Page 49 of Faking It

I search his eyes, seeing the confusion there, feeling a wave of confusion myself. Where is the judgement, the disgust? Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Carter look at me that way.

Did I make a mistake running off that night? Is it possible Carter doesn’t know what I’d done?

There’s a burning urge to find out, but how?

“You didn’t answer me, Ana. Is there a reason I shouldn’t be nice to you?” he presses.

“I’m not a good person,” I reply, still searching his eyes for an awareness. Something to prove whether I should let this fear go.

Carter shakes his head. “None of us can own that trait. We’ve all done some shit in our lives at some point. So, unless you’ve committed a vicious crime or an unforgivable sin, you’re off the hook,” he smiles. “You’re cool with me.”

Responding with another smile, I head inside to prep for my next scene. I should be relieved. Carter’s reply confirms he heard nothing that night. There’s no way he’d be so calm otherwise.

But as I grab my combat boots, I realize one thing. I’m not off the hook. I’m not cool with Carter. No, I’m not a good person. A vicious criminal, that’s what I am.

If he finds out— ifanyonefinds out, a ruined career will be the least of my problems.

Chapter 18

Gideon

“Take my hand, woman. Goddamnit. Don’t be stubborn.”

Ana scrunches her face at me. “I’m not being stubborn. I told you; I can handle it.”

I raise my hands, then back off a short distance, watching as she tries to maneuver the steep incline. We’re shooting a forced proximity scene in the mountains. Overnight rain caused a mini landslide that blocked the main road. Our four-by-four rentals could only make half the journey, forcing us to continue on foot. With a tight schedule and our lodgings already booked for the night, there’s no way we could reschedule. Aunt Cheryl lucked out on hiring this cast. If there was ever a diva among us, she wouldn’t hear the end of this unexpected turnout.

Ana tries to step up the slope, putting pressure on her right leg, but it doesn’t work. The heavy backpack that she insists on carrying is weighing her down, too. With a groan, she falls back, and I move with a swiftness that defies my own capabilities to grab the front of her shirt before she skids all the way back.

“I got you.”

“You guys good down there?” Jared calls as I pull Ana up, my arms slipping around her waist. I give him a thumbs up as Ana flashes me a grateful smile.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” I keep my hand around her waist, not because she needs the balance or because there are people around who aren’t in on the ruse and we need to keep up appearances, but because it feels damn good. Touching Ana anywhere feels good.

“It’s hard,” Ana mutters. “Poking into my skin.”

“Sorry.” I adjust the camera neck strap, shifting the device from between us and resting it over my shoulder.

“I’m not stubborn, by the way. I’m just used to doing things on my own,” she says.

“How come?”

She shrugs. “I just am.”

The flash of worry on her face clashes with that casual gesture, letting me know there’s a story behind it. Fake boyfriend or real, I won’t push. Like Jared, she might shut down even more.

Ana taps my arm. “You can let go, now. We’re off the slope.”

“Sure.” I could point out the possibility of paparazzi following us and that my arm around her waist would be a cute photo. While that might be true, it’s wrong to invade her personal space. The last thing I’d want is to cause her any discomfort. Well, anymorediscomfort. Ana still gives me this deer-in-the-headlights expression whenever I come near.

We walk without conversation, and I zone in on the sounds around me: the footsteps and chit-chat of the crew, the babbling of a nearby stream, the birds perched in the evergreen trees and occasional glimpses of the mountain’s furry inhabitants. This is a welcome change from the sweltering desert of last week. A tranquil change. For once, I’m not dwelling on the job ahead, how many scenes before this movie wraps, or how close I am to getting rid of my dad. I’m enjoying the environment, basking in the beauty of it, glad I’d given into the impulse to take my camera with me.

“Carter.”

“Mhm?” I shift my focus from the camera screen to look down at Ana’s tentative face.

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