Kicking Reality

Why did everyone want to talk this morning? I read the text and quickly erase it, not wanting Wes to see. I pop two Advils into my mouth accompanied with a tall glass of water.

“I have to go.”

“Where?” he questions raising his eyebrow.

“I have that fitness shoot this morning and have to pick up a couple of things.”

“Right . . . what things do you have to pick up?”

“Feminine products.”

He instantly backs off, turned off by the prospect of shopping for tampons. The lie pays off as he leaves the room allowing me to finally get some peace and quiet.

Inside the confinement of my room, I quickly respond telling him I’ll be there in thirty minutes. I sort out my bag and pack my things. The shoot is at eleven and if the traffic isn’t too awful, I would have enough time to see Logan then quickly dash to the shoot for hair and makeup. I was already dressed in my yoga pants and tank, adding a cap just to cover my face from the sun.

Wesley is sprawled on the sofa, wearing only a pair of shorts as he aimlessly channel-surfs. He usually visited the gym early but lately, he’s been hanging around doing nothing. Even though we weren’t together, I still noticed his behavior and how he had lost the motivation he once had. A part of me felt guilty, knowing my constant cold shoulder made it impossible for either of us to be happy. Then I remember how it all started and I’m back to sporting the shoulder.

“I’m going. I’ll be back here after lunch when Karl and Josie arrive.”

“What?” His mood shifts, tone agitated. “We’re fucking filming again today?”

I’m surprised at his

outburst. “You wanted to continue filming, Wesley. Poppy is coming over so make sure the apartment is clean.”

“We are both contracted to film.” He softens his voice. “It’s just not fun anymore with you being so . . .”

“So what?”

“So distant.”

“Maybe I have been distant,” I say in haste, “but it’s not without reason. Like I said, I’ll be back.”

I walk off, making a conscious effort not to slam the door is his face. I am tired, irritable, and just want this day over with. If it weren’t for meeting Logan, I would have brought George with me. Instead, I left him with a cranky father and an unappetizing bowl of kibble.

With my cap down and shades on, I wait in the elevator with two teenage girls that had just been in the pool. They’re wearing almost matching bikinis that barely hide their assets.

“Oh my god Livvy, did you know that Logan Carrington was staying at the hotel? Maddie said she saw him in the lobby yesterday.”

“Are you kidding?” She places her hand on her heart, chewing gum at a fast pace. “OMG that means he’s probably with Ashley Chase. I swear I would blow him in a heartbeat.”

I’m secretly dying in the corner. The elevator is ridiculously slow and hearing about your brother being blown is enough to hurl in the corner.

“They are so hot,” she squeals. “We should go find them!”

“I think I saw them coming out of their room on level five,” I tell them, keeping my face hidden.

In the corner of my eye I see them look at each other.

“Are you trying to find them too?”

“Me?” I laugh. “No, I’m not into celebrities at all. I think they’re sell-outs.”

The comment is enough to put the girls off and surely, they exited on level five on the hunt for their soccer stars.

I exit on level twenty-two, taking a left and hoping I didn’t run into Ash. They were on the same floor but in different rooms. A request from Logan because Ash snored like a freight train.

The door to room 609 is in front of me. Knocking gently, I wait for any sounds of life before knocking harder. The door opens and Logan is standing at the entrance, wearing a towel around his waist with his hair dripping wet.