The picture I took of us in bed is coupled with the headline:
EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS. LOOKS LIKE HOLLYWOOD PLAYBOY HAS STRUCK AGAIN AND THIS TIME WITH A REPUTABLE JOURNALIST, ADDING ANOTHER NOTCH TO HIS BEDPOST!
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jessica
Everything you want to know about Tyler’s latest bed bunny.
This can’t be happening, I think after my phone buzzed with breaking news because I have a Google alert set for Tyler. The headline makes my heart speed up a touch more and then it literally shatters in my chest.
EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS. LOOKS LIKE HOLLYWOOD PLAYBOY HAS STRUCK AGAIN AND THIS TIME WITH A REPUTABLE JOURNALIST, ADDING ANOTHER NOTCH TO HIS BEDPOST!
It can’t be. Clicking the link, I see a picture of me on his chest. I look like I’m sleeping, and he’s the one taking the picture with a smile. I look up at him and see him looking down at his phone. “Jess.” I hear Autumn from next to me, her voice trying to sound calm. Then look down again and see the smirk on his face that was captured that night, a moment of bliss that’s now been tarnished and will serve as a moment of outrage, scandal, and everything else between.
I was played. The heat comes up to my neck, my stomach roiling, and I think I’m going to be sick. “Jessica.” It’s his voice now, the voice that I missed last night, the voice that I told Kellie all about, the voice that I smiled at when I heard.
“No.” I shake my head, trying to walk out of the room. I have to get out of here. I walk past him, but he grabs my arm to stop me. “No!” I scream, and Jonathan comes to my side in case he has to intervene. “Don’t touch me.” I’m shaking now; my whole body is shaking.
“I can explain,” he says to me, and I don’t want to look into his eyes. I don’t want to be here, and I don’t want to hear it.
I stand straight, my back going rigid, my shoulders at attention. “Congratulations,” I tell him. “Well played.” He looks at me, swallowing hard.
“Well played?” he whispers the words, and I look around and see that everyone is still here, waiting to get the scoop.
“Well, people, you heard it here first. I got played.” I laugh now hysterically, the three girls looking at me with shock on their face. “The Hollywood Playboy strikes again.” I nod my head, looking at him. “Tell me something. Did they pay you for that story, or was it a freebie, something to help the movie release?” His jaw clenches tight, and he doesn’t say anything. “I guess I should have seen it coming, right?” A single tear escapes my eye, and I angrily brush it away.
He steps forward now. “Jessica.” It’s the last time I’ll hear him say my name before I get the hell out of this place. “I can explain.”
“Really?” I say, crossing my arms over my chest, everyone just watching. “What can you explain exactly? How you planned this, got me into bed, took my picture, and then leaked it?” I smile at him, anger raging through me. “I’m pretty sure I see the whole picture crystal fucking clear.” I raise my phone. “Actually, now everyone gets the whole picture. Is this your revenge for those stories I wrote about you?” I yell at him, and when I turn to walk out, I feel his hand on my arm again, trying to stop me. I stop in my tracks, looking at his hand on my arm, then turning to look over my shoulder. “Don’t you ever touch me again.” I rip my arm away from him and walk toward the stairs, not wanting to be stuck waiting at the elevator. I rush down the steps as fast as I can, barely holding my sobs at bay. I make it to the lobby, then rush out of the door. Running down the street, I put up my hand and jump into the first cab I see. My phone rings as soon as I shut the door, and I see it’s Kellie. Instead of saying hello, the sob finally rips through me, the cab driver looking back at me in shock.
“Where are you?” she asks me.
“In a cab.” My chest starts heaving, and I think I’m going to be sick.
“Listen to me, Jessica. Give the cab driver the address to my apartment building. I’m going to call and tell them you’re coming.” I nod my head, knowing she can’t see me. “Give me something.”
“Yes,” I tell her and then give the driver the address she gives me.
“I am getting the plane ready to bring you here,” she says, and I can hear the tears in her voice as she feels the hurt for me. My tears are now falling without me knowing, without me feeling. They flow down so fast I can’t catch them. “I promise you that I will take care of everything.”