Page 42 of The Model

I wanted to tell her it wasn’t nice to comment on such things, but I kept it locked down. “Everyone was struggling. It felt like the heat was melting us on this roof. Are you telling me it didn’t bother you?” I knew it had. Raine’s clothes were drenched with sweat, and the little tendrils of hair that had escaped her ponytail were plastered to the side of her face. She was a mess, and I didn’t even want to know what I looked like. I’d sprayed mist on my face so many times throughout the last few hours and repeatedly put my hair up in a messy bun on the top of my head. I was sure my hair was sticking up all over the place.

Raine plopped down in the chair beside me and sprayed herself in the face. When some of the mist drifted over to me, feeling like heaven, I let out a happy sigh. With her hand resting on the back of the chair, she turned to look at me. “I thought my shoes were going to melt to the roof. Can you imagine how hot it would be if the ground was black?”

We wouldn’t have been able to continue.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better now that I’m cooling off. I’m not sure why we’re still up here and not inside with the air conditioning. I need to drink a gallon of water and take a nap after that.”

“At least you look a little less green,” she commented. “Now, you’re slightly flushed.”

What the hell was wrong with Raine today? I wanted to say she shouldn’t say anything since she looked like shit too, but that wasn’t nice, and I was trying to be better. For the last two weeks, I hadn’t been pleasant to be around with Ryder’s betrayal and lack of communication, dealing with Ben’s incessant voicemails, and feeling like I wanted to throw up almost constantly, but I vowed to myself I wasn’t going to let it get to me and affect my job.

Raine’s cheeks pinked up. “I’m sorry I just realized how that sounded, but I’m worried about you and hate seeing you so sad.”

“I know you are, and it’s sweet. I can tell you’re going to be a great mother one day with the way you’ve taken care of me. I don’t like being like this either, and I’m trying not to let it get to me, but it’s hard when I feel like I’m going to throw up at any given moment.”

Raine cocked a knowing brow at me and mouthed ‘doctor’ at me.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, I stood. “When am I going to find the time to go to the doctor? I have too much work to do.”

“You won’t be able to work if there’s something seriously wrong with you, or you end up dead.”

A startled laugh escaped. “That’s a little drastic, don’t you think? I doubt I’m going to die, but to make you feel better, you can make me an appointment.” Hopefully, the doctor could give me something to make me feel better, as well.

“Really?” When I nodded, she jumped up. “I’m going to do it now before you change your mind.”

I’d go to the doctor, but they’d probably tell me that it would pass and all I needed to do was rest. I appreciated that Raine was worried about me and the situation with Ben. She’d offered to stay with me numerous times since she hated that I was here by myself all the time, but I was used to it. This was my life.

18

Ryder

Sittingin a chair way too small for my size, I waited for my name to be called. My agent had insisted since I was in South Africa that I go to this casting call for a brand I’d never heard of. She assured me they were very big in the Latino culture, and it would be great for my career. I wasn’t sure how a company in South Africa was big in the Latino world, but I’d take her word on it. I wanted to argue I was busy enough, but when she threatened me with no more gym time, I kept my mouth shut. She knew exactly where to hit me so it hurt. I couldn’t be a successful model if I didn’t work out, and we both knew it. It was a good thing I loved the post-workout high; otherwise, I’d never get out of bed.

With Lexie no longer taking my calls, I’d been working out during all my spare time. It was the only thing that got her out of my mind.

“Yo, what’s up, dude?” Parker sat down beside me with a big grin. That guy was always happy.

“Chillin’ while I wait for them to call my name. I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you were in…where was it again? Paris?” It was hard to keep track of what country I was in, let alone someone else.

“I was, but once my job ended, Angie sent me here.”

Fucking Angie. Not only did she want me here, but she was sending more competition for me as well. Only one guy was getting the job, and at this point, I didn’t care if I got it or not. In a little over two months, I would be back in the US and headed to Washington to see my family for a whole month. I couldn’t wait to see them and be lazy.

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“Nah, man, I don’t care. I’d be happy if you got the job. You deserve it.”

Parker frowned. “So, do you. You work harder than anyone I know.”

“Whoever gets the job will be busy traveling all over the world for the next six months, and I’m burned out. I need a break and a home-cooked meal.”

“Why’d you come then if you don’t want the job?”

“Angie,” we both said in unison.

“Can I tell you something, and you won’t tell anyone?” Parker was a good guy, but I wasn’t sure if he was a secret keeper or not.

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