Page 105 of Masked Sins
I pocket the burner phone and run my hands over my face.
Tonight, I’ll get to do my first scene with Layla.
Except it won’t beme,will it?
A dull ache pierces through me when I think of if she’d still want to do this with me if I wasn’t Starboy.
The doom spiral continues when I think of how I need to approach tonight. If we connect, she’ll push me—Orion—away.
And then I realize, how the fuck am I going to keep her from finding out it’s me? We’ll have to resort to sign language, and I’ll have to hope she doesn’t realize it’s my body underneath the black hoodie.
Fuck.
I’ll have to tell her tonight. I’ll have to come clean.
I pull on a T-shirt and boots before turning the corner and walking down the hallway. I ignore Layla’s closed bedroom door with classical music playing on the other side. I stop for a second, suddenly nostalgic for when we lived together under one roof. She’d hole herself in her room with her books and herBeethoven, and knowing she’s probably doing the same thing now, almost a decade later…
I can’t fuck this up.
I know she’s teaching ballet intensive later today, so I walk through my apartment to the kitchen, jotting down a note for her.
Be back later. Help yourself to anything.
Grabbing my keys, I take the elevator back to the parking garage and unlock the Bentley. I wish I could take my bike, but it’s too hot out.
I head out of downtown Crestwood, hopping onto the 405.
I have to clear my head before tonight, or I’ll risk ruining everything. Luckily, I know exactly how to distract my busy mind.
I have to play this perfectly, or I could lose her forever—as both Orion and Starboy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE REALIZATION
Layla
When I return from my intensive, Orion is still gone. He left a note, but I figured he’d be back by now.
Unless he’s with her.
The thought of spending the night alone in his apartment when he was withher… I’d rather go back to my stifling house than stay here alone.
In order to distract myself, I contemplate my outfit choices that I have with me at Orion’s apartment. I wasn’t expecting to meet with Starboy, and I only have hot weather lounge clothes with me, as well as things to teach intensive. In a moment of panic, I invite Zoe over—and ask her to bring things for me to wear. She and Liam have a date tonight, so she quickly drops off a suitcase full of clothes, kisses me on the cheek, and wishes me luck.
“Remember, just because he’s famous doesn’t mean he doesn’t have red flags.”
“I know,” I tell her, smiling. “Trust me, I’m taking every precaution I can.”
Zoe twists her lips to the side. “Public space. Safe word. Condoms?—”
“What? You think we’re going to?—”
Her eyes sparkle as she shrugs. “Always better to be prepared, you know? Don’t worry, I packed some for you in the suitcase. Remember, don’t let him push you into anything you’re not comfortable with. He’ll appreciate—and expect—you to use your safe word foranythingyou’re not comfortable with. Just because someone is experienced doesn’t mean they know what they’re doing or will implement their safety measures during a scene. Trust your gut. Use common sense. I know where you are, so I’ll have Orion’s guys ensure everything is legitimate.”
“But don’t let Orion know,” I tell her. “The last thing I need is for him to find out.”
“My lips are sealed, babe.” She blows me a kiss. “Most importantly, have fun. I wish I could stay and hang out.”
