Page 30 of Faking It

Gracing a few familiar faces with an easy smile, I continue my walk to the balcony. The metal railing cuts into my arm as I lean against it, staring down at the backyard. Leather patio couches surround the Olympic sized pool, with center tables set between them. They’re almost filled with people who look like me. People who’ve already had enough of this fucking party.

My tribe.

Michael was right about one thing. I’ll fit right in.

Returning the way I’d come, I ease through the crowd once more, heading down the side stairs that leads to the backyard, immediately spotting an actor I’d worked with on my last movie. We spend the next few minutes catching up, and I’m pleased to learn that he’s running his own talent management company.

“Yeah, I’ve had enough of the spotlight, man,” he explains when I congratulate him. “Running my own business takes a lot of work, but there’s no greater feeling of accomplishment.”

“I can imagine.” And I can relate.Gideon Cain Photographymight not be on my desired level, but there’s no greater pride than seeing my logo pop on the screen whenever I power-up my computer. The success will soon come, I’m positive.

If only I could let the world know what I’m up to, but now’s not the time. Not until I get my father off my back. At this point, the only person who knows is my mom, and these days, she’s not even cognizant half the time. Years of enduring my father’s shit has finally done her in. Now, she’s a shell of the lively character she used to be.

Sam bids me goodbye as I turn, then do a double take as a blonde comes down the side stairs, her arms bearing a tray of drinks. She gets to the ground and plasters a smile on her face while moving to a group of guests.

Ana.

She’s… working here?

I watch as she moves to the next group, her body gently swinging in that tight dress, a similar one to what I’ve seen the servers wearing. She’s definitely working, and by that forced smile, she’s not too happy about it. The tray gets emptied within seconds, and as she moves from the group, her eyes land on me.

A reactionary flutter in my chest, the way my body comes alive, flooded with heat, it doesn’t surprise me. There’s something about Ana that awakens every nerve ending inside me whenever I think of her. Those reactions are even stronger when I see her. I don’t know why she affects me so much, but I like it. I welcome it. It makes me… cheerful. I’m sick and tired of ol’ grumpy keeping me company.

Ana’s arms fall, her shoulders stiffening with tension. My brows furrow with confusion as she backs away. Is that fear in her eyes?

“Hey, are you okay?” I enquire.

She shakes her head but still keeps moving. I hurry to close the space between us. With a weird sound, she turns and makes off, her heels clicking on the pavement.

Deciding not to chase her, I stop, staring at her departing form, a disturbing feeling killing that pleasantness.

Hell, is Ana Kent scared of me?

Chapter 10

Ana

The cool night breeze kisses my bare arms as I dash down the brick path on the outskirts of the mansion. My distressed breaths and the clicking of my heels are the only sounds that follow me. Using the overhead lights on the building to guide my way, I take a flight of steps that lead to a lower deck of the house. I don’t know where I’m going. I just want to get away, far from those piercing dark eyes.

Oh, stop running, silly. There’s no reason to be scared. You’re not doing the movie anymore, remember? Carter can’t use that leverage against you.

I stop, rubbing the stitches from my side. “It’s just the secret that makes me wary of him, we both know that,” I remind my inner self.

Yes, they share the same name, but he’s not HIM. We know that, too.

“It’s hard to make that mental adjustment sometimes,” I mutter. “Hearing that name, I only see HIM.”

Leaning against the wall, I wait for my inner self to reply, then burst out in a silly laugh. I must be going off the rocker to be having conversations with myself like this. Or maybe I’m just tired.

It’s been a heck of a night; starting with Logan, who switched from angry to cry-baby mode so fast it made my head spin, his whining fading as Tori dragged me from the apartment. Still flustered by his behavior, I forced a smile on my face when I got to the mansion, then reported to Linda, my supervisor, who watched from the sidelines as I single-handedly manned the bar. If that stress wasn’t enough, I got harassed by a creep who kept lingering by the bar, offering me his blunt. Another creep tried to grab my ass as I served drinks on the dance floor—Linda’s attempt to get me away from creep number one.

Yet, I can’t say that it was a totally awful night. I reach into my cleavage and pull out the business card I’d tucked down there earlier. A soft smile emerges as I recall the conversation that preceded this fantastic—and hopeful development. Yes, the night had turned out okay.

At least, until a few minutes ago.

My smile fades as I continue down the path until I come upon a spot almost hidden behind a thick edge of greenery. There’s a jacuzzi on one end, a wicker loveseat and a firepit that’s not yet lit. It seems private. I should go back, but I’m due a break, anyway. Five minutes, and I’m out of here.

Getting comfortable in the loveseat, I think about Carter and the confusion on his face when I backed away from him earlier. I don’t understand his reaction. It’s a given that I should be wary of him. He was there that night. Right in that alley behind the bar six years ago. He overheard our conversation. He knows about my sin. My secret. Even though we’re not doing that movie together, Carter could still ruin my dreams with just a whisper. Knowing he has that power scares the shit out of me.

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