Page 80 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

“Do you have another sex toy in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?” I lift my head from his lap and stare at his shorts where they’re vibrating.

“For you, I always have another sex toy.” He kisses my forehead as I sit up, but then he removes his phone. He checks his screen and winces.

“Who is it?” I hug a pillow to my chest.

“My agent. She’s been blowing up my phone.”

“Tell her you were busy testing new merchandise. She’ll understand.”

“I’ll pass your message along.” He chuckles and stands.

I lie back down as he paces the deck with his phone pressed to his ear. I can’t hear anything, he’s too far away, but as their conversation continues, he becomes increasingly agitated, his body language animated.

My stomach turns over when he pauses in midstride and his gaze flies to mine with worry painted on his face.

36/

jeanie

Sex Surfing

“Did our sex tape leak or something?” I ask Nathan after his call with Natasha.

At first, I’m joking, but when he doesn’t laugh, I freeze because it could actually happen. He is famous, and we did have sex on a deck where anyone could see if they had a vantage point. I glance around the area, searching for prying eyes.

“No.” He smiles, but it’s not as bright as usual. “It was about tour stuff.” He offers me a kiss and settles back on the couch beside me.

By the next afternoon, his mood hasn’t changed. I’m confused at first, but then I consider the facts. Though I’m thankful for the fun we’ve had, as well as the phenomenal orgasms he’s given me, I’m realizing this entire situation isn’t fair. He’s put his life on hold to hang out with me. A few days ago, I was nobody to him.

I shelve the thought when Nathan and I run into Dex and Mom. They’re waiting in line at the hotel taco stand.

I bump Dex’s elbow. “Big VIP party tonight, huh?”

He lifts his sunglasses and shoots me an annoyed look. Dark circles ring his eyes. His hair is mussed like he just rolled out of bed, and for once, his T-shirt doesn’t look like it’s been starched flat within an inch of its life.

“You feeling okay?” Concerned, I place a palm on his cheek, checking for a temperature or even malaria. Technically, we are in the tropics.

Dex shakes me off.

Is my kid finally turning into a moody teenager?

Mom peers around me, farther away. “He’s been partying hard with his new lady friends, and Freddie can barely keep it in his pants.”

Based on what I witnessed yesterday, I’m afraid to look.

With my eyes squeezed mostly shut like I’m watching a horror movie, I turn. My feeble attempt to protect myself doesn’t work. They pop open when I spot Freddie. Behind a banana plant, he makes out with a person wearing a furry crab costume, and somehow all its arms are busy. I grimace.

“I see you’re giving him pointers now,” I say to Mom.

She blanches. “First of all, he’s lucky I let him within ten feet of me. And second, I’m very selective about who I pursue. That one,” she points to Freddie, “would bang a cactus if it had a hole.”

Nathan’s laugh booms, like the joke knocked him into our reality.

“You can’t say anything, Mr. Exotic Dancer. You created that scrawny Romeo with all your life coaching.” Mom makes air quotes on the last two words.

Nathan taps his chest. “When you’re good, you’re good.”

“I value your talents deeply, boo-bear,” I say to him, and we share a covert grin.