Was it fucking real? Was that why my chest seized when I saw her? Was that why my arms ached to hold her? Did we make reality out of a fake relationship?
I pulled the sunglasses from my face. “Does it matter?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. We have an arrangement. I shouldn’t have said anything. Only two weeks left, right? Then you can go back to England.”
My hand landed on her elbow as she turned for the car door. “No, wait, Aspen. I was thinking the same—”
But before I could finish my sentence, the paps were on my back. I felt the shove as they swarmed us. I tried to shield Aspen, but I was too late. One of the photographers lunged forward to get a close up of her and knocked her into the side of the car.
The rage almost split me in half. I didn’t think. My fists reacted before I could control them.. I came out swinging, hitting more than the guy who had knocked Aspen over. I roared with anger as the first punch landed. I could hear Aspen screaming behind me, trying to jerk my arm into compliance, but the fury was fierce.
“Stop, Lachlan. Stop!” she screamed, and then Taylor was on top of me, pulling me from the photographer.
“Hold on, mate. Let go.”
I reluctantly released my grasp on the wanker’s collar and stood on my feet.
“Are you okay?” I turned to check on Aspen, but the horror was all over her face.
“We need to go.” She pressed her lips together. “Now. Get in the car, Lachlan.”
I saw the rip in her skirt. It must have gotten caught on the car. I felt the anger spring forward again, but I backed off. Taylor had made a barrier between the press and me.
“Get out of here,” he urged. “Take care of her and I’ll handle this.”
I wanted to stay and explain. I wanted everyone here to know why I had been caught up in the rampage. The asshole pushed her. She didn’t deserve that. And for what? A picture? Something he could have easily taken if he had just asked.
I hung my head and walked to the other side of the car and ducked inside.
Aspen fastened the seatbelt and leaned into the leather.
“How? Why?” She looked straight ahead at the headrest in front of her while the driver pulled away from the curb.
“Aspen, are you okay?” I ran my hand over the tear in her skirt.
She nodded, but I saw a tear spill over her cheek. Shit.
“I’m sorry. I was just trying to protect you. He shoved you and I lost my shit.”
“When? When did this happen? I didn’t see this coming.” She spoke as if I weren’t in the car with her.
“Love, I didn’t know what else to do. He shoved you.”
“I get it. I do.” Her voice was quiet.
“Then why are you crying?”
“Because what are we going to do now?”
I threaded my fingers through hers. “You’ll come up with something brilliant, love. You always do. I’ll do charity work or something. Maybe an exclusive interview with one of your American stations.”
She shook her head. “That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Then what?”
Her blue eyes sparkled with tears. “Lachlan, I can’t fake this anymore.”
“What are you saying?”