Tommy’s smile faltered slightly. “Come on, baby. You’ve made your point. I know I messed up, but it’s Christmas. Time for forgiveness, right?” He reached for my hand, but I stepped back, pressing closer to Diego.
“You didn’tmess up, Tommy. You cheated on me. Repeatedly. Then you kicked me out of our apartment.”
“I was confused,” he said, with that practiced sincerity he used in his auditions. “Ryan meant nothing to me. It was just a way to get another job, that’s all. You know how Hollywood is.”
“Right,” I grumbled. I knew it was all bullshit. “How the hell did you find me anyway? I blocked you for a reason.”
“I called your mom,” he nodded as if it were nothing, as if it weren’t amassivebetrayal on my mother’s part. I’d have a talk with her the first chance I got. Although, judging by Dolly’s expression, I might have to wait in line. “She told me you were staying with family. But she was so excited to hear the good news that she gave me the address.”
“Good news?” I scoffed. “What good news?”
“I got you into the movie,” he said, shrugging it off in a way thatwouldn’t make others suspicious. But I knew what that line meant with him. It meant a debt that he’d call in when he needed it most. “The shoot starts right after New Year’s on location in New Zealand. I showed the director your photo, and he said he wanted you and nobody else.”
My blood ran cold at Tommy’s words. New Zealand. A movie role. The very thing I would have killed for just a few months ago now felt like a threat.
“I’m not interested,” I said, straightening my spine and finding strength in Diego’s steady presence behind me.
Tommy’s smile faltered, genuine confusion crossing his face. “What do you mean, not interested? This is what you’ve been working for. Whatwe’vebeen working for.”
“No, it’s whatyou’vebeen working for,” I corrected him. “Using me as a prop for your career. I’m done with that.”
Diego’s hand pressed supportively against my lower back, a silent reminder that I wasn’t facing this alone. I could feel the tension radiating from him, barely contained.
Tommy’s gaze flicked between us, his expression darkening as understanding dawned. “Oh, I see. So, you’re slumming it with the local help.” He looked Diego up and down with undisguised disdain. “Really, Hayden? A cowboy? You couldn’t have found someone who… smells better?”
I felt Diego tense beside me, but before he could respond, I stepped forward.
“Thatcowboyhas shown me more respect in a few weeks than you did in three years,” I said, my voice steady despite the anger bubbling inside me. “And I’m way happier here than I ever was with you.”
Tommy’s perfect veneer cracked slightly, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t be ridiculous. You belong in California, with me. This little... vacation has obviously clouded your judgment.” He paused. “But I’m willing to forgive you for cheating on me. Even if it was with… thehelp.”
“My judgment has never been clearer,” I shot back. I was vaguely aware that the music had stopped, that people around us were watching the drama unfold. But I didn’t care. “I’m staying in Sagebrush. With Diego.”
“For what?” Tommy scoffed, gesturing around the diner. “To serve coffee and pie for the rest of your life? To waste your potential on somedirtfarmer who’ll probably leave you the moment something younger and prettier catches his eye?”
I felt Diego shift behind me, and this time I reached back, squeezing his hand to keep him from lunging at Tommy. As satisfying as it might be to watch, I needed to handle this myself.
“At least I won’t be wasting it on someone who sees me as nothing but a stepping stone,” I replied coldly. “And unlike you, Diego actually loves me.”
Tommy’s face contorted with anger. “Love? Please. What could he possibly offer you that I can’t? I’m giving you a career, a future!”
“No, you’re offering me a gilded cage by your side,” I said simply. “And I don’t want anything to do with you anymore, Tommy. It’s over.We’reover. For good.”
Tommy stared at me for a long moment, disbelief written across his face. Then his eyes shifted upward, and a slow, cruel smile spread across his lips.
“Well, isn’t this cozy,” he drawled. “The two of us under the mistletoe at Christmas.”
Then, without a second to react, Tommy’s hands were on my jaw, his lips forcefully pressed to mine as hetooka kiss from me in front of the entire diner.
I froze in shock, too stunned to push him away. Tommy’s lips were cold and demanding against mine, nothing like Diego’s warmth. The taste of his cotton-candy vaping habit filled my nostrils, making me want to gag. Time seemed to slow down as my brain tried to process what was happening.
Then suddenly, Tommy was yanked away from me, his eyes wide with surprise as Diego’s hand gripped his shoulder.
“Get your hands off me!” Tommy spat, brushing at his designer jacket as if Diego’s touch had somehow contaminated it. “This coat cost more than your education.” Then he paused, a cruel grin spreading over his face as he laughed. “Oh wait. You’re just some stupid, muck-kicking, cowb?—”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence as my fist collided with that smug fucking grin he always wore.
Tommy staggered backward, his hand flying to his face as shock registered across his face. Pain shot through my knuckles, but the satisfaction of seeing his perfect nose dripping blood was worth it. I’d never hit anyone before in my life.
