Page 68 of Crave

I was actually enjoying myself until Clay fell on top of me and the breath whooshed from my lungs. “Oh, sorry,” he said.

“It’s okay.”

His head dipped and he tried to kiss me and I turned away, giving him my cheek instead. In my peripheral, I saw Lydia glare but I stayed stubborn and took in Clayton’s disappointed look. “Sorry,” he said again. “I know you’re out of my league, Landon. I’ve never felt like this before.”

“We just met,” I said cooly. “Just because I look easy doesn’t mean I kiss anyone while we roll in the hay.”

Clayton laughed, then stroked back my hair. Discomfort squeezed through me. “Remember I see who you really are. Not what you try to be for the camera.”

I looked into his eyes and wondered if he was acting or telling the truth. Either way, I froze with my response, feeling the camera eating my face up and zooming close. I hated that my expression would be torn apart and analyzed.

“Clay—”

“Interrupting something?” Brody drawled. He walked over with a smug grin. His jeans and ripped t-shirt gave off bad boy vibe as he stopped near us, lifting a brow at Clayton. “Got the cold shoulder, huh? Too bad. She gave me much more last night outside her cabin.”

My jaw dropped and my cheeks reddened. “Not true,” I said, shaking my head.

But I knew I looked guilty. Brody was smart to use that encounter to push me hard, and Clayton’s mouth tightened with anger. Obviously, he believed Brody, which was exactly what everyone wanted except me.

Fuck my life.

“You just want to use her,” Clay said hotly.

Brody laughed. “I’m trying to help you out. You’re not ready for someone like Landon, freshman.” It was his casual term for Clayton being a virgin since he was walking a line and the producers loved it. “She’s playing you.”

Clayton jabbed his finger in the air. “You’re the one playing her. Every time we have a conversation, you’re getting in our space, interrupting and showing off. What’s the matter? Afraid you’ll look like an ass when she chooses me?”

Brody blinked, then treated me to a hot gaze. “No. I’m afraid she’ll break your heart like she did her other two boyfriends. I’m protecting you, man.”

“Stop it,” I said forcefully, stepping between them. I felt everyone’s stares and swallowed back my unease. The only way I could get this done is to protect myself by acting the cold bitch like they wanted me to be. “None of you own me or know me, so stop pretending to. I’m tired of feeling like a piece of meat. Grow up.” I tossed my hair and marched off, pausing long enough to deliver my exit line. “Neither of you are worthy enough to hold my Louboutins, let alone kiss me.”

Clayton jerked back, obviously hurt. Brody’s voice snapped to my ears. “Then what was last night? When your tongue was in my mouth and my hands were up your shirt?”

“In your dreams,” I sneered. “You’re reaching, Brody. Why don’t you go play those games with the other girls? I’m sure Corinne will let you do all of that with a smile.”

I stalked off, breath shaky, keeping my head high. One of the cameramen gave me a thumb’s up, meaning I was free to leave and the scene was good. The boys kept talking and the crew kept filming. Some of my other castmates were surrounding the barn, bitching in style. I ignored them as I walked on by, while some taunted me about voting me out tonight because Clayton and Brody were under my spell.

Suddenly, it seemed like too much. The playacting and the stress and knowing it was all fake.

I was a fake.

I grabbed my phone and suddenly I saw all my texts had gone through.

Greedily, I ready Adam’s past messages. My horror mounted as he told me he’d seen a clip of me kissing Clayton and wanted to know what was going on.

Oh, God. How was that possible? The show hadn’t even aired yet!

With shaky fingers, I was ready to call him but Facetime popped up.

Finally, we’d get all of this shit cleared up.

I hit the button and began to talk.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Adam

Listen to Somewhere Only we Know

---