Page 22 of Yours To Take
I shake my head. “Not when you’re used to being used by people wanting to land a certain part.”
Growing up with a model-turned-actress, everyone wanted a piece of me. It’s why my true friendships are few and far between.
“I’m sorry.” Gemma’s eyes are on me. “That must’ve been hard.”
I shrug a shoulder. “After my first girlfriend treated me like shit because I wouldn’t help her get a part, I know what to look for.”
Gemma winces. “She used you for a part?”
I nod. “Comes with the territory, I guess.”
“Still. I’m sorry that happened to you. I don’t know if I could deal with that.”
“Trust me, I didn’t either. Not when your first kiss, hell your first time, is plastered all over the tabloids in a tell-all story.”
Her cheeks grow even more pink and her eyes widen. “I can’t imagine that.”
I huff out an annoyed laugh. Thinking about it still pisses me off. “I was eighteen, and I knew her from school. Her dad was a producer and threw an enormous party. It was terrible and awkward, but because people got busted for other reasons, we were in the news for weeks. She ate up every minute of it while I just hid away.”
“You’re making a pretty good case not to move to LA.”
“What about you?” I chance a glance up at her, but Gemma’s gaze is fixed on the view.
“What about me?”
“What about your first time?”
“You don’t need to know,” she answers quickly.
“Oh, come on. I told you about mine. Hell, you can google my name and it still comes up. It’s buried, but if you dig hard enough it’s there.”
“It looks like it might rain. We should head back.” Gemma stands so quickly, it gives me whiplash.
“I don’t see a single cloud in the sky.”
She circles a finger around, looking nervous. “It’s the mountains. The weather can change on a dime.”
“You look like someone lit your ass on fire.” I grab her arm to stop her, and she’s looking everywhere but me.
It’s almost as if she doesn’t want me to know something.
“Wait, are you…”
I don’t want to say the words. I don’t want to be wrong.
Gemma turns to look at me this time. Something flares hot and bright in her eyes before disappearing.
“Shit. You are, aren’t you?”
Taking a step back, Gemma explodes. “Yes, I’m a virgin. Are you happy?”
“Wait—“
“You men act like it’s such a big deal.” She interrupts me, acting like I’m not here. “It’s not. My high school boyfriend was terrible and was only with me because he liked this girl who liked my brother who he dumped and then she spread horrible rumors about me because she was upset. So she convinced him to date me, but then he cheated on me with her to get back at me for what my brother did. And frankly, none of the men in town are all that appealing. And dating in Jackson, after going there for college, where the options are limited, makes it even harder. So after a certain point, I just kind of gave up. Happy?”
Her brown eyes are fierce as she stares me down. “That’s a lot to unpack.”
“I mean, have you met your species? Not that much, really.”
