Page 170 of Ashley & the A-Listers

As soon as he was gone, Cam melted into the chair.

“Yeah. I’m fine. I just need a minute.”

Dylan nodded and gave him space, stepping back to make room for Cam and all his emotions. Just having Dylan there… helped, actually. Cam felt safe with the alpha at his back.

Hah. Imagine that.

Christian’s lingering scent burned Cam’s nostrils and he reached over to the little table, finding the scent-canceling spray.

He aimed it at where Christian had stood and fired it, the neutralizer filling the air with its chemical sting.

Cam mourned as it covered River’s scent, then Ashley’s. Cam was a blank slate again, for his management to paint whatever picture they deemed appropriate.

Bitterness filled Cam. At the industry, this career, the people who ran his life.

“What should I do?” Cam groaned, and at his side he felt Dylan shift.

“Are you asking or commiserating?” he questioned.

“River and I talked about this, made plans. He’s going to be watching the interview, waiting for me to announce it. I’m letting him down. Again.”

Cameron almost shoved the heels of his palms into his eyes before remembering the half-applied makeup still there.

“What do you want to do?” Dylan asked.

Cameron frowned, staring down at the floor. He wanted to ignore Christian’s order, still feeling the itch of his bark. Then why didn’t he? What was Cam so afraid of?

His makeup artist returned, cheeks aflame, and Cam blinked.

“Sorry for whatever he said,” Cam offered quietly.

“It’s okay, it happens.” Her voice was soft, polite. She was a professional, not even addressing the situation. “We’ll have you glowing under those set lights.”

“Thanks,” Cam murmured, mind spinning.

The neutrality was almost making him nauseous.

A handful of moments later, Cam was standing offstage as the interviewer introduced him in a long-winded speech, his mind still whirling.

“And now, joining us once again, is Cameron Thomas. You might know him as Axel Stevens, the hottest action star of the much beloved franchise:Heated!Now, welcome everyone’s favorite omega bachelor!”

A stagehand signaled to him and Cam stepped out beneath the lights.

It was like being baptized. The lights bathed him in their warmth, and the crowd wentwild,screaming and shouting his name. There were signs professing their love, as if their cries weren’t enough. Joyous grins and even some tears stuck out.

His mind quieted. Pride filled him. The fans loved him, and that feltgood.It was the best part of this job, this fame—knowing that no matter what face he put on behind the screen for them, they’d love him just the same.

He wondered if that only applied to the face he wore for them now: the available, desirable omega. How would they feel when they learned he was in love, with a pack possibly waiting in his future?

Would they love him then, when he was just another omega?

38. TRUST

RIVER

“It’s okay,” River told Ashley as they watched Cam walk offstage after the live interview. The television cut to commercial and she glanced at him, worried.

Cam hadn’t done it. He’d chickened out.

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