Chapter 35
JAKE
As I watched the waves lapping against the shore and my feet sank into the golden sand I exhaled.
The proximity to the beach had always been one of my favourite parts about living in LA.
I could take or leave the rest of it. There were a lot of bad memories for me in this city.
The exploitation when we were in the band, people screwing me over, what happened with my sister and losing my home and everything I’d worked my butt off for…
It was better that I didn’t think about that right now. I was trying to leave my past in the past. Which is why I couldn’t believe I’d spilled my guts to Halle earlier.
After being burned so many times, I was usually wary of sharing details about my private life with anyone. I knew from experience that usually led to it being splashed across the internet or in some trashy magazine.
But with Halle it was different. Even though we’d only known each other a week, for some reason, I felt like I could tell her anything. That I could trust her.
I couldn’t get attached though. This was only temporary. Some fun to distract me from reality.
My cell buzzed and I regretted switching it back on earlier. I’d already seen that I’d had dozens of missed calls from Wilma. She was probably pissed that the photo Halle posted hadn’t shown her face.
I glanced at the screen and saw Wilma’s name flashing on it.
There was also a missed call from Roger, which made me smile. It was good to hear from him.
We’d texted a couple of times since I’d arrived, but seeing as I’d overstayed my welcome at his place, he was probably glad to see the back of me so I thought I’d give him some space. I’d call him back, but first I had to deal with Wilma.
I took another deep breath, then answered the call.
‘Well, well, well,’ Wilma said, her voice surprisingly calm. ‘I didn’t know you had it in you.’
‘Huh?’ I frowned.
‘The photo you posted earlier is blowing up! Bravo! At first I was pissed that you’d put up a picture that didn’t show that chick’s face, that’s why I called so many times.
But then, when I started to see the comments, I realised that it was part of a bigger marketing strategy.
’ My frown deepened. I didn’t know what the fuck she was talking about, but I was gonna run with it and hear her out.
‘You deliberately avoided showing her face in the first photo because you’re teasing your followers.
Building up to the big reveal, so that when you finally show her face, it has more impact.
Smart! Keep up the great work, Jakey boy! ’
And with that, she hung up.
Oh.
I wasn’t expecting that, but I wasn’t complaining. I’d finally got Wilma off my back. And it was all thanks to Halle agreeing to post that photo.
She had no idea how grateful I was for her agreeing to do that.
With a spring in my step, I dialled Roger’s number.
‘Hey, stranger!’ he said. ‘How’s it going? How’s the hotel? How’s your match?’
‘So many questions! What is this, an interview?’ I joked.
‘I miss you, bro,’ he said and warmth flooded my chest.
‘Yeah? I thought you and Cathy would be glad to see the back of me!’
‘C’mon, man.’ He groaned. ‘You know it’s not like that. I told you. I’ll always have your back.’
That was true. I’d known Roger since high school.
Before anyone knew my name. He was a day-one friend.
When I first was in the spotlight and the other kids were crawling out of the woodwork asking me to hook them up with concert tickets or helping them meet other celebrities, Roger was one of the only ones that messaged purely to see how I was.
Even when I was riding high on success and offered him money when he was struggling to pay his rent, he refused. I found out who his landlord was and paid his rent for a year anyway. He was mad, but I knew he was grateful.
We’d always been there for each other.
‘I just thought I’d give you guys some space, y’know?’
‘I know, but it’s not necessary. I told you, I want to make sure you’re okay.’
‘I appreciate that, man.’
I filled him on the hotel, Halle and everything that had happened.
‘Damn, J! Sounds like you really like this girl.’
‘She’s cool. Different, y’know. Halle doesn’t give a fuck about the whole celebrity BS, which is great.
She’s fine as hell, but smart too. Easy to talk to…
’ Jeez. I needed to calm down with the compliments before Roger got the wrong idea.
‘Anyway, we agreed to keep it casual. I’ve got too much on my plate right now.
And if she sticks around Wilma will wanna follow through on her stupid plan. ’
‘What plan?’
Then I remembered that I hadn’t told Roger about it. Mainly because I knew he’d think it was batshit crazy, just like I did and didn’t want him to talk me out of it because it was the only way I could leave his place.
‘I guess it’s okay to tell you now.’ I scrubbed the back of my neck before explaining.
‘Jesus, man. That’s got disaster written all over it!’ Roger sighed. ‘Why the hell did you agree to that shit?’
‘What choice did I have? And even though I still don’t agree with it, and won’t be following through, I’ve had a really cool week. It’s been good to take my mind off things.’
‘You mean to meet a woman who’s helped you to take your mind off things?’ Even though I couldn’t see him, I could tell that he was smiling.
‘That too,’ I confessed. Now I was the one who was smiling. Memories of how amazing it felt to be inside Halle flashed into my mind. Then I thought about how kind she was when I told her about my situation. She didn’t judge. She just listened.
‘I’m happy for you, J. You deserve to find someone to make you happy.’
‘Hold your horses, buddy. I told you, it’s nothing serious.’
‘Uh-huh,’ he said, clearly not believing a word. ‘Never say never.’
‘It won’t work. It can’t.’ For some weird reason my chest tightened.
‘Like I said, keep an open mind.’
‘How’s stuff with you?’ I asked. Not just because I wanted to change the subject, but also because I was genuinely interested.
‘All good. Work’s keeping me busy.’
Roger worked in IT. He was always the smartest one in class and he’d built a great career. I was proud of him.
‘Glad to hear it.’
‘I’d better go. Promised to go shopping with Cathy.’
‘I know how much you love shopping!’ I joked. Roger had a wardrobe filled with multiple pairs of the same jeans and T-shirts. He had his style and he stuck to it. I doubted if he went shopping more than once every few years.
‘That’s what you do when you love someone. You do shit that you hate, just because you know it’ll make them happy.’
‘I’ll take your word for it.’ I thought I was in love with my ex, but when it ended, I wasn’t so sure. At least Roger and Cathy’s love was real.
‘When it happens, you’ll know. Trust me.’
‘Enjoy your shopping trip,’ I said, deliberately not responding.
‘And enjoy your time with Halle.’ He chuckled softly, then hung up.
Even though I knew he was getting carried away with stupid ideas of me and Halle having some kind of relationship after this, he was right about two things.
One: I did like her. And two: I should enjoy my time with her.
Like I’d said, it’d never be anything serious, but if I only had one week left with her, I was gonna make damn sure that I made it count.
Starting right now.