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“Hell no! I never would have put all of that out there.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted you looking if the photos had been mine. It’s like the interview Gary gave about our marriage. I never would have given an interview like that. I’m horrified that people read those things, and so much of it was out of context or just lies… That’s how I feel about the photos. I’m not going to look at something you wouldn’t just show me. You know?”
He thought about that, dropping his chin into his hand. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. So? Are you going to show me?”
She was trying to tease him back into a good humor, so he gave her a smile. "No more free shows.”
She rummaged around in her bag for a moment, then came up with two one-dollar bills and a cough drop, which she pushed over to him, "Really, I'd insist on paying anyway. Does this about cover it?"
“Brat,” Kline snorted, rising. He didn’t want to be in a good humor. He wanted to sulk. He didn’t want her dating Thad. He wasn’t sure he wanted her dating anyone. Gus hadn’t bothered him, but what was Gus anyway? If he’d wanted to steal her from Gus, he knew exactly how to do it, and he was absolutely certain he could have stolen her from that dusty old producer. Thad was something different. That wasn’t right for her.
He reached for her hand and said, “Come on.Shopping then home.You have a date."
Jill looked rebuffed but went with him. He made sure he was telegraphing waves of angst in her direction, coming on as brooding and silent the rest of the afternoon. In return, she radiated guilt and uncertainty as she tried vainly to lighten his mood. Good. She should feel guilty for dating Thad.
Before dropping her back at her car, he looked at her seriously."I’m sorry I’m so– I’m sorry I’m so out of sorts. I really don't want you to get hurt, Jill. Be careful with Thad."
"Okay," she nodded.
"Promise?"He took her chin between his fingers, frowning a little.
"I promise."
"I couldn't stand it otherwise."He leaned over and kissed her lips softly. "Be good."
She snorted at him, breaking the spell he was trying to cast, and opened the car door. “Really?! Really? You’re going to try that on me? Save that for the cameras, Kline. And don’t worry, even if I do become a notch in his belt, yours is still practically perforated with how many times you’ve convinced me we belonged together. We’re friends,” she said, slamming the door. “Act like a friend.”
It was such a psychological slap, he was seeing stars. “We are friends! I just don’t want you to get hurt!”
“You don’t know what you want!”
“That’s not true! I know exactly what I want–I just don’t think it exists.”
She waited, hands on her hips, looking down at him. He was half wishing he’d left the top up on the car. “Can I come inside?”
“No. I’m not taking a chance on you trying to grope me, but if you want to tell me what you want, I’m listening.” Now she crossed her arms.
Kline shifted into park and turned off the ignition. Both hands on the steering wheel, he stared straight ahead into Jill’s driveway. What did he want? “I want someone who knows me as Scott Kline, but treats me like Kline Scott.”
“Oh.” The syllable was a long time coming and he’d wondered if she’d walked away, but he was too afraid to turn his head to see. The sound of the car door opening finally made him look. Jill was sitting back down next to him. “That’s heavy,” she said.
“But you understand?”
“You want someone who is in as much awe of you as a fan would be, who will gas you up non-stop, but also someone who knows when to pump the brakes and remind you that your stuff does stink?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I thought maybe Rhiannon would be that. You know? She’s really sharp-witted and sassy, but she’s had my poster on her wall so to speak.”
“The thing is, though, it can’t all be about you. What were you offering her? Other than the pleasure of your company, I mean. How were you making her life better? Where were you adding value to her world?”
“What the fuck have you been reading? Adding value?”
“My nightstand is a mountain of self-help books focusing on becoming whole as a person before trying to be someone’s better half.”
“That’s ghastly.”
“And yet, you’re the one crying in my driveway.”
