Page 2 of Would You Rather
“I sh… home…”
“Ugh, you’re breaking up,” I sigh, knowing the bad signal will make it even harder to get a cab.
“I should be home in five,” she says again, her voice sounding slightly breathless, most likely from her running from the rain. “Want me to put on ‘Step Up’ when you get here?”
I can’t help but smirk. “That’s your favorite movie, not mine.”
“Come on,” she says. “Channing Tatum can turn any bad day around.”
I scrunch my nose in disagreement as I round the corner, and I spot the elevator. Finally. “Not really my type.”
She lets out another dramatic gasp. “Blasphemy!”
I shake my head, my lips curling in a smile. “Fine,” I relent. “I’ll be there in ten. Hopefully.”
“Kay,” she says, letting out a grunt. “Fuck, I’m drenched.”
“Take a cab,” I instruct her, not wanting her to get sick.
“No point,” she says. “I’m nearly home.”
“So stubborn,” I mutter, shaking my head. “Make sure you take a shower when you get home. You’re going to be freezing.”
“Fine,Mom.” Her little remark makes me laugh. “But you didn’t answer my question. Popcorn or ice cream?” she asks again. “Death isn’t an option, I’m afraid.”
A scoff escapes my lips. “Popcorn.”
“Good choice.”
She hangs up the call, and I shove my phone back into my bag, heading into the elevator. It’s empty, and I let out a breath of relief. Fewer stops means I’ll get out of here quicker.
Gabi was right. I am more important than a stupid audition. If they don’t want me to be the face of their perfume ad, which probably smells like cheap granny flowers anyway, then I don’t want any part of it, either.
This shouldn’t affect my career choice or make me question my talent. My parents might not be on board with the idea of me becoming an actress, but I’m not giving up. Not until it all crashes and burns, and I know I gave it my all.
The doors start to close, but before they do, a deep voice shouts. “Wait up.” I peek out of the elevator and place my foot between the doors, stopping them from closing. I look down at my white heels, a smudge mark on the side. Fuck, I’m going to have to clean those.
The doors open again, and a guy jogs into the elevator, blowing out a breath once he’s inside. He runs a hand through his wavy brown hair and glances at me. “Thank you,” he breathes out.
I let my eyes travel down his face, his stubbly beard catching my attention more than I’d like to admit. There’s something about a beard that’s so damn attractive, even if it’s a stubble like his. I press my lips together in a smile and face forward, staring at my reflection in the elevator doors.
I stand there, quietly observing as the guy leans against the wall, his arms crossed. Our eyes connect in the reflection of the elevator doors, his gaze fixed on me. I watch as his eyes roam over my form before he releases a sigh, staring back at his own reflection.
I look away and focus on getting out of here. I might have joked about Gabi’s movie choice of the night, but maybe a cheesy rom-com and a big bowl of buttery popcorn are exactly what I need to help me forget about how my dreams are slowly slipping through my fingertips.
Ten more minutes, I think to myself. Ten more minutes, and I’ll be able to relax.
And that’s when the elevator stops, and the lights go out.
Chapter 2
Stuck with you
What was he thinking?
That asshole better have a good excuse for why he decided that trying to take a shower on his own was a good idea. He’s heard the doctor’s orders, and even though he might have joked, I never once thought he might do this.
He knows it was stupid as fuck, and now it’s landed him in hospital.
