Blind Reality (Blind Reality 1)

My wife thinks I want a divorce. When we first met, I did. The idea of marriage frightens me to no end. Joey deserves happiness. I want to be the one who provides it for her, but I have to learn how.

I stare out my apartment window. My view is nothing spectacular as my apartment is on the second floor and overlooks the community swimming pool. Palm trees offer shade and ambience, but it’s a place I never visit. A few of the college co-eds that live in the building party there often and Rob joins them occasionally, saying they’re fun to hang with. He likes the attention. I get enough of it when I’m on set, I don’t want it when I come home. Right now the only attention I do want is from Joey, and she’s not willing to give it. That means I need to fight for it.

“What time is the car picking you up?” Rob asks.

Glancing at my watch I sigh. “In about twenty minutes.” Rob stands next to me, likely looking at the same scene I am: a mom with her two kids, splashing in the pool.

“Are you nervous?”

Putting my hands in my pockets and feeling the smooth edges of the velvet box I picked up yesterday, I shrug. “Not for the show, but I’m nervous about seeing Joey.”

“What if she says no?”

Rob and I spent last night drinking and gossiping like two women. Words were slurred and truths told. It’s easier to admit that I’m in love with Joey, or falling in love with her. She’s easy to love with her quick wit, killer smile, and the way her body was made to fit mine. I’ve heard that before, the part about a body fitting yours, but didn’t believe it until I held Joey in my arms. The beginning of my end was when I kissed her on stage. The way my body responded to her I knew I was a goner. I just refused to admit it.

“I’m scared of what could be. I drove the point home each time we got close in the house that this was over as soon as the show ended, but in the last month something changed. Every time I thought we were on the same page, another curve ball was thrown at us. First it was Jules and her bullshit video. Then Bronx moved in and if that’s not enough, they freaking know each other. And then there’s Jason. The worst part about Jason is that I had just told her I’d be right back. She won’t return my calls or texts. I have no idea what I’m walking into today.” I lean against the window, clearly feeling sorry for myself, and let out an exaggerated sigh. “I guess if she says no, I file the paperwork and dissolve the marriage.”

The intercom by the door buzzes and Rob goes to answer it. It’s my show-appointed PA telling me the car is here.

“Here goes nothing,” I mutter, as I grab my sport coat, checking my pockets for everything and opening the door. “Wish me luck.”

“You’re Joshua Wilson, you don’t need luck.”

The one thing Rob doesn’t know about is Joey is about her fangirl crush. I’ve kept that to myself for fear he’d say something to piss me off, embarrass Joey when they meet, or tell Jules. I think it’s cute and makes for a fantastic story. I love the fact that I’m her number one because I have to admit that she’s mine as well.

The drive to the studio lot where Helen is filmed is only a few miles from my apartment. The driver takes the side roads, which in LA can cut up to thirty minutes off your travel time. My heart starts racing as soon as we go through the gates. My eyes are searching everywhere for any sign of Joey. The moment the car stops, I’m out and crossing the lot to the nondescript door that is marked only by a stage number.

“Joey,” I call out as soon as I step into the hallway. People turn and look at me, offering me strange looks. My PA is running behind me, her heels clicking on the concrete. She’s on her phone rambling a mile a minute with her arms flaying about. If she’s not careful, she’s going to hit someone.

I turn into the greenroom, and it’s like a weight has been lifted off me. There she is, in a royal blue dress with her hair in curls. Her back is facing me as she speaks to Millie. Cole comes up to me, standing in my line of sight and grabs my hand.

“It’s good to see you.”

Dude, I just saw you a few days ago, is what I want to say, but don’t. “You too, man.”

“I have some news that I need to tell someone before I explode,” Cole says, looking a bit agitated.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

He pulls me into the corner of the room, but my eyes never leave Joey. I hate that she hasn’t turned around to acknowledge me. I’m her husband; she should at least look at me or turn her head when people walk into the room.

“So what’s up, Cole?” I’m not trying to rush him, but damn it if I don’t need to go over and see Joey. I need to make sure she’s real and not a figment of my imagination.

“My mom doesn’t like Mille,” he tells me in a hushed tone.

“Oh.” I furrow my brows because I’m not sure how to answer him or what advice to offer. The fear is there that Joey’s parents won’t like me, but they already said in the video feed that they couldn’t wait to meet me, so I’m banking on them loving me.

“Right, but the kicker is that she’s pregnant.”

“Wow, congratulations, man!”

He shakes his head. “What do I do?”

“Um…” I run my hand over my hair, knowing it’ll be fixed before we’re sent on stage. “Well you’re already married, so I guess you decide who moves in with whom and raise your family.”

Beads of sweat start to pebble on Cole’s forehead and he pulls at his tie. He glances over his shoulder at Millie, who doesn’t make eye contact with him.

“Cole, are you a mama’s boy?” It’s a harsh question and I probably could’ve phrased it better, but sometimes being blunt is the only way to go.