WAVE

Chapter 14

"There they are!"

I gasp, backing up a step as reporters and paparazzi block the doorway, waving their cameras and recorders frantically in our faces. In a daze, I look back into the establishment, noticing everyone rising up out of their seats, wondering about the commotion.

"Don't answer them," Tristan utters before moving forward into the crowd. Hand in his, I clutch onto his arm as well, hiding my face while what seems like hundreds of shots are taken of us.

I hear Casey's name, and my stomach drops. I'm terrified. Raul's voice suddenly booms behind us, shouting at the mass of people.

"Get off this premises! Now!"

"This way, Gen," Tristan says calmly as we walk to the left, finding the car. My heart's pumping out of my chest as they follow us, inches away from our faces.

"Why'd you do it, Tristan?"

"How long has this been going on?"

Frantically, I assess the lot of red-faced people as Tristan opens the door to his convertible. I slide in hurriedly, concealing my face with my hand as they hover at my window, camera lodged against the glass. Tristan climbs into the driver's side, slamming the door in their faces.

Turning with a hand on my seat, he begins to navigate, backing up in this mess, waiting for them to move aside. I stare at him as he honks the horn repeatedly, and they finally begin to retreat, scared of becoming a permanent part of the concrete. As soon as the road is cleared enough, he steps on it, surging back, turning us out of the parking lot with enough force to give me whiplash.

I swallow, breathless. "What the fuck was that?"

He shakes his head, looking at me. "That was Casey."

"What?"

"She spoke to reporters almost an hour ago, told them I've been cheating on her with you for months now. That we went to Thailand together. That I hadn't broken up the engagement until after we returned. It's all over the internet."

"Are you kidding me?" It seems utterly ridiculous to me. "Why would they even care this much? To harass us like that?"

"I've had worse encounters than that, Gen. It's their job to get the photo and they just did."

I close my eyes, looking down. This is getting hard. A lot harder than I thought it could be.

"I'm so sorry, Genevieve. I'm sorry I dragged you into this."

"No, I get it. I feel bad for you." I'm suddenly very tired. Must be the adrenaline pumping through me. "What happens now?"

"We lay low until it dies down, I think."

I hate the thought. I'm just getting to know this man. This morning, we were riding a high and now... I press my lips together, nodding in agreement.

He focuses on the road, but I sense the rage he's withholding. I sense his anger.

Our ride to my apartment is silent. I glance at him a couple times, trying to read his mind, but his face shows nothing. Even as I step out of the car, he's almost void of emotion.

"I'm gonna see you again, right?"

As the screen of his phone lights up, he answers distractedly, unable to look away from the device. "Yes."

I stare at him, waiting for more. Something better than a one-word answer. When it comes, I grab my purse, scoffing.

"Give me a call when you get this sorted out," I say, shutting the door.