Page 9 of Something New

Despite the heat, his eyes were closed to her where once they were open windows to his soul.

She sighed, feeling a sadness she hadn’t expected. “I can’t read you anymore. Maybe I never really could.”

He let out a long breath, clearly sidestepping the emotionally charged issue. “So, care to tell me why you stopped me from dealing with those women?”

“Because it wouldn’t do any good, Wyatt. It never does,” she replied quietly. “At least I haven’t seen anything posted online. Maybe they took their posts down or didn’t tag me in it. Not that it means anything. It could show up at any time. I can’t let it make me crazy.”

He turned to face her. “Is it worth it? Being a Hollywood star?”

She straightened in her seat. Time to put on the Anna Costado bravado. “Of course. I worked hard for that role, and it’s setting me up nicely for some other options in television and movies. My star is rising, Wyatt.”

He studied her for a long moment, gaze pensive and piercing. She met his eyes steadily, evenly, while inside, her stomach flip-flopped, hoping her acting skills were better than they were five years ago, when Wyatt could see right through her every time.

“Nice that you could move forward, leaving Texas in the dust. I barely hear any hint of an accent in your voice anymore. You must be proud of yourself, leaving your family and friends behind as if we didn’t matter at all.”

The sudden stab of anger surprised her, even as she expected the attack. “What would you know of it? I haven’t seen you in five years, since you told me not to bother coming back.”

He barked a laugh, but there was no humor behind it. “Is that how you remember it? Funny how you reinvent history that is inconvenient for you. Just like you, Anna.”

“Inconvenient? Are you kidding me? I think you were too hyped-up on pain medication to remember what really happened.” She shook her head. “Look, I don’t want to have this argument. It’s not worth it.”

He snorted. “Of course, you don’t. I remember every word of that conversation, Anna. I needed you. My life was over, and I needed you by my side, but you were too busy to give a damn. In fact, if I recall, you had my replacement already waiting in the wings. Or maybe he was sitting next to you when you were talking to me. What was his name? Dirk Martinez? What kind of name is that, anyway?”

“I never cheated on you, not once. Not even when I called you, and that bubbly little cheerleader answered your phone. I think you were well taken care of when you were in rehab for your knee.”

“What the… What are you talking about?”

“I called you after your injury while you were recovering at home. Some bimbo answered the phone. She certainly sounded like she was taking good care of you.”

He shook his head. “I never knew you called. Not that it mattered. You were too busy pursuing your dreams.”

“What did you expect? That I would come home and hold your hand while you went through physical therapy? You could have come out to LA, you know. I had just gotten a part onBlazing Passionsand couldn’t leave. Why couldn’t you come out to me?”

“Because I had a life too, here in Texas!” He roared.

“Your life was over. You said so yourself!” she yelled back.

He flinched as if she had slapped him, the pain in his face stabbing her low in her gut. She steeled herself against his hurt and kept her face smooth and impassive, even as she wanted to pull her words back and apologize. But it was too little too late, as it was with so much of their lives.

Silence reigned in the truck's cab, only the cry of seagulls outside intruded.

Anna sighed. “We should get to the house. Caroline is going to wonder where we are.”

Wyatt’s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek as he stared at her, hard and unyielding. “Fine.” He jerked the truck into gear and backed out of the lot, the movement almost violent. “Just stay out of my way this week, okay? I don’t need your head games or anything else.”

“Fine by me.” She crossed her arms over her chest, a chill coursing through her as they drove to the house.

Never had she hated what she had become more.

Chapter Four

Wyatt tore out of the small parking lot and headed into the private enclave that housed Caroline’s family’s house, along with several other exclusive family summer homes. The silence dragged for a few moments before Wyatt shifted in his seat.

“I saw the Playhouse’s fall production is next week. Too bad we won’t be here for it. I know you loved acting there,” Wyatt commented. “That was one of the last productions you did out here, wasn’t it?”

Anna swallowed the lump in her throat, thinking about the Playhouse and the last show she did there.Bye, Bye Birdie. “Yes, I played Rosie Alvarez.”

“Do you miss singing and live productions like in the theater?” he asked.

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