“Serena.”
“You got it. I have no idea why she posted those pictures this morning, but your gossip piece going up right after? It’s a publicity nightmare. No doubt the gossip site was holding this information for the perfect moment. And the studio will be more focused on salvaging her reputation than yours.”
“Am I going to lose my job, Esther?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it. The lawyer’s on the other line. I’ll be in touch. Stay near your phone and keep your nose clean.”
“Will do. Thanks, Esther.” He disconnected the call.
Nikhil sat on the bench for several long minutes before getting up. He didn’t want to go out there and face Serena. She was probably furious that her lie on Instagram post had failed spectacularly. But he couldn’t hide forever. He stood, wiped the sweat from his forehead, tossed his towel into the laundry hamper, and headed back to the rehearsal space.
Serena was on a bench on the side of the gym with her head in her hands when he got there. Caroline was beside her with her arm on her shoulders. Reggie was on his phone on the other side of the room. As soon as Serena saw him, she stood. “All right, let’s finish this,” she said, getting into fight position next to Nikhil. Reggie put his phone down and he and Caroline stood across from them, standing in for the enemies.
Nikhil frowned. No one was even going to mention the PR crisis? Fine. He could work. He picked up his practice sword and lifted it over his head.
But after they’d done a few run-throughs, it was clear Serena was taking out the whole mess on him. She was even more critical of his work than she’d been yesterday. Claiming he was missing his marks when he wasn’t. Claiming he didn’t know the choreography when he did. Caroline even stood up for him when Serena was taking it too far.
This was ridiculous. Why was Nikhil still here working his ass off when Serena would never accept him? He shook his head at her. “Are you trying to make me quit or something? I mean, you could just leave it to the studio to fire me fordaringto associate with another woman instead of bullying me like this.”
Serena blinked at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He put his hands up in the air. “That’s the problem… neither do I! I don’t have a clue why you’re out to get me! Is it because you’ve seen the gossip piece inPop Hollywoodtoday? Are you actually upset that I can’t count my steps? Are you mad that the fans hate me? That I ruined our fake relationship that I’d never agreed to anyway? Or that vulture photographers followed me into my friend’sdoctor’s appointment?”
He knew he shouldn’t be saying this in front of Reggie and Caroline. Nikhil had no doubt they both knew that the relationship Serena posted about this morning on her Instagram didn’t exist. After all, anyone spending any time with Nikhil and Serena would know they weren’t together.
Reggie turned to Caroline. “We should disappear. I think these two need to clear the air before someone gets hurt.”
“No,” Serena said. “Don’t go anywhere. There is no air to clear.” She glared at Nikhil, pointing at his face. “Ifoughtfor you. They wanted to go in a different route with casting, thought we needed a bigger name… but after our chemistry read, Ionlywanted you. But clearly that was a mistake because you don’t have the experience to be in the public eye. I never let personal drama get in the way of the job we’re here to do, and you need to learn that, too.”
He gritted his teeth. “Are you seriously implying I’m not working hard enough? I’ve been busting my butt every fucking day. While you and the studio say I don’t dress well enough, that my tooth is too broken, that I can’t fight for shit. I’ve been a complete professional. If you wantedmefor the role, why won’t you let me be me?”
“I never said that you weren’t professional.”
He shook his head with frustration. “No. You never say anything! But you certainly have a lot to say about me on your Instagram. I don’t broadcast my personal life, or let it get in the way of my job!”
She raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me? Yesterday you ran out of practice because your girlfriend’s boob job was hurting!”
Nikhil had enough of this. He threw the wooden practice sword to the floor. “Screw this role. It isn’t worth it. And Marley didn’t have a fuckingboob job. She had a double mastectomy!” Shit. He shouldn’t have said that. He exhaled. “Not that there’s anything wrong with boob jobs. But… she’s going through a lot, and I was trying to support her. And your little Instagram stunt this morning has added to her stress.”
Serena didn’t say anything. Just stared at him, blinking. She glanced at Caroline, then back at Nikhil. He had no idea what she was thinking. What any of them were thinking. Hesighed. “I shouldn’t be telling Marley’s secrets. I’d appreciate if you’d all keep that to yourselves.”
“Of course,” Reggie said quickly. He sounded sincere, at least.
Caroline stepped forward. “I think we need to cool off a bit. I’m calling this rehearsal. Go home. See you tomorrow.”
Serena was still staring at Nikhil. “Yeah,” she finally said. She headed to the bench and picked up her warm-up hoodie.
“You too, Nik,” Reggie said. “Take a rest day. Be back tomorrow.”
Nikhil shrugged. “Fine.” He grabbed his towel and headed toward the showers.
“Wait, Nik,” Caroline said. He turned back to look at her.
She hesitated a moment. “Don’t worry—I’ll keep your friend’s personal information to myself. So will Serena. Please trust us here.”
Weirdly, he did trust Caroline. “Thanks,” Nikhil said.
“And…” Caroline added, “I hope your friend is okay.”
