Page 24 of The Fangirl and the Playboy

“What about all the women who came after her? Were those relationships real?”

My shoulders hunch inward like she struck me with a physical blow. I know I have a reputation as a Hollywood playboy, and as far as the public knows, I’ve earned that rep. After Julia and I “broke up,” I ended up flitting from one woman to another, never letting anything get serious and skipping out the moment anyone started to show any kind of attachment.

But there’s a reason for that, and that reason is sitting right across this desk from me.

* * *

Nine Years Ago…

The fake relationship with Julia ended up lasting much longer than I’d originally agreed to, but now that we’ve leaked to the press that we quietly ended things, I’m finally free.

First order of business? Catch a flight to Oregon.

It’s Willow’s nineteenth birthday, and I plan to surprise her by showing up, falling to my knees, and groveling until she agrees to let me explain everything. I just hope she doesn’t shut me down before I get the chance to make her see the truth.

That I’m still in love with her.

I plan to use any means necessary to make this right, even if it means spilling the beans about Julia. I know I can trust Willow not to say anything. She’s the best person I’ve ever met.

Renting a car with tinted windows at the airport, I drive to Evening Shade, my heart in my throat the entire time. I go over what I plan to say, speaking the words aloud until there’s no nervous tension in my voice.

I want to sound firm and sure. Because I am.

As I pull into town, my heart picks up in an unsteady rhythm. This is it. I’m going to see Willow and put all my cards on the table, leaving whatever future we might have in her beautiful hands.

I pull onto the shoulder of the road as I approach her driveway. I decided to park and walk in because if her brother sees my car, he may stop me before I even get the chance to see Willow. I don’t want to risk it, so I climb from the car and make the trek through the dark up her long dirt drive.

As I round the bend and the house comes into view, I freeze in the shadow of the tree line. Willow is there, on the porch. The single light creates a halo around her dark hair, making her look like an angel.

But she’s not alone.

She’s looking up at the man standing next to her, a bright smile curving her lips as he whispers something under his breath. His hands grip her waist, and I want to rush forward and snatch her away from him. But I don’t.

I can’t.

My muscles refuse to move, petrified like old wood as I watch her push up on her toes and press her mouth to his. My heart dies a painful death in my chest as he tilts his head for a better angle, deepening the kiss. Willow’s hands dive into his hair, and I remember the way they felt in mine, smooth and possessive as our tongues brushed against each other.

I can’t do this.

Spinning around, I hurry on light feet back the way I came. As soon as the driveway bends, and I know they can’t see me from the porch, I break out into a sprint. Tears stream from my eyes as I push forward, never stopping until I reach the car.

Yanking the door open, I tumble inside and slam it closed behind me. I don’t move to start the engine. I need a moment to get myself under control before I put myself and every other driver on the road in danger with my erratic emotions.

Willow’s moved on.

I don’t know why I expected she wouldn’t. She’s a beautiful woman who probably has men vying for her attention constantly. Why would she wait around for me for two years when she thought I betrayed her?

I’m so fucking stupid.

But I’m not an asshole. I won’t push my way back into her life, disrupting the good she’s carved out for herself.

No, it’s better this way. For her, at least.

And me? Well, I let this happen to us, so I deserve whatever misery comes my way.

ChapterThirteen

Willow

---