I laughed.“I’m interested.”
They shared their address, the monthly rent costs, and we connected on Instagram.I promised to visit tomorrow and check out the room.
It’s likely I’ll take it given Liam’s aloof response to any comment I make about our living situation.
The reality is, I know he’s loyal to Jayden, so I’m fully expecting he’ll break my heart.I wouldn’t change anything though.Being the girl on his arm and in his arms, even for this short period of time, has been worth it.
Right now, I just want to get this audition over with and home safe.
Safe and far away from Frank Bonito as possible.
It’s clear I need therapy.I can’t keep freaking out every time he is near...something that’s likely to happen from time to time if I want to keep working in this industry.
I smile at the casting director and try to calm my nerves.My nervous system is on fire after my run in with Frank and having to do this audition is making it worse.
“You’ve come highly recommended,” she says.
“Thank you for this, I honestly appreciate it.”I do mean it, although in this very moment, I’d rather be curled up in bed.
I won’t let that asshole destroy my future.
“Let’s see what you got.Maggie, read her in.”
I do the best I can under the circumstances and only mess up once.It actually distracts me and I start to bounce back.
By the time I leave and promise Sarah, who’s still waiting for her audition, that I’ll see her tomorrow, I’m feeling a little brighter.
I never have to see Frank again.I’m certainly not going to his fucking hotel room.
I need to tell Liam everything and get some help.Hopefully, he will keep my secret if he knows I’m going to file a report and go see a therapist.
And maybe if I open up about this, we can discuss what happens between us.At least I can move on when he says we can’t be together because of Jayden.
There’s a chance he won’t.
Surely, after his reaction to Noah, Liam will see he feels more for me than just lust and a lifetime of growing up together?I know he’s deeper than that.
I saw him the day he fell off his bike and shredded his knee, how he tried not to cry, but really wanted to.He sat on our doorstep when my mom rang his mother, holding his leg.
I scrunched up beside him and gently leaned my head against his shoulder.Somehow I knew he didn’t want me to make a fuss.
“You ’k Lim?”
“Yeah,” he sniffed.
When Jayden came around the corner and started teasing him, telling him to get back on his bike, I stood up and propped my hands on my hips.
“I am magically healing him.Go away.”
“Oh my god, Jessie, that magic dust doesn’t work.It’s sand.It’s fake magic.”Jayden dropped his bike and came over.
Fortunately, I had said magic dustandmy wand in my pocket.Tugging them out, I waved them around in the air.“It does, and if you don’t stop being mean, I’ll scream and Mom will tell you off.”
Jayden rolled his eyes.“I’m going to get a soda.Want one?”
“Sure,” Liam nodded, pain in his eyes and holding back his tears.
After Jayden ran into the house, I sat down really close to my favorite person in the universe.
