Mostnormalpeople.
Is that still me? Do I want it to be? I look over at him, knowing I can’t have that if I choose him, but I can’t have him if I choose normal either.
So much of what we did would have so many people questioning my sanity too. I was waiting for the other videos to come out, getting a bag ready and saving money in case I had to disappear somewhere. They never came and I knew something was off when they didn’t. If he’d wanted to ruin me and make money, he wouldn’t have sent them a video of me getting off inthe fitting room. He would have sent the ones where I cut him and made him bleed while wearing a giant smile instead.
“I want to get out of here.”
“Out of this room? You hungry? You should probably eat before we work on our new movie.”
My eyes shoot up to his. “What new movie?”
“I won’t be the victim or side character in it this time. There’ll be someone new.”
My teeth press tightly together. “What are you talking about?”
“Why do you think Justin did what he did?”
Why’s he bringing up Justin again? Did he do something to him? Would it be the worst thing in the world if he did?
“He was jealous, maybe. I don’t know.” It’s more than that. More than I’ve ever said out loud to anyone before. But Hayden’s not just anyone.
“You do know, don’t you? What did he do?”
“What makes you think it’s something he did?” I can’t look at him anymore, shrinking into myself.
“Because I recognize the shame and anguish in your eyes. You can tell me anything, my little star. You know you can.”
“I . . . I didn’t think I’d work with him again after that. I hoped I wouldn’t. I had to make myself forgive him so that I could. After all, he was sorry. He said he was so many times, and we were both drinking that night.”
“What did he do?” His angry tone rattles inside me.
“He . . . two years ago, we all went out drinking after filming. When everyone started heading home, I realized I was too drunk to drive, so he offered to take me since he didn’t have as much.” I take a breath and continue on. “We were in his car. The parking lot was clearing . . . and . . .”
“It’s okay. I’m here.” He lowers himself more to the ground and holds my hand. It feels so fucking good too. How can someone so dangerous feel so safe?
“He tried kissing me and I pushed him away, so he tried again, not stopping, so I eventually froze in my seat. His hand slipped inside my pants and underwear. I wanted to push him off again but I couldn’t move. I felt so fucking weak and helpless.” I let out a soft sob. “A car honked nearby and I finally unfroze, punching hard into his chest. I shoved open the door and ran through the parking lot, zipping up my pants, not stopping until I made it to the nearest gas station.”
“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“I kept telling myself it didn’t. It made things easier. Then we auditioned for the same roles, and when I got picked over him, he’d message me about it, saying how the better one keeps winning. I ignored his messages. Then we got roles in the same movie . . . I hated whenever we were alone. It’s like you always came around at the right times.”
“I think this is the right time for something else. If this man hasn’t left you alone yet, he never will.”
“What are you talking about?” I wipe my eyes.
Excitement radiates off him and he jumps to his feet. “Wait right here and I’ll show you. Filming should be done in this room anyway.”
I shake my legs and grunt when the feeling in them still hasn’t fully returned. I can’t walk yet. Would I try to run and escape him if I could? I’m not held back by fear this time, something else is making me not want to keep trying. I don’t even think a loud honking would help pull me out of whatever spell he has me under either.
Minutes later he returns with a person tossed over his shoulders. They aren’t moving or trying to get away. He sets them on the ground in front of me and I gasp. It’s Justin. His mouth is gagged and his arms are tied behind his back. His ankles are taped together too.
“What . . . why is he here?”
“You know why,” he says, kicking at Justin’s foot, but he doesn’t move.
“Is . . . is he alive?”
“Yes. Only sleeping. We can wake him up when it’s time.”