“He explained a little on the car ride home, and he’s as upset as you are over everything.”
My anger flares again, and I dig my nails into my thigh. “That’s just not good enough, and I’m not buying it. If this movie is going to be as big as predicted, there’s no way they would go ahead with the other films without their leading man. Reeve holds all the cards, not the other way around. He didn’t have to agree to this. He chose to.” Leaning back, I kick my bare feet up on the table. “It was that bitch, Bianca. She was the one who pushed this. All Reeve had to do was talk to my mom or talk to Margaret Andre, and they would have given him good advice.”
“Reeve wants to do things by himself. He doesn’t want to run to your mom and be accused of nepotism, and I really think getting his dad to notice him is the driving force behind a lot of this.”
“He told you that?” I know how desperate Reeve is to be a success in the hopes his father will sit up and take notice of him.
“He got really drunk last night after you left, and before you ask, no, he didn’t seek her out or spend any time with her when you were gone. She fucked Nate, or at least that’s what Nate said this morning. Anyway, the three of us stayed out on the deck drinking until the early hours. Reeve spilled his guts to me and Alex. He was a mess, babe. He’s terrified of losing you, and he was crying his heart out. It was hard to witness and not feel some compassion.”
Slamming my feet to the ground, I jump up. “So, it’s like that. You’ve switched teams now?”
“Jesus, dramatic much?” She pins me with a stern look, planting her hands on her hips. “Do not ever accuse me of that shit. I am always, always, on Team Vivien. One hundred fucking percent, no matter if you turn into the world’s biggest bitch.”
My shoulders relax as I exhale heavily. “Sorry. I’m a mess too,” I admit, plopping back into my chair. I rest my elbows on my knees and prop my head in my hands. “I don’t want to lose him, but how do I hide in the shadows while he pretends that bitch is his girlfriend?” I sniffle, fighting tears. I am so sick of crying because of that ho’s interference. “I can’t do it, Rey. I just don’t think I can do that.”
Kneeling in front of me, she takes my hands in hers. “I don’t envy you this decision, but I will support you no matter what you choose to do.”
“What would you do?”
“I can’t answer that, Viv, because we’re different people and I don’t have a Reeve in my life. He’s more than just your boyfriend. He’s your best friend. Your family. He’s a part of every happy memory you have, and I know that won’t be easy to walk away from, even if that’s what you decide to do for your sanity.”
“I love him so much,” I cry. “I really do, but he’s changing, and I don’t know if I like the person he’s becoming.”
“He’s still the same Reeve underneath it all. You’re not the only one struggling to adjust. I don’t think he’s doing this deliberately to hurt you, but he has been cowardly and secretive, and that shit’s definitely not cool.”
“I can’t bear the thought of the entire world believing they are in this epic romance. I think the media coverage will break my heart, but if I let him go, then what’s to stop him from starting something real with her?” This is the crux of my dilemma. “If I walk away, I’m handing Reeve to her on a silver platter, and I might lose him forever.”
“I’d love to refute that, but I can’t,” she says, reclaiming her seat. “I saw her watching him all weekend. She’s a good actress, I’ll give her that, but a woman knows.”
“I know she wants him. I’m just not sure if it’s because she would get a kick out of stealing him from me, whether she genuinely has feelings for him, or she just sees him as a means of elevating her star power higher.”
“I doubt she feels anything for him. It’s about what he can do for her career, and I’ve no doubt she would love to stick the knife in your back. You two traded barbed insults all weekend, and you’ve definitely laid down the gauntlet now.” Audrey tucks her lustrous red hair behind one ear. “If there is anything positive to come from the weekend, it’s that Reeve did see what you’ve been saying. He was not one bit happy with her when she left for the airport with Rudy.”
“Maybe her plane will crash, and problem solved,” I deadpan.
Audrey laughs. “Maybe you shouldn’t say stuff like that. You don’t want the bad karma.”
“Fuck karma. If it existed, that manipulative bitch would’ve already gotten what’s coming to her.”
Reeve doesn’t call or make an appearance, and that only adds to my foul mood. I’m being unfair, because I told him I need space and he’s not a mind reader.
Or maybe he is.
“Knock, knock,” he says in my ear, as I’m hunched over my sewing machine later that night.
“Oh my freaking God!” I shriek, slamming a hand over my chest, willing my pounding heart to slow down. “Don’t creep up on me like that. You nearly gave me a coronary.”
“I did knock, but you clearly couldn’t hear me.” He tugs on my earbuds.
I turn around, and his doleful expression mirrors my own. His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat as we stare at one another. “I know you probably still hate me, but I’m flying out tomorrow for two weeks, and I can’t leave without trying to make things right.”
“I don’t hate you,” I say, in a quiet voice. “Sometimes, I wish I could. It might make things easier.”
“I couldn’t bear it if you hated me, Viv. I hate that you’re hurting and it’s my fault. I’m hurting too,” he adds, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet. “I don’t want any of this, and it’s killing me inside.”
Sighing, I wrap my arms around him, closing my eyes as I rest my head on his chest. The steady thrumming of his heart is comforting. “I just don’t see how we can make this work, Reeve.”
“Walk with me?” he asks, and I find myself nodding.
We don’t talk as he leads me out of the house and down to the rose garden. It’s clearly much later than I thought, as it’s pitch-dark out, and we only have the garden lamps to light our path.
I suck in a gasp as we near our tree, spotting the large tent that wasn’t there this morning. A myriad of twinkling lights is hanging from the inside of the tent, which has been erected over a temporary wooden floor. The roof of the tent is clear, offering a perfect view of the nighttime sky. Scented candles mix with the perfume of roses wafting in the air as we step inside. A comfortable bed has been set up, adorned with tons of soft cushions, behind a small table and two chairs. A bottle of champagne is chilling on ice, and my tummy rumbles appreciatively as the aroma of hot pizza hits my nostrils. “What’s all this?”
“I thought we could sleep under the stars, in one of our favorite places, and remember everything we mean to each other.” His eyes fill up with tears. “I can’t lose you, Viv. If that’s where your mind is at, I’ll pull out of the production. They can sue me for breach of contract. I don’t care anymore. None of it will matter anyway if I lose you.”
“Reeve.” I fling my arms around him and we hug each other tight. “You can’t do that. Your career would be over before it’s begun.”
“You matter more than my career, and maybe I had begun to lose sight of that, but not anymore. I’ll give it all up for you, if that’s what you want.”
One part of me screams yes, but I know I can’t ask him to do that. I can’t ask him to give up everything for me. That would drill the final nail in our coffin some day when he came to resent me for forcing him into a life that is less than what he desired. “I would never ask you to give up your dreams for me, Reeve, but I am asking you to consider my feelings before you make decisions that impact me. Don’t shut me out. Let me be involved. No more secrets.”