Page 10 of Awestruck at Dusk
“It’s not like he’s walking out the front door,” Alice continued her conversation on the phone. “Yes, there’s a private parking lot. The problem is that the photographers spotted Cooper coming in because they’rethatcrazy. They even know what William’s driver looks like.” Alice laughed an angry laugh. “No, Warren. What the hell? William’snotgoing to fire Cooper.Calm down. I’ll think of something.” She ended the call and tossed her phone to the side. “Jesus.”
“Thank God I have you to deal with Warren,” William said, pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed. Warren was William’s publicist.
“Thank God you haveme. Period,” Alice returned with a chuckle.
“Why don’t I give you a ride back home?” I suggested. “Just let me know where you need the guys to park the car, and we’ll drive you back. Cooper can stay here to create a diversion.”
“You’re fired, Alice. I’ve found your replacement,” William joked.
“Ha-ha,” she said in a dull tone without looking up from her laptop’s screen as she typed like a deranged hamster. “But that might actually work.” She met my gaze. “Thanks, Billie.”
William tried standing up. “Ow.” He winced with pain and placed his hand over the left side of his stomach, where he took the bullet. For me.
“Are you okay?” Alice and I said at the same time. Alice dropped the laptop on the sofa chair and stood up reactively.
“Why are you even standing up?” Alice complained. William turned his gaze toward the duffel bag on the floor next to the bathroom door. “The nurse said someone would come over and help you change into your clothes, so don’t even think about it.”
“I’m leaving today, and there’ll be no nurses back home. I think I’m capable of changing into my own clothes. Thank you, Alice,” William replied in a dry tone, taking slow steps toward his bag.
“Oh, like I’m not going to be your nurse, right?” Alice quipped. “I’m going to need a raise because convalescent William is a major pain in the ass.”
William parted his lips, probably to argue with Alice when she spoke again, “Don’t youdaredeny it. Remember when you did that stupid stunt while filming, and you got your hamstring effed up for a week?” She then turned to me. “I had to fly over to freaking Morocco to babysit him because he couldn’t walk two steps without complaining.”
William laughed. “You had a great time in Morocco that week with what’s her name? Fatima? Don’t forget that.”
“Shh!” Alice took her index finger to her lips. “Don’tevermention Fatima whenever Luna’s around.” She looked at me for a second—a silent threat of sorts. But I would never say a word about her personal affairs to anyone. “It’s a touchy subject for us.”
“Relax. Luna’s not here. And I already know that,” William said, patting Alice’s back as he took slow but steady steps toward the bathroom.
Alice rolled her eyes at him, and I turned around and carried his bag with my left hand. My right was going to be in a cast for a while. I still couldn’t deal with the constant itchiness.
“Do you want to change in the bathroom or the guest room?” I asked William. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be carrying any sort of weight just yet.”
William stopped and turned to look at me. “Thanks,” he said, brushing a golden strand away from his face. “The bathroom’s fine.”
Alice sat back on the sofa chair when she saw I had things under control.
William hated wearing his hospital gown. He’d told me every single day I went to visit. And I’m sure he hated even more that we all had to see him wearing it and to depend on someone else to get basic things done. I know I would.
He wanted to carry his own bag and prove his manhood but come on, he didn’t need to prove shit.
I turned on my heel and placed his things on the elegant marble countertop of the bathroom’s vanity. “Do you need help with anything else?” I offered.
He stood next to me, and Alice shouted from afar, “William! Your ass is showing! Geez! Cover yourself up, or I’ll have to give Luna a call and let her know I’m not gay anymore!”
Alice! A snort escaped my nose when I couldn’t prevent myself from laughing.
My gaze disobeyed my mental command of looking away and took a quick peek because it’s like when someone tells you not to look and you justhaveto. And yes, William’s gown was open wide on his back. His perfectly toned ass was on display for everyone to watch. Formeto watch. Alice’s focus was back on her computer’s screen. She’d already stated how uninterested she was about William’s bum.
Shit. I turned around and covered my eyes like the pathetic person I am.
“You’re such aperv!” Alice kept objecting, her typing still audible. “And now you’ve scared Billie off with your embarrassing exhibitionism kink.”
I had to disagree with her. William’s behind was the exact opposite of disgustingorscary. But she sang to a different tune.
The bathroom door shut behind me, and I turned around with a gasp.
“Saw anything you like?” William asked, his fingers lazily tying his gown behind him.
