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I just want to be alone. I want this nightmare to be over with. Laura yells again, but I’m not listening. My whole body feels like it’s free-falling, my world was just ripped away from me, and I don’t have a stable place to land.
Right now, I need these women out of my store, and hopefully, if I’m really lucky, out of my life altogether. This is why I never put myself out there. People can be so mean, and for what reason? What reason does someone have to play with someone’s emotions like that? I hear the bell above the door again, and when I turn to look, I see Brandon there with a confused look on his face.
“Mom? What the fuck are you doing here? And what the hell are you doing with Tina?”
Hmm I guess she surprised us both.
Laura opens her mouth to reply, but before she can, I speak.
“I want you all out now,” I tell them. I just want to be alone right now. I don’t want to break down in front of these people. I don’t want them to have that control over me. For them to see me break would be almost as bad as hearing all the shit they just spewed.
“Baby…” Brandon starts but I stop him before he can say too much.
“Leave,” I demand. I just want them all out.
I need time to think things over, to think about everything she said. I need to be alone. The bodyguard I forgot Brandon hired starts ushering the women out. They don’t go easily, but he finally has them out. I wish he would have taken Brandon, too, but I know Brandon’s actually his boss, so that’s a no-go.
“I’ll give you time, but just know… I won’t give you long,” he says before turning and walking out of the store, making a beeline straight for the women.
I don’t want to watch whatever happens next. I just want to lie down. Luckily, it’s only ten minutes before closing time, so I quickly shut down my store and rush to my car, hurriedly making my way home.
I crawl into bed and hide under my covers. I know I need to talk to Brandon and let him explain, but honestly, my insecurities are holding me back. I don’t believe the lies his mom told me, that sounded nothing like the man I fell in love with. There’s no way he could ever treat another human being that way.
However, what if she was right about him leaving? I never expected him to stay, really… maybe I hoped he would, but I would have never asked him to. I couldn’t make him give up his whole life for me. There was no way I could leave my shop and my family, but maybe it was wishful thinking that we could have worked out.
I would have given long distance a chance, but would he be willing to do the same? Too many depressing thoughts run around in my head. Maybe tomorrow I can work things out, but tonight will be full of birthday cake, ice cream, and reruns of friends.
Chapter 8
Brandon
Istorm out of the store and straight over to the two women who may have just cost me my future. I look at Ken and Levi, giving them a nod, and they each grab one of Tina’s arms.
“You have screwed me over one too many times. This time is unforgivable. These men will escort you to the police station, where you will be charged with trespassing and breaking the restraining order Trixie and I both have on you. I truly hope I never see your face ever again,” I tell her before turning my back to her.
“What? Brandon. Wait! I only did this because I love you…” she starts, but when I make no move to turn around, she starts yelling and screaming as the men lead her away.
The minute that mess is dealt with and over, I turn to my mothers.
“Who the fuck gives you the right to come down here and ruin the best thing to ever happen to me?” I demand, madder than I’ve ever been with her before. My whole life, she’s been in control. I didn’t care because it seemed to make her happy. Now she’s pushed me too far.
“First, show me some respect. I am still your mother,” she starts, holding up one polished finger.
“For now,” I say through gritted teeth, and her eyes widen a bit. I’ve never spoken to her like this before, but I’m far from giving a shit.
“Second, Tina called and told me you were getting close to this girl. She heard you two on the roof having sex. Really Bradon? In public? You know what the tabloids will say,” she says.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you or anybody else has to say. That moment with Trixie was special, and I won’t let you, Tina, or anyone else ruin that for me. You need to leave. Go back to whatever vacation home you were in and stay the hell away from me and away from my woman,” I tell her.
“Brandon. I have multiple scripts for you to go over. You may be mad at me for being protective of you, but I’m still your manager,” she says, smirking, and that’s the last straw.
“You’re fired. I won’t be in any more movies… ever. I’m moving here, mom. I’m going to win my woman back and spend the rest of my life trying to make up for everything you did to screw with her head,” I tell her.
“You can’t fire me. I’ve made you who you are. What are you going to do if you’re not acting?” she screeches.
“Don’t know and don’t care. I’ll have the woman I love and the life I deserve to live. A life away from your control. Now leave, while I still want a relationship with you as a mother. But be warned. You try to come between Trixie and me again, and you won’t like the consequences,” I warn her. She looks at me with such anger, I swear I think she’s about to slap me. Instead, she stomps her foot before turning.
“You will come crawling back. When you run out of money and fame. When that woman wants nothing to do with some washed-up star, you’ll come back,” she says, walking away. I roll my eyes at her.
