“I thought that was the whole point. Publicity. And that, my good man, is great publicity. You didn’t tell me how tight her body is.”
“That’s because no one else should know about it,” I shout. Meanwhile, another co-worker passes, and I hand out another fist bump. Cal raises his eyebrows. “I’m thinking you’re getting exactly what you wanted.”
“Correction. What Nigel wanted. I never wanted any of this,” I growl.
“Maybe not, but you did want to stay relevant,” he says and I seethe at the word. I hate it and everything it implies. That I’m not capable of keeping my brand afloat without a girl floating in my pool when I’m not home.
A girl I don’t particularly like sharing with anyone.
“Listen, don’t take it to heart,” he says. “It’s unfortunate I know, but it kind of comes with the territory in our world.”
“I know what comes with the territory in our world,” I say. “And there’s a reason I don’t like getting involved with anyone, even if it is the only way Nigel thinks I can recover from that unsolicited photoshoot and Jett’s determination to take me down.” When he doesn’t respond, I explain what I’m sure he already knows. “You forget about Nikki.”
“Who could forget Nikki?” he asks. “She took over your life,” he says.
“More like ruined it,” I say. “And nearly cost me my career.”
She didn’t do that, but she did wreck my life. Nikki was a girl I went out with on and off for about a year before ending things a little over a year ago. It wasn’t serious, at least from my POV. But guessing by the way she acted when we split, she felt differently. She says she was devastated and blindsided; I say she was batshit crazy and delusional. I am pretty sure I told her I don’t do serious. Ever since then, I realized that it’s best not to get involved with women, at least not when it comes to matters of the heart.
“Well, Ashlyn isn’t Nikki,” he goes on. “She’s hotter for one.”
“Careful,” I warn and he grins.
“Also, she’s good for your reputation, not bad. At least so far.”
Cal’s not wrong, as much as I hate to admit that. The attention I’m getting at the office alone proves that much. When I was dating Nikki, everyone kept telling me to be careful. This time it’s all shoulder pats and finger guns.
“Calloway!” Nigel’s voice rings out through the office, and Cal grins before walking off. The moment I step into Nigel’s office, his energy hits me in the face. “This is incredible,” he says, spinning his desktop monitor around to reveal the photo of Ashlyn. I grit my teeth.
“Yeah…” I say.
“Why do you sound gloomy?” Nigel asks. “Are you seeing the ratings? The sales? This girl is a goldmine under your house, and you have the mineral rights!” he exclaims.
“She’s just a girl,” I say, even though I don’t mean it. I guess what I really mean is that I don’t like her being referred to in terms of dollar signs. I don’t need dollar signs. I grew up with money, inherited money, and used that money to build my brand. Even if I lose my brand, I’d still have money. Of course, I love my job, and I’m too stubborn to get sidelined now. I’ve worked too hard.
“Call her what you want, but this is exactly what we needed to take down Jett Navarro,” he says. It’s very obvious that this is about more than me and Jett. This is a war between managers. Nigel and Jett’s rep. I wouldn’t put it past them to have money on the table, who has the underwear model with the most photos women have taken time to zoom in on.
Cough, cough, it’s me…
“Well, I’m glad you’re happy,” I say. “Anything else?”
“No. For the first time in a long time, I am content.”
“Awesome,” I say as I make my way back out of his office. I don’t pass the threshold without him getting in one last word. “Just don’t fuck it up.”
Right.
Chapter 14
Zane
I get homeand flip on the lights. Considering none of them are on, I think it’s safe to assume I am alone. I am kind of relieved. Ever since the night I met Ashlyn, my life has been upside down and slightly on fire. And while not all the flames have been damaging, it doesn’t hurt having more of a controlled burn.
I walk outside just to make sure no one is hiding in the bushes. No cameras flash and no branches rustle; all good signs. The only sign of human life is a book lying open and upside down on one of the side tables next to a lounge chair. It’s the same lounge chair Ashlyn was on in the photo.
That means the photo was taken today. She was sunbathing out here today.
And I missed it, damn it!
