Blind Reality (Blind Reality 1)

“I didn’t know you were on the show until they made me watch every episode.”

Bronx and I spent hours studying for exams and writing papers together. We had three of our four classes together our first semester. I had a crush, but when he left it faded.

“I can’t believe you’re married,” he says, stepping back and apprising me. “It really agrees with you.”

I want to tell him thanks and that I’m in love, but admitting the latter is far too painful so I shrug and hope my facial expression tells him everything he needs to know.

“You’re married, too!”

“Yeah, Rebekah and I have been married for about two months.” I don’t know if it’s game play or not, but it seems odd that we’ve all been married the same time.

“I’m so happy you’re here. It’ll be nice having a friend in the house.” I sit up on the counter, watching as he looks everything over. When he dropped out he said he’d keep in touch, but never did. It didn’t take long for him to make a splash and cause a few waves, but it’s a go big or go home type of world. “Tell me about your wife.”

He shrugs, and stands in front of me. “Met her at church.”

“You go to church?” I ask, raising my eyebrow.

“I did while I was filming my last movie. It looked inviting, and I found it to be so much more.”

“Interesting.” I hop down when I hear voices starting to filter down the hall. The last thing I need is to be caught in a compromising situation with Bronx. Since his arrival only hours ago, Josh’s demeanor has changed. I know there’s a story there, and it has to do with Jules. At one point, Jules was rumored to be dating Bronx and another guy, but by the time the rumor started to stick, she was with Josh only to not be with him again. Honestly, thei

r relationship has been nothing but a Hollywood train wreck.

Amanda and Millie come in, both eyeing me. I turn to face the mirror, better to watch my back that way, and pretend to fix my hair. Amanda is all over Bronx, touching his arm and chest, laughing as if he’s said something funny. I don’t want to watch her fawn over my friend. I’ll leave the daggers and hair pulling to Rebekah.

I follow Millie out and into the backyard where Gary is in the corner talking to Rebekah. It only takes her a second to realize that people are watching before walking toward us. “Everything is odd with Bronx and Rebekah here,” Millie says as she sits down. Cole walks out with two pitchers of daiquiri, pouring a glass for Millie.

“I know.” Before I can get comfortable Bronx steps out, followed by Amanda. She sits down in a huff and pulls a full pitcher into her lap.

“Wanna talk about it?” Millie asks. I’m curious what Amanda’s problem is, but I don’t care enough to ask.

“Gary and Rebekah have some sort of history. I mean, look at them.” She blatantly points to the corner where they’re talking. From an outsider’s view, yes something is going on, but it’s not like Amanda cares about Gary.

“What if he cheats?” she whines, earning an eye roll from me.

“Automatic annulment, didn’t you read the contract?” I ask.

“Yes, but what about my heart?” she answers mid drink and just in time for Rebekah to head our way. Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe us right now.

Yeah, I don’t know about that because I’m in my own pickle. Josh walks out with a plate of meat and what looks like potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil. This is why we’re a match. When life stresses me out, I make cake. When he’s stressed, he cooks.

Bronx walks over to Josh and pats him on the back. I sigh at the sight of both of them standing side-by-side. I’d like to see them in a movie together, but I doubt that will happen any time soon. There’s no mistaking that I’m a fangirl through and through. I watch all the awards shows live with my own predictions of the winners written down and a bowl of popcorn in my lap. I buy the all the magazines, even the tweenie bopper ones with the pullout posters. I’ve camped out, waiting in sub-freezing temperatures just to get an autograph or a chance at a selfie. I’m there at midnight, watching the latest new release and returning the next day to watch it again. I’ve had unrealistic fantasies about the two men standing yards away from me. One is and has always been, since he came onto the scene, my dream come true. The other was short lived and even when he became famous did nothing for me. In my eyes, Joshua is the catch and Bronx is just the side dish.

If my marriage weren’t ending in a few short weeks, I’d be rushing to buy a lottery ticket in town because the odds are definitely in my favor. They have to be.

We drink in silence, watching as the men filter around the yard, not giving us a glance. It’s nice to stare and not worry about being caught.

“How did we get so lucky?” Millie asks as she brings the glass to her lips. The three of us are on our way to getting drunk. Her eyes are so focused on the scene across the yard that her mouth is seeking the straw. I stifle a laugh before turning my gaze back to the man candy section of the backyard. Bronx is staring at us. Holy hell does my body sigh when I look at him and say his name. Time has been very good to Bronx. If I weren’t married to Joshua, I’d become Amanda and start making some moves, but alas, I have the better one out of the two.

Josh hasn’t said anything to me since the competition ended and right now he’s over there with a beer in his hand talking to Gary and Cole, avoiding Bronx. He’s shirtless and laughing. It’s a far cry from the disposition he was showing earlier. The whole freak out over the pink thing was a bit ridiculous and definitely something we’ll have to talk about later.

Rebekah sits down, but doesn’t pour herself anything to drink. Give her a week and she’ll be guzzling right off the bottle. You sort of need the liquid courage to keep up with the drama and stress of living with people you don’t truly know, not to mention the marriage part. And she’s not even looking at the guys. I mean come on, two very hot guys, one good-looking and one who is definitely working himself to make his wife happy, are standing outside shirtless. You’d have to be a saint not to take advantage and look at them.

“They’re all freaking shirtless,” I say, reminding the girls of the obvious. “You know, even Gary isn’t looking that bad these days.”

“He’s definitely trying,” Millie adds as she passes me the pitcher of strawberry daiquiri. I top off my glass and pass it onto Amanda.

“But look at Bronx,” Amanda sighs as Millie and I turn to look at her. “What?” she shrugs. “It’s not fair. First you with Josh and now …” Amanda glares at Rebekah who is sitting at the end of our large couch. I’m not sure if she can hear us or not, but Amanda doesn’t care either way. “Why couldn’t I get paired up with someone like that?” She points directly at Bronx.