All the blood drains from my face, and I clasp my hands around the mug, trying to siphon some of the warmth. Cold infiltrates every nook and cranny of my body, and I shiver, drawing the obvious conclusion. “It’s true? He actually got fake engaged to that bitch?”
“No, babe.” Audrey crawls up beside me, mirroring my position. “I spoke to Reeve earlier when he called for you, and he vehemently denies there is any engagement. Real or fake. Seems it was just tabloid speculation.”
“You spoke to him? He called?” He never calls in the mornings when he’s on set since they have super early starts. Filming on Sweet Retribution, the third Rydeville Elite movie, began a couple of weeks ago, but the filming won’t be complete until next spring, because they’ll have to stop to do promo for Twisted Betrayal, the second movie, which is releasing in January.
She gives a terse nod of her head, and an ominous sense of dread washes over me.
“What is going on?” I ask. I might as well get this over and done with.
“There is no easy way to say this, so I’m just ripping the Band-Aid off.” She slides her arm around my shoulders. “Danny sold you out, Viv. He recorded everything you told him last night on his cell, and it was posted online a few hours ago. Clearly, someone doctored it to make it sound like you’re a bitter ex mouthing off because the love of your life just got engaged to someone else.”
I throw up all over my bed as the mug slides from my hands, splashing the already destroyed comforter and drenching the hardwood floor. Audrey is still speaking, but I don’t hear the words. I’m too busy losing my goddamn mind as my world comes crashing down around me.
Somehow, Viv manages to get me into the shower, and I tilt my head up, letting warm water stream down my face while I shiver from a coldness that emanates from my soul. I don’t cry, and that’s a first. Either I used up all my tears last night or I’m numb to it at this stage. I lather my body with shower gel and shampoo and condition my hair, as if on autopilot.
Audrey turns off the water, holding a large towel out for me. “Your parents are on their way. I couldn’t hold them off any longer,” she explains, as I tuck the soft towel around my body.
“It’s okay.” Tucking a towel around my head, I stare at my pale reflection in the mirror wondering when exactly I turned into this vampire-like version of myself. My collarbones jut out, confirming I’ve lost weight without even noticing. Bruising shadows attest to many sleepless nights, and my eyes have lost all their spark.
I look like I’m as dead on the outside as I am inside.
I could blame Reeve for this.
I do blame him for this.
But I blame myself more.
I’ve let myself get beaten down. Made excuses for him time and time again, and yet I’m the only one suffering the consequences.
Audrey watches with concern in her eyes as I brush my teeth, cleanse my skin, and comb my damp hair. “I need to call Reeve,” I say.
“Don’t.” She hands me my underwear, a pair of jeans, and a T-shirt. “He was pissed earlier when I spoke to him. You should let him calm down.”
“It won’t matter.” I get dressed and head back out to my bedroom. Fresh sheets adorn my king bed, and the window is open, clearing the noxious smells from the room. Audrey is such a good friend, and I’d be even more lost without her.
“He’s so fucking selfish, and he deserves to stew. I’m not sorry I ripped him a new one earlier, and I’m not sorry for interfering. I realize now I should’ve staged an intervention months ago.” Audrey grabs my shoulders. “Viv, are you listening to me?”
I nod, but I’m strangely devoid of feeling inside. It’s a welcome change, and I cling to the numbness like it’s a second skin.
“Dump him,” she continues. “He’s changed—and not for the better. He’s so selfish, and he even had the nerve to accuse you of cheating. He’s lucky he’s hundreds of miles away because I could happily kick his ass.”
I cock my head to one side. “Why would he accuse me of cheating?”
“That asshole Danny took photos of you dancing with guys last night, and he posted them along with the video.”
“He really did a number on me. Why? Why would he do that to me?” I ask, sitting down on my bed while I plug my cell in to charge.
“I’d like some answers too, but his cell has been deactivated. I managed to get a hold of Lawrence, and he swears he knows nothing. He went over to Danny’s dorm this morning, but he’s disappeared. Looks like for good. All his clothes are gone apparently.”
“He was paid to do this,” I surmise, logging on to one of the main gossip sites.
“Don’t look at that,” Viv pleads, attempting to snatch my cell.
“I need to see how bad it is.” I watch the video without flinching or passing comment. Like I’m a bystander and the drunk broken girl sobbing her heart out on the screen is some stranger and not me. The photos are pretty damning, and they don’t show me in a positive light, so I can kind of see where Reeve is coming from. Except he should know better. No matter how broken I am, I would never cheat on him.
I scroll through the nasty comments until Audrey grabs my phone and shoves it in her pocket. “You’re not reading any more of that poison. People are assholes. Especially those bitchy Saffhards.”
“They want me dead,” I say, in a monotone voice. “One girl said I should slit my wrists.” I peer off into space.
A sob rips from Audrey’s mouth and she leans down, hugging me. “Viv. You’re scaring the shit out of me right now, babe. Those people are scum of the Earth, and you’re not to read any more of that crap.”
My cell rings, and I grab it out of her pocket before she can stop me. Reeve’s face lights up the screen, and I press the button to accept his call. Audrey cusses, shaking her head.
“Viv?”
“It’s me.”
“What the actual fuck is going on with you? I can’t believe that video.” He wastes no time laying into me. “I have never seen you like that! If you wanted to hurt me, you’ve definitely succeeded. Did you cheat on me last night?”
I laugh at the irony, and once I start, I can’t stop.
“Vivien, what the hell? Stop laughing. This is fucking serious. You’ve landed me in a world of shit today. This will damage my brand and my rep.” He goes on in a similar vein, but I tune him out, watching Audrey whisper into her cell while sparing me troubled glances as she paces the floor in my room.
“Viv. Are you still there?” Reeve snaps.
“Are you done?” I ask, in a flat tone, lying prostrate on my bed and staring at the ceiling.
“No, I—”
“I’m not in the mood to argue today,” I say, cutting across whatever he was going to say. “And I give zero fucks how this impacts you. That bitch of a costar or that bitch of a PR person or that bitch of an agent orchestrated this whole situation, and I’m done pandering to all of you. I am done being the punching bag.” My lower lip wobbles, and my voice quakes as all the emotion I’ve been fighting resurfaces. “I am done coming last all the time.” I exhale heavily. “I am just fucking done,” I shout. “Do you hear me? I’m done, Reeve. Fuck you. Fuck Saffron. Fuck Cassidy, and fuck Bianca. Fuck you all.” Tears spill down my cheeks, and I’m openly crying now. “Don’t call me again,” I say before hanging up.
“Oh, Vivien.” Mom rushes into my bedroom, and I fall apart in her arms. “I’m so sorry, honey. Shush. It’s okay. You’re okay.” She presses kisses into my hair, while rubbing my back. “We’re here, and we’re going to make it all go away. I have people working on getting the photos and the video removed. Your father is talking with Douglas Simmonds about security for you on campus, and he called in a favor with the LAPD, and all the paparazzi have been cleared from the front of your apartment building.”
“Thank you,” I sob against her chest. I’m so grateful she is here and my parents are stepping in to help because I badly need it.
“Maybe you should come home for a while.”
I shake my head, brushing the tears off my face. “No. I’m done hiding myself away. I’ve done nothing wrong, except get drunk and trust the wrong person.”