Page 87 of Dream On

“Lexington!”

“Over here!”

I can hardly see through the dizzying lights, but I glance up at his profile, all hard lines and rough edges, his expression stony and even. His left hand grips mine, his right arm tucked around my back, holding me upright.

Adrian takes over and helps me into the limo while Lex and I collapse inside, and the door closes us in.

I can breathe.

Muffled chatter trickles through, the flashbulbs diffused by tinted windows. A moment later, the vehicle jerks forward, and we’re driving away from the chaos.

I press a hand to my chest, stabilizing my off-kilter heart. Lex leans back against the seat, a foot between us, and I study him briefly, taking in his unruffled posture. His composure. He must be so used to this by now.

Swallowing a shaky breath, I dip my head, humiliation edging its way inside me. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“I just…I didn’t mean to—”

“Said it’s fine, Nicks.”

I wring my hands together in my lap, unsure what to say. How to do this, how to be here. How to be me—here. “Um, that was a little crazy. Is that everyday life for you?”

“Most of the time.” He slides me a quick glance. “Luda did good.”

Our eyes catch for a beat, and then he turns away.

I guess that was his way of saying I look nice without giving me a direct compliment. I’m not sure if I should be flattered or offended. “Thanks.”

Lex pulls out his cell phone and leans forward in the seat. He aimlessly scrolls through an app, not pausing long enough to retain anything.

I fold my arms and rub my lips together.

The silence is thick. Stifling. I want to crack a window, but there are too many buttons back here, and the air outside is sticky with humidity. I’ll suffocate.

My vocal cords tickle, itching to purge meaningless words just to fill the void. “So what am I supposed to do tonight?” I clear my throat, watching as he pockets his phone and drapes an arm over the back of the seat. “It would help if I had a script.”

Lex draws out the quiet for a few seconds before glancing over at me. “I can do the talking. Just follow my cues.”

“Is this supposed to be…um…romantic?” I swallow hard, cheeks flushing. “Are we just friends? Dating? I don’t think I have the full scope of this. It’s all very ambiguous.”

“Don’t overthink it,” he says, giving me a once-over before looking away.“It’s a marketing tactic. Propaganda. The show blew up, and viewers want more. You’re the more.”

“Right.” He’s saying I’m a tool. A puzzle piece for him to maneuver. “Sounds great.”

Another band of silence strains before Lex breathes out a sigh and tips his head back. “I guess I’d be an asshole if I didn’t ask how you were doing.”

Clicking my teeth together, I glance out the window. As the sun sets, the city is colored in a tangerine glow, blazing like a fire hearth. “You don’t need to pretend to be someone you’re not,” I murmur. Then I realize I just called him an asshole. My neck burns, the heat climbing and staining my ears. “Sorry. I didn’t—”

“Don’t.”

I twist to look at him. “What?”

“Don’t apologize. You’re allowed to think I’m an asshole. I don’t care.”

My heart sinks a little. “You used to be someone who cared.”

“I used to be a lot of things. So did you. Now we’re different.” He runs his tongue along his bottom lip, a gesture I refuse to focus on. “So tell me how you’re doing.”