Page 128 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
“People have told me we were close,” Wyatt says, pulling the guitar strap off him. “But I haven’t he-heard from you.”
“I tried calling a few times,” Portia says as Randall takes the guitar from Wyatt. “They told me you haven’t had your phone on you.”
Lexy waggles the phone in her hand. “He’s back online now.”
“I guess it could’ve been triggering to be online when you don’t remember becoming famous,” Portia says, fidgeting with the gold bracelets around her wrists.
“Yeah, sometimes it’s hard to recognize myself in the mirror,”Wyatt admits.
Portia bites into her lip. “I’ve been in Europe since before your accident. They wouldn’t let me stop working.”
“You had commitments,” the man in the sharp suit pipes up.
“Everyone has had to work harder with Wyatt out of commission,” Erika adds on.
Wyatt folds his arms. “So, you’ve been working overseas this whole time? That’s why you never visited?”
Is he upset she never visited, now that he’s seen she’s a beauty queen?
Portia’s facade cracks and her eyes grow glossy. “If we were regular kids, who didn’t have to work all the time, I would’ve been by your side every chance I got.”
Wyatt rubs behind his neck, averting his eyes. “I, I’ve heard we work a lot. I don’t kn-know when I’m gonna get the energy to do all that.”
Portia gestures at the guitar, her expression brightening. “You’re back playing and singing. You sound as wonderful as ever. I’d say you’re on the right track.”
Wyatt smiles. “Yeah, I’m feeling like things are getting back to normal.”
“Normal?” Portia questions. “Like, you’re remembering your life?”
“I don’t exactly remember, but I get these feelings like I’ve done something before. Almost like déjà vu.”
Portia beams. “I saw videos from your little meet and greet yesterday. It could’ve been at one of our premieres. You looked totally back in form.”
“I don’t know about that,” Wyatt says, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile. “But it was fun.”
“Since we have you two together,” Lexy says, still angling the phone at them, “why don’t you try a song together?”
“That would be okay with me,” Portia says, her eyes wandering up and down Wyatt. “I mean, you do have your guitar right there.”
Randall hands the guitar back to Wyatt, and I notice his hand tremble as he takes it. “I’ve only just started singing and playing again,” Wyatt says softly. “So, sorry if I’m a bit rusty.”
“I just got off a long flight.” Portia smirks. “My voice will probably be garbage.”
Wyatt starts strumming, and asks her, “What are we singing?”
“The George Michael cover you were just playing is a good place to start.”
“Okay, let’s do it.”
Alongside Lexy, the girl with the oversized glasses, who walked in with Portia, films with her phone as well. Wyatt strums the recognizable beat of the eighties pop song, and he and Portia launch into the chorus. Portia taps the beat on her thighs and she swings her shoulders, harmonizing perfectly with Wyatt.
I shiver, watching every little interaction between the two, and listening to every note they hit. Every time their gazes meet, it’s like a knife to my heart.
I knew it.
I knew when he saw her, I’d become invisible.
This is why we never stayed in contact.
