Chapter 14

WHITLEY

Watching Gabriel stand on stage with his arms around three different girls is harder than I thought it would be. Is this what they call jealousy? I don’t normally get jealous, so it’s an uncommon feeling. I sure as hell want to punch each one in the face and scream, ~he’s mine, bitch!~

Damn, just seeing him shirtless, with his jeans riding low on his hips, makes my mouth water. Just looking at his ripped chest, his six pack, and his perfect V, that I know for a fact leads to an impressive cock, is making me wet already.

It makes me wonder how we got here so fast. It’s like we’re two pieces of a puzzle that finally came together. We just fit, and I’m not going to argue with it. I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. California is becoming more and more enticing by the day.

I’m taken out of my own thoughts by the big boss himself.

“Nada. Get rid of all of them. Find someone else,” he shouts.

“But sir, these are the best,” says his assistant.

“Obviously, not. They don’t go with that fine specimen up there, and that’s what we’re here to sell.”

~Fine specimen, indeed.~

He walks away, and the girls leave. I walk up on the stage and slide my hands up Gabriel’s glorious chest. He slides his arms around me and looks down into my eyes. There’s a look in them that I can’t quite read.

“That’s her! Look at that chemistry! Look at that body! I want her!” the big boss shouts, pointing at me.

“Oh, shit,” I say.

Gabriel introduces me to the big boss himself.

“Sir, this is my girlfriend, Whitley Barrington. She’s not a model.”

“Well, now she is,” he says. He looks at me with such a serious look. “I’ll pay you whatever it takes for you to do the shoot with your famous, NFL boyfriend.”

***

Martin can’t stop laughing and saying, “I told you so.”

He hands me a check with a number followed by a lot of zeros. I’m staring at the check. It’s more than I could spend in a year just to consider it.

~I’m in the wrong profession. ~

“He’s going to pay me this much?” I ask.

Martin smiles.

“Don’t tell him I told you this, but he’s willing to pay more.”

“Holy…”

“So, what do you say, Ms. Barrington? Let’s show the world the hottest couple out there,” Martin says.

I look up at Gabriel, and he’s smiling from ear to ear.

“What do you think, Gabriel?”

“I think it’s going to be hard as hell to hide the fact that you’re my girlfriend in nothing but a pair of underwear.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Martin says. “You know he’s one for pushing the limits when it comes to commercials and campaigns. This one is only for the Super Bowl. The other one will be more tame. That’s the one that will air over national television all the time.”

“Oh, so this won’t be released until the Super Bowl?” I ask.

“Nope,” Martin says. “Now, since we don’t know who’s going, we’re crossing our fingers and toes for our team here, but it will air regardless. Then the national commercials you see every day will start after the Super Bowl one airs.”

“That’s quite a ways away,” I say.

“You have to be prepared. Is there a problem with the timeline?”

“I don’t live here. I live in New York.”

“No problem. Matter of fact, boss wants us to start immediately. That’s why we need your answer,” Martin says.

I feel Gabriel’s hand slide over my ass and squeeze. He kisses me on the forehead.

“It’s your choice, baby. Don’t do this just for me. If you do it, do it for yourself,” he says.

I know why he says it. He’s afraid the attention will put a spotlight on me and inadvertently put me in danger. I look up at his handsome face.

“I won’t live in fear,” I say. I turn to Martin. “I’ll do it.”

***

We get home and are relaxing in front of the TV when my cellphone rings. I answer.

“Whitley, it’s your old professor, Richard Harrington.”

“Oh, why hello, professor. What can I do for you?”

“I know calling like this seems a little off, but I had to get a hold of you, so I kind of snuck a peek into student records in order to get your information.”

“Okay.”

“Anyway, the point is the top publishing house here in New York, Red Book Publishing, called asking for recommendations on up-and-coming editors. Your name came up, and I sent them some of your stuff to look over. They loved it and want to see you as soon as possible for an assistant editor position.”

“What! Are you serious? That’s amazing!”

“I knew you would be delighted! I also knew you spoke about leaving for the summer.”

“Yes, I’m in California at the moment.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Whitley. If there was any way you could come back, you need to. This could be your future.”

“When do they want to meet?”

“Next week, with the possibility of starting immediately.”

“Thank you so much, professor. Let them know I’ll be there.”

“Will do, Whitley.”

I look up at Gabriel after ending the call. I can tell by the look on his face that he isn’t happy, not one damn bit. He stands up and walks out the patio doors. I follow and find him standing by the pool with his hands in his pockets and his back to me.

“So, that’s just it? You’re leaving?” he asks.

“I have to, Gabriel. It’s one of the top publishers in New York, and they want to talk to me.”

He nods his head.

“So, what happens to us if you decide to stay?” he asks.

“Honestly, I’m not sure,” Whitley says.

He nods again.

“This is my career, Gabriel. You have yours. I have to find mine.”

“No, you’re right. You deserve your career. You worked hard for it. I just hope your career can hold you tight at night when you’re feeling lonely in New York.”

He walks back into the house and grabs his keys. As he is heading to the front door, he turns.

“I need to get some air.”

He calmly closes the door and leaves me standing there, frozen. I’m still standing in the same spot twenty minutes later, tears rolling down my face, and staring at the door when Kendrick walks in.