#SampleSunday- Celebrity, a fan-fiction story
"Like he'd choose you over his career..."
"Good to hear your voice, Lena. It's been a while."
I stiffened at the tenor of the voice in my ear. I hadn't missed that distinct Connecticut accent that came out whenever Rex was offstage, off guard, not "in the role".
"What do you want?"
"Well, to welcome you back to LA, first of all. I didn't know you'd made it back."
"I've been back. You didn't think I'd really run away from you, did you?"
A gruff chuckle crossed the line. "You always try to be this spitfire, spicy Latin thing." He sighed. "When you're still really a little Mexican girl in the big city, playing like you're hot shit. Hanging out on the arms of celebrities, trying to make a name for yourself. How're you liking the new one?"
I sucked in a breath.
"Yeah, I know about you and him. I'm kind of surprised. On the one hand, I mean... he was in a boyband. On the other hand, he does have a lot of money. And maybe a career you can throw in the toilet. I feel like he's on the verge of doing just that. It'll be a huge mistake if he turns down my offer."
"So it's not a coincidence that you offered him work?"
"For a publicist, you're so oblivious. People sent me pictures and reports every day of your cute little dates with him, out with that miniature horse of yours. Practically screwing at the movie in the park."
"So, is the job real or are you just fucking with him?"
"Is that Rex?" Jen whispered, her eyebrows drawn together. I shifted away from her so I could concentrate.
A few long beats passed before Rex answered. "Good question. I could be fucking with him, dangling it out there long enough to get you to dump him for wanting to work for me, like he'd choose you over his career. Then maybe I'd snatch it away once you're gone. Would serve you both right.
"Or... maybe the offer is real. I could throw a little money his way and we could form our own Fuck Lena Club. What do you think he should do, publicist? Throw away his career for you? Or put himself back in the world he used to live in, when he needed a security detail to take a shit."
"Rex, please don't..." I licked my lips, which were bone dry. I grabbed my wine just to wet my tongue enough to peel it from the roof of my mouth. "I know how you are, how you operate but he doesn't live in your world; he doesn't play your game. He's not on the level that you are. He's a guy that used to be famous, that writes songs and that's it."
His laughter was so diabolical, it sent shivers up my spine. "It's cute how you're really sticking up for him. You're so concerned about his gentle feelings; meanwhile, we're meeting tomorrow about a song he's writing for me."
"JC is free to do what he wants. I have nothing to do with his decision to work for you."
"Uh huh. But I know you, Lena. I bet you flipped your shit when you heard I'd offered the work."
I didn't dignify the statement with a response but my silence told him everything he needed to know.
"So I guess we'll find out tomorrow how he really feels about you, huh?"
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