“Alina, you have to do what’s right. You need to get in front of this—”
“You know what?! No, Charlie.”
I was taken aback. “I know you’re frustrated,” I said patiently. “But that doesn’t mean—”
“No! I don’t want to hear it. I thought I could tell you, my best friend of all people, but here you are judging me!” she said, pointing a finger at me accusingly.
“Alina, I want to help you—”
“No! No, you’re going to sit there and judge me for what I’ve done in the past. Just when I needed you the most, you turn your back on me like this!” she shouted tearfully.
“Alina, listen—”
“Is there a problem here?” Leo’s Molasses voice drifted out from behind me.
I turned to see his massive golden linebacker form appear out of the ether, coming toward us on the beach.
Alina’s face turned to pure rage as she said, “It’s nothing. We’re done here.”
Then she turned and stomped away across the beach, leaving me with Leo.
“What was that about?” he asked, his golden armor glittering in the light.
I shook my head slowly. “Nothing. I think we’ll be alright— she’s just stressed.”
Leo nodded, and I watched as his golden eyes followed Alina across the beach.
Even though Leo was right next to me, I felt a million miles away from him. My mind kept tormenting me with the memory of the bonfire.
Leo and Oliver hooked up, Leo and Oliver hooked up, Leo and Oliver hooked up…
“I… I need a moment alone,” I said, turning from him.
I took a few steps in the sand toward my trailer, then Leo’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Charlie…”
I squeezed my eyes shut tight.
“It gets easier. All you have to do is stay out of the drama.”
I turned to face him, locking my eyes onto his.
“You didn’t,” I said sadly.
We both knew I was talking about his hookup with Oliver.
There was a tightness to his jaw.
I turned and marched through the sand to my trailer.
Chapter Eighteen
As soon as I was safely inside my trailer, I shut the door and shut out the world. I kept picturing Alina’s face, her eyes full of hurt and accusation.
She just needed to cool down for a little while… right?
I slumped down on my bed, leaned back, and stared at the ceiling as if it somehow knew the answers to the questions swirling around in my mind.
Without Alina on my side, what was I doing here? The only thing keeping me here was Reese’s promise of more scenes in The Black Castle. But as he reminded me outside of that restaurant, he could send me back to L.A. Any time he wanted.
The power was all in his hands.
And that got me thinking — what kind of nefarious rumors were circling about him? Was he… was he sleeping with underage people like Alina’s old director was?
I closed my eyes and could still see that grainy photograph of her, her dark hair spilling down around her face contorted into an expression of pleasure.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I was being judgmental. It must have taken a lot from her to even admit that to me — and it must have been a slap in the face when she placed her trust in me like that and I had that reaction…
There was a knock on my door.
I sat up from the bed, alarmed. Could it be Reese telling me that he had the meeting, and the showrunners wouldn’t let some nobody like me ruin their show with more scenes?
It would probably be for the best.
But when I answered the door, Leo was standing in front of me.
I opened my mouth in surprise, but he cut through me with his golden gaze.
I was speechless.
Suddenly, he looked unsure of himself. The expression looked foreign on his stoic, perfect face. It was as if the lines weren’t carved there yet, and he was making that expression for the first time in his life.
“I wanted to come by and explain,” he said.
“Explain what?” I asked breathlessly. Even in my sour mood, I couldn’t deny the effect his presence was having on me. Again, it felt like I was tethered to him.
But for once, I was able to ignore it. I leaned on the wall of the stairwell, regarding him carefully.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
It was impossible to read the look in his eyes.
I shrugged, crossed my arms, and stepped back up inside my trailer.
He followed, his footsteps heavy.
Under normal circumstances, I would have been freaking out that Leo Knight — the irresistible movie star that made my heart sing — was alone with me in my trailer. But right now, I wasn’t in the mood for people at all. Nothing could brighten my mood except alone time.
Still, I was going to make an effort to be polite.
As Leo sat down on my couch, I bustled in the kitchenette, avoiding his eyes.
“Tea?” I asked my voice coming out more stiff than I intended.
“If you’d be so kind,” Leo said cordially.
“Well aren’t you polite,” I said with a huff.
I knew this wasn’t fair. I was upset and taking it out on Leo. Even though I knew I had no stake or claim on Leo, I couldn’t help but feel betrayed that he’d hooked up with Oliver — a man that had quickly become my enemy.
Leo sat in silence on my couch, looking simply too big for it. Almost nothing about him was betraying any sort of emotion within him — almost. His arm was outstretched, resting on the back of the couch, and I noticed that his index finger was trembling ever so slightly.
“I know this life can be overwhelming,” Leo said.
I pursed my lips as I heated some water.
“So I’m guessing you heard that I’m getting a bigger role,” I said.
“Word gets around fast,” Leo explained.
I wouldn’t look at him. I couldn’t look at him, so I busied myself with watching the water come to a boil.
“Why did you come
