“I may ride Percy later on. I’ll let you know.”
With that, I hurriedly make my way to the back exit of the building. The minute I step out, I’m blinded by the Texas sun while my name is shouted from a block away by a voice I don’t recognize. They’re already here.
“Shit.”
Digging in my purse, hand on my stun gun, I round the building and stop briefly as I spot the few who’ve gathered in front of the main entrance. Turning, I start a sprint as they catch sight of me fleeing toward the coffee shop where I parked this morning in anticipation. The second I turn the corner, a black SUV cuts me off in the alley, just as I’m spotted by a few more photographers. I shield my face with my laptop as a window lowers, expectant of camera flashes. “No comment for the rest of my fucking life!”
“Think that will work for me?” an amused voice replies, followed by an accompanying chuckle. Lowering my laptop, I meet the jade eyes that haunt me in the waking hours when my guard is lowered.
“What in the hell are you doing?!” I snap, realizing Joel is in the driver’s seat, grinning at me, seemingly just as amused. “I told you I didn’t want to see you!”
“Damn, Beauty, you’re foul today,” Easton’s smooth voice reaches my ears, and I shake off the chill, knowing it has nothing to do with the lingering spring temperature.
“Might want to get in,” Easton urges as I glance back and see paparazzi closing in, less than a block away.
“Damnit!” I open the door, Joel rolls the windows up and I manage to slam myself inside just as they surround the car.
“This is just fucking perfect!” I shield my face again with my laptop as we’re engulfed, and flashes go off. Joel lays on the horn before slamming on the gas, giving us a wider berth while tearing out of the alley in reverse.
“Good to see you, Nat,” he chimes in obvious amusement before throwing the SUV into drive and speeding away from the swarming bodies chasing us.
Stare lingering back through the rear windshield, I unload a slew of curses as Joel maneuvers us through traffic while breaking every imaginable law.
Turning my glare toward Easton, I’m struck stupid by the sight of him smiling, his green eyes glittering as he drinks in my appearance. I close my eyes and tilt my head back on the rest as his chuckle fills the cabin.
“This isn’t funny. At fucking all,” I grit out.
“Depends on the perspective, I guess.”
I slink back in the buttery soft seat, my laptop and purse clutched to my chest, my leather skirt riding high on my thighs. Why am I wearing a leather miniskirt, heels, and a thin V-neck sweater that highlights my cleavage on a frosty spring day? Because I’m determined to send a message that I will not cower away from the perception of being cheated on, nor will I play the martyr by dressing like a nun. The outfit is borderline office inappropriate, but I didn’t want to be caught in the crosshairs of the blood-thirsty media looking my worst on a day where they’re conspiring to paint me the victim. Thank God Dad got the heads up on the story breaking last night, so we were better prepared. I have zero doubts that after today I’ll be the woman notorious for being unable to keep a rock star and one of the world’s greatest athletes within my grasp.
The attention to the details I put into my appearance are blatant as Easton’s gaze lights up my skin. I keep my own averted while the downtown buildings pass us in a blur.
After a few wordless seconds, Easton closes in and gently pries my whitening fingers from my laptop before setting it on the seat between us.
Ignoring Easton’s play for attention, I speak up. “Joel, will you please drop me home?”
“They’ll be there waiting,” Easton reminds me.
“I can handle it, and I said I didn’t want to see you.”
“You’ve barely looked at me since you got in the SUV, so you’re safe in that respect.”
“Glad you find this so amusing, but I’m not in need of saving today.”
“You never really have been, have you?”
“I wouldn’t go that far. I was damn near delusional when we met.”
“You had grandiose dreams of finding true love.”
“Yeah,” I retort, “we both see how that worked out.”
Silence.
“Joel,” Easton summons softly. Joel pulls over a minute later in a busy shopping center, exiting the SUV. I sit silently in anticipation and don’t wait long.
“You can continue to feed me bullshit, or you can really talk to me. Either way, I see what you’re not saying, Beauty.”