But he did wish her well. She was a brave woman to have dealt with all this bullshit and he hoped that she was around to see when the karma bus pulled up in front of her ex’s house. Right into the driveway, horn blaring and lights blinking.
* * *
Riley slid down into the hot bathwater up to her neck and gave a huge sigh of relief that the long week was over. She had two days to do whatever she wanted. Well…that wasn’t exactly true. She needed to clean her little condo and do some grocery shopping, but after that she was in the clear. Teaching kindergarten, she didn’t have much homework to grade, although she spent a great deal of time putting together projects for her kids. Last weekend she’d spent most of her Sunday putting together a huge diorama of the ocean ecosystem.
Closing her eyes, she let all her muscles relax one by one until she was a limp noodle in the water, her head lolled back against the rim. Her mind drifted back to earlier today in her classroom and meeting Sam Collins. He’d been taller than she’d envisioned and much more handsome in person. What had surprised her – and it shouldn’t have after knowing his mother – was how kind he was. For some reason she’d expected a spoiled movie star but instead she’d found him genuinely nice.
And yes, really sexy.
She’d certainly been tempted to take him and Paula up on their offer. She could picture herself now walking into that engagement party – new dress, makeup on, hair done – with her on Sam’s arm. It would make a stir in this sleepy little beachfront town and would certainly be talked about for a long time to come. But doing it would be tantamount to a lie.
Wasn’t she always lecturing her students about telling the truth? How a lie will come back and bite you in the ass? Okay, she didn’t tell her kids about the biting of asses but she told them that a person couldn’t keep track of their lies forever.
Then Emma Drake had raised her hand and suggested that perhaps liars should write them down. That’s how her mother kept track of things she needed to remember.
Out of the mouths of babes, as they say.
Riley didn’t know how long she lay there in the rapidly cooling water but the jangle of her ringtone had her climbing out of the tub. Wrapping a towel around herself, she grabbed the phone from the bathroom vanity.
“Hey, Tara. What’s going on? I thought you had a date night with your husband planned.”
Tara was also a teacher at Riley’s school along with Monica, her ex-friend. The three of them had at one time been inseparable. It felt like a long time ago.
“I had to call you the minute I heard the news.” Tara voice was unnaturally squeaky, a dead giveaway that she was excited. “There’s a rumor that Monica’s pregnant.”
So much for relaxation. That was out the window.
And yet… Riley wasn’t all that shocked. Monica would do everything in her power to solidify her place in Chad’s life. She’d made that crystal clear, throwing aside her close friends without a second thought. Riley wasn’t the only person Monica had hurt on her way to a wealthy husband and financial security.
“Monica is going to be even more obnoxious at that damn engagement party. You have to go, you know. If you don’t, Monica will go on and on about how fucking heartbroken you are. She doesn’t care if it isn’t true.”
Riley hated that she cared what other people thought about her. If she were a better person she’d shrug the entire situation off and just go live her life.
It was petty and she admitted it. She didn’t want people feeling sorry for her or thinking she was too pathetic to hold onto a man. And the idea of Chad and Monica smiling smugly while they whispered half-truths to their guests pissed her off to no end. Bad people shouldn’t win. It wasn’t fair, although she’d long ago stopped expecting life to be that way. Every now and then, though, she wanted it to be. It was the little girl still inside of her. The one that believed the best of people and had her whole life in front of her.
So incredibly stupid. This is why I’m home most Saturday nights.
“My friends will know what’s true and what’s not.”
Jesus, that sounded lame and more than a little goodie-two-shoes. She wasn’t talking to her kindergarten charges, this was her best friend. A friend who had been there when Riley had been dumped.
“You need to go to that party with a total stud muffin on your arm,” Tara declared. “That would show them. They couldn’t say anything then.”
Tara had no idea what she’d just said. That had been an actual option earlier today.
Not really, though. No one in their right minds would have ever thought that Sam Collins was interested in Riley. The entire idea was laughable. She was far too…normal.
“Stud muffins are in short supply in New Hope,” Riley said. “I just think I won’t go to the party.”
And it would be a relief to stay home.
“You have to go. You can’t let that bitch win.”
At this point, Riley wasn’t even sure what winning would look like. She sighed as she padded into her bedroom on bare feet to retrieve her robe. “Even if it’s a game I don’t want to play? They’re going to twist this any way they want to no matter what I do. Why bother?”
Someone had to be the adult around here and it always seemed to fall to her to do it. Just once she’d like to throw away all the rules and just have fun.
That’s never going to happen.
Riley was far too boring for that. Too…staid.
“I’d just as soon skip the party and pretend Chad and Monica don’t exist on this planet. It’s better for my blood pressure and overall general mood.”
“You’re a better person than I am. They should make you a saint.”
That had Riley laughing. If her friend knew all the things she’d been thinking…
“A secure woman wouldn’t care what other people say about her.”
Except that Riley wasn’t all that secure. She had to live and work in this town.
On the other hand, it doesn’t pay to be a doormat.
It was tempting. All over again, Riley found herself contemplating what it would be like to walk into that party with a man like Sam on her arm. The satisfaction she’d feel knowing that Chad and Monica wouldn’t be making her the fool in their little play.
“Just think it through,” Tara urged. “Hank and I can be your date. We won’t leave you alone all night, I promise.”
Even Riley’s own best friend thought she was pathetic, and she knew good and well that Riley had never loved Chad. Not even for a second. What the hell did other people think?
“I’ll think about it. I’m going to have a cup of chamomile tea and read a good book. How about lunch tomorrow at the cafe?”
“You’re on. Noon?”
Riley agreed and hung up the phone, placing it on the bedside table, her mind far away. She’d love to see Monica’s eyes widen with shock and envy if Riley showed up on the arm of Sam Collins.
I am the pettiest person on the face of the planet.
Nothing good could possibly come from such a charade. She’d been right not to give in to her shallow side and say yes. Be strong. Be independent.
Don’t give a furry rat’s ass what others were saying behind her back. Those people didn’t matter in the long run. In a few months – or a few years – no one would even remember that Riley dated Chad at all.
Probably. Hopefully. Maybe.
CHAPTER FIVE
“That’s them,” Paula hissed to Sam over their up-to-now serene lunch the next day. They were eating in a small cafe off of Main Street in the funky art and antique district. He’d been telling his mother about a possible upcoming movie project and enjoying a chicken and avocado wrap. “Don’t turn around!”
Placing his sandwich back on his plate, he wiped his hands on the paper napkin. “How can I know who you’re talking about if I don’t turn around?”
His mother leaned farther over the table, her gaze darting around the restaurant like she was a spy for MI-6. “I will tell you who
it is. It’s Chad and Monica. Look at them acting like they don’t have a care in the world.”
Paula practically spat out the last sentence, the color high in her cheeks. Sam hadn’t realized until this very moment just how much his mother didn’t like these two people.
“I can’t look because you won’t let me turn around.”
Rolling her eyes, Paula gave him a look that he recognized from his youth. Part exasperation and part love.
“Fine. You can turn around but don’t be obvious about it.”
“I’m an actor. I think I can pull this off.”
If he couldn’t, the Golden Globe committee was going to want their statue back.
With his elbow, he knocked his spoon off the table and onto the floor so he had to reach down to retrieve it. It gave him the perfect opportunity to take a quick look.
The couple wasn’t difficult to identify. Their expressions were a little too smug and their clothes were a little too fancy for this casual establishment.
“So that’s Riley’s ex.”
The guy was good-looking enough if you liked the boyishly handsome type. Blond hair and blue eyes, tanned skin. Sort of the lifeguard type if you didn’t look too closely at his physique. He was probably charming too – when he wanted to be – and had good table manners honed in some expensive school where he’d met all the right people from all the right families.
Sam had seen the type in Hollywood, wanting to bankroll indie flicks with daddy’s money while rubbing elbows with A-listers. They liked the parties and the glamour and the lunches at The Ivy. The work? Not so much.
“He’s a little prick, cheating on Riley,” Paula muttered, her lips so tightly pressed together they’d almost disappeared into her face. “Is there any way I could convince you to kick his ass?”
Sadly, no. As much as this Chad guy probably needed it, Sam didn’t want the bad publicity.
“Mother, your language is shocking. You would have washed my mouth out with soap.”
“Maybe I’ve seen too many of your movies. You don’t hold back in those.”
No, he didn’t and that’s why they were usually rated R. At least the Thunder movies were.
Paula’s eyes went wide and she quickly schooled her features into a neutral mask. “Don’t look now but they’re coming over here. Because of you, I’m sure.”
Now his mother was simply exaggerating. She was quite popular in town and had tons of friends. Anyone would want to cultivate a relationship with her.
“Paula,” the young woman exclaimed, a big smile on her face. “What a surprise seeing you here today. Is this your son?”
No, he was her new boy-toy boyfriend. Who else would he be?
But Sam knew the drill and he was too well-trained by his PR people to show even a smidgen of his real emotions or thoughts.
Holding out his hand, he gave them his best “I’m just happy to be part of this amazing ensemble cast” smile. It had a touch of charm and a smattering of humble, all wrapped up in friendliness and approachability.
“Nice to meet you,” Sam said, shaking first Chad’s hand and then Monica’s. “I am Paula’s son, Sam.”
“We’ve seen your movies,” Chad said, his arm wrapped around the woman’s waist. She was about Riley’s age, somewhere in her early thirties, with pale blonde hair and dark brown eyes. Quite slim, she was a tall woman, probably five-ten or eleven even without the heels she was wearing. “We’re big fans and it’s such a thrill meeting you.”
Sam murmured the appropriate words of thanks while Monica dug her cell phone out of her handbag. “Would you mind if I took a picture of the two of us? My friends will never believe this really happened.”
Of course he would take a few selfies with them. This was standard operating procedure.
The photos were taken. One with only Monica. One with Monica and Chad. And finally, one with all four of them, smiling like they were old friends.
Her hand flying to her mouth, Monica’s smile grew even wider. “I just had the most wonderful, amazing, and completely fabulous idea. Are you going to still be here this weekend? Chad and I are having our engagement party on Saturday night at his family’s home. You absolutely must come. Please say you will. Having you there would just make everything perfect.”
Because everyone needed a movie star to round out their guest list and to make others jealous.
Chad seemed to think well of the idea, slapping Sam on the back like they’d known each other for years. “We just won’t take no for an answer, will we, honey? It’s the social event of the season. Everyone will be there.”
Not everyone. Riley wasn’t planning on attending.
Sam was still formulating a polite way to say no when his mother piped up. “He’ll be there because he’s escorting Riley.”
Sam had to stop himself from slapping his own face.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the camel. What was Paula thinking? She’d been there yesterday when Riley had turned down their offer and now she was saying that he was Riley’s date? This was fast becoming a cluster that would certainly come back and bite them on the ass. Multiple times.
His mother was now smiling happily but her statement had wiped off the smug grins worn by the town’s power couple. Chad’s mouth had fallen open and Monica’s forehead had furrowed as if Paula was speaking in a language she didn’t understand. Swahili perhaps.
Chad was the first to find his voice, albeit slightly squeaky. “You’re taking Riley?”
There was silence for a moment as everyone waited for Sam to reply. Riley had been quite clear with her wishes last night. She didn’t want any part of their playacting, preferring to deal with this on her own.
But his mother…shit. Paula had inserted herself into this bitch of a situation and now he had to do something. He had to say no. He wasn’t escorting Riley.
Except that he couldn’t throw his mom under the bus like that. Not ever. So he tried to play it off as best as he could. He was a professional, after all.
“I’m not sure Riley plans on attending,” Sam hedged. “There’s so much going on this weekend.”
To his chagrin, Paula wasn’t backing down. Apparently, her motto today was go big or go home. “If she decides she wants to go, you’re taking her, though.”
She’d thrown down the gauntlet. He’d have to pick it up. Sort of. He gave the wishy-washiest answer he could.
“Whatever Riley wants is what I’ll do.”
Riley was going to be pissed the hell off when she found out what Paula had just done.
“Wow,” Monica said, twisting the strap of her purse with her fingers. “I didn’t even realize you two were seeing each other. How long has that been going on?”
Yeah, Mom, how long? You got an answer for everything?
Waving the question away, Paula acted like it was no big deal. “They met a while ago. I’m surprised Riley never told you.”
Although she made it sound as if she wasn’t surprised at all.
“I haven’t seen her much lately,” Monica said, a flush creeping up her cheeks. “But this is…great news. Just fantastic.”
Monica sounded and looked like they’d just told her that she had a terminal disease. The young woman was not happy in the least.
To Chad’s credit, he appeared to have recovered more quickly and seemed to be genuinely happy about the news. “Riley’s a great girl. You’re a lucky man.”
Now Monica was unhappy and pissed off, too. From where Sam sat it didn’t look like she’d expected her Prince Charming to have anything nice to say about his ex-girlfriend.
“I am a lucky man.”
He could say that with utter truthfulness and confidence. He’d been incredibly fortunate in his life.
“We hope you can come,” Chad said. “Paula, you’re going to be there, aren’t you?”
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Sam’s mother assured them. “It should be quite an evening.”
Paula had pretty much ensured it woul
d be.
The hovering hostess finally wrangled the couple to their table, leaving Sam and Paula alone. He didn’t often find himself angry with his mother, but she’d just put him and Riley in a really shit-sandwich situation.
And she’d known it when she did it.
Luckily, Monica and Chad were far enough across the crowded cafe that they couldn’t hear the conversation.
“I cannot believe you did that, Mom. Riley specifically said no.”
His mother dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her napkin, acting far too calm for the circumstances. “You’re angry with me.”
It was a simple sentence but so very true.
“I’m livid,” he said between gritted teeth. He hated being mad at Paula, but this little stunt was beyond the pale. “Riley has enough problems in her life without you adding to them. That poor girl just wants to be left alone. She was planning to skip the party and hold her head up around town, dealing with this like an adult. Now you’ve thrown her into the lion’s den and she doesn’t deserve any of this.”
“You’re right,” she nodded in agreement. “Riley deserves much better than she’s gotten in the past. She’s too sweet to demand it for herself. That’s why I want to help her. You can do that for her.”
Sam had a feeling that when backed into a corner the lovely and kind kindergarten teacher could come out swinging if she needed to.
“She doesn’t want us to do this.”
“She doesn’t know what she needs. She’s making decisions based on emotions, not logic.”
From what he’d seen it had been the exact opposite.
Rubbing his now throbbing temples, Sam shook his head. “Are you sure you didn’t just describe yourself? Because Riley made a well-thought out argument yesterday and so far, all I’ve heard from you is that you don’t like these people. That sounds emotional to me.”
Paula’s eye sparkled with unshed tears. “Okay, fine. You win, son. Are you happy now? I’m a sentimental fool of an old woman and I want Riley to be happy. You didn’t see her like I did. It wasn’t so much that she was heartbroken over that cad, it was that she was so hurt that one of her best friends could betray her like that. She trusted Monica. Frankly, we all did. I know that Riley had her doubts about her relationship with Chad so I think she felt it was all for the best, but I know that she was deeply hurt by what her friend did. I think she finds it hard to trust now and I don’t blame her. I’m having a tough time, too.”
Love in the Spotlight (The Hollywood Showmance Chronicles Book 4) Page 3
