Page 7 of Enemies Off Camera
Embarrassing. And desperate.
Which Lilith absolutely was—right up until the second pinning ceremony, when her eagerness finally became too much for even Jaxon. Letting her go was the kindest thing he did all season.
Still, I can’t deny it: every girl’s introduction was solid TV. Watching it now, it almost feels like any one of them had a real shot with the guy from hell. And Jaxon plays the role of the noble bachelor—our so-called knight in shining armor—so well. Too well.
Of course, anyone using their prefrontal cortex knows that kind of man is a myth.
I can’t take it anymore. I skip ahead.
Jaxon and my first introduction is the one scene I’ve been dreading. The only meet-and-greet that went tragically wrong.
I fast-forward until I see myself emerge from the backseat of the limo.
A wave of prickles rushes through my skin—and not just because I’ve been in the tub too long.
There I am.
My red gown hugs my body like it was sewn on. Cap sleeves, high slit. My hair is pulled back from my face, the rest cascading in big, sand-colored curls behind me. Tiffany, my designated hair stylist, hated the way it turned out—mostly because I arrived four hours late to call time.
I wasn’t even sure I was going to go through with the show. The night before, I watched two episodes from the previous season before realizing I couldn’t stomach any more. The desperation for one man? Pathetic, actually.
But what was I going to do? Not show up? Give up on my comeback? Let the world keep thinking I’m the “crazy actress” who stole for no reason at all?
I squeeze my eyes shut tight. Just thinking about what happens next makes me sink deeper into the water, wishing I could disappear beneath the surface.
Regardless... I look pretty. Stunning, even. Jaxon raises his eyebrows and smiles—all teeth—like he’s impressed.
But that’s not what happened.
I was there. I know.
He stiffened as I approached. Then he looked away, turned to the pit of producers, and said:
“Really? You’re giving me the shoplifting actress?”
That’s what he said.
I stopped in my tracks, gasping.
After a beat, I snapped. “What did you call me?”
“You shoplifted. That’s a crime, isn’t it?”
“You arrogant, classless prick. This is aTV show. I’m pretty sure you’re not the—” I threw up air quotes, “—Prince Charmingthey’re trying to pass you off as. You asshole!”
I screamed that last part at the top of my lungs, fists clenched, head thrown back.
“Cut!” Hansel, the director, yelled.
We were both pulled aside—me to Betty, him to his producer.
Betty reminded me of the role I agreed to play.Stick to the plan,she said.Do this right, and your career will smell like roses.
And of course, I agreed.
I don’t know what Jake, Jaxon’s producer, said to him, but he came back with a reluctant apology.
“That was rude of me. I’m sorry,” he said with zero conviction.
