Blind Reality (Blind Reality 1)

I close my eyes and pull my hand away when I finish that sentence. I’m such an idiot and need a filter for my brain. I half expect Bronx to get up and go find Millie so he can impress her, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t even slide back to his spot, opting to stay next to me. When I open my eyes, I’m reaching for my drink, taking a long pull through the straw until the glass is just about empty. I really need a refill.

“What’s it like being married to Wilson?”

“In my mind, perfect. I’m a fangirl ya know.”

“Oh I remember when you threw a party in your dorm for some awards show.”

“Shut up, you came and loved it.”

“Yes I did,” he says as he puts his arm around me. Any other time, any other place, and I’d snuggle right into him.

“How does Wilson like you being his stalker?”

“Oh I’m not a stalker,” I say, as I shake my head. “I’m factual in knowledge.” It’s a crock of shit, but I’m not going to admit to stalking anyone. Besides, stalking would indicate that I know where he lives, and I don’t. I’ve never been to Hollywood and somehow I doubt he’s on the bus tour that takes you to all the stars’ houses. They only show you where Hugh Hefner or David Hasselhoff lives.

“Well enlighten me, Joey. What makes you a fangirl?” Bronx leans in, his cologne inviting me to nestle into the crook of his neck. I back away, not wanting to give him the wrong idea, or for me to actually lean in and a take a whiff. How embarrassing would that be? The answer is extremely, not to mention wrong on so many levels. I’m a married woman.

“What are you going to do with the money if you win?” I ask, changing the subject.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t really thought about it, but winning is pretty much guaranteed.”

“Is that so?” I look at up the sound of Josh’s voice. He’s scowling, not at me, but at Bronx. I’m surprised when Josh reaches for me before he sits down and taken back when his lips pepper kisses on my cheek and neck. He’s putting on a show and I’m not sure if I like it or not. I’m pulled into his side as his arm locks around my shoulder. I can’t move, even if I wanted to.

“Why don’t you just piss on her?” Bronx snarls in Josh’s direction.

My mouth drops open, but Josh is quick with the comeback. “You should probably worry about your wife before you worry about mine.”

Bronx scoffs, but doesn’t say anything. After a moment of awkward silence, Bronx gets up, leaving us alone. I use this time to my advantage and test Josh by letting my fingers dance over his bare chest. We really needed to win, and failed at doing so. I’m not sure I can get freaky in the room knowing the cameras are on. The shower is one thing, but the live feed scares me.

Dropping my hand I nestle into him. “Why do you think they’re here?”

Joshua sighs and relaxes into the couch. My stomach rumbles, knowing there’s food to be eaten. “Should we go eat?”

“No, I want to know what the sigh was for.”

Josh groans as he runs his hand over his face. “Bronx and I … let’s just say we don’t get along.”

“That’s been obvious since he walked in the door, but tell me why.” I don’t want to assume it’s because of Jules. The last thing I want Josh to think is that she’s all I think about when it comes to us.

“Tell me why’re so chummy with him.”

“Bronx was my study partner my first semester of college. We had classes together, so it just made sense. I had a crush, but never did anything about it because he was a friend. One day, he says he’s leaving for Hollywood and that was that. Never heard from him again.”

“And you just welcome him with open arms?”

“Sure, why not?” I shrug. “He followed a dream. No one can fault him for that. Now tell me why you don’t like him,” I ask as I thread my fingers through his hair.

“Ugh … I know I should’ve told you this the first night we talked, but Bronx is my competition and in more ways than one.”

“What does that mean?” I ask as I turn to face him. I push his hair out of his eyes and smile softly at him. “You can tell me.”

When he looks at me, his eyes are pained and confused. “You’ve read my interviews, you know about Jules, but what you don’t know is that at one time I was in love with her, then Bronx came along and she … well, she thought she wanted to love Bronx, too. Since then I’ve forged a battle with him for every part we’re both being considered for, and now I see him making moves on you.”

I shake my head. I want to tell him that my heart belongs to him, but the pain that comes with that is too much. So instead I tell him I’m sorry.

“Don’t be,” he says as he leans in to kiss me. “But please stay away from him.”

Nothing is as it seems because as I look around the room, I feel like an outsider. Cole, a man who I’d consider a friend, is buddy-buddy with Bronx and in deep conversation with him at the kitchen island. It’s probably not a bad thing to get to know your competitor, but he hasn’t come looking for me today. Neither has Gary, Amanda, or Joey, the latter of which bothers me the most.