6. Nathan
6 /
nathan
Step into the Shitastic Show
A woman yips so loudly that I instinctively turn to the noise. A very shapely and cute blonde who looks like a Bitcoin billionaire’s third wife tackles me before I leave the hotel’s beach shop.
“Oh my gosh!” She crushes me into a hug so tight, it knocks my new sunglasses off my face. “I can’t believe this. This is amazing!”
She picks up the glasses and hands them to me.
So much for going incognito.
I slip them into the pocket of my shirt. Internally, I sigh. Outwardly, I play along like I always do. With my growing fan base, it’s become a regular occurrence.
My agent tells me to get used to it. I hope she’s right. Because as things are, I’m bored and desperate for my career to slip into overdrive.
Offering the woman a megawatt smile, I say hello and wait for her cell phone to appear. If fans can’t plaster a selfie all over social media, it didn’t happen, right? I play a little shy and let my gaze fall to the floor in an aw-shucks response. The ladies typically eat it up.
“Do you think you and Jeanie could join us for dinner tomorrow night?” she asks.
My attention snaps back so fast, I might have whiplash later.
“Um, ah ...” I stammer as I struggle to make sense of her question. “Who are you?”
“How stupid of me. I’m Sophia.” Blondie reaches out a hand, and I shake it.
“Totally like Jeanie not to tell you about me. She’s always been like that.” Sophia waves it off like it’s a typical snub between the two.
Oblivious to my confusion, she continues chattering about the details of her dinner. She asks my name and repeats her original question, which I have no idea how to answer.
Jeanie appears behind Sophia wearing the bathing suit I suggested, and it looks damn good. I’m distracted by the way the high-cut bottoms show off her lush hips before I realize she’s vigorously shaking her head. I interpret she wants me to decline Sophia’s invite, but I’m still stuck on why Sophia believes we’re a couple.
Did Jeanie make her think we’re dating? Why? Aren’t she and Roman still together? Based on what I’ve witnessed today, the answer I’m unexpectantly leaning toward is no .
Something inside me lights up. It appears an opportunity just presented itself.
I grin, thrilled at this prayers-answered turn of events. “Well, Jeanie . ”
My gaze dances teasingly on hers. She never technically told me her name.
“I’d really love to join you and Sophia,” I say, sounding apologetic, then pause for effect. “But you know I have that job late tomorrow night.”
I give Jeanie a look like couples do when they forget something important. It says she should have remembered. That we talked about this. I shake my head in mock disappointment.
Jeanie’s brow pinches, but she finally takes the cue to play along. “You’re right, I totally forgot. Nathan has a job tomorrow night.” She nods too eagerly.
When Sophia looks away crestfallen, Jeanie exhales and mouths the words, Thank you .
Don’t thank me yet .
Smirking, I add, “But we could come for the first half.”
“What!” Jeanie yells, but then corrects herself. “I mean, honey-boo-uh-bear, don’t you need to prepare for your, ah, um, your presentation?”
Honey-boo-bear? Charmed, I laugh inside.
“Yes!” Sophia claps her hands with excitement. “Come for the first half, and Jeanie can stay for the second. I mean, that’s more of an all-girls bachelorette thingy anyway. You wouldn’t be missing much.”
Jeanie’s eye twitches at the mention of a bachelorette party. Her trembling lips slacken from a plastic smile. The poor thing looks like she wants to scream.
For fun, and because I can’t help myself, I slide beside her and drop an arm across her bare shoulder. To make sure we nail this couple-in-love act, I allow one fingertip to draw lazy circles on her skin.
Jeanie releases an uncomfortable laugh, which makes me laugh. Suddenly, Sophia starts laughing with us, even though she doesn’t know why. There are only two people in on this building joke.
Jeanie inches away like she’s ready to take another ass-flashing run through the lobby, but I tug her under the curve of my arm where she fits perfectly.
She smacks me a little too hard on the chest as if this is a flirtatious game we play.
I suck in my bottom lip, trying not to grin at my good fortune. I imagine her sparkly, assless milkshake panties and admit the thought does make my lips very moist and motivated. Very.
“Sounds great!” I say to Sophia. “We’ll see you then.”
“No later than six, you two. Oh my gosh, I’m so excited.”
Sophia gathers us in a three-way hug. She flutters her fingertips to say goodbye as I roll a stunned Jeanie into my chest and kiss her temple. Her friend is so high with happiness, she’s dancing through the lobby.
Jeanie turns and gut-punches me. It’s not hard enough to do damage, but there’s enough pain spidering through my midsection to be annoying.
“That’s a weird way to thank me.” I grab my stomach.
“Do you even know what kind of invite you’ve accepted?” She props a hand onto her hip .
“Shouldn’t you be apologizing to me ? What just happened?”
“I don’t know what happened. I mean, I do. I know exactly what happened.”
She slaps her thighs, appearing distressed.
“I lied to my husband’s,” she squints, her eye ticking again like she’s forcing the upsetting words out, “my ex-husband’s fiancée, who is also my ... my ... my ...”
Jeanie fumbles, becoming frustrated.
“She’s just a person I was forced to spend time with as a child,” she spits out and then rolls her hand in the air as if to conjure more words. “When my dad ... and her mom ...”
Her face turns a disturbing shade of red.
After she’s recovered, she continues. “I told Sophia you were my boyfriend to get her off my back.”
“So, she’s ... your stepsister?” I do the family-tree math in my head and then wince at the shit show now playing out. And I don’t even have all the details yet.
“She’s not my stepsister! Our parents were never married.”
“Okay, forget I said it.” I hold up my palms.
Jeanie mumbles to herself like this is the worst thing that’s ever happened. Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
She’s single.
“You’re strangely truthful for a liar. It’s kind of—fascinating,” I say.
“Thank you?” A groove forms between her brows. “I mean, we’re obviously not going to the dinner.” She gestures between us .
“That’s a damn shame. I was looking forward to being your eye candy for the night.” I slip on my sunglasses and then grin like the Cheshire cat.
Jeanie Benton appears speechless, like she never considered I’d want to go out with her. I’ve gotten the same look from the older women I’ve chased. Hell, she probably started my fetish. She’s the original forbidden apple I never got to taste.
If she only knew.
Stepping backward, I sway with a confident teeter and say, “If you change your mind, I’ll meet you here tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.— girlfriend .”