Page 37 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

Security escorted us to the penthouse after we were stuffed with delicious food, topped off with a to-die-for almond cannolis. The decadent meals were almost enough to rid the thoughts of inadequacy from my head.

Last night, Wyatt and I had just enough energy to curl up on the sectional couch.

We wrapped ourselves in a shared blanket, and watched another movie from our childhood.

This time one not so cringe-worthy. Despite feeling drained, Wyatt’s mind was whirring.

Meeting fans had him buzzing, and all he could think about was performing again.

As we watched the movie, he used the elastic he got from Savanna to strengthen his hand.

He kept muttering about how he’d be playing his guitar in no time.

Unfortunately, by the time the movie ended, Wyatt was hit with an excruciating headache, which sent him to bed early .

I told him I’d make a start on my homework, but my brain my crippled by negativity.

I pushed the emotions into a short story as much as I could, but all I really wanted was a group hug from my family.

Keeping the tears at bay, I video called Mom and asked her to put the twins on.

I read them the new story, and they were both so rocked by the emotive language, they went to sleep without a fuss.

Mom probed me to tell her what was wrong, but I couldn’t admit I’m not measuring up.

I mean, everyone else can already see it.

I’m not cut out to be the girlfriend of a teen celebrity.

It was thrilling when Wyatt labeled us an official couple, but all the romance was dashed once the mob of fans surrounded him.

There’s no next time that I will be okay with that situation. I will run every time.

I rub my growling stomach, surprised I’m hungry after yesterday’s Italian feast. I’m really feeling peanut butter on toast for breakfast. It’s simple and reminds me of home. Ugh. I just want to be home right now.

I change into one of my new outfits, and after I fix my hair, I pick up my phone from the end of the bed. There’s a text from Kylie.

“Umm. Have you looked online?”

My stomach flips. “What are you talking about?”

“You and Wyatt are all over social media. Don’t look.”

I press the back of my hand over my mouth, forcing myself not to hurl. “Why did you tell me then?”

“I didn’t want you to see what they’re saying.”

“I’m gonna puke. What are they saying?”

“Well, it started by people trying to figure out who you are, but then, well, it’s online. Things always turn nasty.”

My hands tremble around the phone. “I hate this.”

“Sorry! It’s mostly positive. Like, people are loving seeing Wyatt out and about. I guess it’s just fans seeing you being jealous.”

Sweat beads around my hairline. People hate me. People, who don’t even know me, hate me for being with Wyatt .

Kylie texts again. “You two looked super cute. How was the date?”

Is she serious right now? She just told me people are saying nasty stuff about me online, and now she wants me to gush about my date?

I drop the phone, backing away as my mind clouds with clashing thoughts.

Another text comes through, and I stare at it on the carpet. “I’m sorry this has happened. I’m just trying to look at the positives.”

I breathe out slowly and lower to the carpet. I pick up the phone and text, “I know. Don’t be sorry. Being with Wyatt is amazing, but all those fans scared the crap out of me. I can’t do this.”

“Can’t do what? Stay in Cherry Beach, or be with Wyatt?”

I don’t know how to answer, so I leave it with, “It’s all going to come to an end.”

I toss my phone back on the bed and pick myself off the floor. With my arms cinched around my fragile stomach, I scuff my way along the hallway towards Wyatt’s bedroom.

Apparently, everything about him online is positive. I’m the negative holding him back.

I can’t hold him back when he’s preparing to go back into the spotlight.

I can’t help shuddering as I approach his doorway.

I retch, folding forward. Is this really it? Am I going to call it quits with him?

Tears flood my eyes and when I blink, my vision continues to blur.

No, I don’t want this. I don’t want it to be over.

Ugh. I wish this was easy. I wish we could be together without all the cameras and the speculation.

I just want him.

“It was like getting a piece of myself back, doc,” I hear Wyatt say in his bedroom.

Doc? Is he talking to Dr. Fincher from the Clearview Clinic ?

“I don’t know how to explain it,” Wyatt continues. “But when all those people wanted to talk to me, something about it felt normal. It’s weird. How can so many strangers knowing who I am feel normal?”

I sigh and lean against the wall, listening to half his phone conversation.

It feels normal because his innate talent means he was born for fame.

“If some of the missing pieces are coming back,” Wyatt says with growing anticipation, “does this mean my memory is coming back?”

I suck in a breath and hold it, waiting for Wyatt’s response.

A despondent huff comes out of him. “Oh really? Then what’s the point of this th-therapy? Isn’t this supposed to help?”

There’s a long pause before Wyatt huffs again.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he says with a sigh. “The stutter is going away. Does make me feel better about myself.”

At that, I smile as my heart bounces to a happier beat.

“Oh, yeah, that’s the best,” Wyatt says, more energetically. “Josie is the best thing in my life.”

I hold another breath, only breathing out when my heart starts racing.

“So, when do we do another one of these therapy calls?” Wyatt says into the phone.

I pull myself off the wall, alarmed I’m listening to a therapy session.

“Okay, thanks, Dr. Maxton,” Wyatt says. “Talk soon.”

I shake out my hands, pacing a circle in the hallway, unsure whether to backtrack or actually enter Wyatt’s doorway. I’m about to retreat, when a beautifully melodic sound stops me in my tracks.

Euphoria sets in as Wyatt hums a tune. Before I can pick the song, Wyatt’s singing the lyrics. His perfect pitch has me shivering with goosebumps in the best way .

I make my way to the doorway, practically floating, as he sings a cover of an eighties pop song. He turns, meeting my eyes, slipping out a laugh as he finishes out the chorus.

“That’s a different song to yesterday,” I gush. “You remembered it on your own?”

Wyatt rubs the back of his head, an ecstatic grin lighting up his face. “I’ve been stopping myself from thinking about music. I was so scared I’d forgotten everything. Yesterday cured my fear.”

I plant my hands over my chest, bouncing on bended knees. “Oh, I’m so happy for you!”

Wyatt scuffs towards me, reaching his arms to pull around me. I walk into his hug and he says, “You didn’t join me last night?”

“Yeah, my homework was a struggle,” I say, resting my head on his shoulder. “And then I called home and read to the twins.”

“Aww, they would’ve loved that.”

“Yeah. It made me homesick.”

He pulls out of the hug and caresses the side of my face. “Are you okay? Oh no. Your eyes are all red and puffy.”

I suck in a breath and pat under my eyes. “Dang it. Hoped I’d blinked the tears away.”

“Joze, I don’t like seeing you so sad. We shouldn’t stay here if it’s making you miserable.”

I can’t shake my frown. “I wouldn’t say miserable, it’s just...”

“You miss your family,” Wyatt says, a shine of sadness in his eyes. “We need to get you back to Victoria Falls.”

I bite into my lip. “You’d be okay with me leaving?”

He smirks. “No. I’d go with you.”

My chin drops as I puff out an air of surprise. “Are you serious?”

His thumb rubs under my chin. “Then I get to see you happy.”

“I’m happy when I’m with you, it’s just...”

“We could be together in the same town as your family.”

I grin. “That would be amazing. But would your team be okay with that?”

Wyatt shrugs. “I haven’t said I’m going back to work any time soon. And it’s not like I have a school to go back to.”

“But I do.”

“Exactly. Let’s hang out where you can get back to your life.”

“Oh my gosh. This is amazing. But what about...” I stop myself from asking about his fans. I don’t want to admit I was eavesdropping.

“There’s no buts,” Wyatt says gently. “I just want to be with you and feel like myself again.”

I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. “But didn’t you feel like yourself yesterday? With the fans and the special treatment?”

“You make me feel more like myself than any of those people do.”

My heart balloons at the thought of having Wyatt back in Victoria Falls. However, it deflates when I remember people online are already talking about me being around him.

I frown. “I can’t take you away from this life. You have people counting on you.”

He lifts my hands and kisses them. “You’re my person, Josie. You’re the only one who matters to me. Reuniting with your family is gonna go a heck of a lot better than it has with mine.”

“Will you be okay with that? It won’t be triggering?”

“Are you kidding? I can’t wait to see your family again.”

“So, you’re doing okay? You seemed wiped after that headache last night.”

“I’m good,” he says with a nod. “I took one of the sleep aids they’d give me at the clinic and slept like a log.”

“Awesome. You’re well rested then.”

He smiles. “Sure am. I’m ready for another date with my girlfriend.”

“You are?” The thought of being talked about online again makes my back cramp. “Maybe we should stick to the penthouse.”

“Why? Don’t you wanna check out the beach? Or there’s still a section downstairs we didn’t wander through.”

“I dunno,” I say coyly. “Other people are down there. You know I’m not a fan.”

“Aww.” He chucks my chin. “Are you getting anxious? Once we got to the restaurant it was chill, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, of course, it’s just...”

His eyes widen as he stares at me, waiting for me to finish the sentence. “What?”

“Nothing, I...”

“Joze?”

I groan, hunching forward and rubbing my hands over my face.

“What is it?” he asks, rubbing my back. “You’re sc-scaring me.”