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Chapter 46: I Can't Talk Myself Out Of It Anymore
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The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 47: The Airport
LAX is a madhouse, as usual.I go from ticket counter to ticket counter, asking for the first open flight to Atlanta. Normally I have people who do this sort of thing for me, but I don't want to have to explain why I'm ditching my job to go fly across the country. Most of the flights are full until late tomorrow, but I finally manage to score a standby ticket for one leaving three hours from now. It's not ideal, but it's the best I can do on such short notice - even being a celebrity doesn't give me much power against the stupid airlines.A little voice in my head warns me that I'm being rash, that I should think about the consequences this sudden disappearing act might have on my career, but I force those thoughts back down. Nothing will stop me from going home.You should have at least left a note for Luca, I think. I tell myself I'll shoot him a text or something when I get to my gate, even though I know I won't.I keep my head down as I make my way through security. If I'd stop
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 48: "You Think This Is Pretend?"
"Emilia," Luca says, "I've been calling you all night."I glance around. My fellow passengers - who'd all seemed happy enough to ignore the girl on the floor with the giant cheeseburger - are starting to notice that the one and only Luca Fontaine is standing in front of them. A couple of them pull out their cell phones as I scramble to my feet."I have to go to Atlanta," I tell him. "I have to figure out what's going on with Javy."He's still frowning. "You should have told me you were going.""You should have told me you were going when you left me alone in your trailer." It's such a stupid, petty thing to bring up now, but my only defense is deflection.Luca's gaze burns into me. He's not about to let me turn this back around on him."Why didn't you tell me?" he demands.I want to run, but his eyes pin me in place. "I thought you might try to stop me. And anyway, this doesn't concern you. He's my brother, which means it's on me to fix this.""What do you mean this doesn't con
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 49: So Long Lying
I make it all the way outside the airport without anyone stopping me.And, unfortunately, without realizing I've probably just ruined whatever chance I had of getting to Atlanta tonight.There's no way I'm going back to that gate. I can't. I can try to get another flight on another airline, but judging by my luck the first time around, the chances of that happening are pretty slim.What the fuck is wrong with me? Luca just declared his love for me in front of a ton of people and cell phone cameras and I ran.I slump down onto a bench, burying my face in my hands. He didn't just pour out his feelings - he told everyone the truth about our relationship. He undid two years' worth of lies in a single moment, and I feel as if I've been laid bare in front of the whole world. My perfectly crafted public persona is gone, just like that.The back of my neck prickles. He's found me, I can feel it.He sits down on the bench next to me, but not close enough to touch. And he doesn't say a wor
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 50: More Than An Obsession
"Look at me," Luca says.He reaches out with his free hand and cups my chin, raising my eyes to his again. "Look me in the eyes and tell me what you see."I almost don't want to, it scares me so much. In his eyes I see a wild storm - and a promise that makes my toes curl. I try to look away again, but he won't let me."What's wrong?" he asks. "Tell me, Emilia.""It's nothing," I say, then decide to start over. "It's hard to explain. Sometimes I feel like you and I are complete strangers, like we hardly know each other at all, and other times..." I swallow. "Other times I feel like you know me in ways that no one else can. That no one else ever will.""And that scares you?"My assessment must be right - obviously he knows me well if he can read me so easily. I nod."Frankly, it scares me, too," he says. "Terrifies me, actually." He laughs then, and the bright sound is almost jarring. "Emilia, I've spent most of my life avoiding these kinds of emotions. Lust, I can handle. Obsessi
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 51: Coming Home
It's sticky in Atlanta, even for six o'clock in the morning.I'm not tired, even though Luca and I were up the entire plane ride exploring each other in new and intoxicating ways. That seven-hour nap I took in Luca's trailer yesterday probably helped, but I suspect it's mostly adrenaline carrying me along."Your brother still lives with your parents?" Luca asks me during the cab ride to their house. He laces his fingers through mine, and I'm grateful for the comforting touch."He just graduated from college this year," I say. "He's at home for now, but I suspect he's getting antsy to leave the nest. In all honesty, though, I don't think my parents are ready for him to go. With Sara in New York and me in L.A., I think they like having him around." I squeeze his hand. "I still can't figure out what sort of trouble he's managed to get himself into. My parents don't seem to have any idea..."Luca leans closer to me. "Whatever it is, just remember that you're not alone. We'll figure it
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 52: Not So Alone
My little brother freezes on the steps. He drops his hand from his eyes, shock flashing across his face. It's followed quickly by panic.And I, meanwhile, suddenly find myself fighting down anger. I've spent the last couple of weeks worried sick about him, trying to help him but getting only vague explanations and unanswered calls in return."Would you like to tell everyone why I'm here, Javy?" I say.My parents both turn toward him, their faces wrinkled in confusion. My mother places her hand on my arm. "What are you talking about, honey?"Part of me wonders if I should try to respect my brother's wishes and address this in private, but I suspect that's out of the question now. There's no way my mom will let us get away with that."Javy's been calling me these past few weeks, claiming he's in trouble," I say. "But he won't tell me why.""Trouble?" My dad's frown deepens. "What's going on?""Look," Javy says, throwing up his hands. "This is all getting blown out of proportion."
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 53: Once And For All
A short while later, Luca and I are sitting on the edge of the back porch, sipping coffee and listening to the sounds of the world waking up around us. It's still only about seven in the morning, but it feels like we've been awake forever. Still, it's nice to have a moment of quiet, just to ourselves."So," I say casually, "that's my family."He laughs, and for a second I'm lost in the sound. Lost in him."They're a little crazy, I know." I smile down at my coffee cup. "But we're there for each other.""I know a thing or two about that," he says, grinning at me. "Also a thing or two about delinquent younger brothers. We can't let Javy anywhere near Rafe - I bet those two would get into all sorts of trouble together.""What about me?" I ask. "Am I allowed near Rafe now? Since we've properly established that I don't have any interest in him?"He gives me a teasing look. "I'll consider it. But just to be clear, it's not you I don't trust - it's him.""Fair enough.""Actually, spea
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 1: The Beginning Of Our Story
Once upon a time, a starlet fell in love with Hollywood's hottest hunk. They met filming a movie together, and it was love at first sight. He was the golden boy of the film industry, and she was an up-and-coming actress who was finally getting her big break. It was a love story straight out of the movies...At least that's what they want you to think. The truth is a lot more complicated.But I'm getting ahead of myself. This story technically begins over two years ago, when a bright-eyed young actress (that's me) finds herself at a screen test for what she's hoping will be her big break - Cataclysm: Earth, the disaster epic and pet project of two of Hollywood's biggest names, Dante and Luca Fontaine.I'm sure you can imagine how terrified I am from the moment I walk into that room. I've spent the better part of the last three years struggling to get by, going to audition after audition and praying that someone will see something in me. I've been told everything imaginable - that I'm
Latest chapter
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 53: Once And For All
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 52: Not So Alone
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 51: Coming Home
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 50: More Than An Obsession
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 49: So Long Lying
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 48: "You Think This Is Pretend?"
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 47: The Airport
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 46: I Can't Talk Myself Out Of It Anymore
- The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines Chapter 45: After
