Page 55 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

My cell rang a second later. Swallowing the nerves, I answered. “Hi.”

His voice came through the line, warm and soothing. “I’m sorry, Liv. I should’ve told you.”

“This is weird, Josh. Seriously. I feel like I’ve entered some parallel universe or something.” I sighed, trying to make sense of it all. “I mean, I kind of get why you didn’t tell me, but a hint or a heads-up would’ve been good.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Liv. I really am. I tried to tell you, but I didn’t know how.” Silence fell over the line before he continued, his voice soft, defeated. “So, where does this leave me now?” he asked.

His words didn’t make sense to me. None of it did. “What do you mean?”

I heard him sigh. The sound of it was so sad. “I mean, I came to the beach house to get away, Liv. The media doesn’t know it’s mine. It’s where I go to escape. What I’m asking is if it’s going to stay that way, or do I need to pack up and leave?”

He was asking if I was going to run to the media to let them know he was here. Hurt pierced my chest, but I understood why he might think like that. “I’d never tell anyone, Josh,” I said softly. “Your secret is safe with me.” I drew in a steadying breath, trying to work out how to say what needed to be said. “I just . . . I don’t understand, Josh. If you’re famous, why are you doing this with me?”

More silence fell. His lack of response drew an uneasy churn into my stomach. I waited for him to answer with a dread I couldn’t push away.

“Can you come see me later tonight?” he said, surprising me. “I’d much rather talk to you while I can see your face. I hate talking this way.”

It didn’t put all my nerves to rest, but it was better than the alternative my mind had been envisioning. “Okay.”

He sighed. “Just come up to the deck. One of the guys will let you in.”

“All right,” I said slowly, needing to end this on a lighter term. “And, Josh?” I waited for him to answer me, a tiny smile creeping onto my lips. “I get to watch one of your movies now.” I giggled and hung up before he could respond. As much as I was still weirded-out by the whole situation, I was honestly looking forward to seeing him act. If Ashley’s and Sarah’s gushing were any indication to go by, I was going to enjoy myself immensely.

Chapter 32

Josh

It was close to midnight when I heard the knock on my door. Nerves swirled deep in my gut as I pushed up off the bed. I wasn’t sure how Liv was going to act with me now that she knew about my fame, but I hoped to God it wasn’t going to be any different.

Opening the door, I met her gaze with intensity, trying to get a feel for what was coming. Her returning gaze was just as intense, searching mine for answers, curious with a hint of cautiousness.

She took a breath and held it for a little while, before exhaling slowly. “Hey.”

Relief started creeping in, but I held it at arm’s length, unwilling to let my guard down just yet. “Hey.”

I paused for a moment, still watching her, but then I stepped to the side and gestured for her to come in. Silently, she moved into the room, but didn’t go too much farther than the doorway. “Why didn’t you just tell me, Josh?” she said softly.

Sighing, I closed the door and turned to face her. “I’m sorry, Liv. This . . . thing with you was just so unexpected.” I shook my head, trying to find the words that would help her see where I was coming from. “This has been the first time since I was thirteen that I haven’t had someone look at me as Joshua Emerson, the movie star. You didn’t want to spend time with me just to get your picture online. You didn’t want to get to know me just so you could brag to your friends. You didn’t want to be with me just to boost your career.” Running my hands through my hair, I stared into her eyes. “I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t wanted to use me in one way or another in a very long time, Liv. I didn’t think it bothered me that much, but when I met you, and realized you had no idea who I was, I was fascinated. And when you took the time to talk to me, be nice to me, for just being me, I was hooked. I don’t remember ever having that—that pure kind of friendship that grows from just being compatible. It’s kind of addictive.”

A tiny crease appeared between her brows. “I can understand that. It actually makes a lot of sense. I just . . .” She shifted on her feet. “I don’t know. Knowing you’re famous makes me feel inadequate or something. I mean, you can probably choose from any girl on the planet—actresses, models, you name it. I’m just me, Josh. I’m not anyone special.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “You’re far from inadequate, Liv. Trust me. You’re beautiful and you don’t even know it. You don’t compare yourself to any other girl, wondering if you should change something just to fit in. You’re untouched and undamaged by society. You’re selfless and caring, and you’re strong and passionate. You fight for what you believe in. You stand up for yourself, and you stand up for others. That’s way more attractive than any other girl out there trying to be something they’re not.”

Her eyes widened as she watched me. I could see the surprise in them, but I could also see the disbelief.

Stepping forward, I touched the tips of my fingers to hers. “Liv, there are less than three weeks until my summer is over. I’ll understand if you want to cool things, but I really hope you don’t.” I sighed, regret settling in my chest. “I feel like an asshole for not being able to

offer you anything past the summer, but it’s my reality. The world I live in is too brutal.”

Her fingers twitched, stroking against mine until they slid between them, linking us together. “I know you’re not an asshole, Josh. And even though my head’s trying to tell me I should be treating you differently, my heart tells me you’re still Josh. I can’t see you as anything other than what you’ve been with me so far.”

I’d hoped for those words, but I hadn’t expected them. She was everything I hadn’t known I’d been wanting, and realizing it was like a knife twisting in my gut, because I knew I could never have her like that. She was too good for the back-stabbing world I lived in. She deserved so much more than that.

Taking her face in my hands, I leaned into her. “I’m selfish, Liv,” I whispered. “It’s wrong of me to do this with you, but I just can’t seem to help myself.” Her breath shook against my lips. “Be with me in this moment, Liv. Let me take the memory of you with me when I leave.”

I paused, waiting. “Yes,” she breathed. Then I kissed her.

I knew I wasn’t giving her much of a way out, and even though she said she knew I wasn’t an asshole, I had my doubts. If I was any sort of decent human being, I wouldn’t have started anything with her in the first place.

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