My stomach flips as Ryan pulls back, and we both turn to see Nate standing there, smirking at us. “So, how long’s this been going on? Was the whole arch-enemy thing an act?”
Ryan tenses and pulls back. “It’s new… as in today new. So don’t go around telling everyone.”
Nate raises an eyebrow. “Are you going to do a press release saying you’re off the market now, Ry?” He lets out an amused laugh.
I watch for Ryan’s reaction as he becomes increasingly irritated. “There’s nothing to tell right now, Nate. Stop being a child,” I berate, and he smirks.
“Wow! Queen bossy pants has spoken. Is she that feisty in the sack, too, Ry?”
Ryan clenches his fists and pushes Nate up against the wall. Hard. “Shut. Your. Mouth. You tried to get into Danger and Lunar’s heads. I won’t let you do it to me.”
“I don’t have to try to get into your head. You’re in your own head enough as it is, Ryan. Am I right?”
“You don’t know what you’re on about?”
“Oh no? So it hasn’t crossed your mind that Matilda here works for us, and she’s doing an amazing job. What happens when this fling turns to shit? She’ll leave, and we lose the best PR we’ve had ’cause you had to wet your dick.”
“Jesus Christ,” I murmur as Ryan shifts him higher up the wall.
“Learn to shut your mouth, Nate. We all know you have serious commitment issues. Don’t force your views onto others.” He lets Nate go, and his feet hit the floor.
He smiles. “I won’t tell anyoneifyou do something for me, Tillie.” Nate smirks.
“Fuck off, Nate,” Ryan berates.
“It’s just a small thing. It’s for the band, really. I think it’s the next step in our evolution.”
“You’re fucked in the head! Since when is blackmail your thing?”
“It’s fine, Ryan. What do you want, Nate?” I ask.
“I want you to get an A-lister actress to star in a music video of ours. It will boost our popularity, don’t you think?”
Raising my eyebrows, my lips turn up, and I nod. “Yeah, actually, why didn’t I think of that? If I can get someone big to agree, that will draw more attention to you. Nate, you’re a genius!”
He shrugs and nods. “I know.”
“You have a shit way of showing your genius, though, dipshit,” Ryan grumbles, and Nate chuckles.
“I’m not going to tell anyone about you two, I promise. I just wanna meet a hot A-lister.”
“I would have done it if you had just asked, you know,” I tell Nate.
“I know…” he raises an eyebrow, “… but this way was much more fun.” He walks off back into the studio, and Ryan turns to me.
“We have to be more careful where we make out.”
I nod, but it’s in sufferance. “Can I ask… why are we hiding this from people?”
He runs his fingers through his hair. “I’m still wrapping my head around it. Like I said before. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed to be with you, so don’t think that. I just need time to get used to the idea of having a connection with someone. It’s been a long time.”
My stomach sinks slightly, and even though he said he isn’t ashamed or embarrassed, I can’t help but feel like he doesn’t want to show me off, and it doesn’t make me feel good at all.
“Okay,” is all I say.
He swallows hard, looking deeply into my eyes like he’s trying to read me. I’m not sure what he’s getting from my facial expression, but he screws up his face and groans. “Fuck… am I fucking this up already?” He turns away from me, his shoulders slumping.
I reach out, grabbing his strong bicep while my stomach sinks at seeing him upset. “It’s okay, you’re confused. I get that. We’re in a weird situation. I work for you, and that makes things… harder—”
