Chapter 22 #2
Billows of fire fume inside my chest. Since that day, my anxiety level has been off the charts.
My cutting is at an all-time high and working on my business is making it worse. The last thing I need is to help Callum get over his regret and guilt.
“Fuck him!” I fly into my room and throw my stuff on my bed. “I need to figure out a way to get out of this town. Maybe out of the state. Hell, out of the country would be better.”
Mayhem is recording in LA for the next year. I can’t be around that long without him getting to me.
I pace my room. Where can I go where he can’t find me?
I’ve lost most of my so-called friends because I’m out of acting and can’t help anyone land a job anymore, rendering me useless to them. Hollywood isn’t known for cultivating long relationships.
I still speak to Gia, but her career is growing and she’s landed a couple of movie roles. She’s always busy.
The only people I interact with are stylists and manufacturing contacts. I have a team of people helping with my brand, marketing, website, and that side of my company, but none of them are close friends.
I’m not equipped for Callum’s return, especially since he’s a mess.
“Fuck him to hell!” I can’t deal with this kind of heartbreak on top of everything else.
The stress is too damn hard. I need to find a way to deal with him without a care in the world.
A thought comes to mind. I grab my phone out of my purse and send a text to the only guy who can give me what I need.
Me: Hi, Marco. Long time no see. I’m going to be in Malibu and was wondering if you have time to meet up. I’d love to get some of your therapeutic advice.
Marco my wizard: Hey, hey, tiny. It’s been a while. You looking for the usual or something different?
Me: Your normal wisdom will do.
Marco my wizard: When and where should I expect you?
Me: On the pier in two hours?
Marco my wizard: You can count on it.
I run into my closet, change into jeans and a white low-cut form-fitting shirt, and grab my big black bag. I march out to my bedroom and switch out the contents of my work purse to the new one.
It’ll be easier to conceal the items I’m buying in the bigger one. I leave down the front staircase and snag my black leather jacket out of the closet.
There’s no way I’m staying in this house with Callum ready to ambush me. If they think I’m sticking around for that, they’re all crazy.
I open the front door and holler, “Bye. I’ll be back later tonight. No need to wait up for me.”
“Where are you going?” My mom pokes her head through the opening of the formal dining room.
“To meet up with a friend. I’m staying out late.” I slam the door and hurry to my car.
Callum comes running out right as I’m backing out of my space. “Lily, wait!”
I flip the car into drive and make a sharp turn. I speed down the lane that leads to the front gates without even peeking in the rearview mirror.
Who does he think he is?
I’m not going back to him. Not now, not ever again.
I blare the rock station as I work my way through traffic. As soon as a Mayhem song comes on, I flip it to a pop station.
I seethe until I get to the pier and take care of my troubles with Marco. My business with him lasts for all but ten minutes.
Once we separate, I mosey down the beach. I find a place to sit in the sand and pretend to be looking inside my bag, but really, I take a fingernail full of coke and snort it.
A few minutes pass, and I’m more in control and much happier than I was before this trip was needed.
The sun is setting and it’s beautiful. I peer out at the ocean, trying to figure out a way to get out of California.
A tall, muscular man wearing nicely tailored jeans and a light gray zip-up jacket strolls into my line of sight and glances my way.
He has sunglasses on and a short beard, but it’s clear he’s drop-dead handsome. He looks like he just stepped off the front cover of Esquire magazine. I check him out from head to toe.
Wow, is he built! And those chiseled cheekbones and jawline make me want to lick his face all over.
“Livianna?” He removes his shades and zeroes in on me. “Is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me.” I stand and wipe off my ass. “Hi, Jax.”
He laughs. “Still calling me Jax, huh, firecracker?”
“I’ve got to remind you where you stand.” I strut to him while trying to stop my racing heart. “If it bothers you, I can stop.”
“No, it’s okay. We can have an inside joke.” He slides his hands into his jacket pockets. “Don’t let your dad hear you call me Jax, though. He might scold you again.”
“Oh, he would. You can count on that.”
Jax glances my way. “Why are you in Malibu?”
“Oh, I was…” I hike my thumb over my shoulder toward the pier. “I…met up with a friend for a minute.”
“You drove all the way here to meet up with someone for just a minute?”
“We were going to go out to eat, but something came up and he had to leave.”
Jax and I stride forward as he seemingly ponders something in silence. My gaze keeps wandering over like I’m magnetized to him.
Damn, he’s hot as hell. I’ve been attracted to him before, but his casual appearance makes him appear younger and downright sexy.
My insides blaze with heat. “What are you doing here?”
“I was checking on my beach house renovations. When I got done, I thought I’d come near the pier and enjoy a walk by the sea.”
“That’s right. You took my advice and bought a property in Malibu.” I bump my hip against his. “Smart man, Mr. Crowne.”
He doesn’t expect my movement and bounces off to the side. As he does, he reaches for me as if he thinks I’m falling over.
He wraps his strong arms around my waist to stabilize me. I end up face-to-face with him in a cozy embrace.
His smoky, leathery cologne drifts into my nose and I go weak in the knees. My legs buckle and I wobble.
Whoa, I didn’t expect that.
He holds me tighter. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Feeling bold from the coke, I raise my head to make eye contact. “You smell fantastic and you’re looking mighty fine.”
“Thanks.” He tenses and releases me. “I should be going.”
“Why? I was enjoying your company for once.”
He steps farther away. “Livianna, we shouldn’t be spending time alone together.”
“Why? Because I’m attracted to you and I get the sense you could feel the same if you let yourself.” I advance into his personal space and peer into his mysterious brown eyes. “What are you afraid of, Jax?”