Page 16 of Living Hell

FIVE

Iona

“I CAN’T LEAVE?” I SAIDtrying not to scream at the top of my lungs.

“Yes, you must stay in the house,” Babette said and then moaned.

My eyes slid to where Tyler and Austen stood. Whatever Austen was telling Tyler wasn’t going well. Tyler had his you’re-dead-to-me face on.

It’s weird how that warmed my heart. In a strange way, it felt like coming home—Tyler and his unusual expressions and lack of filter.

“I spoke with the lawyer. He is trying to contact the original agent for the house and anyone involved. He suggested you stay put in case this goes to court. It can only help the case if you, being the person I bought the property for, remain on site.”

“But I don’t want to live here anymore. In fact, I feel it would be in my best interest if I left town.”

Because being here was like walking through Hades. People stared at me back then and they still do. Only this time they had a greedy gleam in their eyes—only caring what I could do for them, like the mayor.

Funny, I remember when he would throw pebbles at me when we were kids and tell me how his parents called me trailer trash.

This morning he was more than eager to agree to anything I said over the phone like I was his best friend instead of his enemy.

I turned my back to the guys and lowered my voice. “Can’t I move to Boston or Chicago or maybe to a tiny town in Montana? Any place but here.”

Babette released another moan. This one louder.

“Are you with Jules?”

“No, a new guy I hired last week. And let me tell you, his hands are magic. I’ve nicknamed him Magic Mike. He’s not just great with his hands, but his ideas are wonderful.”

“What happened to Jules? I thought he was your go-to masseuse?”

“The man left me. He just up and moved to New York. I swear, it’s hard to find a sexy man who gives a great massage in this town, one who isn’t an actor. Oh! That’s my sweet spot, Magic.”

Babette’s one weakness was a good massage. Perhaps if I gave her a rubdown, she’d consider letting me leave. I shook my head. That wouldn’t work. I’m not twenty-two or a six-foot male with ripped abs.

I glanced back to make sure no one heard. They hadn’t, but I did catch Tyler staring at my ass. He didn’t even pretend like he wasn’t. Instead, he just winked when he saw I was watching him.

I bit my lip to hide my smile. It was insane that I enjoyed his eyes on me. I shook my head. My horniness was causing my brain to malfunction. If there was one thing I was more positive about than Hollywood’s love of remakes, it was to not sleep with Tyler.

It was a mistake when we kissed right before Austen had arrived. Tyler was wise to step away and answer the door. My hormones and lips and vagina may not be thankful, but my brain knew it was for the best.

I may be able to tolerate the most spoiled actors and demanding directors, but it’d kill me to go through what had happened the last time we were intimate.

I could look at him, sure. Admire his ass, oh you betcha. Get naked and find out if his dick grew up too, no.

Did I bring my dildo and vibrator? God, I hope so.

“No. It won’t work for the comeback. I’ve already had my team work on the story. Since the accident, you haven’t been yourself. You needed to go back to your roots, to the people who embraced you in the beginning. Make nice and your career could take off.”

I snorted. Make nice? She’d never met these people.

“If by embraced you mean called me names and told me to go home—even though I am from this country—then yeah, I guess they embraced me.” I shut my eyes willing all the bad memories away.

“Look, I’m the first one to tell you that people are assholes. Especially if they think they’re better than you. But you are in the movie business, your job is to entertain people. And in the age of social media and instant news, you are always on. Give people that feel-good story, they like that shit. Make them fall in love with you. Right now, they don’t like you very much.”

I turned my head back to gaze at Tyler who was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace.

“I kind of got that.” I stared at the one person in the room who hated me.

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