My mother’s eyes widen. “What kind of photographs? I thought he only worked with models.”
Of course she’d be surprised he’d want to take photos of me when he had such beautiful women to shoot instead. “Nothing interesting. Just some shots in the woods. It was raining, the lighting was good—or so Lucas said—and I posed for him.” That’s the PG version of what really happened that day.
“Ooh, sounds sexy. Are they good? Did he print them? Can we see?” Claudia’s eyes light with excitement as she fires off her questions.
“They were beautiful. I asked him to delete them because I was showing a little skin and didn’t want anyone finding them.” More like a whole lot of skin.
“That’s a pity,” my mother says. “It would have been a nice change to see something artistic printed of you in the media instead of the ghastly ones the paparazzi posted. Anyway, I need the bathroom. Can you tell me where it is please?”
“Follow the hallway to the end, take a right and it’s the second door on your left.” I know because I went in search of Lucas last night.
When my mother leaves and is out of earshot, Claudia’s smile drops, and she leans forward. “I can’t believe you’re shacking up with Lucas Alessi.” Her tone is filled with disgust. “Especially after what he did to you in high school. He took naked photos of you for the whole school to see,” she says as if I need reminding.
“I told you, we talked.” I go on to explain how Travis was the one who took the photos and set Lucas up.
She frowns. “Why would he do that? What would he get out of it?”
That’s something I don’t understand either. “He probably didn’t like Lucas and assumed I’d retaliate somehow.” Which I did in a big way.
Claudia gives a dubious look. “Seems far-fetched. Okay, so you don’t hate him anymore now that you know thetruth.” She says the word ‘truth’ like she’s skeptical that it really is. “But why doesn’t he hate you anymore? You got him expelled. Although, I still don’t know why he took it so hard and hated you so much for it.”
“I still feel guilty about what I did, especially now that I know he was innocent. Even if he wasn’t, it was still a horrible thing to do. He lost so much and blamed me for Garrett’s death. That’s why he was so angry.”
Claudia jerks back like I’d slapped her. “What the hell? How dare he blame you for something you had no control over. Garrett’s death was an accident.”
“He realized it wasn’t fair to blame me. And he’s forgiven me for getting him expelled.”
Claudia crosses her arms over her chest and leans back into the cushions of the couch. Giving me a knowing look, she says, “You’ve slept with him.” It’s not a question. “Elizabeth might believe this is all sweet and innocent and he’s only helping you out of a bad situation, but I can see the truth on your face. What I want to know—is it more than just fucking or are you really a couple?”
We’ve been best friends too long to not tell her the truth. I’m not surprised she figured it out. “Yes, we have slept together, but we’re just friends. We’re not a couple. I’m staying in his apartment because it will be easier for what we need to do.”
Claudia’s eyes narrow as she scrutinizes me. “While you’re playing the happy couple, don’t go and fall in love with him. That man is a notorious player and has a new woman every week. He’ll toss you aside as soon as this is over.”
That’s the problem. I’m not sure if I haven’t fallen a little already.
My mother walks back into the living room, thankfully interrupting our conversation before it gets too deep. I don’t need Claudia questioning me about how I’m going to get through these next few days or weeks when I’m not sure myself.
“I walked into Lucas’ office by mistake. My goodness, that room is amazing. There are so many gorgeous photographs I could spend hours in there looking at them. It’s a shame yours aren’t among the collection.”
It wouldn’t surprise me if she’d snooped in his office on purpose hoping to find them. “Yes, he’s talented,” I say. I’ll never forget how beautiful the photos he took of me were.
Taking a seat, my mother places her palms on her thighs and sighs. “Back to business. Things have changed. Getting your career back on track is like starting from scratch. Even worse, because you have a history now. After you’re seen out with Lucas, and hopefully the majority of the response is good, I’ll talk to people about booking you jobs. It won’t be easy, nor can you ask for the same amount of money.”
Back when I was making videos for YouTube it was my way of not being invisible. Most of my life I was looked over. Never beautiful enough for pageants. Never pretty enough or skinny enough for my mother. Not popular enough to be included with the cool kids at school. It took videos of me making things and organizing closets to finally be seen. People sat up and noticed. I had a talent—one people were excited about and wanted me to teach them. Now it’s getting torn away from me.
If this plan with Lucas doesn’t work, will I go back to being invisible? The thought doesn’t scare me. Probably because when things in the entertainment industry go wrong, the repercussions are like a landslide, taking everything in its path with it. This is a part of fame I’ve never experienced before. If being seen comes with so much destruction, is it really what I want anymore?
“I appreciate everything you both have done and are doing for me. I couldn’t get through this without you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” my mother says.
“Anything for you, Pen.” Claudia smiles.
My mother taps her thighs. “I’d love a cup of coffee now please, Penny.”
I rise from the chair, grateful to be doing something else other than wallowing in the living room about my failing career. “Sure, I’ll be right back. Anything for you, Claudia?”
“I’ll have a coffee too please.”
