51
Icall Audrey from the kitchen while I’m preparing our food, not wanting to have this conversation with Dillon in proximity. I didn’t have time to call her yesterday, but I’d messaged her to say I had seen theOK!picture and I was fine. I am about to hang up when her sleepy voice finally answers. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Better than fine.” I smile to myself as I put her on speaker, chopping onions and tomatoes while I proceed to fill her in on the ball and spending last night with Dillon.
“Good for you, babe. How was it? The sex, I mean?”
“Out of this fucking world. I lost count of the orgasms he gave me, and I can barely walk today with the ache between my legs.”
“I hope he’s nowhere in the vicinity. Let’s not give him an even bigger head.”
There’s a slight edge to her tone I don’t much care for. “He knows he’s good, and he deserves all the praise. Trust me on that score.”
“Are you happy, Viv?” she asks, after a few tense beats, in a more somber tone.
“Yeah, yes, I think I am.”
Another pregnant pause ensues. “I’m not going to lie. I’ve been worried sick since I saw that picture. I thought you might do something reckless.”
“Does riding my new boyfriend’s cock for hours pass as reckless?” I quip, needing to lighten the inexplicable tense atmosphere.
“I’m sure to Reeve it probably would.”
“Good,” I snap.
“I called him,” she admits, and I nearly slice the tip of my finger off.
“Why would you do that?”
“I was worried this would undo all your progress, and I wanted to know if it was true.”
Setting the knife down, I grab the counter, not sure if I want to hear this.
Audrey takes the decision out of my hands. “He says the picture was taken in Mexico ten days ago, when they were nearing the end of the promo tour. They were all out by the pool drinking and doing drugs.”
A bitter laugh escapes my lips. “Let me guess. It was a mistake. He wasn’t in his right mind. He thought she was me.”
“Yeah, it went something like that.”
“He must think I’m such a fucking idiot! Sending me those gifts, thinking it would make everything okay.” Bile floods my mouth as I dice chorizo.
“Here’s the thing. Reeve has been working on that photo album for months, and he got that tattoo weeks ago. He sent it before Mexico happened, so I think the gesture was sincere.”
“I don’t fucking care, Audrey,” I hiss, lowering my voice. I don’t want Dillon to come out and investigate.
“Viv. I’m on your side. Always.”
I’ve never had reason to doubt that before, but it doesn’t sound reassuring right now. “So, what is this? It sounds to me like you’re rooting for Reeve.” I crack eggs into a bowl, trying to rein in my anger. I don’t want to fight with my bestie, but she’s pissing me off and ruining my good mood.
“It was hard to talk to him and not feel some compassion. He’s messed up, Viv. Alex and I are worried about him. But it’s not just the partying and the drugs. It’s thatbitch. She’s still manipulating him, and he’s struggling to shake her off. She’s hell-bent on sticking her claws into him. At this point, he’s convinced she’s only doing it to get at you. He doesn’t think she’s really into him or ever has been. It’s more the thrill of stealing him from you.”
“She can have him. I’m done.” I won’t let Audrey or Reeve guilt me into changing my mind. I know she’s just concerned about him, and in the past, I would’ve jumped to help him, but I’ve got to prioritize myself, or I’ll undo all my good work.
Technically, Reeve hasn’t done anything wrong this time. He’s single now, so if he wants to cavort half-naked on a sun lounger on a Mexican beach with that whore, he’s free to do so. It clearly doesn’t matter that it’s disrespectful to me to find out like that, on my freaking birthday, but whatever. I’m so done with this. My wrist works overtime as I vigorously whisk the eggs, hoping Audrey will just let this drop.
“He’s hired a top-notch investigator. A guy who specializes in this kind of investigation. He knows she leaked the photo toOK!, and he suspects she is in cahoots with Cassidy and Bianca. He’s going after them, Viv, and he’s already issued an ultimatum to the studio.”
“What ultimatum?” I hate that I ask the question before I’ve had time to engage my brain.