Strife: Part Two (The Strife Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

outside of the movie set and call John to see if he wants to go have drinks. I'm kind of curious about what all went down last night when I was holed up in my room with Alexis. I got to see some of it when I went to ask James if I could steal Alexis away. Skin and sex and sin. Part of me still regrets not indulging in it, but I have to keep reminding myself that I did the right thing. Sex is only a temporary fix for the loneliness I'm feeling inside, a loneliness I was hoping to rectify by coming to California and meeting Marie.
     
    ***
     
    “You missed so much last night,” John tells me with an ear to ear grin. His beady brown eyes have dark circles under them, which is a good indication that he was out late.
    “I'm sure I did.” I sip my Crown and Coke, staring out into the street.
    There is a gaggle of girls gathered around, taking my picture from afar and pointing and giggling. I do my best to ignore them, praying they don't come to ask for my autograph. We've only been at this bar for about fifteen minutes, and the vast majority of that time has been spent talking to fans and signing autographs. I'm beginning to wish we would have gone somewhere more private.
    “The sex was amazing,” he keeps his voice low in case anyone is listening in. I'm sure people are listening in. They always are.
    “It looked like you were having a good time when I saw you last.” I crack a grin.
    “Oh, that was just the tip of the iceberg. The stuff we did. I fucked all of them.” He makes a sweeping gesture across the table with his hand. “Came in half of them.”
    My stomach instantly twists in disgust, thinking about what would have happened to Alexis had I left her behind. John definitely would have fucked her. She would have just been one of them. Faceless. Nameless.
    “Sounds like a blast,” I try to hide the dryness from my tone.
    “It was.” He lounges back. “I think I filled my sex quota for the month.”
    “I'm happy for you.”
    “Nah, that's bullshit.” He slaps the table, guffawing as if he just made some big joke. “A man can never have enough sex.”
    “No, he can't.”
    “What about you? How did it go with the one you took home?”
    “It was fine,” I sigh.
    “You don't sound like it was fine.” Concern fills his face.
    “It was. I've just had a long day is all.” I draw my hand to my brow as the flash from someone's camera blinds me momentarily.
    John nods towards the street. “Welcome to Hollywood, the place where you can't escape the spotlight.”
    I hate it here already, I think though I dare not say it. That's just me being bitter about everything that's gone wrong so far. I haven't even really given this place a chance. Just two days. So many more to go. Things will change. I have a long time for them to.
    “So what all did you do last night?” John wiggles in his seat.
    “What do you think we did?” I try to be nonchalant about it, not wanting to give away too much. If he thinks we didn't have sex, I'll never hear the end of it. This was his gift to me, after all.
    “Did you fuck her raw? Make her leave all bow-legged?”
    Again a sickening feeling takes over me. It bothers me that he's talking about Alexis in such a way. But it bothers me more that it's affecting me so much. I shouldn't care, but I do. Not only do I care, but I'm worried about her. Worried about what will happen to her tonight.
    “It was so good, I think I'll have her again.” I trace the rim of my glass with my fingertip, considering my own words. My night is blown anyway. There will be no date with Marie Overton, and if I don't have company, then I'm just going to think about both women all night, which definitely won't be fun.
    “That good, huh?” He nods, satisfied with my answer.
    “Yeah, that good,” I lie, wondering what in the hell is wrong with me.

 
     
     
     
     
     
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    James isn't going to be pleased with me. I still cheaped out on the dresses, only picking up two more at fifty