Page 120 of You and Me, For Real
“Scar, you don’t mean that.”
She steps forward, her chin dipped, her eyes earnest. “I do.”
“No. You’re just confused. It’s because we’ve spent too long pretending.”
She reaches for my hand, her nails grazing my palm.
I yank it back like I’ve been burned.
She shudders at my brisk movement. She cradles her middle. “I do. I have been. I’ve been in love with you since our first season ofMalibu Shores.”
“No,” I scoff.
“Yes. Why do you think our chemistry on-screen was so good? It’s because it was real. For me. You were just so busy pretending you couldn’t see it.”
“That’s part of the job, Scarlet.”
“Well, maybe I’m a terrible actress, because I didn’t fake it.”
“This doesn’t make any sense. You had a constant stream of boyfriends the whole time. You never cared about me.”
“It’s because I wantedyou. I wanted you to notice me. To be jealous. To do something! I only dated around to get you out of my head.”
I tug on my collar, loosening my bowtie. This cannot be happening. Especially right now. Ashton’s going to come out any minute. Where is she? What if she’s hiding from me, refusing to face me?
“We can’t talk about this here. Not now.”
She grasps my forearm. “Then when? When can we?” She swallows. “Griffin, we’ve known each other for half our lives. You’ve been my television boyfriend for years. You can’t deny we have chemistry. We’re good together.”
I wipe my face. “Look, Scar, I already told you. We’re friends. That’s all.” I steady my eyes on hers. “Let’s just stick to the plan, okay?”
She huffs. “Theplan? Really? You haven’t been a part of ‘the plan’ in weeks. Since the second Ashton walked into your life, you haven’t even wanted totryto go on dates anymore.” Her voice wobbles. “You didn’t even give me—us—a real chance.”
“I told you at the party that I only wanted friendship. I?—”
“I know. It’s just . . .” She looks up at me, the tears leaking from her eyes. “Even friends hang out, Griffin. You didn’t even give me that.”
I’m stuck between wanting to comfort her and wanting to push her away. “I’m sorry, Scarlet. My heart belongs to someone else.”
A waiter bursts through the ballroom door carrying a tray. “Sorry. Excuse me.” He hurries past us and slips into the kitchen.
Scarlet looks away for a moment and swipes the rogue tears.
Ireallyneed this wrapped up so I can find Ashton before she faces her mom, or before Jaxon finds her. I’m nervous about what he has planned.
35
ASHTON
Iopen the backstage door to the hall, my heart racing, ready to confront my mom or Griffin—I’m not sure which. From the look on his face, he knew. Heknewthey were together. Why didn’t he tell me? Griffin’s lack of honesty stings more than witnessing his dad with my mom.
Midway down the darkened hallway, a couple embraces. I divert my gaze to give them privacy. Except I recognize a familiar sparkle of sequins. Scarlet.
With Griffin.
He’s looking at her with such tenderness. The same way he’s looked at me. He brushes her face with his thumb and whispers something. Griffin kisses her forehead and pulls her against him.
My rib cage cracks wide open. My limbs go numb. My hand fumbles for something to grasp. To lean into. To support my weakened frame.
