Page 111 of Fame & Obsession

“Is she going to be all right?” I ask, fearing his answer.

His stubborn resolve returns ten-fold. “I’ve said enough. If she decides to tell you, that’s her choice.”

What the hell does that mean?

“What’s wrong with you, man? Are you jealous?”

I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m teetering on the edge, seconds away from losing control.

The tight lines in his face soften. “I’m not jealous of you, Bale. I pity you when you find out what you’ve missed.”

“Missed?” I probe, the fickle flames of jealousy igniting with a vengeance. “Is she with someone else? Is she with Nate Jacobs?”

“Jesus.” He presses his lips together and shuts his eyes. When they open, a cold calm resides within them. “Just let them live their life in peace.”

“Them?”

“Forget it.” He slams the door, and I hear the distinct sound of the lock engaging.

Furious, I start to bang again when I remember Phoebe’s bedroom faces the street, and the fire escape passes right outside her window.

This is far from over.

Thirty

Phoebe

Curlingmy knees into my chest, I wrap my arms around my stomach. The tank top and skimpy boy shorts I’m wearing make me imagine what will be there in a few months. I won’t be able to hide behind big shirts and elastic waistbands forever.

God help me if I ever run into Julian once I’m in maternity clothes.

I tried to tell him.

And then I allowed his anger and resentment to push me away.

Once I saw him at the book party, I knew I had to come clean. Even if he didn’t care about me, I owed him the truth. But mostly I wanted him to know I didn’t expect anything from him, nor did I want it. He was free to live out his rock star dreams.

Seeing him with Vivian drove that resolve home. He said he was with her to protect me, but, at that point, did it really matter? Julian Bale didn’t want diapers, bottles, and car seats. He wanted groupies, parties, and the limelight.

I knew if I stood in his way, he’d only end up resenting both of us.

I hear a faint commotion in the hallway, but I just pull my pillow over my head and shut out the world.

Everything sets me off these days. Being pregnant has forced me to go off all my medication, leaving my nerves raw and exposed.

Before long, the shouting escalates to fighting. I swing my legs off the bed to make sure Gage and Parker are all right when a door slams and everything calms.

I’ve almost dozed off when I hear the door rustling to my left. Sighing, I pull my pillow over my head. “Gage, I don’t want to talk, please go away.”

“That’s not going to happen, Phoebe.”

Every part of me comes alive, and I shove the pillow away. Apparently, my brain can’t force my body to stop reacting to him any more than my heart can.

Still, I’m scared to turn over and face him.

“Julian, what are you doing here?” I glance at my door—mycloseddoor. “Did you break in my window?”

He crawls onto the mattress behind me. From the corner of my eye, I see him reach out to touch my hip, then pull back at the last second.