Page 27 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

I rub my hands against his back, trying to bring warmth into him. “Because I’ve never been without you. I’ve always had your music, and I was able to watch you online. Why do you think I pushed you to go on Talent Quest? I never expected to keep you all to myself.”

He finally hugs me back. “Really?”

The tension slips off my back. “Yes, of course. I mean, yeah, it sucked when we stopped texting. But I knew you had film shoots and press tours.”

“You’re being too lenient with me.”

“I can’t help it. I’m obsessed with you, Wyatt.”

He sighs against my shoulder. “I should’ve confided in you all along. Maybe if we’d stayed in contact, I never would’ve been hurt.”

“Maybe, but we can’t know. But we can get through these unknowns together.”

“I just wish I woke up where I remember.”

I brush my hand against his back and kiss his jaw. “What do you remember last?”

His hands settle against the base of my back and his chin sits on my shoulder. “Your treehouse. Acting out a scene from one of your stories.”

I giggle at the silly memory. “And you said you didn’t have any acting experience.”

He lets out an exhausted laugh. “ Ha . Guess that was the clincher.”

I run my hand up, resting it against the back of his head, and pull out of the hug. His back straightens and he’s quick to pats his eyes dry.

I pout. “You look exhausted.”

“No, I’m okay. But, I could do with some food.”

I stand from the bed. “Shall we find the kitchen?”

“Or, just the butler?”

“Last time I looked for him, he just appeared. I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns up at the doorway right about now. ”

Wyatt smirks, standing and stepping away from the bed. “Not creepy at all.”

I chuckle. “Nope, not at all.”

We leave the bedroom, and find Hubert making his way towards us in the living area.

“May I prepare dinner for you, Mr. Hayes and Miss Bartlett?” Hubert asks diligently.

“Read our minds,” Wyatt says, his smirk lingering.

“Any requests?” Hubert asks.

Wyatt looks my way. “I haven’t had pizza in forever.”

My taste buds tingle. “I would love pizza.” I turn to Hubert. “Can you do pizza?”

Hubert smiles politely. “I can organize anything to be brought up to the penthouse. Make yourselves comfortable, and I’ll make the arrangements.”

Wyatt staggers his way to the sectional couch, and flops down. “I love how normal pizza sounds.”

I sit down beside him, curling my feet up on the couch. “Reminds me of when we’d stay up late, watching movies.”

“We should do that,” Wyatt says, gesturing at the television on the wall. “Watch a movie and eat pizza.”

I click my tongue. “You probably wanna watch one of those ‘Wasteland Gang’ movies. I haven’t watched one of those shoot-em-up movies in forever.”

“And, by your tone, I guess you still don’t want to?”

“You know I always opt for rom-coms.”

Wyatt sniggers. “I really don’t care what we watch. As long as the plot is dead easy to follow.”

I reach toward the coffee table and grab the TV remote. “I’m down for an easy watch. Maybe something we’ve already seen?”

Wyatt snaps his fingers. “What was that one, you know, with the kids? They find that bunker and pretend to be spies?”

I laugh, flicking through the movie options. “You mean, ‘Super Secret Kids?’ That movie is so bad.”

“I know. I remember. I wanna watch something so bad it’s good.”

I type the title into the search bar, and we both crack up when the goofy movie poster appears on the screen. I hit play, asking, “You sure?”

Wyatt stretches an arm across my shoulders, relaxing against the plush couch. “I’m totally, completely sure.”

I drop the remote on the armrest and snuggle into Wyatt as our childhood nostalgic movie plays. My shoulders jiggle as I cringe at the bad acting and terrible visual effects. Wyatt’s hand strokes my arm, and his body language is more at ease than it’s been my entire visit.

Oh my gosh. This is what he’s needed all along.

A true taste of home. Something simple and familiar.

He’s been surrounded by a team who want to spoil him with the best of everything; from doctors to accommodation.

But that just puts him more on edge, feeling completely foreign in a life that’s supposedly his.

“This is so bad,” I say amid my laughter. “Excellent choice.”

“I have no idea why this crap came into my mind,” Wyatt says, grinning. “It’s weird what my brain chooses to remember.”

“At least it’s a memory that’s brought a boatload of happiness.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Anything’s a good memory if it includes you. I’m glad I don’t remember the last few years without you.”

I lay my head against his shoulder. “No, I hope those memories come back to you.”

“Mmm. Me too. It’s just hard to think about.”

“I know. But I’m here for you.”

“I think I’m supposed to see the shrink again soon.”

“Psychologist?”

He smirks. “Yeah. I just still have trouble with that word.”

“They help, though? ”

He nods. “He’s all right. He doesn’t push me.”

“That’s awesome.”

“He’ll probably like hearing about my time with you. He’s the one who suggested I ask Erika to get you here.”

“I like your therapist already.”

“I guess I’ll see him again before leaving for wherever my home is.”

“Ferndale.”

“Huh?”

I lift my head off his shoulder, looking into his eyes as I repeat, “Ferndale. It’s where you live.”

“Oh.”

“It’s where all you Circle 8 kids live.”

His eyebrows lift, and I quickly wave the conversation away.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s just the group of teens, who were either child stars in TV and movies, or from reality shows, and are under the same management.”

He points at his chest. “And I-I’m one of them?”

I wince, hearing his stutter come back. “Yeah. Sorry, we should be flinching at this movie, not the stupid stuff I say.”

“You don’t say stupid stuff.”

“I keep blurting stuff out about your life and it rattles you. I call that stupid.”

Wyatt tugs me close and lays a kiss on my lips, halting the spiraling thoughts in my head.

His lips gradually peel away from mine, and his voice is breathy when he says, “I don’t kiss stupid people.”

I giggle, brushing my nose against his. “Okay, got it.”

Our vegan pizza arrives when we’re halfway through our bizarrely entertaining movie. Oh my gosh, the pizza has an amazing pesto sauce drizzled over it, and the veggies are grilled to perfection .

After his second slice, Wyatt leans over me for the remote and pauses the movie.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

He lifts his palm. “Can I see your phone?”

I slip it out of my pocket and unlock it. “Yeah, sure.”

It’s still open to the playlist of his songs, and he taps on ‘Summer Glow.’

“Wyatt,” I breathe. “Are you sure?”

“I can’t stop thinking about it,” he admits. “It’s your favorite, right?”

It’s hard to hide my smile. “Yes.”

He shrugs, hitting the play button. “Can’t be that bad then.”

Wyatt sits the phone on his thigh and closes his eyes as the song plays. Goosebumps sprout on my limbs, the way they always do when I hear him sing. His muscles flex, recoiling in anticipation. As the song moves into the chorus, his body eases and his eyelids slowly lift.

I smile at him with hope. “Are you okay?”

He taps the phone. “It sounds familiar. Like, I know that’s me.”

My heart bounces in my chest. “Do the lyrics sound familiar?”

He shakes his head. “No, I’ve never heard it before.”

Excitement and anxiety tussle inside me.

Wyatt grins, mumbling a laugh. “How silly does that sound? I’ve never heard it before, but it’s literally me singing.”

I don’t laugh with him, worried he’s about to break. “Should we turn it off?”

“No, I like it.”

“You’re okay with listening to it?”

He grins. “Yeah, it feels normal.”

“Wow.” The anticipation bursts inside me, letting out a mess of jitters. “That’s incredible.”

He rubs my arm briskly. “Are you okay? You’re shaking. ”

“I’m just overwhelmed. I was so worried you wouldn’t be okay.”

“Honestly, me too.”

I peck his cheek, and he’s quick to turn his head and find my lips. I slide my hand onto the side of his face and tilt my head as he applies heart-melting pressure into the kiss.

His hands dig into my waist as our kisses deepen, but then he rips himself away as the track changes. It’s a live recording, starting with a crowd of people cheering. His eyes bug and his chest rises and falls with force as he hears himself addressing his fans.

Hastily, I snatch the phone and stop the song. “ Crap . Sorry.”

“It’s... It’s...” His chest continues to puff as he struggles to catch his breath. “It’s not you.”

I motion with the phone. “It’s this. I’m sorry.”

“I just...” He pauses, taking an inhale of air. “I wasn’t ready for... that .”

I slip my phone back into my pocket.

He wipes his forehead and sighs. “Dang it. I really thought I wasn’t gonna freak out.”

I wrap my arms around his shoulders. “Don’t do that to yourself. No one’s ready to find out they suddenly have a ton of fans.”

He blinks hard. “Just, ah, wow. Umm, that was me. At a concert? And talking to a ton of fans? That’s legit.”

I smile nervously. “One-hundred percent legit.”

He blows out a hard breath. The same bewildered excitement appears on his face as it did earlier on the drive from the clinic. “ Crap . I have fans.”

“And you saw only a fraction of them outside the clinic today.”

His fingers tremble as they reach for the sides of his face. “Whoa. Like, I know I’ve been told this is real... but, umm... just, wow.”

I smile, placing a hand on his back. “It is wow. Who knew you’d kill it after auditioning for a national talent show.”

“Not me. I’d get so ner-nervous before middle school talent shows.”

I nudge him gently. “But, remember how you felt once you were on stage?”

His gaze falls into a dreamy state and his smile softens. “It was magic. I felt untouchable.”

“No matter what anyone said to you in the school halls, or in class, they all loved you when you were on stage.”

“Yeah. For one song, I wasn’t the dumb guy who got held back a grade.”

I grunt, feeling the stabbing pain in the pit of my stomach. “Ugh. Wyatt, don’t do that. You’re not dumb.”

“Either way, apparently I ditched that label.” Wonder brightens his face. “I got freakin’ famous. I get to sing for a living. This is so freakin’ cool.”

I cuddle into him and kiss his cheek. “It’s so good to see you so happy.”

“All I gotta do is mend things with my parents, then I’ll be living the dream.”

“I’m sure there’s a good reason why they haven’t visited yet. They want what’s best for you. I’m sure any tension or animosity stems from them fretting about your health.”

He nods, picking up the TV remote. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Shall we watch the rest of this hideous movie?”

I giggle, resting my head against his chest and listening to the settling beats of his heart. “I was hoping you’d forgotten about it.”

He hits play on the remote and envelopes me in his arms. “No chance, Joze.”