by Trisha Grace
A loud churning noise took over, and Sarah turned her attention back to the photos of Keith and Spencer.
“Stop torturing yourself with those photos.”
“Thanks,” Sarah said and took the large glass from her, finally noticing that silence had returned to the house. “It looks just like my chocolate milkshake.”
“Try it.”
She took a sip while reminding herself to keep her face straight if she didn’t like the taste. But her brows rose as she registered the sweet minty taste. “Nice.”
“Claudia gave me the recipe.”
“Claudia must be really good at making smoothies.”
“She has ton of recipes for healthy food.”
“Is Claudia your in-house chef?”
Elena laughed. “No, I don’t have an in-house chef. I’m not that spoiled. Anyway, Claudia as in Claudia Adams.”
Sarah’s lips formed an O, and Elena laughed again.
“Yes, Hollywood’s legendary—the one and only—Claudia Adams.”
“Please don’t tell her I thought she was your chef.”
Elena pinched her thumb and index finger together and slid them across her lips.
“Thanks,” Sarah said and glanced toward her phone again. The sight of the black phone screen was enough to bring her thoughts back to the women surrounding Keith, so she flipped the phone over and took another sip of her smoothie.
“You know, most of the things published by tabloids are just rubbish.”
“I know.” She had experienced the tabloids herself.
“And I’m sure you and Keith ran into some of his fans while you were in New York.”
“We did.”
“Then you should know how they’ll behave.” Elena gave her a small smile and nodded slowly. “But it’s still upsetting to see one’s boyfriend surrounded by models.”
“Models?”
Elena blinked, her face blank.
Models. How can you compete with the actresses he’s surrounded with all day? Imagine if her mom knew it was more than just actresses. There were models as well.
“I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
Sarah shook her head. “It’s okay.” She pursed her lips and stared at Elena for a moment. Without her makeup, Elena still looked amazing. Her skin was flawless; her features defined.
“No, Keith and I never dated.”
She broke into a small smile. “That wasn’t what I was thinking about. I was just thinking you look pretty even without your makeup.”
“So do you.” Elena leaned forward and rested her hands on the table. “I know all stars and models look amazing in movies and posters, but you saw the set. Did you count how many reflectors and spotlights there were? When we’re filming outdoor shots, there’ll be someone carrying a reflector, making sure that I’m in the best light for every move I make. The photos on all covers are photoshopped—that’s even after I’ve spent hours on hair and makeup. I have makeup even on my arms and legs. Without all of those, we’re just like everyone else.”
Sarah nodded slowly.
“Those models are the same. All the beauty and glamor—they’re all lies.”
Sarah leaned back in the chair. “Is it true that Hollywood sweeps people away?”
Elena’s head bobbed up and down slowly.
“And Keith’s been using you to stay grounded.”
Elena arched her brow, but Sarah didn’t offer any new information. From what Gina told her, Elena seemed like a great person to work for. So the last thing Sarah wanted was for Gina to get into trouble with Elena over a private conversation they had.
“And I have Claudia to keep me grounded,” Elena said. “We all need someone to keep us grounded, to tell us the truth when no one else will, and to support us when things are going crazy, right?”
“I’m not jealous. I’m merely wondering if he’s trying so hard to stay grounded because he thinks I don’t like his partying lifestyle.”
“You’re all right with his partying lifestyle?”
“No.”
“Then does it matter why he’s doing it?”
She nodded. “If he’s only changing to make me happy, it won’t last.”
Elena finished up her smoothie. “Then talk to him about it. Tell him your concerns. And,” she said and jerked her chin toward the phone, “stop looking at what the tabloids are posting.”
Sarah smiled and nodded. “My friend’s just concerned.”
“Sometimes, concern does more harm than you can imagine.”
Chapter Six
Sarah shifted in the driver’s seat as she scanned the area, making sure there weren’t any paparazzi right outside the gate. Quite a few of them were standing across the street, their cameras aimed at the car.
Elena had warned her that there would probably be a few of them hanging out there, especially since the news of Keith’s late night partying broke.
But they were standing far enough away for her to feel comfortable stepping out of the car. Sarah grabbed the camera Keith had taken from the trespassing paparazzi and tied the strap to the gate. On the camera was a bright yellow Post-it note with the words ‘Please don’t do it again.’
Once she was sure the camera was secured, she got back into Elena’s white Range Rover and followed the instructions on the GPS toward Keith’s place.
Much like Elena’s place, there was a lot of space around his house, but there wasn’t a fence or anything. She doubted a fence would have much effect since the paparazzi managed to break into Elena’s place anyway.
An all-white two-story rectangular house sprawled across the large area in what appeared to be a U shape. Right in the middle was the large dark brown door, and in front of it was Keith’s black Audi.
Behind Keith’s car was a gray sedan.
Sarah didn’t want to be anywhere near the gray sedan, so she parked Elena’s car by the side of the house. She tapped her fingers against the steering wheel while staring at the gray sedan, then glanced over at the phone on the passenger seat next to her.
Should she call him again? What if he’d switched off his phone because he was entertaining someone at home?
Entertaining someone? The photos surfaced in her mind again. He probably brought one of the women back with him, her mother nagged in her mind.
A weight of dread grew in her chest, clinging onto her heart.
She drew a deep breath thinking it would dispel at least some of the weight, but even the air seemed to grow dense and heavy in her chest.
Lord, are you really closing this door right now? Do you have to do it so cruelly? She pulled her lips in, chewing them between her teeth.
This is what you get for dating a playboy, her mother’s voice continued in her head.
Sarah sighed and grabbed her phone. She’d have to deal with this sooner or later, so why drag it out? It would be like pulling off a Band-Aid stuck to a wound.
She pressed the phone to her ear after hitting the dial icon, and again, the call went straight to voicemail.
The courage she’d gathered to pull the Band-Aid dissipated after that call.
She slumped back against the seat. Pull yourself together, Sarah. She would have to deal with this. Even if she sat here until the owner of the gray sedan came out and drove away, she would have to deal with it. Even if she chose to drive away now, she’d confront him eventually. She wasn’t someone who’d choose to turn a blind eye. And would she believe him then? If she didn’t confront him right now, she would always have her doubts.
Sarah nodded. “You need to do this.” She got out of the car and strode toward the house. She didn’t have the key—she stopped in front of the door—or the passcode. She looked around for a doorbell but couldn’t find one.
She shrugged and was about to knock on the door when she noticed a button with the word ‘ring’ on the security pad. Leaning closer to study the security pad, she noticed a small black lens in the corner of it.
She pressed on the button twice whi
le looking into the camera.
She heard footsteps soon after, and the door flew open.
“Miss Carter.” The woman in an oversized pink T-shirt, faded rugged jeans, and track shoes smiled brightly at her.
Sarah blinked.
“Mr. Sutton’s still sleeping.”
She blinked again. “Okay.”
“I’m Mona. His part-time maid.”
“Oh, Mona.” Right, Keith had told her about Mona. She thanked God she wasn’t someone who blushed. “I need to wake Keith up. He has to be at the studio today.”
“Okay.” Mona turned and walked away.
“Wait, Mona,” Sarah called out as she stepped into the house.
Mona turned back to her and waited.
“I don’t know where his room is.”
“Oh.” Mona’s brows rose. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d been here before.” She pointed her index finger upwards. “The room on the right.” She smiled, then turned and left again.
Sarah’s eyes swept the area, and her gaze stopped on the dark brown lazy boy chair in the middle of the living room, right in front of the long light gray sofa. She grinned, amused at how out of place the lazy boy chair was, then glanced up the stairs.
Keith’s house had almost the same design as his brother’s apartment in New York, except for the out of place lazy boy chair. Hardwood flooring stained dark brown was matched with light gray furnishings.
She headed up the stairs, running her hand along the cool black metal rail, then turned right. Though the hallway was long, there was only one door located at the end of it. She glanced over her shoulder, where two doors opened onto an equally long hallway: one at the end of it, like Keith’s room, another right near the landing.
She knocked softly on the door and waited for a moment before opening it.
A wave of cold air hit her, stopping her in her tracks. Just because the other car belonged to Mona, it doesn’t mean he isn’t in bed with someone else—maybe one of the models in the photos, her mother’s voice surfaced in her head again.
Sarah shook her head. If that were so, Mona probably wouldn’t have let her come into the house. “Keith?” She stepped into the dark, freezing room and shivered. She got that it was summer, but did he really need to turn his room into Alaska? She moved slowly toward the large bed in the middle of the room, worried she’d step on or bump into something.
“Keith.” She pulled back the covers over his head. “Keith.”
He groaned and turned, pulling the covers back over his head.
She pulled off the covers again and shook his shoulder. “You need to wake up, Keith.”
Keith stretched his hand over his head before opening his eyes. “Sarah?”
“Yeah.”
“What time is it?”
“Ten-thirty.”
“In the morning?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. She glanced over at the blinds, but she couldn’t see any strings to lift them. “How do I roll up the blinds?”
Keith grabbed her hand and gave her a tug, pulling her into bed. “You’re so cold.”
“That’s because your room is freezing.” She nudged her elbow against his chest, but didn’t move to get out of bed. Keith and his bed were so warm, and she was cold.
“I missed you.”
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy his warmth for a moment. Everything else could wait. But just as she made that decision, her brain decided to bring up one of the photos she’d been trying to forget. “You need to get up. We need to talk.”
“Uh oh. Am I in trouble?” Despite saying that, he didn’t let go of her. Instead, he tightened his arm around her. “Don’t be angry with me. I love you.”
Though she didn’t want to, she grinned. She shook her head and pushed herself from his arms and out of bed. “Get up.” She slapped him on the arm. “How do I roll up the blinds?”
He pointed to the nightstand and mumbled something unintelligible.
Besides his phone, a remote was the only thing on it. She grabbed it and pressed the up button. Immediately, the low droning of a motor began and the blinds lifted.
Keith pulled a pillow over his face as light entered his room. “I have a headache.”
“The best way to avoid a hangover is not to drink.”
“I barely drank anything.”
She pulled the pillow from his face and narrowed her eyes.
“I’m serious.” He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Spencer called and said his car had been stolen, and he needed a ride home.” He ran his hand through his hair and pushed himself up in bed.
Pressing his hand against his face, he groaned again, and Sarah couldn’t help but cup his sleepy face.
“Do you want me to get you some aspirin?”
“Yes, please.”
“Well, since you said please.” She stood. “Where can I find the aspirin?”
He pushed his dark blue covers aside and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “There should be some in the bathroom’s medicine cabinet.” He pointed toward a dark wooden door toward the left side of the room. “Thanks, baby.”
He ran his hand through his hair as his head hung over his knees. “I love you,” he said and flashed a grin as she looked over her shoulder at him.
Keith winced when he tilted his head to stretch his neck. The grogginess in his head compounded with the migraine made him feel as if his bedroom was spinning around him. He pressed his hands to his face and his feet against the floor, trying to bring some stability back into his system.
Gosh. He hadn’t even drunk that much last night.
He only drank a glass—no, two. Wait.
He groaned as fragments of memory pulsed chaotically in his brain.
“How much did you drink last night?” Sarah asked as she stood in front of him and dropped two aspirin tablets into his open palm.
“I can’t remember.” He was sure it’d been two, but then the second glass never seemed to run out. He took the glass of water from Sarah, then tipped his head back and popped the pills into his mouth.
Sarah sat next to him while he gulped down the pills with a swig of water. “Your room really is larger than my apartment.”
Keith smiled when he realized this was the first time Sarah had been to his place. “Stay here.” He gave her a peck on the hair. “Give me five minutes.”
After washing up, he pulled on a fresh white T-shirt and headed out of his bathroom.
Sarah had remained where she sat, looking down at her phone.
He strode over and ran his fingers through the ends of her hair. “I don't like how not-at-home you are at my place.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
He was tempted to distract Sarah with a tour of his place, but he doubted Sarah would let slip last night’s episode. “I’m sorry I went out partying. I really just went there to pick Spence up. Then that idiot didn't answer my calls.”
“Are you apologizing because you think I don’t like you to go out partying?”
He wasn't sure why else he would be apologizing, but he had enough common sense to know that wasn't the right answer.
“Don't come up with something nice to smooth things over. I want to know what you’re thinking.”
His lips curled into a wry smile. “Isn't that why you’re upset?”
Sarah’s pupils moved to the side for a second, then her gaze shifted back to him. “Would you continue to party if I weren’t in the picture?”
“Probably.” He shifted closer to Sarah and took her hand. “Because if I hadn't met you, I wouldn't know what I was missing out on.”
Sarah shook her head. “It scares me when you say things like that.”
He frowned, and she waved it off.
“Do you enjoy partying?”
He once thought he did. “I used to enjoy it.”
“Used to? Why not anymore?” She raised her index finger. “I don't want any answer about you finding me or anything along that line.”
/>
“I’m not sure what you want me to say.”
“I don't know either.” She licked her lips and turned away for a moment before nodding and asking, “Do you regret being with me? Do you think you’re on a leash?”
“Why would you think that?” He paused. “Spence said something to you.”
He resisted the urge to crack his knuckles. And to think he went to help him when he thought Spencer needed help.
“I don't want to be the reason you stop having fun. There’s only so much we can do on boring dates.”
He pulled her hand into his lap. “Sarah, I was joking when I talked about dates being boring. I’m never bored when I’m with you.”
“But you have fun at parties.”
“Because I didn't have anything else on. Because I hated coming home to an empty house that just amplified how pointless everything was. So I went out and partied. But things are different now.” He ran his thumb across the back of her knuckles. “How do I explain this?”
He looked into Sarah’s eyes. “You’ve made everything better.”
She pinched her lips. “What about the models?” She tapped on her phone, entering her message application before handing the phone to him.
He grinned and shook his head.
“See something funny?”
He put her phone down on the bed and turned back to her. “This whole month has been a torture. Not just because I can’t see you, but because I’m back here with my friends and the craziness surrounding Hollywood. I kept thinking that if I didn’t watch myself, I’d do something stupid and hurt you.”
“Is that why you’ve been using Elena as a shield?”
“I guess so,” he said. “But last night, surrounded by the models, the loud music, and my friends, all I could think of was you. I wondered if you’re sleeping well.” He reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I thought about all the restaurants I want to take you.”
Her lips curled.
“And when I looked around at everyone else, I just thought I was so lucky to have you.”
“It’s not fair that you’re so good with words.”
