Page 78 of Nothing to No One

“Sway, baby!” Tripp called, tipping his head back. “Saved you a spot right here!”

Much as Mieux did, the woman smiled and shook her head. Tripp was already conversing again, proving he hadn’t expected a positive response.

The smile faded when Struan stepped aside. “You wanted to meet her. Bambi, this is Sway. Sway, Bambi.”

“Hi.”

“We have a lot to talk about.”

Toward the back of the room was a high table with tall stools, Struan guided them over, then left them alone to join the others. Okay, so she had a private audience with the woman of wonder, and one question tumbled from her mouth without any thought.

“How did you do it?”

Sway smiled. It wasn’t a broad or enthusiastic expression, somehow it betrayed that the question was anticipated.

“You must think I’m all kinds of crazy.”

“Actually, I think you’re the strongest person I’ve met. You know the truth, Struan told you?”

“He didn’t have to, but, yes, I know the truth. I’m one of a select few who can understand exactly what you’re going through. I’ve been in your shoes, Struan and I used to do it all the time. Especially when it was really bad, before rehab.” The same role, yes, with one super important difference: Struan was her guy. Going home to Roman wouldn’t be such an optimistic prospect. “You’re lucky you have Struan to lean on. He’s a good guy; he’ll look after you.”

“He tries,” she said, pausing long enough to watch a server come in and distribute drinks. Not all conversation died, but people were certainly wary of new ears in the room, and only fully relaxed when the person left. “Roman’s not an easy man to direct.”

“Rome can be overwhelming. He is overwhelming. Don’t believe everything he tells you. He can get cruel, abrupt. Some of the things he says… he only wants to hurt you.”

“I’m less worried about me and more worried about Struan.”

The actress touched the rim of her glass on an exhaled laugh. “That’s a tangled web. They have a complicated relationship. Struan loves his brother very much. In his own way, Roman loves his brother in return. He just doesn’t knowhow to show it. They never had a healthy example of a relationship to follow. Didn’t have parents to watch—the closest they got was sleepovers with their friends most of whom lived in broken homes.”

Most everyone did these days. Even in her hometown there were plenty of broken hearts and divorce agreements that came with bitterness and visitation arrangements.

“I just can’t believe you did it for so long,” she said, awed by the glamorous woman. “Or that you did it at all. I’m only pretending to be with him. I don’t have to spend any time alone with him in private, yet I already feel like I’m going insane. I can’t even talk to him; he doesn’t seem reasonable. Feels like we’re not on the same planet. My reality isn’t his reality and there’s Struan bumbling along, going with the flow, accepting every insult his brother throws, absorbing each body blow, and just continuing on.”

“At some point, these things will take their toll. You think he’s nearing breaking point?”

“Maybe not. I’d say so, but what do I know? I barely know Roman. It’s unfair.”

“It is, but none of us can make the decision except Struan.”

Which was exactly what Tripp and Roxie told her.

“I tried to talk to Roxie about it. She says she’ll support whatever I choose.”

“Roxie is an incredible woman with a big heart. You can trust her completely, a hundred percent. She’s shown me nothing but kindness and opened her home to me. It doesn’t matter that I broke off my engagement to Deacon, which causes Logan issues. Roxie knew him first, but she still protects and supports me.”

“Logan? Lowe? Roman and Struan’s brother.”

“Yeah. Truth is, if it hadn’t been for Roxie and Tripp, I don’t know how I’d have gotten through this. Roman’s not theeasiest man to rebuff. I can hire security and lock myself up, except then you end up isolated and afraid.”

“You shouldn’t have to live your life like that.”

“Without their support, I’d have lost my mind or given in to Roman. Getting away from him the first time wasn’t easy. Your relationship might be fake, but don’t underestimate him. You’re in his orbit now. He likes that, likes having people around him, people he can control and manipulate. You and Struan caring for each other gives him another avenue of torture. Don’t expect him to graciously say goodbye and let you go, there’s no end to this, he’ll want you to stay close.”

“Why?” she asked. “There’s nothing invested here, no feelings. This only started because of Struan and me. It’s a short-term arrangement, the relationship. Just to give Roman enough leeway to build his reputation again.”

“Except he’s already screwing that up. I heard about what happened on set.”

Everyone else knew more about it than she did, Hollywood was its own kind of small town. It certainly seemed that way with the amount of gossip and backbiting.

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