Shatter

I laughed. At least she still had a good sense humor after all the shit that producer husband of hers put her through. “Yeah, listen… we need to talk.”

“Okay, what about?”

I sighed and told myself to calm down. “Remember how Angelica had… pictures?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s going to go to the media or so she claims. Your ex apparently made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. They’re going to make it look bad. I mean really bad. As in you cheated, he looks like an angel, and honestly, I’m fearful for the kids. All of your kids.” The emphasis was so she would get whom I was talking about. Silence greeted me on the other end. I sighed. “But I’m also really freaked out about what Nat’s going to say. I know we both swore we wouldn’t say a word about anything and make up some insane story if it ever got out, but I have a life and—”

“—Sorry, Alec. I…” She paused. “I know this is difficult, but… if the pictures are leaked it will still be better than you going to the media first. If you go, then it will look even worse. Like you knew it was going to hit the fan and are backpedaling. If they see the pictures, it will blow up in both our faces, but you promised you’d lie. You promised me. You said you’d take all the blame. I have a family to protect.”

“You think I don’t? He is my family! So is Nat, but—”

“Look, Alec. I’ve gotta go. No offense, but you’re the one that was with Angelica that night before we even met. That thing doesn’t hide her crazy, and the way I see it, the only way out is in. Sorry. I gotta run.”

The phone went dead. I stared at it for a few brief seconds before slamming it against the table. The screen cracked. Several photographers looked my way. I waved. “Bad reception.”

Surprisingly, they bought it and ignored me as I pushed through the doors to find Nat. She was laughing with Demetri and suddenly I was brought back to the first time I saw her.

It was a damn pen. She’d dropped it on the floor and I’d picked it up. Stupid, right? I picked up her pink pen and handed it to her. The minute our fingers touched I felt it. This uncontrollable pull. I knew then and there that I wanted her.

People always talk about soul mates and all that shit. Movies and songs are full of it. I’d never believed it, until I met her. Until my entire freaking world was thrown upside-down.

I’d do anything to go back in time. To ignore that stupid pen. Maybe if I would have ignored the pen, I could have kept myself from her and let Demetri have her, or any guy who was more worthy.

Great, now I was blaming my issues on a fuzzy pink pen. I groaned and made a beeline for Nat and Demetri.

“Hey guys.” I stopped in front of them. Demetri glared at me. I gave him a head nod and mouthed sorry when Nat looked away.

He nodded once, but I knew that only meant he was placated, at least for a bit.

“You ready to go?” I asked Nat. She looked really pale. “You don’t look so hot.”

She laughed. “That’s the thing. I feel super hot and just… weird. I don’t know. I think I may really be coming down with something.”

I reached out to her and grabbed her hand. “I’ll take you back to the house, okay? We’ve gotta be up early for filming anyways, you should get your rest.”

“Ugh…” Nat groaned. “Only four more weeks?”

“Yup.”

Demetri snorted. “Let’s not forget what this week’s theme is.”

All three of us groaned together.

“Teambuilding,” I ground out. “I swear, if I’m put on Angelica’s team I’m going to let her get seriously injured.”

“Get in line.” Demetri snorted. “At least you didn’t sleep with her.”

“What?” Nat’s gaze flew to Demetri’s. “You slept with her again? After you already knew she was bad news and after everything you and I went through? Were you on drugs?”

“High. I was high. Alyssa knows, so stop giving me that weird judgmental look, besides I was depressed that someone chose my brother over me.”

Nat sighed. “Sorry. For a second I thought you cheated on her and I was going to have to castrate you.”

Demetri smirked in my direction. “Is that what happens to cheaters, Nat? They lose their manhood?”

Nat punched him in the shoulder. “No. That was me just being kind because I love you. If I ever got cheated on, I’d bury the body in the woods and feign ignorance.”

“Good to know,” I choked out as Demetri gave me a satisfied grin. “Let’s get you out of here.”

“You know…” Demetri fell into step beside us. “I think I’ll come too. I’m just going to go give my keys to Jaymeson so he can get back.”

“What about Angelica?”

“Here’s hoping she doesn’t.” Demetri gave us a thumbs up and walked off.

Nat slumped against me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Peachy. Now, let’s go home. I’m sleepy.”

Chapter Twelve

Alec

I woke up with a headache.

Probably from all the champagne I was throwing back last night, like that would somehow make all my issues disappear.

Moaning, I got out of bed and threw on my running gear. I needed to clear my head, and I knew the easiest way to do that, and prepare for our teambuilding week with the rest of the cast, was to listen to music and chill.