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Jacob sputtered, pouring himself another glass.

“No, I don’t think you do know, or you wouldn’t have deserted Lilly to run back to that woman. You’re my mate, but I thought you were better than that.”

“It’s a fucking business arrangement—”

“What a load of bollocks! You’re no fool, Jacob. You know damn well that Victoria is setting you up. And you’re falling for it…just like the last time. I thought you finally grew up, grew past your selfish ways—”

“What would you have me do, Roger, since you’re so bloody perfect?”

Roger took a deep breath, his voice low but firm. “Show Victoria’s ass the door, tell her to stay the hell out of your life and then spend the next several months making this up to Lilly.” He downed his shot, shaking his head. “But you won’t do any of that, because you think you deserve it all.”

Jacob snickered, his temper flaring. “Don’t you know? I’m a shallow piece of shit that only cares about my acting. Nothing to do with the fact I’ve waited for this part for the last decade. I’ve sacrificed everything for this chance, now you want me to walk away when I’m at the finish line?”

“For the love of a good woman, I thought maybe you would; but I was mistaken. My apologies. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to check on Lilly, who is undoubtedly humiliated right now. Well done, Jacob.” Roger moved towards the doorway, where Lilly stood, Janie already at her side.

Jacob stared at his glass, tempted to hurl it against the wall. Victoria slipped up next to him, laying a possessive arm around his shoulders. “Who is that? Wait, isn’t that the…nurse? What the hell is she doing here? Oh wait, you mean you’re still in a relationship?”

“Not now, Victoria,” Jacob whispered.

“Yes now. I want that woman out of your life, or I’ll make certain you never act in anything better than a community theater in bumfuck.”

“You would ruin my career because I’m with someone else?”

Her teeth sank into his shoulder, more possessive than seductive. “In a fucking heartbeat. But it wouldn’t be just your career I’d ruin…”

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