Exposed: An Anthology

by Brooke Cumberland

  “Zane?” Braydon looked at me with a funny look in his eye. “I don’t honestly know him that well. I was friends with his brother.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. But I met them both through his dad.”

  “His dad?”

  “Yeah, his dad is Jeff Beaumont, the head of Paragon Studios.”

  “Oh, wow.” I felt faint at his words. So I had been right. Zane was a spoiled rich boy. Only he was richer than I had even imagined. No wonder he dated so many different women. He had the world at his feet.

  “You didn’t know?” Braydon shook his head in disbelief. “You really are one-of-a-kind.”

  “Thanks, I think.” I laughed, and Braydon joined in.

  “Can I take you to lunch tomorrow, Lucky?”

  “I, uh, don’t know.”

  “I promise not to bite.” He held up some fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

  “You were a scout?” I looked at him in surprise.

  “No, but I played one in a movie when I was a kid.” He laughed.

  I shook my head, feeling drawn to his boyish charm. “Well, I guess that’s close enough.”

  “So, tomorrow?” He looked at me earnestly. “I know you don’t know me from Adam, but really, I’m a nice guy. I know most actors are portrayed as assholes and players, but I’m not one of those guys.” He shook his head and grinned. “I feel like an idiot for just saying that.”

  “Don’t.” I stared into his eyes and nodded. “I’ll go to lunch with you.”

  “Yes!” He fist pumped and ran his hand over his head again. “Let me get your number and I’ll call you in the morning.”

  “Okay.” I smiled shyly, gave him my number, and then paused for a moment to think about everything. I wasn’t sure if Braydon was going to have all the qualities I was looking for, but I knew it was time to start dating again to find that perfect guy. I knew I couldn’t keep fantasizing about Zane. There was no way I could compete with someone like Angelique.

  “Awesome.” He jumped up and grabbed my hands to pull me up. “Now, let’s go dance and have some fun.”

  ***

  It was two a.m. when I finally left the party. Braydon had practically begged me to stay the night, and he had even offered to share his bed with me. I had been flattered, but I had stayed firm with my “nos.” I had seen Zane watching us as we danced around the room and I felt self-conscious at his stares. I had half-hoped that he would cut in and ask me for a dance, but he never did.

  I was grinning as I walked to my car and realized that I was truly happy that Leeza had invited me to the party, even though I hadn’t seen her since that earlier appearance. Braydon seemed to be a really nice and fun guy, and I almost forgot he was a movie star as we danced around the room. Everything about the night had been perfect. Well, almost perfect. I had seen Zane a few more times throughout the night, and he had just stared at me blankly and a little coldly. It had made me feel uncomfortable and upset. Part of me wasn’t sure why he looked so displeased with me. Was he upset that I was hanging out with all his rich friends even though I was just a lowly waitress? I had tried to make eye contact with him and smile, but he had just remained stoic and looked away from me every time. I tried to dismiss the hurt that coursed through my veins at his look, but I couldn’t quite eradicate the feeling.

  “Don’t think about it, Lucky,” I muttered to myself as I drove back to my apartment. I groaned as my car started making a funny noise and nearly burst out in tears as I heard the engine die. As I pulled it over to the side of the road, it stopped. I sat behind the wheel, unsure of what to do, when I saw the lights of another car pull up behind me. Oh, shit. I thought to myself as I saw a figure get out of the car and walk up towards me. I checked to make sure my doors were locked and bit my lip hard. “Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me.” I closed my eyes briefly and nearly screamed as I heard the knock on the window. I peered through the window and rolled it down slowly. I was shocked to see Zane’s face staring back at me.

  “Everything okay, Lucky?” His words seemed unduly harsh, but his eyes were worried. As I stared at him, I wondered how he just happened to be behind me as I broke down. I nodded my head slowly, slightly confused as to my feelings of seeing him there. I kept my mouth closed because I was unwilling to speak. I had a feeling that my voice was going to be too squeaky, and I didn’t want him to see how scared I had been.

  “Did your car break down?” he asked again, and I nodded again, staring at his pink lips. I swallowed hard as I imagined what it would feel like to have his lips pressed against mine.

  “Do you need me to jump your car?” he asked at the same time I asked, “Were you following me?”

  Chapter 3

  “Can you get out of the car, Lucky?” Zane’s voice sounded harsh, and he looked furious. I was a little worried he was going to scold me for something I had no control over. The look on his face reminded me of my father’s when I was a little kid and had done something wrong.

  “I can, but I’m not sure I will,” I quipped, trying to change the mood. When he didn’t respond, I quickly changed my own tone. “But don’t try and change the subject. Were you following me?”

  “Of course not.” His voice was aloof as he opened the door. “Get out of the car, Lucky, and let me see what’s going on.”

  “I can check myself, you know,” I spat back, annoyed at his attitude and slightly disappointed.

  “Lucky.” His tone rose.

  “My head gasket is gone,” I sighed as I climbed out of the car.

  “How do you know?” He looked surprised to hear me using a mechanical term.

  “Because I knew it was going,” I sighed again and looked up at him. His face was dark in the moonlight, and he still looked furious as he stared back at me.

  “Are you telling me that you knew that your head gasket was gone, but you still decided to drive?” His voice rose. “And you still went to a party by yourself and thought it was smart to leave in the early hours of the morning?”

  I nodded, slightly scared to answer him.

  “Of all the irresponsible things to do, Lucky!” he shouted. “I thought you were smarter than that. Can you imagine how your parents would feel if they received a phone call from a cop about your car breaking down and you being attacked or killed?”

  “I think you’re being a little over the top, Zane.” I frowned. “I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself.”

  “So what would you be doing right now then?” He tapped his foot and leaned back against my car. He looked like a smug bastard, and I felt ashamed of myself for allowing my heart to race as I stared at him. He was one sexy asshole, that was for sure.

  “Are you going to help me or what?” I snapped.

  “Oh, so now you want my help?”

  “Actually, what I want is to know how you happened to be behind me when I broke down in the middle of the night.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” He sighed, and bending down, he pulled the keys out of my ignition. “Do you have everything you need from your car?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “Because I’m going to take you home.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Just let me take you home.” He sighed.

  “What about my car?” I protested. “I can’t leave my car here. I need it.”

  “We can call a tow truck driver to come pick it up,” he said calmly. The low tone of his voice was in direct contrast to my screeches.

  “How much is that going to cost?”

  “I’m not sure? Maybe a hundred and fifty? I’m sure there will be an extra charge for it being the middle of the night.”

  “One hundred and fifty,” I sighed heavily.

  How was I going to pay for the tow truck driver and get my car fixed? It just wasn’t going to happen. Not with the amount of money I had in my account. How was I going to get to work and school? Everything was falling apart around me, and I felt as if I was going to start hyperven
tilating.

  “I found a local tow truck number. I can call them now.” Zane peered at me with a worried expression as he looked up from his phone. “Do you know where you want the car towed to?”

  “Can’t they just take it to a garage?”

  “Which one?”

  “I don’t know,” I sighed. “I can’t afford to get it fixed right away.”

  “Oh.” He looked at me with concern in his voice, and I turned away because I didn’t want to see pity in his eyes. “Can you ask your parents to loan you the money?”

  “No.” My voice was curt. “Can you give me a ride home, please?”

  “How will you get to your car?”

  “I’ll get a ride.” I bit my lip. What if Shannon and Leeza didn’t answer their phones or come home? How would I get back to my car in the morning?

  “How about you stay over at my place, and tomorrow morning we figure out what to do with your car?”

  “I don’t know.” I looked away, unsure of what to say.

  “I promise I won’t bite.” He grinned mischievously.

  “That’s not a worry I have.”

  “Unless you want me to bite, of course.”

  “No, thanks.”

  “I guess vampires aren’t cool now?”

  “Vampires?” I frowned, wondering if he was high or something.

  “Isn’t Twilight all the craze? Don’t all you girls love that Edward Pattinson guy or something?”

  I burst out laughing, and he watched me as tears rolled out of my eyes.

  “Edward Pattinson, ha ha ha.” I couldn’t control myself, and Zane stood there, staring at me with a bemused expression on his face.

  “Did I say something funny?”

  “His name is Robert Pattinson, he played the character Edward Cullen, and no, I’m not a huge fan. Well, I’m a slight fan, or I was when I was in high school, but no, that doesn’t mean I want a guy who is a vampire.”

  “Because they exist?”

  “Who exists?”

  “Vampires.”

  “No, they don’t exist.”

  “So then it doesn’t matter if you want one or not then.”

  “I was just answering your question,” I said, infuriated at him. “You were the one who brought them up in the first place.”

  “So is it a yes or a no?”

  “Is what a yes or a no?” I said, thoroughly confused at this point.

  “Do you want me to bite you?” He leaned towards me, and his eyes were sparkling. I held my breath as his lips came within inches of mine. I was scared that he was going to kiss me, but I knew I wouldn’t pull away if he did. I closed my eyes and waited to feel his lips to press against mine. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek, and my heart started pounding, excited at what was about to happen. I waited patiently for about several seconds, and then opened my eyes to see what was going on, as I hadn’t felt his lips press against mine yet.

  As I opened my eyes, I saw that Zane was staring at me with an indescribable look on his face. I saw several emotions flicker through his eyes quickly, and the look was so intense that my breath caught. We stared at each other for a while, and then he looked away.

  “Let’s go.” He grabbed my hand and led me back to his car, and I followed, silently confused. I knew we had just had a moment, but I didn’t understand it. I wanted to ask why he hadn’t kissed me. My whole body was still on edge, waiting for the meeting of our lips.

  “You didn’t kiss me,” I blurted out as I got into the car. He looked at me with a surprised expression. His what-the-fuck expression matched the screaming in my head. I was shocked and horrified that I had spoken the words in my head out loud.

  “I didn’t think it was a good idea,” he said, slowly starting the car.

  “Why?” I continued, not really sure what I was hoping he would say.

  “I’m not looking for a relationship, Lucky. I don’t think it would be a good idea for us to hook up.”

  “A kiss isn’t a hookup.” I felt my stomach fold over at his words. I felt more than a slight twinge of disappointment at his rejection.

  “You’re a nice girl, Lucky. I’m not looking to get involved.” His words came out harshly, and I was taken aback by the venom in them.

  “Fine.” I stared out of the window, visibly shaken and confused. Had I imagined the stares I thought we had shared? “I guess you have Angelique and all the other girls anyway.”

  “Angelique is a friend,” he said smoothly. “She knows the score.”

  “She looked like more than a friend to me,” I said jealously.

  “She is more than a friend.” His stare was challenging me to say something else, and I wanted to slap him.

  “Okay,” I said simply. “I don’t really care.”

  “Lucky, you can’t honestly tell me you’re the type of girl who partakes in one-night stands?”

  “No, I can’t,” I whispered, still upset. I should be happy that he hadn’t tried to seduce me after everything I had been holding out for, especially now that I had met Braydon. Zane wasn’t worth my time or energy. He didn’t want me, and as far as I was concerned, I didn’t want him either. I already knew he was a playboy.

  We drove in silence, and I closed my eyes, hoping to get over the dull ache that reverberated in my heart. I wanted to shake myself for feeling down. I barely knew Zane, and what I did know wasn’t exactly positive. He had none of the qualities I was looking for in a man. I couldn’t afford to become emotionally attached to him. I needed someone who could provide me with what I wanted. Someone who would love me and be with me forever. Zane wasn’t that guy. I knew that and had to accept it. I opened my eyes and saw a VW Beetle driving past, and I was just about to shout out “Punch buggy!” when I remembered I was in the car with Zane and not my parents. I bit my lip as I felt myself start to get emotional. It had been a long day, and a lot had happened, and I was starting to feel overwhelmed. I looked down at my phone, and all I wanted to do was call my mom. I just wanted to hear her voice telling me that everything was going to be okay and that boys came and went. I was glad when Zane pulled up into the driveway of what I assumed was his house. I jumped out of the car quickly, happy to be distracted from my thoughts.

  “Wow, this place is huge,” I said, impressed at the grandeur of his home. “Do you live here alone?”

  “Yes.” He nodded and walked to the front door. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

  I followed him into the house, and it was all I could do to stop my jaw from dropping to the floor as I walked through the door. Zane’s home was unlike anything I had ever seen before in my life. It was open plan, and I could see the living room, dining room, and kitchen, but the most amazing part was the view. The back of the house was made up of floor-to-ceiling windows and overlooked a huge pool and hot tub. The walls were painted white and had huge paintings on them. I was pretty sure I recognized a Chagall and my breath caught. There was a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and I imagined my frat boyfriends trying to jump up and swing from it. I giggled to myself at the thought. This was the home of an educated and distinguished man, not some drunken Sigma Chi. The floor shone underneath my feet, and I realized it was solid marble. But it was the huge pool that beckoned to me from beyond the glass.

  “I love your pool,” I said shyly.

  “Thanks, Noah used to swim in it every day. It was the reason we bought this place. It’s Olympic size.” He spoke matter-of-factly, and I turned to look at his face.

  “Who’s Noah?” I asked quietly, wondering if Zane was perhaps gay? Maybe that was why he wasn’t really interested in kissing me, I thought.

  “My brother.” His voice was curt. “Let me show you to your room.”

  I followed him up the marble staircase quietly; it was obvious he didn’t want me to ask him any more questions about his brother. I wondered where he was and why he had left this amazing house. I had a million different questions swirling around in my brain, but I kept
them to myself. Zane didn’t seem to be interested in my questions, and I didn’t want him to think I was prying. I was, after all, almost like his staff. I felt slightly weird following him up the stairs as if I was his guest. I only really knew him from the diner. One encounter at a party didn’t exactly make us fast friends.

  “This is really nice,” I gushed as I followed him into a huge room. I was starting to feel like a robot, but didn’t really know what else to say.

  “Let me go and get you some pajamas.” His voice was rough, as he walked towards the door.

  “That’s okay.” My voice was feeble. “I can sleep in my clothes.” I spoke more loudly, wanting to show him that this situation wasn’t making me uncomfortable.

  He ignored me and continued walking to his room, and I sighed while running my fingers through my hair. I wanted to run into the bathroom and check my reflection in the mirror. I had a bad feeling that I looked like a mess, and I wasn’t sure if I had smudged my eyeliner and mascara when I had been rubbing my eyes earlier.

  “Here.” Zane appeared in the doorway again. “You can wear this.” He handed me a pair of boxer shorts and a soft blue T-shirt, and I looked up at him with a thankful glance.

  “These look really comfortable.” I smiled gratefully. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” He continued to stare at me and it looked as if he was debating whether or not to say something else. My heart started pounding as he gazed into my eyes, and I could feel my inhibitions going away. I had a feeling he was going to ask me to sleep with him. I also had a feeling that I wasn’t going to say no. “Lucky, you can tell me to mind my own business, but why did you drive your car out late at night if you knew it had mechanical issues?”

  “What?” I frowned in confusion. I had been preparing myself to accept his caress; I hadn’t been expecting a lecture.

  “I just don’t think it’s safe for you to be driving around late at night in a car that isn’t very reliable.” He frowned and leaned towards me. “I don’t even want to imagine what might have happened to you if I hadn’t been there.”