I didn't understand the fascination everyone had with knowing who I was. They even started making up wild stories about Tomas and me, saying that we’ve been together secretly for years. Speculating that it was the reason why he’s never been spotted with another woman before. I just ignore it all, but it bothers Tomas. He doesn't like people trying to take my picture all the time or digging into my past. It doesn't bother me. Dig away. There isn't anything to find except those horrible prom pictures of Alyssa and me. I’m going to disown the moms if those make the front page news.
“We’re here,” Sean says as his door opens. He steps out, first helping Alyssa and then me next. There are a few other cars in the back. People wanting to come in unnoticed.
“Is that-'' Alyssa trails off, her eyes going wide as we watch our favorite pop stars walk by. I nod my head yes. She stops when she sees me.
“Are you Neily?” she asks.
“That’s me,” I say, looking to make sure Alyssa is okay. She looks like she’s seen a ghost.
“You broke so many hearts when you took Tomas off the market.” She gives me a wink before heading into the back door.
“Am I supposed to be mad or happy about that?”
Alyssa just shakes her head, not sure either. “It’s weird to think of Tomas as famous.”
“Let’s go in.” Sean motions for us to move toward the back door. A man gives us a nod, letting us pass by without asking who we are or to see our tickets.
“Neily.” I turn to see Tomas’ mom calling my name.
“Hey!” I hop over, giving her a hug. Tomas’ mom is as sweet as they come. We go to her home at least once a week to have dinner. She already treats me like I’m her own daughter. She even tells me that she loves me. Unlike Tomas.
“Tomas wants to see you,” she says in my ear before stepping back from our hug.
“I was told no locker room.”
“He’s not in the locker room but he’s saying he’s not going out until he sees you first.”
I smile up at her. “Good, because I want to see him too.”
She slips a necklace over my head that has a badge on it before handing both Sean and Alyssa one.
“He’s that way.” She points down the long hallway. “You’ll see his name on the door.”
“I’ll see you guys out there.” I give them all a wave before I half run down the hallway to find Tomas. I pass a few security guys along the way. None of them try to stop me. It isn't until I see Clyde coming out of the door with Tomas’ name on it that I finally slow down.
“Calm him down for me, will you?” He gives me a smile. “You’re not answering your phone.” I look down, realizing I might have left it at home. I left my purse in the car. Oops. I think I’ve gotten a little too used to Tomas being around and reminding me of things.
“I’ll do my best.” I know of the perfect way to calm Tomas down.
“I’ll be back in a few. He’s on the phone.” He motions to the door.
“Thanks.” I reach for the handle of the door, pushing it open a little. I see Tomas with his back to me. A phone is pressed to his ear.
“I can’t do this shit anymore. The press is out of hand.” I can tell without even seeing his face that he’s worked up. I can feel the tension coming from him. “No,” he snaps next. If I have to guess, he’s talking to his agent Seth. “We won’t have to worry about the press anymore once everyone knows we’re done. They’ll forget all about Neily.”
Once everyone knows we’re done. What does that mean? Him and me?
“Love?” He barks out a laugh. “No, I’m not in fucking love with-” He turns his head, his eyes locking with mine. I take a step back. The urge to run is too great for me to resist.
“Pixie.” He drops the phone from his ear. My eyes sting with tears.
“Well, I’m in fucking love with you,” I whisper before I turn, letting go of the door to run down the hallway. I don’t make it more than two feet before his arm is around me, lifting me off the floor and pulling me back into the locker room. The door falls closed behind us.
“You running?” he asks as he turns me in his arms. Acting on instinct, I wrap around him. My body always clings to him. I crave the comfort that only he can provide me, yet he is the reason I need it in the first place.
“I heard you.” My hands dig into his shirt. The amount of sadness I feel threatens to crush me.