Chapter 5
Chapter Five
KIT
I looked everywhere online for a hint that someone knew what happened on my prom night, about Mark and me, but there’s nothing.
Just that stupid blurry photo that Mark took.
I swallow hard and snap my laptop shut when someone comes a little too close to me. I’m sitting in the production lot cafeteria, trying not to lose my shit. I usually avoid this place unless I’m with someone else, but I didn’t really know where to go. It’s not so bad in the cafeteria right now. It’s slow. Just some production crew members over in the corner together. I recognize their faces but I’ve never spoken to them, so it’s relatively peaceful.
I could have gone to Grant or Rafe’s suites but being alone didn’t feel right. If I was alone, I’d probably think someone was watching me. I’d rather be out in the open where, even if I’m being watched, at least there’s other people around. There’s some safety here.
If there’s any photos leaked about me, I’d rather them happen here. Somewhere public and in the open because that would make sense. If anyone can see me, anyone can take the photos. But if I’m somewhere private…
Well then, that’s a whole different problem considering I’m dating my stalkers.
I pick up the coffee I ordered and haven’t touched for the past hour I’ve been obsessing over online photos and possible stalkers I’m not in love with. I sip and wince at the ice-cold coffee but it’s something to do with my hands, at least. Anything is better than pulling out my hair like I want to. I pack up my computer and after one more shitty sip of coffee, I toss it before I leave.
Moving is good. If I’m moving then it feels easier to think. I exit the building through the side door with the aim of walking the production lot. The second the metal door swings open I take a deep breath and relax. I haven’t left the lot alone since my run in with the men who caught me in the trees months ago.
“It was a necessary evil,” Grant said when I finally knew why and how they’d found me. A normal woman would be horrified to know her boyfriend had hired them but Grant had his reasons. Besides, he'd killed them for me.
It’s the little things.
The sun is shining and it’s getting warm out. I don’t care that Rafe and Grant think it’s not safe for the beach getaway I want to take. We’re doing it the second it’s really summer. By The Way filming will be over halfway done by then, at least I think it will. I was told the whole thing would take about a year but I hear production is moving faster than we thought.
It’s nice to know. I can leave then–we all can. Technically, I could leave now but there’s no way I’d leave Grant and Rafe behind to go hide in Connecticut. Even if I did have half a mind to do it, the pair of them would be right behind me to drag my ass back.
The production lot is busy like it always is, but I see him right away.
Rafe.
He’s standing at the cluster of picnic tables I had half a mind to go to, but he’s not alone. Jasmine is there with him.
“Fucking bitch,” I whisper.
As uncomfortable as it makes me, I really, really hate Jasmine. She might be the first person I’ve ever admitted to myself that I’ve hated in real time. Normally it takes me years to admit how I really feel about someone, but Jasmine?
Not even four months with Jasmine and I want to rip every hair out of her head and make her swallow it. I don’t show it, or at least I try not to show it in front of anyone. Grant and Rafe, I can’t fool but the others, that’s easy enough to do.
I spent years hiding from people. I can manage a few months with people that I don’t care about. I move to the side and let the metal door go behind me. It clangs shut and the sun shines bright while I watch my boyfriend and the bitch I detest talk. They’re running lines from the looks of the script in their hands but they can’t be talking about the script.
There isn’t a single line written in By The Way that would have Rafe looking at Jasmine the way he is now. Disgust and loathing flash for a second before his handsome face smooths right back down to nothing. She’s got him riled about something else.
When he throws his script at her, I’m pretty sure I know what it is. There’s only one thing that would have Rafe showing this kind of emotion.
Me.
She’s never hidden what she thinks about me or my presence on site. Anger bubbles up under my skin but I stay where I am. I watch while Rafe stalks away from Jasmine and heads back into the building where the set he’s expected to be on in half an hour is. I watch while Jasmine has a pity party and throws her script onto the ground before she stomps off in the opposite direction. She keeps her head down and doesn’t look at anyone while she power walks through the lot and I light up when I see where she’s going.
The trees.
Perfect.
I shift my messenger bag higher on my shoulder with a smile and amble after Jasmine into the trees I’ve stayed out of until now. Jasmine is too tempting. A few people notice me on my way through the lot. I know why. They all remember what happened the last time that I went into the forest surrounding the production lot. I came out bruised and bloody, Grant carrying me to the onsite medical team while security went on a manhunt for the men that attacked me.
They didn’t find them then. The trees are too thick, too dark, too fucking easy to get lost in when you don’t know what you’re looking for. Good thing I do.
Jasmine kind of makes it easy with the bitch fit she’s having as she stomps through the forest. Anyone sane would think to stay out of the woods after what happened to me. They never found those men, after all. Maybe pieces of them, but it’s not like anyone was able to put them together enough for an ID, so you know…
For all she knows they’re still out there.Yet here she is, crashing through the trees and ranting like an idiot.
“Fuck him and that stupid bitch. ”
Yup. I was right. It was me.
I stick to the shadows the massive pines cast and watch, always letting Jasmine get ahead of me but not too far. The production lot vanishes behind us and the trees close in. The clearing I was attacked in opens up in front of her and Jasmine keeps walking.
“That freak!” She screams to the sky. Weird. Who the fuck screams at nothing? Jasmine is in the center of the clearing, almost where I was when my attackers cornered me. I follow suit and step out from the trees.
I drop my messenger bag to the ground with a soft thud, clear my throat and watch Jasmine freeze. She has her back to me, hands in the air like an old man screaming at the clouds. She turns slowly and I can hear the dirt and rocks shift beneath her feet when she does. She’s not wearing clothes meant to be out here–high-heeled sandals and a wispy pink sundress that seems like it would be more suited to a photoshoot than a grueling day on set.
Jasmine slowly lowers her hands and turns to fully face me. “What are you doing here?” She crosses her arms and stares at me like I’m shit on the bottom of her high-heeled sandals.
Whatever. She’s the one that decided taking a hike in her sundress was smart.
“Thought we could have a little chat.”
“Why would I want to talk to you?”
“Because it’s long overdue, you stupid cunt.”
Jasmine’s eyes go wide and her mouth drops open. “What did you call me?” she splutters and when I take a step towards her she’s smart enough to drop back.
“I called you a stupid cunt. Are you a hard of hearing one, too?
“You bitch,” she spits. Jasmine’s face turns hard. It’s clear she thinks she’s the dangerous one here. After my attack, Rafe and Grant showed me self defense. The basic stuff, to know that I’d be able to get away if I needed to. Turns out I’m pretty good at it, even if I spent my whole life trying to avoid fighting.
I clutch my heart and keep walking into the clearing. “Oh, ouch. That totally hurt my feelings. You’ve been holding onto that one for a while now, huh? Bet it feels good to finally say it.”
“What the fuck do you want, Kit?”
“I want you to stay away from my boyfriends.”
She sneers and watches me as I circle her. Her eyes go to my messenger bag like something is going to jump out at her. She doesn’t realize the weapon I’m going to use on her is on me, not in my bag. I want to make this count, so I’m fine setting up for the best angle.
“Never figured you for a girl fight kinda wimp. Guess you grew a backbone from fucking them.”
“No one likes a bitter bitch, Jasmine.”
The wind whistles through the pines and I can hear them creak as they sway. Somewhere near us there’s the rustle of underbrush. No doubt a squirrel or marmot scurrying home, the little critter sticking to the shadows and staying out of sight to stay safe from predators.
Jasmine isn’t that smart, though.
Most likely because she thinks she’s the predator. That’s the only explanation for her sitting out here in the open for me.
“You think you’re so tough now just because you have a couple of famous boyfriends? Everyone thinks you’re all crazy. If they weren’t so famous they’d be risking everything to do this publicly. No one sees why they picked you–but I know.”
Jasmine’s words sting but only because it’s what I privately think. I don’t know why they picked me. I can’t see why they chose me either. It doesn’t matter how many times Grant tells me he loves me or Rafe sends soft smiles my way, I don’t get it.
Funny Jasmine and I agree on something.
“Oh yeah?” I tuck my hands into my pockets, the weight of the knife Grant made me start carrying is comforting. It’s small. The blade fits in my palm but it’s enough to get the job done. “What do you know?”
“You’re blackmailing them,” she spits at me and points a manicured finger my way. “The only way men like them would even look your way is if you had something that could ruin them. Something that would make it worth committing career suicide.”
I squeeze the handle of the knife in my pocket. “Career suicide? That’s what you think being with me is?” The wind kicks up and blows dirt up at us. Jasmine shields her eyes and blinks. I keep my eyes on her. A little dirt never hurt anyone.
“I don’t think it. I know it.”
“And that’s why your career is counting on this movie, isn’t it?”
Jasmine blinks and steps back. “What did you say? I was successful way before you or this-”
I snort and pull the knife out from my pocket with a flick of my wrist. “You were in one shitty web series that got picked up to stream for free that you just so happened to get noticed by the right people. What have you actually done other than pretend you’re me?”
“Oh, so you admit it then? I knew this was just some fucked up self-insert fic, you freak.” Jasmine tries to sound tough but she’s watching the knife in my hand. Not even her ‘freak’ has the usual bite to it. Or maybe it does and I just don’t care anymore.
Because the sad thing is, I did care what Jasmine thought. Once upon a time. I don’t know why but I did. Maybe it's because she looks like Rosa the way I imagined her. It feels like I’m arguing with the evil twin of my oldest friend. But Rosa isn’t real and fuck Jasmine.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, because you believe it,” I say. I head straight for her, so fast that Jasmine doesn’t know what to do when I close the space between us and grab her by her neck. I lift the knife and bring it to her throat. “Since day one you’ve said Rosa is me. It’s not true but you made it true for you, didn’t you? How does it feel to pretend to be me?”
Jasmine thrashes in my grip but I’m stronger than her. It isn’t just self defense Grant and Rafe have made me learn, they also drag me to the gym with them now. I hate the gym but I like feeling strong. I never felt strong before my men. I watch Jasmine’s face, her eyes are wide and when she realizes she can’t break my grip, she whimpers.
Maybe it’s not strength that I’m feeling right now. It’s power. Yeah, that’s probably it.
“Is it career suicide playing me?” I give her a shake and press the knife deeper until it pricks her skin. Blood wells up and runs down the side of her neck. It stains her sundress. The red stains are dark but pretty with the pink of her dress.
I press the knife harder and Jasmine cries out. “Do you think anyone will care about your suicide?”
She falls silent and I feel her start to shake. “Oh my god. What the fuck are you doing? Are you crazy? Let me go! Help !” She swings at me but I block it and slam my fist into her stomach. Jasmine doubles over and throws up immediately.
I frown and give her back an awkward pat. “Shit, I hit you hard. Sorry.”
She wheezes and falls to her knees in her puddle of puke. Wardrobe is going to have to clean her up big time before any shooting goes on today. Oh well. I grab Jasmine by her hair and jerk her head back to look up at me. Jasmine’s mouth gapes like a fish as she struggles to suck in another breath. The sound grates on me.
“You yell again and I’ll hit you again, understand?” I give her hair a sharp yank to make sure she gets the point but dropping her the way I just did was honestly enough I think, because Jasmine just nods quickly and manages a broken ‘yes.’
“Good girl. Now, my boyfriends are taking it easy on you because they think it would upset me but guess what Jasmine? I don’t give a fuck. I need you for my movie and that’s about it. Whatever happens to you after the movie, well, that’s the way life goes when you’re a stupid mean girl bitch. Tragedies happen every day and you know what? I don’t think anyone would care if you killed yourself. Of course, I’m going to help you with that. You finish my movie and it becomes a beautiful hit and guess what? If you die then it’ll mean something. People just might,” I slap her cheek with each word, “care,” I finish, giving her an extra hard slap.
“Are you going to kill me?” Jasmine whispers. There’s tears in her eyes. She’s beautiful, so, so beautiful. I tenderly brush the hair away from her face and sigh. Too bad there’s so much ugly in her.
I shoot her a wink. “No, silly. You’re going to kill yourself. I would never do that.”
“But you-”
“We were talking about suicide, remember?” I remind her and then crouch down beside her. “You keep acting like an asshole and going near my men and I’ll kill you and make everyone believe you did it.”
“You’re insane.”
I shrug. “Maybe, but that’s not what we’re talking about. Play nice or you’re done, Jasmine.”
She shakes her head. “I’m going to tell everyone and-”
“And what? Everyone on that set has watched you bully me for months. They know exactly what kind of person you are and you know what? It’s not a very nice or likable person, which is fine. Not everyone is, but you’re mean for fun, Jasmine. You’ve been mean to me for so long that who would ever think I’d do anything to hurt you?” I feign an innocent smile and flick my knife at her. “I’m the pushover, remember? I’m the one with two amazing boyfriends who will back up every last thing I say.” Jasmine’s eyes go wide when I mention Rafe and Grant. She didn’t think about them playing a part in this.
“They know you’re doing this?”
I laugh. “Oh, absolutely not. They’re going to be pissed when I tell them but they’ll understand because that’s what you do when you love someone.”
“All three of you are sick.”
“Sick or not, you’ll be the one on trial if you even think about opening your mouth. You think your one in a million shot to get this movie will get you more work? Not a chance. Not with Grant fucking Stone and Rafe goddamn Burdock blacklisting you. Say one fucking word and you’re done, because you’re not the one people think is the victim. You’ve gone out of your way to attack me on set and embarrassed me with your delusional shitty edits to my fucking script. You’ve thrown yourself at my men more times than I can count–right in front of me. And everyone has seen you do it all. Everyone knows what kind of person you are. You’re the predator here, not me. So go ahead and tell everyone. No one is going to believe you. Why would they?”
She shakes and wraps her arms around herself. She knows I’m right. “I-I-someone would believe me,” she says but her voice is softer now. She’s not sure anymore.
“Don’t lie to yourself. You’re smart enough to know I’m right. See what happens if you go back and try to tell them I did this to you,” I tap her dress with my knife and sigh before I wipe it off on her dress. Jasmine flinches at the press of the blade but I ignore her. She’ll learn to deal. I did.
I stand up from my crouch and pocket my knife. “Stay away from Rafe. Stay away from Grant. Do you hear me? You so much as fuck with me or try to go near them and I’ll be the last fucking thing you see.”
“You’re not going to get away with this.”
I smile brightly at her and turn on my heel to go back to the production lot. “I already did, Jasmine,” I call over my shoulder while I scoop up my bag and dust it off, leaving the bitch wearing Rosa’s face kneeling in her own puke.