Page 94 of Off Script
Gently tugging her arm from my grasp, “Yep,” she replies, popping the P.
“You said you were going to stay in earlier.”
“That was before,” she remarks icily.
“So, we’re not even going to talk about the shitstorm you’ve created?” I bark, letting my anger get the best of me. “What the fuck was that all about tonight? We’re in love?”
“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Ben, but I want none of it,” she snaps, her voice laced with venom. “Now I’m going to go let loose and have fun with someone who actually wants to be with me.”
“What games, Willa? What are you talking about?” I grumble, mystified by her angry retort, but I drop her arm. Now isn’t the timefor us to talk, not when we’re both irate and she’s hellbent on partying. “Just… be careful with Thad.”
“Believe me, I know the score with Thad. A smile for all and a commitment for none.” She chuckles mirthlessly. “But at least he doesn’t send mixed messages and mess with my head like you do.” Then she storms into the club without a backwards glance.
I feel even more perplexed by Willa’s behavior now. I don’t know why she’s mad at me nor do I understand how I’ve been playing games and sending mixed messages. I’ve been nothing but upfront with Willa. Did she mistake my friendly overtures as wanting something more?
But she knows I’m dating Carlisle. None of this makes any sense.
Now that I'm alone in the back of the limousine, I push Willa from my mind. I call Becky to outline what Willa told the press tonight, but it proves pointless. James had already reported the news to Becky and Jada, which isn’t surprising.
Unfortunately for me, our management team, along with Studio 67, is thrilled that Willa and I are now reportedly in love. They don’t want me to claim otherwise, try to backpedal, or downplay it.
“Ben, you need to embrace it and ride out this wave of publicity for as long as possible, especially given the recent spate of speculation that your romance with Willa isn’t real.”
I don’t mince words. “Fuck that, Becky. I’ll refuse all joint media appearances with Willa going forward. If I’m backed into a corner, I’m picking Carlisle over my career.” I’m not willing to sacrifice my real relationship for my fake one. Not again, not anymore. “This fiasco has gotten out of hand, and it needs to end. Now.”
“Calm down, Ben.”
“Becky, I don’t need you to tell me to calm down. I need you to fix this!” I yell, my frustration getting the best of me.
“I’ll handle it, Ben. But right now, you need to stay quiet. Don’t say or do anything reckless because you’re still bound by the publicity and confidentiality contracts you signed. Jada and I will get a game plan together,” Becky’s calm voice pacifies me slightly, but I hate how precarious everything feels.
After hanging up with Becky, I FaceTime Carlisle, wishing I had good news to tell her.
She answers on the first ring. “Ben!” She sounds so excited to hear from me. “Where are you? It’s so dark that I can barely see you.”
“I’m in the limo heading back to the hotel. We finished with the premiere, and I’m dead on my feet.”
“I wish I was there with you to tuck you into bed,” she pouts playfully, sticking out her bottom lip.
“Carlisle, you have no idea how much I wish I was home with you right now.” Leaning back against the leather seat, I unbutton the top couple of buttons of my dress shirt and stretch my legs out in front of me.
“So, how was the premiere tonight?”
It’s now or never. I’m dreading this. “Not good, babe.”
“Oh no, what now?” Her smile falters.
Probably better not to drag it out. Pinching my eyes shut, I explain, “In an interview tonight, Willa insinuated that we were in love.”
Even with oceans separating us, I hear Carlisle’s shocked inhalation. “What? Why? Why would she do that? You’re supposed to break up in a couple weeks!”
“I don’t know why she said it,” I sigh, a heavy weariness settling over me. “I haven’t gotten her alone to discuss it, but I wanted you to hear it from me and not a tabloid. I didn’t know what to say in the moment because I was in shock. I just froze,” I admit shamefully.
“Well, I’m not surprised,” Carlisle huffs. “I don’t want to say I told you so, but…”
When Carlisle first told me that she felt like Willa had feelings for me, I discounted it. Then when I started to have my own suspicions, Becky put my fears to rest. But now looking back on the past weeks with more clarity, I believe Carlisle’s intuition was accurate.
“You’re probably right. But even if Willa does have feelings for me, what good does it do her to tell the press that she loves me? I don’t get her motivation. She knows that I’m dating you.”
