“No, it’s not that, but wow.” Looking a little uncomfortable, he said, “Um, we need you.”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “I know; everyone says that.”
I’d become a little jaded, hardened to the propositions that came with the fame and notoriety. Not all of it was as good as my new placement.
“Seriously, I’m not trying to harass you.” He jerked his head toward the left. “That dude over there says he’s here for you.”
I squinted toward where he gestured, noticing there was a sizable crowd.
“He said he would take some pictures and sign shit if I came over and grabbed you. I didn’t even know who you were when he said it.”
I didn’t respond; I couldn’t. It was like I’d been turned to stone, and even my chest was frozen, unable to draw the smallest of breaths. My feet planted to the asphalt, as if glued there. With my heart pounding so hard I could hear it whoosh in my ears, I simply stared.
There was a man at the center of the commotion, surrounded by students trying to get his attention. He was very tall with wild blond hair, leaning against what appeared to be a black pickup truck. A really big, shiny one.
“Are you coming?” The shirtless guy poked me again.
I shook my head. “I need a second.”
“Are you okay? You know who he is, right?”
This time I nodded, still staring.
“I don’t think you should make him wait.”
“I just need a few moments,” I muttered, and my voice came out croaky.
Blane Steele was standing in the parking lot of the school I now attended.
Blane
Cate stood there staring at me, the sight of her a tasty snack for my starving heart. She looked like she’d filled out a bit again in her gray T-shirt and jean shorts, dark green Chucks on her feet, and her hair piled in a messy bun on her head.
She didn’t move and neither did I. Actually, I couldn’t because I’d promised a few photos and autographs.
I glanced at the students swarming around me. “Hey, I know y’all want to hang, but I have to go see that girl over there. How ’bout a big group shot? If you e-mail me your addresses, I can send y’all something autographed. It’s Blaneassistant at Gmail, okay? Now, let’s pose.”
I had to wince a little at the sound of myself. My Southern accent was heavy, even after only being back home for two days.
We posed and they took a million selfies, holding me back from the one person I wanted to be with, but I had to play nice. Especially down in Florida. Now.
“I’m going to send y’all something awesome,” I said over my shoulder as I made my way toward her.
She stood stock-still, not moving, not making a sound. I stopped when I got close, not touching like I wanted to, but close enough so no one else could hear me.
When I breathed out her name, she said, “What are you doing here, Steele?” She tilted her head back to look up at me, ready to throw down—as usual.
“I came to get my girl back.”
“Stop. Just stop,” she said, turning to walk away.
Gently, I grabbed her wrist and turned her back toward me. “I’m always saying don’t do that to you, but this is the last time I’m saying that shit because I’m here for you. And I’m not letting you go.”
“Blane . . .”
“Cate, see this?” I pulled up my shirt and exposed the tattoo of her name.
“Put that down,” she said through clenched teeth. “You’re making a scene.”
“Afraid that’s sort of par for the course these days, but you need to listen to me.”
From the corner of my eye, I could see smartphones lifted in the air, pointed our way. Yep, we were making Internet fodder as we spoke.
“I have to get to work, Blane.”
That was her excuse?
“I can drive you and we can talk along the way. We can get out of the public eye.”
I really wanted to suggest she quit the damn job—she wouldn’t need it now. But I could see her feminist tendencies swirling around, ready to lash out and beat the ever-loving shit out of me.
“I swear, just a car ride and a chat.” I put my hand up in the air. “Scout’s honor.”
“Okay, only because I can’t deal with this.” She gestured toward the crowd that lingered. “With everyone watching us.”
She was going to have to get used to it, but it wasn’t time to tell her that.
“They’re snapping pics, and there’s going to be more of that when we get in the car. I’m warning you, keep your head down.” I threw my arm around her, tucking her close against me as I walked her toward the truck.
“Shit,” she mumbled under her breath.
“The novelty passes.”
“I don’t know about that, Steele.”
“Hey, guys. Can you step aside? I got to drive my lady to work,” I called out when we neared the parking space.
They were probably all tweeting and snapchatting my vehicle, complete with the license plate. I’d have to text my assistant and get a new one.
“We didn’t know your girl went here, Steele,” someone from the crowd called out.