“Still hung up on the same man, huh?”
I have to give it to her, it was me who unwittingly walked head first into it this time. I just wasn’t thinking. But it doesn’t matter, I can answer with my head held high now. “I don’t even think about him.”
“You didn’t ever have his number did you?” I shake my head. “How about the picture?”
“Picture?” What is she talking about? I expected her to call me out on my lie.
“The photograph on your phone. Is that gone? If not, you aren’t over him.”
“I… it’s gone.”
I don’t know why I lie. Well, I do. It’s to save face, but it’s pointless because Rae sees right through me. Now that we’re on even territory, the sort of thing that she’s used to, she relaxes a little. I can see her shoulders rolling forward as the tension slides off her.
“I think you should give me your phone. Let me delete the image for you.”
My heartstrings tug. I almost let out a little moan at the agony. Much as I’m over Shane - sort of - I don’t know if I’m ready to let him go completely yet. It isn’t like I spend hours staring at the picture but the thought of it going is almost too much to handle. There’s a physical ache. I have to resist the urge to hold myself to save face in front of Rae. I don’t want her to look at me with pity in her eyes again.
“You know this is for the best, Tia, don’t you?” Rae cocks an eyebrow at me. “You’re doing good things at the moment, starring as the female lead in a cool indie movie, doing press, moving forward with your career. Why would you want to have this baggage weighing on you?”
I know what Rae is like, I know she won’t let go this lie, so I reluctantly hand her my phone and watch in dismay as she takes her time deleting the picture. I suppose this is for the best. Shane is out of my life and I want Rae back in it. If this shatters the ice and allows her to be a bit more complimentary on what I am doing.
“Okay, all gone. Good news, right?” She hands me back the phone which feels oddly light now. I don’t even need to scroll through all the photos to know that it’s no longer there. I can sense it’s gone.
“Mmm, yeah okay, you’re right.”
Rae leans across the table and smiles at me. “Are you too big a star to have a few more drinks with me tonight?”
Her request makes me smile. Thank goodness, that’s awesome. I can take anything from her if it means I get my friend back, it’s been a hard time without her. “I don’t think I’m famous enough to get papped drunk yet and I could sure as hell use a night of blowing off some steam, that’s for sure.”
“Then let’s finish up here and find somewhere else to go. Somewhere with a better atmosphere and some hot guys.” She slugs back her drink and bangs her glass on the table. “You ready?”
“Yeah, I think I’m ready.” I drink, but much slower than Rae. “Let’s get out of here.”
As she links her arm through mine and grins at me, I feel a bit more complete now. Yes, it’s been a busy time filming this movie, but I do need to have a social life as well. I’m so glad that Rae finally responded to one of my text messages and we can get back on track once more.
Chapter Twelve – Shane
“You there, buddy?” Stephen asks me. On the outset, his tone is kind but I can sense some irritation there. That’s because I know him well. Maybe if I could let him in, he’d know me well too. “You listening?”
“Huh? Sorry?” I make a big show of rubbing my eyes. “I’m shattered. Long night last night?”
“Oh yeah?” His face breaks out in to a nice smile. “The good kind?”
“What do you mean ‘the good kind’?” I narrow my eyebrows at him.
“You know… were you with a woman?” He gives me a childish smirk like a teen boy in the locker room at high school trying to find out what sex is really like. “Or was it something boring that kept you up?”
It was Tia. It’s always fucking Tia. Even now, months later, it’s her on my mind all the time. I can’t seem to shake her away no matter what happens. I can’t even hook up with someone else. Not when she’s everywhere. And she really is everywhere. Her acting career is going from strength to strength, this indie film has really exploded, so I can’t seem to escape her. Everywhere I look, there she is. Interviews, photoshoots, promo activities… the world can’t get enough of her and it’s annoying me. She was mine first and I wish she still was.