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Chapter 33: Scandal
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The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 34: A New Arrangement
My breath catches in my chest. For a moment, there's something in Luca's eyes - a spark - that makes me think he means to kiss me. I stiffen, but he stops a couple of feet away from me."Yes, we do need to talk," I hear myself say.He hesitates for a moment - a very, very long moment. His eyes bore into mine, and behind the exhaustion I see something that for a brief, terrifying instant brings butterflies to my stomach. My lips tingle slightly as I remember the way his mouth tasted last night. Even though I know better, part of me still wants to taste it again.But he doesn't move. And whatever it is that I see in his eyes disappears again."I trust you've seen the internet," he says.I nod. "And I thought Cataclysm: Aftermath would be the first time the world saw me half-naked." It's supposed to be a joke, but I don't quite pull it off."We have a problem," he says, rubbing the side of his neck. "A big problem. This sort of publicity was not in our plan. I've been up all night t
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 35: "I Can't Do This Anymore"
Luca is right. The story only gets bigger over the next few days as more and more news outlets start covering it. As I think we both suspected and feared would happen, most of the sites choose to focus on the most dramatic and negative aspects of the story: the "arrest," the half-naked photos of me, and - of course - Luca's attack on Dante.Amusingly, I suspect that a public rift between two members of the Fontaine family will only mean good things for any of their projects - the public loves some juicy family drama - but I also know that that is the absolute last thing anyone in that family wants. Part of what makes them such a powerful force in this industry is that they stand together - and everyone knows it.Well, knew it.I don't know a lot of things about the real Luca, but I do know he'll do anything to bury this story about him and his brother. No doubt he and his family have already attempted to throw their usual weapons of damage control - money and influence - at the prob
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 36: My Date With Luca
Luca is openly staring at me."You look..." His voice trails off, but his expression shows his appreciation."Just doing my job." I shrug and look up into his eyes.That's a mistake. The look I see in his eyes reminds me of how dangerous this is, how easy it would be to fall completely under his spell again. I can't let that happen."I...I should finish getting ready," I say. "And you should put on some clothes.""Maybe." His grin turns positively cocky. "Or maybe going out like this will cause exactly the stir we're hoping for.""Only if you're hoping to get arrested for public nudity."I finally find the strength to pull away from him, and he lets me go. But that cocky, appreciative smile is still on his face.I'm relieved to see that he is, in fact, wearing a towel around his waist. But the most beautiful parts of him are still visible - his chest and abs are on full display, as is the perfect ridged "V" pointing down toward his groin.God help me. I refuse to let myself fa
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 37: Close Call
Luca sits back in his chair, a strange mixture of emotions on his face. "Of course. Go ahead.""Thanks." I hit the button to answer and leap up from my seat. "Javy? Can you hold on one minute?"Quickly, I glance around for a quiet corner of the patio. Finding none, I head back into the restaurant. Maybe I'll find some privacy in the bathroom."Why didn't you call me?" I hiss into the phone as I make a beeline for the restrooms. "Did everything go through? Are you okay?""Maybe. Not really." I can hear the anxiety in his voice."Hold on one more second," I say. I push against the door to the women's room, but it's locked. Occupied. Shit.I glance around. Another woman is already coming down the hallway, so I won't have any privacy if I stay here. And I don't want anyone who recognizes me to try and eavesdrop on this conversation. That might be a disaster for both me and Javy."Just another minute," I tell him. "I'm in a restaurant. I'm going to head outside."I stride quickly ba
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 38: More Bad Ideas
"I don't think this is a good idea," I say to Luca. We've already almost been arrested this week. I'd rather not get booked for trespassing."We're not going inside," he assures me. Instead, he takes me along the length of the fence, toward a small grove of palm trees and a little wooden hut that I assume was once used to rent out beach chairs and umbrellas.He pulls me inside the hut. Once we're safely hidden, he says, "Now, I want you to tell me exactly what happened.""I shouldn't have gone down to the beach," I say, dropping my stilettos onto the ground. "I just needed a quiet place to talk to Javy. I thought I was okay over on that side of the building."I can't see his face in the darkness, but his hand comes up and touches me gently on the cheek. "That was your brother who called you? The one who wanted money?""Apparently he needs more." I shrug. "I was getting frustrated with him and I was probably talking a lot louder than I intended to. If they heard what I was saying..
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 39: Something Real
His fingers dig into my ass, and I moan as his tongue delves into my mouth. After two years, I know the taste of him quite well, but he's never tasted as wild and as sweet as he does right now.He shifts his hips, and I can feel his arousal pressed between my legs. I should ask him to grab a condom, but my tongue is currently otherwise occupied. And I can't bear to stop this, even for a second. I need this connection to him, ache for it more than I ever thought I could. We might still be strangers on so many levels, but at the end of the day, Luca knows me in a way that no one else does. He and I share a secret that no one else in this world can truly understand, even those who know our relationship is fake. We share an understanding - and, I suspect, even a loneliness.For all that he doesn't know about me, he's seen a side of me that no one else in my life will ever get to see.He's kissing me deeply, but his hips haven't moved again. I shift impatiently against him, longing for h
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 40: Back On Set
Apparently the owner of the restaurant can't find my phone on the beach, but he promises to have his employees search again during daylight hours. I'm not very hopeful.When we get back to Luca's house, I try calling Javy from the landline, but my brother doesn't answer. I leave a message explaining what happened and begging him to call me back as soon as possible. I try both of my parents' numbers, too, but they don't answer either.God, has everyone in my family forgotten how to use a phone? A terrible thought occurs to me - What if something disastrous has happened and everyone's too busy rushing to the hospital to pick up? - but I don't let myself go down that path. As the night goes on and still no one calls, I begin to breathe a little easier. Neither of my parents would wait this long to notify me of an emergency. Most likely they're just already in bed.Somehow I manage to keep myself from watching the internet all night, waiting for this new story to break. But I suspect I'
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 41: The Line Between Fake And Real
Luca doesn't offer any more explanation than that. Instead, he climbs to his feet. Rubbing his eyes, he wanders over to the far side of the set.I prop myself up on my elbows, confused and slightly alarmed. My mind is still hazy, my body still hot and throbbing with need. I can't seem to form any coherent thoughts about what's happening.When I glance back over my shoulder at Isaac, he looks just as baffled."Is there a problem?" he says to Luca."No, no problem," Luca says. "I just need a moment." He turns away from the rest of us, facing the green screen at the back of the set. His hands clench and unclench at his sides. Meanwhile, the whole crew is silent, watching and waiting.Finally, he turns back to us. Whatever was going on with him, he seems fine now. His mouth is spread in a grin, and he gives a careless wave of his hand."Sorry about that," he says to the room. "I'm ready to start again."He comes back over to me, and I sit up, preparing to begin the scene once more.
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The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 53: Once And For All
A short while later, Luca and I are sitting on the edge of the back porch, sipping coffee and listening to the sounds of the world waking up around us. It's still only about seven in the morning, but it feels like we've been awake forever. Still, it's nice to have a moment of quiet, just to ourselves."So," I say casually, "that's my family."He laughs, and for a second I'm lost in the sound. Lost in him."They're a little crazy, I know." I smile down at my coffee cup. "But we're there for each other.""I know a thing or two about that," he says, grinning at me. "Also a thing or two about delinquent younger brothers. We can't let Javy anywhere near Rafe - I bet those two would get into all sorts of trouble together.""What about me?" I ask. "Am I allowed near Rafe now? Since we've properly established that I don't have any interest in him?"He gives me a teasing look. "I'll consider it. But just to be clear, it's not you I don't trust - it's him.""Fair enough.""Actually, spea
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 52: Not So Alone
My little brother freezes on the steps. He drops his hand from his eyes, shock flashing across his face. It's followed quickly by panic.And I, meanwhile, suddenly find myself fighting down anger. I've spent the last couple of weeks worried sick about him, trying to help him but getting only vague explanations and unanswered calls in return."Would you like to tell everyone why I'm here, Javy?" I say.My parents both turn toward him, their faces wrinkled in confusion. My mother places her hand on my arm. "What are you talking about, honey?"Part of me wonders if I should try to respect my brother's wishes and address this in private, but I suspect that's out of the question now. There's no way my mom will let us get away with that."Javy's been calling me these past few weeks, claiming he's in trouble," I say. "But he won't tell me why.""Trouble?" My dad's frown deepens. "What's going on?""Look," Javy says, throwing up his hands. "This is all getting blown out of proportion."
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 51: Coming Home
It's sticky in Atlanta, even for six o'clock in the morning.I'm not tired, even though Luca and I were up the entire plane ride exploring each other in new and intoxicating ways. That seven-hour nap I took in Luca's trailer yesterday probably helped, but I suspect it's mostly adrenaline carrying me along."Your brother still lives with your parents?" Luca asks me during the cab ride to their house. He laces his fingers through mine, and I'm grateful for the comforting touch."He just graduated from college this year," I say. "He's at home for now, but I suspect he's getting antsy to leave the nest. In all honesty, though, I don't think my parents are ready for him to go. With Sara in New York and me in L.A., I think they like having him around." I squeeze his hand. "I still can't figure out what sort of trouble he's managed to get himself into. My parents don't seem to have any idea..."Luca leans closer to me. "Whatever it is, just remember that you're not alone. We'll figure it
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 50: More Than An Obsession
"Look at me," Luca says.He reaches out with his free hand and cups my chin, raising my eyes to his again. "Look me in the eyes and tell me what you see."I almost don't want to, it scares me so much. In his eyes I see a wild storm - and a promise that makes my toes curl. I try to look away again, but he won't let me."What's wrong?" he asks. "Tell me, Emilia.""It's nothing," I say, then decide to start over. "It's hard to explain. Sometimes I feel like you and I are complete strangers, like we hardly know each other at all, and other times..." I swallow. "Other times I feel like you know me in ways that no one else can. That no one else ever will.""And that scares you?"My assessment must be right - obviously he knows me well if he can read me so easily. I nod."Frankly, it scares me, too," he says. "Terrifies me, actually." He laughs then, and the bright sound is almost jarring. "Emilia, I've spent most of my life avoiding these kinds of emotions. Lust, I can handle. Obsessi
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 49: So Long Lying
I make it all the way outside the airport without anyone stopping me.And, unfortunately, without realizing I've probably just ruined whatever chance I had of getting to Atlanta tonight.There's no way I'm going back to that gate. I can't. I can try to get another flight on another airline, but judging by my luck the first time around, the chances of that happening are pretty slim.What the fuck is wrong with me? Luca just declared his love for me in front of a ton of people and cell phone cameras and I ran.I slump down onto a bench, burying my face in my hands. He didn't just pour out his feelings - he told everyone the truth about our relationship. He undid two years' worth of lies in a single moment, and I feel as if I've been laid bare in front of the whole world. My perfectly crafted public persona is gone, just like that.The back of my neck prickles. He's found me, I can feel it.He sits down on the bench next to me, but not close enough to touch. And he doesn't say a wor
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 48: "You Think This Is Pretend?"
"Emilia," Luca says, "I've been calling you all night."I glance around. My fellow passengers - who'd all seemed happy enough to ignore the girl on the floor with the giant cheeseburger - are starting to notice that the one and only Luca Fontaine is standing in front of them. A couple of them pull out their cell phones as I scramble to my feet."I have to go to Atlanta," I tell him. "I have to figure out what's going on with Javy."He's still frowning. "You should have told me you were going.""You should have told me you were going when you left me alone in your trailer." It's such a stupid, petty thing to bring up now, but my only defense is deflection.Luca's gaze burns into me. He's not about to let me turn this back around on him."Why didn't you tell me?" he demands.I want to run, but his eyes pin me in place. "I thought you might try to stop me. And anyway, this doesn't concern you. He's my brother, which means it's on me to fix this.""What do you mean this doesn't con
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 47: The Airport
LAX is a madhouse, as usual.I go from ticket counter to ticket counter, asking for the first open flight to Atlanta. Normally I have people who do this sort of thing for me, but I don't want to have to explain why I'm ditching my job to go fly across the country. Most of the flights are full until late tomorrow, but I finally manage to score a standby ticket for one leaving three hours from now. It's not ideal, but it's the best I can do on such short notice - even being a celebrity doesn't give me much power against the stupid airlines.A little voice in my head warns me that I'm being rash, that I should think about the consequences this sudden disappearing act might have on my career, but I force those thoughts back down. Nothing will stop me from going home.You should have at least left a note for Luca, I think. I tell myself I'll shoot him a text or something when I get to my gate, even though I know I won't.I keep my head down as I make my way through security. If I'd stop
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 46: I Can't Talk Myself Out Of It Anymore
I feel like someone has gutted me. I love Luca. The realization makes me want to throw up. It's one thing to be attracted to his perfect body, but it's another to actually fall for him. I don't even know him, not really. I can't be in love with him. I can't.I can't.I can't.I can't.I can already see how this ends - with me getting my heart broken. But there's no rationalizing this away - I've already tried that and it didn't work. No, I'm just fucked. He's going to hurt me, and then I'll be alone and devastated and there will be no one to pick up the pieces.I try to fight back the tears. By the time I get back to the house, my entire head throbs with the effort. Relief rushes through me when I see that Luca isn't home yet. I don't think I can face him right now. I throw his keys down on the kitchen counter and run upstairs, locking myself in my room.I plug my phone in to charge and then stumble into the bathroom to shower. I need to get the smell of him off me. I need to w
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 45: After
I wake alone.It takes a moment for me to remember where I am. I can tell I'm in a strange bed and that I'm missing the warm body of someone next to me, but it takes my sleepy brain a few tries to connect all the dots. Suddenly, it all comes rushing back.I slept with Luca.I roll over, my arm sliding across his half of the bed, but it's cold. He's been gone for a while. My heart sinks.Don't act so surprised, Em. You knew this would happen.Clutching the sheets to my chest, I sit up and look around. It's completely dark. There's no light coming in through the blinds. I slide to the edge of the bed and feel around on the floor for my clothes. I wish I had something besides the torn, "apocalypse dust"-ed bits of my costume, but they'll have to do for now. I pull them on and then reach around in the dark until I find the light switch.I didn't have a chance to look around Luca's trailer before we tumbled into bed together, and I have to admit I'm quite impressed by what I see - it'
