Page 76 of Drive Me Crazy
She nods to herself, tugging her lower lip between her teeth. “Yeah? You think so?”
“I know so.” Pulling her close, I brush my lips against thetop of her head. “You’re proof an angel can walk through hell and make burns look beautiful, baby.”
THIRTY-FOUR
Ella
I WOULD’VE MUCH PREFERRED to be atThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, butThe Elliot Brown Showisn’t too bad, I guess. It’s the third talk show appearance Blake’s done this month. They’ve all gone great, but he’s still anxious. I’m losing circulation in my right hand because of how tightly Blake’s grasping it. His deep brown eyes look over every inch of the studio like it’s a torture chamber. The show producer is walking us around, giving Blake a breakdown of the segment. He nods along, half listening, half glaring. Marion’s elbowed him no fewer than five times, hissing that he needs to pay attention.
The halls of the studio are lined with framed wall portraits and posters of the famous guests who have appeared on the show before. I spy a photo of Elton John as we make our way to the dressing rooms. The moment the producer leaves to take care of some pre-show checks, Blake starts pacing the length of the room. Marion shoots me a worried look, but I give her a reassuring smile.
Blake only stops his incessant walking when the other guest for today’s show bursts in. Gemma Buckley is a health and wellness guru who’s launching her own book soon, hence theirpairing for this episode. She’s a real-life Barbie doll with her honey-blond hair, unblemished skin, and kick-ass body. I may buy her book if it divulges how to look so … flawless.
“Blake Hollis!” she squeals, pulling my boyfriend into a massive hug. “It issonice to finally meet you!”
I wonder if her boobs are real or fake. I’ll have to ask Blake considering they’re pressed up against him. I’ve decided I no longer want to read her book.
“Lovely to meet you as well.” He takes a step back, keeping a healthy distance between the two of them. “This is my girl-friend, Ella.”
Blake gently nudges me forward and two seconds later, I’m enveloped in Gemma’s toned, tanned arms. She smells like a rose-filled garden.
“You look so familiar,” Gemma muses when I’m finally released from her Velociraptor-like grip. “Have we met before?”
“I don’t think so.” There’s no way I’d forget that. “Maybe I just have one of those faces.”
She gently grabs my chin, turning my face from side to side. I awkwardly take a step back so I’m out of her grasp, bumping into Blake, who’s watching with amusement.
“I’ll figure it out.” She nods to herself. “I have to go finish up hair and makeup, but I’ll see you out there, Blake!”
“She’s nice.” Blake chuckles, leaning against the wall after she’s left. Nice is one way to put it.
A crew of people comes in to whisk him away thirty minutes later.It’s showtime, baby.
I’m not sure if Blake’s gotten better at being interviewed, or if he’s just ready to get this round of his press tour over with, but he’s brought his A-game. He’s the perfect combination of charming and confident with a side of cheekiness. The audience is loving every minute of it.
“Soyour girlfriend is one of your biographers,” Elliot says with a wink. “Tell us about that. Work hard, play hard?”
I hear Marion sigh frustratedly under her breath.Same, girl, same. This interview is supposed to be about Blake and the biography, not the writer he’s dating. I’m almost positive I’m listed as a persona non grata on Blake’s release form. The audience laughs as Elliot leans forward like he’s about to receive salacious information.
“Well, she wasn’t my girlfriend when she took the job,” Blake responds coolly. He likes not having to hide our relationship, but he’s still fiercely overprotective of me, threatening to keep reporters out of the press room if they don’t respect my personal space. Having me brought up on live television? Not going to bode well for anyone. “She’s a journalist first and fore-most and a phenomenal writer, so she’s not biased. Just the other day she asked me if I pay extra when I travel since my confidence must take up so much luggage space, if that tells you anything.”
“What’d you say?” Elliot asks. The way he’s resting his elbows on the desk in front of him makes me roll my eyes. He couldn’t be more desperate for information if he tried.
Blake grins, his teeth flashing white against his tanned skin. “I fly private, so it’s never been an issue.”
The audience gobbles it up like cake, leaving no crumbs left behind.
“Good on her.” Elliot nods delightedly. “I can imagine it’s hard to be unbiased since it looks like the two of you are in the honeymoon phase.”
An image of Blake and me appears on the screen behind them. It’s from the last Grand Prix. Blake’s holding his trophy above his head with one arm, the other wrapped tightly around my waist. We’re staring at each other like we’re the only ones in the room. It’s one of those photos you would want to add to your Pinterest board titled “J’adore” or somethingcheesy like that. The audience erupts into a chorus of “awwws.”
“Look at you lovebirds!” Gemma places her hands over her heart. “You two are positively adorable.”
Blake barely acknowledges the photo.
“In case the audience doesn’t know, Blake’s girlfriend is pretty successful in her own right,” Elliot continues. “She used to host a podcast for PlayMedia, which is one of the largest sport and entertainment media companies in America.”
Elliot Brown fucking sucks in comparison to Jimmy Fallon.
