A loud ruckus had my attention moving to the door just as Jessica came walking through with an entourage. She had security on each side of her, and her own hair and makeup team behind them, as she refused to use the on-set crew. Why she felt the need to bring hair, makeup, and security to a work event was beyond me. But the girl was definitely not predictable, so I never knew what kind of stunt she’d pull.
The air in the room shifted with her presence, and I excused myself from Lacey and beelined over to Reese.
“Hey, y’all!” Jessica yelled out. “Let’s get this party started.”
I reached Reese just as Jessica approached her. My hand came around her protectively as I pulled her back up against my chest.
I’m here.
The lines were blurring for me with Reese, but I needed to keep my head on straight.
Reese’s hands came over my forearm that rested against her chest, and she tipped her head back to look at me.
“Well, isn’t this just adorable,” Jessica said as her gaze locked with mine. “I heard you two did an interview together. I’m sure everyone can’t wait for it to release. Way to keep the focus on the show.”
“Hey, let’s not start any drama. This is a party,” Brenna said. She had a supporting role on the show, and she and I had become good friends. Her husband stood beside her, shoulders squared, as if he were ready to defend her at all costs.
I understood that.
“This doesn’t seem like much of a party, at least not until I got here.” She moved closer, and her security guard stood slightly in front of her, giving her a warning look.
“If you have something to say, you don’t need to make a scene. Use your words,” Reese hissed, catching me off guard.
“Oh, the little country girl has a voice. How nice.” Jessica laughed. “I knew you were trouble when you came to the premiere party, you home-wrecking whore.”
That was all I needed. I unlocked my hold on Reese and slipped her behind me, moving into Jessica’s space. “You don’t get to speak to her. You don’t even get to fucking look at her. Do you hear me?”
I barely recognized my own voice. I’d never felt this kind of anger before. But she’d pushed me too far.
“Oh, someone is sensitive about their ‘special friend,’” she said, using two fingers on each hand to make air quotes dramatically. “Were you fucking her the whole time we were together?”
“You seriously need to get help. We were never together, and you fucking know it. What is your obsession with this? You don’t get enough attention for your acting skills?” There were camera flashes going off from behind her, and I looked up to see two dudes taking photos that were not part of this party.
How the fuck did they get in?
Jessica glanced over at them and then looked back at me with a wicked smile. She’d brought them. She wanted this caught on camera.
Charles was there with security from the hotel and motioned for them to escort Jessica and her crew out of the party.
“Actually, I’d appreciate it if security could escort us up to our room. We’re leaving.” I’d had enough. This had all gone too far, and I didn’t even know what her end game was.
“Fuck,” Charles said under his breath as everyone stood there, watching the whole ugly scene with their mouths gaping open. “I’m sorry about this, Reese.”
“I’m fine. I think someone’s just a little angry that she didn’t get what she wanted,” Reese said, looking completely unfazed as her hand remained in mine, and we followed the security guards out the door.
Charles and Sadie were having words with Jessica, who plastered a fake smile on her face and waved at us as we walked by.
Air puffed from my nose as we took the private employee elevator to the top floor, and I tried to tamp down my anger. All three security guards were standing beside us. No one spoke, and when the doors opened and we stepped off the elevator, they escorted us to our hotel room door. I slipped them each a tip and apologized for the inconvenience.
Once we stepped inside the hotel room, Reese moved across the suite and sat down on the couch.
“I’m sorry about that,” I said, moving closer to her.
She put her hand up and stopped me from coming any closer. “You don’t have to apologize to me for Jessica. I was prepared for her. I’ve watched her interviews. I know she’s putting on a show. She likes the attention that she’s getting. She doesn’t bother me.”
“She’s completely unhinged. She called you a fucking whore.” I stormed across the room and poured some bourbon into a glass and tipped my head back. “I will fucking ruin her. The gloves are off. How dare she say that to you.”