AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He shakes his head. “No, because they will know you and I are together, and I want them to know. My agent is preparing my statement for the public.”
I pull the sleeves of my shirt and play with the ends.
“Scar? Do you not want people to know we’re together?” The dejection in his voice makes me sad.
Raising my head, I give him a winsome smile. “I do, but it’s a bit overwhelming. This is your life.”
“And I want you to be part of it,” he jumps in.
“I understand, but I need time to adjust. This won’t only affect me. It will affect those closest to me, including my son, and I don’t think I could subject him to that kind of life.”
A flash of understanding flickers across his beautiful face. I will always love Maverick, and it breaks my heart for not wanting to be in that part of his life.
FIFTY-FIVE
MAVERICK
The decision Scar made to skip the premiere was one that I could understand. She had concerns about my contract and the potential struggles that could arise if she attended the event. Even though I wanted her here with me, I knew deep down that she made the right choice. The fact of the matter was the public's opinion, and my contract was of little importance to me. I only want to build a life with Scar and make her happy. I am so certain I want to spend the rest of my life with her that I will do anything to make it happen, even if that means dragging her down the aisle to marry me.
Cameras flashing in my face pull me out of my thoughts.
Fans screaming my name and how much they love me.
Paparazzi shouting question after question, begging for an ounce of my attention. At one point, I craved the rush and the energy this lifestyle brought. I was finally living my dream. So why do I now feel empty and alone? I’m walking down the red carpet with my agent and surrounded by security to promote my new movie. Instead of feeling the exhilaration of the crowd, the fame, the money, I feel nothing. No happiness. No excitement. Nothing.
I wave to the crowd and put on my best fake smile and talk to the interviewers asking question after question that have anything to do with the movie. They're more interested in my personal life. I’ve only had a handful of people ask questions about my relationship with Scar, but Sam shot that shit down.
Fuck, I miss her.
A familiar voice pierces through my thoughts, high-pitched and grating as ever. "We were supposed to ride together, Mav," Skye says from behind me, breaking my concentration.
I turn abruptly to face her, my eyes locking onto hers. I feel my fake smile stretching across my face as I speak. "The contract we signed doesn't mention anything about riding together," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "But since we're both here now, let's try to get through this night without any unnecessary drama. Can you handle that?"
As soon as I ask her, a smile of pure joy lights up her face. "Absolutely, my love!" She eagerly loops her arm through mine, and we set off toward hell.
"You haven't mentioned my dress. I wore your favorite color," she says, her tone seeking validation. My eyes scan her outfit, and I'm struck by the stunning navy-blue backless square-neck bodycon dress that hits above her knee. A rhinestone chain crisscrosses her back, adding a touch of glamor to the ensemble. The dress sparkles like diamonds under the light, and as much as I hate to admit it, Skye looks beautiful. However, the dress does nothing for me, and I can't help but feel indifferent toward it and the person wearing it.
I feel my eyes involuntarily rolling upward in frustration as I yearn to bring this tiresome evening to a close and reunite with Scar and Shaun.
After taking a few more solo pictures, and some with the cast and the directors, I make my way to the elegant actor lounge and wait until the movie ends before we surprise the fans after the credits. The night drags on and when it is finally over, I can’t run out of there fast enough.
"Jace and Skye, can you please give us a show?" one of the paparazzi yells.
Skylar's sudden movement catches me off guard as she seizes my face and plunges her tongue into my mouth. Her assertiveness makes me instinctively lean into her, causing our bodies to press together intensely. I find myself grasping onto her waist for support, trying to steady myself from the dizzying sensations that flood my body.
Sam leans in and whispers, "Just play along."
No, fuck that.
I yank my head back and shoot Sam a piercing glare. “Fuck the contract.”
Skylar leans back, delicately wiping the corners of her mouth with her fingers with a cocky smirk. She then leans forward, reaching out to remove the remnants of her red lipstick from my lips.
A queasy sensation twists and turns in my stomach, threatening to spill out at her feet. The mere thought of Scar witnessing this makes my anxiety soar.
“You did great, Mav,” Sam compliments me but I could give two shits about it. “Okay, so tomorrow, you’ll appear on—”
Sam’s words are cut off by a reporter. “Did you know about Scarlett Rose Pierce’s rape five years ago?”
