Page 34 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Olivia took the reins and texted him herself, telling him to accept it and move on. That didn’t go over great, but she handled it. Since then, I haven’t heard a single word from him. I read about him in the tabloids like everyone else.

The three of us slide into our seats, situating everything, so we’re comfortable.

‘Mm-mm. So, freaking good. It’s like movie-theater popcorn. You can make it at home, but it’s not the same.’ Olivia swoons over a hot dog, the sole reason she came today.

‘They are goo—’ I start to say, then freeze, my drink partway to my mouth as I internally panic, a familiar voice invading my head. I glance around for him, worry filling my insides like bumblebees.

‘Uh-oh…’ Liv points to the jumbotron now running aRoyalscommercial.

Will’s gorgeous face stares back at me, stopping my heart. Damn it. He’s the face of the show. The face of Portland. I thought he was everywhere six months into the show – God, was I wrong. Now, two years later, he really is everywhere – tabloids, billboards, commercials, walk-on acting spots, radio shows, advertisements and local news. I even saw one of their posters on our way into the stadium today. Now his stupid beautiful face is looking back at me along with a woman who could give Angelina Jolie a run for her money. Danika Frost, a rich girl who is attempting to take over the world with her entrepreneurial ways. I saw an article recently that predicted if those two (she and Will) ‘got together’, they could be the power couple of the city. Just stick an ice pick through my eye already, would ya?

‘Four more seasons, Portland,’ Mikey says, the rest of the group toasting him.

I glance at Liv, who forces a ridiculous smile but forgets heroh shitwide eyes. ‘He must’ve signed another contract,’ she suggests.

She said the words that were at the tip of my tongue but I didn’t want to say out loud. Yes, this is news to me. I shouldn’t be surprised, considering I officially ‘walked away’ a year ago, but I feel like he’s a part of my soul and there’s no way to get rid of someone once they’ve become embedded into who you are.

‘That abstruse dickbag!’ Gunner says with disappointment. Only he would mix an obnoxious word with a swear. He’s definitely not wrong in this case.

Honestly, I feel like I might puke. The day I found out he signed up for the show flashes through my head, and somehow this feels worse.

‘I guess I need a new life path.’ Not that I was holding out hope any longer.

Liv frowns, but I wave her off.

‘I’ll be fine,’ I reassure her, reading her mind. ‘We broke up a long time ago. It may have taken us some time to finally part ways for good but we did it and I’m…happy… for him.’ The word literally did not want to leave my lips, but I forced it and that’s exactly how it sounded too. Actress of the year over here, folks. Where’s my Emmy?

‘That didn’t even sound happy,’ Gunner says matter-of-factly.

‘Yes. It did,’ I insist. ‘If he’s happy, I’m happy for him.’

‘It totally sounded happy.’ Olivia backs me up. ‘Shut up, Gunner.’

Luckily, he knows us well enough to know when he shouldn’t get involved and he turns his attention to the field, ignoring us completely.

Deep breaths, Berx. You aren’t dying. You just wish you were. It’s no big deal because you are completely over Will. He can sign as many contracts as he wants. Be the fucking Bachelor for all you care! You’re on to bigger and better things!

Finally, the ad passes, my heart rate levels and I can breathe again. That was far more emotion than I was expecting today. I prop my feet on the empty chair before me, sipping my drink and diverting my eyes from the screen. A man with Will’s hair a few rows ahead of me stops my heart again but when he turns to talk to his friend I exhale. Not him.

Focus, Berkley. You broke up with Will because he lied. He ruined all the plans you made for your futures and he just lied again. Proof you did the right thing.

‘Which one is your favorite?’ I ask, distracting myself with anything possible.

‘Alex Donovan, number nine,’ Gunner answers.

Olivia’s been talking about Alex for a week. We went to school together, but I haven’t kept up with him. All I knew about Alex Donovan was that he and Will were on the same soccer team in high school and had some kind of rivalry from a fight they had over a girl in their earlier school days together.

Honestly, I didn’t even realize he’d gone pro until Olivia told me. She’s a professional internet stalker in her free time so of course she and Alex have kept up on all the socials.

I hunt for number nine, spotting him talking to someone as he kicks a ball back and forth with a teammate.

‘Whoa,’ I say with a laugh. ‘Alex grew up, didn’t he?’

He used to be tall and scrawny but those days seem to have passed. When I met him he was one of those cocky I’m-the-best-on-the-team fourteen-year-old boys. I wasn’t impressed at all back then, but I’m sure he’s grown up just like I have. Good for him to be so gifted at soccer he got to go pro.

‘Yes. He. Did,’ Liv says. ‘I’m glad you said it like that because he’s your rebound boyfriend. He’s going to ask you out today.’

I whip my head in her direction. ‘I can’t go out with Alex, Liv. He’s Will’s arch enemy.’

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