Page 16 of The Publicist
“I can’t promise I’ll be on my best behavior though,Princess.”
I’m itching to kiss him again, and I lick my lips, suddenly feeling very thirsty. “You’ll be on your best behavior regardless if you know what’s good for you, Caleb Dean Evanstan.” I poke my finger into his hard muscles and he stands tall.
“I feel like I‘m in trouble with my mother. How do you know my middle name?”
“You don’t want to know the things I had to learn about you to be able to take this job. I went into the depths of your life via Wikipedia.” I smirk.
“Ha. Ha. Funny. What do I have to do to get you to come out tonight and have a good time with me?”
I sigh. “Where is the party?”
“It’s atSurrender,the new club downtown. It’s supposed to be amazing and caters to the rich and famous.” He winks and continues. “It’s the official grand opening, and everyone is going to be there. If you come, I promise I’ll be on my best behavior. I’ll take pictures with fans, smile pretty, and make all the girls drop their panties at my feet.”
Rolling my eyes, I duck under his arm to get off the treadmill. “And he’s back. Glad to see your main personality has reared its ugly head again.” I grab a sanitizing wipe for both of us and hand one to him to clean off the treadmill. “I’ll come if youpromiseto be on your best behavior. That means no jealousy, no play girls, alimitedamount of alcohol, and keeping a low profile. I want the tabloids to think you stayed home for the night.”
“I promise I’ll limit the amount of fun I have if you come with me. Besides, maybe you can find a way to spin this story. I hear you have a way with words.”
“Oh, honey, you have no idea the power of the words I can write.”
“If they are anything like that mouth of yours, I’m sure I can imagine it just fine. I’ll pick you up at eight o’clock tonight.”
“You don’t have my address.”
“Guess you’ll have to give it to me, or I’ll get it from Steve. He has ways of getting me whatever I need.” He winks and walks out of the gym, leaving me standing there alone. I know I have a goofy grin on my face and do a small happy dance.I shouldn’t be this excited.It’s Caleb. He’s an ass who’s just trying to hook up with me to drop me and do what he wants. I keep telling myself that, but the more I think about it, the less I believe it.
Chapter 16
She didn’t sleepwith Tait!As soon as those words fall past her lips, I feel lighter—like someone lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders. He didn’t take my girl away from me, and I even got her to agree to go to the club tonight. I open up my phone as I exit the gym and send a text to Steve.
Me:Can you get me Quinn’s home address? She is coming out with me tonight to make sure I’m on my best behavior.
Steve:Guess you fixed things with her?
Me:They weren’t broken, but we’re good. Just get me her address.
I get into my room, take a quick shower, change into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and head downstairs to meet with a few fans. I decide to take it upon myself to do this good deed, and maybe Quinn will think a bit better of me. I step out from the elevator and walk toward the front doors. There is a sizable crowd outside, and I see Tait is already there signing a few autographs and taking pictures.
I roll my eyes and plaster a smile on my face. After last night, he is thelastperson I want to see. No, he didn’t sleep with her, but that doesn’t change the fact he was talking about her like a piece of meat. I walk up behind him and pat him on his back. “Hey, man, how’s it going?”
“Hey, everyone, look, it’s my friend, Caleb.” We smile and wave as the fans snap pictures of us. I break away from him and walk to the other side to meet with fans over there, in an attempt to avoid Tait. We switch sides after a few minutes, and I continue to say my thank yous and play the part of happy, grateful celebrity. I wave bye and walk back into the hotel, Tait hot on my heels.
“She’s got an unreal mouth, huh? Wish I could get it around my dick sometime.” I clench my fists by my side and take a deep breath, trying to calm the rage building inside me. “Glad she came over. I’m hoping to take her out on a real date and show her what a good time is like.”I’m going to fucking kill him!I don’t even realize what’s come over me. I’m seeing red and, the next thing I know, I have shooting pain running from my knuckles up my arm.
I look down to see Tait on the ground, his hand over his eye. I look out at the swarm of fans and see all cameras trained on me.Shit!I groan. I know I fucked this one up, and Quinn is not going to be happy about it. I see her just inside the hotel lobby. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under right now.Double shit!
She pushes open the door and dips down, helping Tait stand. She looks at me and whisper-yells, “What thefuckdid you just do, Caleb?” Tait slips his hand into hers and stands, wrapping his arm around her shoulder for support.
“Get off of her,” I growl at him.
“Caleb, get inside and go up to your room. I need you out of the public eye. I don’t even want to see you right now. Thanks for giving me another mess to clean up,” she scolds me.
“Quinn, you have to let me explain—” I start, but she cuts me off.
“Just go away, Caleb.” She walks into the hotel with Tait, and he turns his head and winks at me, a victorious smile on his lips. I walk calmly to the elevator and head toward my room. For the second time this morning, I feel like I’m in trouble with my mom. I open my phone and text Quinn.
Me:I was trying to defend you. Sorry for the mess. Please come see me when you’re done with Tait.
Within minutes, someone is pounding on my door.Must be Quinn. I open it, and she looks down at my throbbing hand. She gently picks it up and traces her delicate fingers over the reddened knuckles. “Can youpleasestop being the alpha male for a day? My job is already hard enough as it is, and you are just adding to it.”