Page 23 of Stroked Hard
Laughing, we both grab each other’s phones. I knew this girl worked for Bellini. “Man, I wish I pulled up this picture. Where did you find it?”
“I always have it in my photo album, so when people ask who I work for, I can just show them the picture and instantly receive their condolences. It’s easier that way.” I hold out her hand. “I’m Melony, also known as Melon by Satan’s Mistress. I’m her hair and makeup artist.”
She takes her hand in mine. “Paisley, aka Mauve, the assistant.”
“Oh, it’s great to finally meet you.” It’s good to put a name to the face. I’m about to ask her a question when her phone beeps in my hand. On instinct, I glance down. “Oh, you got a text from Reese . . .”
My voice trails off. I can feel my eyes widen when the message registers in my head. From the look on Paisley’s face, she knows I saw something I probably shouldn’t have.
Reese: I can’t wait to fuck you once you get here.
A little embarrassed from snooping, we quickly trade our phones back. “I didn’t mean to look. I’m sorry.”
It didn’t take long after being around Bellini and Reese together that their relationship was a fake one. There is zero love between them, actually more hate than anything. Man, seeing Reese trying to hold back his opinions about Bellini is actually kind of funny. I knew they weren’t together but what I didn’t know was how Reese had a little side relationship. Risky, very risky, but he deserves something good in his life, especially after he signed on to his bullshit reality show.
Sensing Paisley starting to freak out by the way she’s fumbling with her phone and breathing so heavily she might fog up the plane windows, I rest my hand on hers and reassuringly say, “It’s okay.”
“What?”
“I won’t say anything. Almost everyone in production knows their relationship is fake, so you don’t have to worry about me saying a word. Good for Reese actually. You’re hot.”
She laughs nervously, still a little unsure about my loyalty. I don’t blame her, she just met me. “I would say it’s not who you think it is, but it’s a little obvious, isn’t it?” She cringes from being caught.
I don’t hold back on her. “Pretty much. The Emoji kind of clued me in.”
“I’m so embarrassed. No one knows. It’s still new, like really new.”
“Don’t worry.” I smile, trying to show her I’m on her side. “I’m friends with Reese; clearly I am not friends with Bellini. Trust me, your secret is safe with me.”
She still eyes me skeptically. “Will this make you feel better?” I type out a text to Reese and talk out loud at the same time. “Guess who I’m sitting next to on the plane right now? I will give you one guess: someone who has your name listed in their phone as Reese *swim Emoji*.” I turn to Paisley and say, “Just watch.”
Within seconds, a text appears and we read it together. Reese is good like that.
Reese: Hmm, one guess? I’m going to have to go with my girl, Paisley. Black hair, fantastic rack, eyes that will cut you in half with their beauty.
Ugh, he’s so sweet. People talk about him being such a bad boy but he really isn’t. He isn’t at all. I learned that quickly while working closely with him. I text him back.
Melony: Ding, ding, ding. You’re a winner.
Reese: What’s my prize? Please tell me it’s her.
Melony: That’s not for me to decide.
Satisfied, I say, “See, told you.”
What I thought was going to be reassurance only causes her to panic some more. Her eyes are wild when she asks, “What, is he telling everyone?”
I’m about to answer when she gets a text message. Being the nosey person I am, I see it’s from Reese who most likely is reassuring her. As she’s typing away on her phone, I receive a message from Reese.
Reese: You and Hollis are the only ones who know.
Hollis knows? I’m impressed. He never said one thing to me. Not that we tell each other our secrets, but even when all three of us were together, he acted as though Bellini and he were dating. Well done, Hollis.
I send Reese a text back.
Melony: Your secret is safe with me. Congrats, she’s hot.
Reese: I fucking know it.
