Page 75 of Beneath the Blindfold

Samantha Hidenrite—Sam Richards as I’d known her a decade ago—had added me to the Facebook group last week. She was organizing our high school reunion, which wasn’t surprising. In school, she’d been homecoming queen, a cheerleader, and a classic overachiever. We weren’t friends back then. Like the rest of my classmates, she’d looked down on me as a drama club freak.

Why the hell were we Facebook friends now? She must have requested me at some point, and I’d accepted. My mother would say it was because I was too nice, but it was entirely possible I’d done it out of pettiness. The industry was hardening me up.

I scrolled to the post and then her comment.

Samantha HidenriteStill haven’t heard from a few of you. It’d be so awesome if we could get most of the class together! I’m sure@Annalisewon’t come.

Tim WashburnDid Anna say she couldn’t?

Samantha HidenriteI assume. Seems like once she got famous, she forgot we existed. Not like@Jamie Campbell.

My grip tightened on the phone. How ironic. She pretended I didn’t exist in high school but didn’t like it when the roles were reversed. I turned the screen off and pushed my way through the revolving door out into the Los Angeles sun.

I hustled across the sidewalk in a huff, down the street, and into the parking garage. I’d been home to Kentucky plenty of times since I’d started my acting career, but my visits had been less frequent recently. My schedule was a nightmare because I was always working, but that was a good problem to have, wasn’t it? Plus, the press tour for my last movie had eaten away any desire to travel.

Right now, I needed to focus on my decision aboutThe Blindfold Clubproject, not be thinking about my ten-year reunion. I hadn’t enjoyed my four years at Philpot High School and had no plans to go back.

I climbed into my car, set my phone on the dash holder, and as I stuck my keys in the ignition, a new notification caught my attention.

Jamie Campbell mentioned you in a comment.

There was a strange flutter in my chest. Jamie had always been friendly, but we hadn’t been friends. I’d probably spoken to him a handful of times. But everyone in Philpot knew him. Probably all of western Kentucky did. Until last year, he was easily the biggest thing to come out of our sleepy town.

Had I surpassed him in the fame department? It was tough to say. I didn’t follow NASCAR, but a lot of people back home did. He was a professional race car driver, and that made him Philpot’s favorite son.

Samantha Hidenrite mentioned you in a comment.

I tried to ignore the notifications as I turned my car key. The air conditioner blasted to life, blowing my brunette hair back over my shoulders. Was Jamie’s hair still sandy colored? Or had it darkened as he’d gotten older?

Jamie Campbell mentioned you in a comment.

“Okay, what the hell?” I muttered. I snatched the phone up and went to the notifications.

Jamie CampbellNot sure why I got dragged into this, but@Annalise Vandeverewas in town over Christmas.

Samantha HidenriteI just meant you come back a lot and do stuff for the community.@Annalisedoesn’t. She acts like she’s embarrassed by us. So I’m not going to hold my breath on her showing.

Jamie CampbellI’m sure@Annalisereally wants to come now. Good job,@Sam.

He knew I was home over the holidays? I typed out a snarky response to Sam but deleted it. Then I drew in a deep breath and thumbed out a new response.

Annalise SchraderI’m not going to be able to make it work with my schedule, but thanks for thinking of me!

I wondered if she’d understand the passive-aggressive dig. What was her deal? I was by no means ashamed of my hometown. My parents and extended family still lived there.

Jamie Campbell wants to be friends on Facebook.

There it was again. That weird fluttering in my chest, which was ridiculous. He’d been pretty cute ten years ago, but I didn’t get star-struck. I’d learned no matter how big a star seemed to shine, they were still just regular humans like the rest of us. If anything, meeting them caused the luster to fade.

I pushed the ‘confirm’ button without thinking about it.

We’d run in different circles, but I’d never heard anything bad about him. Just a rumor he’d gotten a speeding ticket for taking the Salem Drive challenge—where you drove on the rural road that ran alongside the bypass. The goal was to match the speed of the cars on the freeway.

They said he’d been going eighty and sweet-talked the female cop out of taking his license.

The chat icon lit up.

Jamie:Is it cool I said you were home during Christmas? I realized after I posted you might not want people to know. I can delete.

---