Page 169 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
Portia moans. “But we never lied to each other before.”
I rub the space over my heart, hearing the sincerity and heartbreak rattling through Portia’s tone.
“I liked looking at our relationship as a game,” Portia admits.
At that, Wyatt tenses beside me and a soft retch echoes from his throat.
“We’d laugh about everyone assuming we were a couple,” Portia continues. “It made it easier for us to pursue the people we actually wanted to be with. Well, at least I was dating. I don’t know about him.He hardly opened up about it. I guess he was always holding onto Josie.”
I suck in a breath and make sure I’m securely hidden behind the wall. Wyatt clasps my hand and I breathe out slowly. So they do all see it. Just how magnetically Wyatt and I are attached.
And Portia’s not jealous? She’s just playing a role?
“Portia, hon, you can’t back out now,” Lexy says matter-of-factly. “You’ve done so well. You’ve made Wyatt believe there was something romantic to your relationship. You’ve made him relax and get back to work. We need you, hon.”
A shattered sigh pours out of Portia. “But it feels so wrong. I just want to sit down and talk to him. Like we used to.”
Wyatt drops my hand and marches back into the studio. I hurry behind, careful not to call out to him. I don’t want Portia and Lexy discovering we were eavesdropping.
Back inside, I manage to clasp his hand. “Wait,” I hush. “Talk to me.”
“They’re using me,” Wyatt snaps. “Portia led me on, thinking I was cheating on her with you. And they’re all in on it.”
I hold the sides of his face, hoping to calm him down. “Just breathe. Remember your journal entry? You knew Portia was being fake.”
His face grows hot in my hands. “But I didn’t know management was behind it all.”
“Wyatt?” Erika questions. “What’s going on?”
“I know you’re all manip-manipu...” Wyatt grunts at the floor in frustration. “You’re using Portia to make me work. I’m not playing these games anymore.”
Richmond closes in on him. “Wyatt, no one is using anyone. We’re all here to keep your careers moving forward.”
“No, you made Portia talk me into coming back to work!”
Portia enters the studio, her mouth ajar. “Oh my gosh,” she utters. “You heard us out there?”
Wyatt tugs on my hand. “I’m taking Josie to the airport. You all better back off.”
We rush out of the recording studio, and I’m beyond dizzy as we hit the pavement.
“Come on,” Wyatt grunts. “Let’s get in the car.”
“Are you okay?” I ask, stumbling behind him. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No, I want to leave.”
“But what about when I get on the plane? Will you be okay, coming back to face all this?”
He stops and turns around to me. “I’m not coming back.”
I choke on air. “What?”
His hands land on my shoulders. “I’m going with you, Joze. I’m going home.”
I gasp for air. “Are... Are you sure?”
He smiles. “Will you take me with you?”
