Rumor Has It: A Bad Boy Romantic Comedy Read Online Free PDF Page B

super fucked up, but that’s the way the studio heads think. All they care about is money.”
    “So you pretend to be in love? You pose for the paparazzi and lie to the press about how much you love each other for no other reason than to get good PR for your movies.”
    “Yeah,” I said with a shrug. “As soon as I started making public appearances with Louis, my career took off. Our contract lasts for another year. If I don’t fulfill it, I’ll be in a lot of trouble.”
    Our PR teams had already orchestrated our break-up. It would happen right before the release of our next movie, that way we would get maximum exposure.
    “He’s paying you to pretend to be his girlfriend?”
    “Right.”
    “I don’t have any feelings for him. And even if I did, well, he’s gay, so nothing could ever come of it.”
    I wasn’t sure why it was important that Theo know this. I didn’t want him to think Louis and I were actually in love, or attracted to one another. Theo ran a hand through his hair.
    “Why did I ever agree to this?” he said as if thinking out loud. He looked out the window, lost in thought.
    “I take this seriously,” I blurted out. “I mean, I know you think I don’t, but I do. I understand how hard you’re working and…”
    “This isn’t about me. This is about protecting you. I can’t keep you safe unless you do what I say.”
    “I will.”
    “You haven’t so far,” he snapped. “You’re spoiled and bratty. You’re used to having fans kiss your ass. I’m not your fan. I was hired to do a job. If you can’t do what I say, then there’s no point to me being here.”
    “You’re quitting?”
    Theo rolled down the window separating us from the driver. “Pull over,” he ordered. The limo came to an abrupt stop. Theo opened the door and stepped out.
    “Wait!” I crawled out of the limo after him. “I need you,” I said pathetically.
    Theo stopped in his tracks. He turned to face me. “You need a reality check. You’ve been pampered in Hollywood for too long. This guy is out there, watching, planning. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up-”
    “Don’t say it! I don’t want to think about dying.”
    “He won’t kill you. He’s going to keep you locked up. You’ll become his new pet.”
    I hugged my coat around me. “Please stay, Theo. This is why I need you. No one understands the threat better than you do.”
    His expression softened, but stubborn defiance still lingered in his eyes.
    “You’re a soldier,” I said. “You’re used to having orders followed. I’m just a celebrity. I’m not used to following commands.”
    “To put it mildly,” he replied drily.
    “Just give me a chance. I can change. I’ll do whatever you want.”
    He frowned, but I could see the resistance breaking down.
    “Look, I don’t care about this stupid arrangement you have with your pretend-boyfriend. The two of you can play whatever childish games with the press you want, but if it compromises your safety, then it has to stop.”
    “Of course,” I lied. No way could I break my contract with Louis without severe consequences. I’d cross that bridge when I had to. For now, I was focused on keeping Theo around.
    “Does that mean you’ll stay?” I asked. I tried to keep the eagerness out of my voice, but I’m not that good of an actress.
    He sighed. “Yes.”
    Foolishly, I squealed with delight. I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. He stood there stiffly as if he wasn’t interested, but a smile played at the corner of his lips.
    “This isn’t professional,” he said drily.
    “C’mon,” I said, slapping his ass. “Let’s get back in the limo.”
    I didn’t wait for him to respond. I jumped into the limo and hoped he would follow. To my relief, he slid in beside me and slammed the car door shut behind him. I waited for him to tell me not to be so foolish, that I had to treat him with the respect a professional deserved. But all Theo said was: “Drive.”
    The limo took off.