“You’re with Alexander’s team, aren’t you?” One of the girls gets up, the others quickly following suit.
“Yeah, he was at Abbey Road,” another says.
My heart begins to beat more loudly as the doorman nods at us.
“How do you know Alexander?” a third questions, rushing around to stop in front of us.
Kelly instantly grabs my hand and drags me through the pack of girls.
“Leave my boyfriend alone!” Her voice carries as we enter the hotel.
Alexander’s publicist stands in front of us as we enter, a dumbfounded look on her face.
I drop my hand from Kelly’s. My whole body stiffens as she takes me in from head to toe.
“Boyfriend?” She reaches into her bag and pulls out a packet of cigarettes.
Quick.
Think.
She knows I’m gay, but this won’t quell her growing suspicion of me. Like a judge on a reality show, she’s clearly not amused at what she sees in front of her.
“This is my sister. I don’t believe you met her at the show the other night. Kelly, this is,” I desperately try to recall her name, “Bonnie.” I squeeze Kelly’s hip tightly, to ensure she doesn’t put her foot in it.
“Connie.” The woman instantly corrects me. Her face looks like a gremlin halfway through sneezing.
“Nice to meet you,” Kelly says, holding out her hand.
“Sure,” Connie says, looking at Kelly’s clammy hand and opting to pull a cigarette out of her pack instead.
“Suit yourself.” Kelly walks away, pushing the button for the elevator.
I force a smile on my face and follow Kelly as Connie exits the hotel.
Why must I be so bad at remembering names?
“Who wasthatbitch,” Kelly says, leaning up against the wall when the doors close.
“Alexander’s publicist.” I roll my eyes.
“Wow, she puts Miranda from theDevil Wears Pradato shame,” Kelly laughs as she attempts to do her best impression ofThat’s All. She waves her hand at the elevator door.
“So, have I been bumped off your home screen yet?” She reaches into my shorts pocket, trying to get at my phone.
“Get off me,” I say.
I push into her belly, forcing her back against the elevator wall, and Kelly immediately clutches her lower abdomen. The look in her eyes as she meets mine is not one of anger, but fear.
“You’re not!” I say, as the elevator doors open on the third floor. I hold the doors open as Kelly slowly moves forward.
Kelly’s a good liar, but she’s never been able to hide things from me. The way her nostrils flicker and her eyes shoot up to the right is a dead giveaway every time. That’s why it was always so easy to beat her when we played board games as children.
“It’s early days. We’re only six weeks pregnant.”
A smile forms on her face as she slowly lowers her hand.
“But I thought you couldn’t? That the doctor said it wouldn’t be possible with your condition.”
