Page 45 of The Starlet

I just hope, when all is said and done, he still wants me.

Chapter 28

It’s still darkwhen I open my eyes. I think about crawling between her legs and waking her up. When I roll onto my back though, Elena isn’t in bed next to me.Hm, wonder where she is?I toss the covers off me and go to the bathroom, but it’s empty. I take care of business and walk into the living room.

“Elena?” I call out.

I flip on a light as I walk through the house looking for her. Then I catch sight of a piece of paper on the kitchen table. I make my way to it, my lips pulled down. I pick it up and read her beautiful flowy handwriting.

Brad,

Everything is moving so fast. My request from you is for time. I’m not ending things with you, but I need time to figure out if this is what I need. What I said is true. I love you. If you love me, you’ll let me have this. I’ll be in touch in a few days.

XoXo

Elena

I crumple the letter, letting it fall as I run my fingers through my dark locks. I look around my house in a panic—for what, I’m not sure. I need more information, an explanation, something! I turn and head back to my bedroom. The bedding is still disheveled from our many insatiable sessions with one another. I picture her under me, strapped to my bed as she was just hours ago, and my cock jumps in anticipation.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I notice her suitcase in the corner of the room, exactly where she left it.Why is she running? What is she so afraid of?I need to talk to her. I find my phone on the nightstand and pull up her number. It goes straight to voicemail.

“Elena, call me. I need to know what happened.” I take a deep breath and push it through my nose. I lower my voice to keep the tone gentle. “I thought we had something good going on. I know your letter said you need time, and I’ll give it to you, but I need to understand where this is coming from. Just, call me. Okay?”

Regardless if I’m hurt by her decision to run in the middle of the night, I know I have to make sure she’s safe.

Me:Jimmy, Elena headed home for a few days. Can you keep an eye on her? I’m not sure what’s going on, but I don’t want her alone. Blame it on me if you need to.

Not even a minute later, I get his reply.

Jimmy:On it.

I’m glad he’s awake, or at least checked his message. I know he’ll keep her safe while this asshole is on the loose. I’d kill this guy if I had the chance, or, at the least, make sure he rots in hell for a long time so he can’t bug us or anyone else.

This whole situation is fucked up.

I glance at the clock on the stove; it’s four in the morning. I have no idea what time she left, but her side of the bed was cold when I reached for her. I contemplate driving over to her house, but I don’t want to come across as the creepy boyfriend. When she’s ready, I’ll be here waiting for her.

* * *

Two days.It’s been two fucking days, and she hasn’t returned my calls or text messages. I’ve been going out of my mind waiting for her to reach out to me. I grab my keys and phone, calling Hunter to meet me for a drink.

I walk into the club. It’s smaller and on the outskirts of the city. Only locals come to this place, but I like it because it’s quiet and everyone minds their own business. Hunter takes the seat next to me and offers a smile as he orders a drink.

“What’s wrong? You hardly ever want to come out and drink anymore,” he says.

I tilt my head to the side and glance up at him as I trace the lip of my tumbler with my middle finger. “How much do you read Hollywood gossip?”

He smirks. “Enough to know you’re sleeping with Elena Conners and made a fucking porno. Not that I wanted to see my best friend naked, but she’s fucking hot.” I clench my hand into a fist and sneer at him. He notices and holds his hands up. “Got it, off limits.”

“We’ve been dating for a while now. It started while we were on set in Vancouver. We got home a little over a week ago and have been cooped up at my house since.” His smile widens, and he takes a sip of his drink, trying to hide it. “Two nights ago, she left to go home and hasn’t called me since. She told me she needed time to figure shit out.” I toss back my drink and put it on the bar with a clank, asking for a refill.

“What did you do to piss her off?”

“That’s the thing, I was asleep when she left. I don’t know what I did.”

What did I do?That’s the question that’s been plaguing me since she took off two nights ago. Jimmy said he would stay with her, but anytime I ask how she’s doing, he gives me the same answer. She’s fine.

Fine.