The Writer & The Player #Wattys2016

Chapter 14

My phone buzzed beside me, lighting up the dark room. And I remember that I am in Malibu. And that I just spent the night pretending to be with Zac Bleu. Can someone remind me who I am again?

The sea breeze enters my nostrils as I notice the cool air circulating the room. I pull the covers up closer to my neck for a moment then stretch. That's when I notice the loud banging coming from downstairs. 

My feet hit the plush carpet as I make my way towards the door. Across from me, it appears Zac is doing the exact same thing, standing at his door, nothing but boxers on and an almost adorable sleepy eyed look on his face.

He yawns, "Ladies first," and gestures for me to head down the stairs before him. I fold my arms across my body tightly as he walks closely behind me down each step. Both our heads turn towards the door where the loud banging is coming from, and now, a voice can only just be made out on the other side.

Zac opens the door and Rafael falls through. He straightens himself out, then looks between Zac and I.

"You're not a fan of letting people sleep, huh?" I say.

"Did you two-" he begins, but Zac intercuts. 

"No, definitely not," he reveals. 

Rafael snickers. "Ha!" He exclaims pointing between us, "I knew it!" 

He throws a newspaper at Zac. I walk over as he opens it, and the first thing we see is our faces front page. "So what the hell is all the press about, then? Hmm?" Rafael asks.

Zac throws a glance my way. I bite down on my lip, almost ready to tell Rafael the whole plot, but Zac begins before I lose it.

"Just because we didn't-" Zac looks between us, and I can almost feel the redness of my cheeks surge, "you know- doesn't mean that this isn't a thing." He moves over to me and slings an arm over my shoulder, his hands circling my waist. My breath shortens.

Rafael's face falls, confusion striking him again. "So what you're saying is, this is a thing." He gestures with his hands dramatically, then begins to pace around. "I don't know if I am okay with this."

A hand to his forehead, he flops back onto the lounge dramatically. Zac tosses the magazine onto the other lounge then sits on the coffee table, facing Rafael.

"Look, you know this is what we need," Zac begins, "And there's no way I would've gotten the press I did last night if I went stag. This is a good thing, Rafael."

Rafael leans up, considering his words. Then his eyes turn to me. "And you're on board with this?" 

I swallow, "What do you mean, "on board"?" 

Rafael sighs, "You didn't think this would be a normal relationship, did you? I mean you're press for christ's sake, you should know better than anyone!" He stands, and begins listing a set of requirements that goes into dating Zac Bleu. 

"You have to attend every event, every lunch, every dinner! You no longer have your own schedule, it's our  schedule. You have to be able to handle the fact that all the press are going to want to do is hassle you."

"Rafael, what's the big deal?!" Zac stands now, really putting his foot down.

"Look, I have worked too hard just to have you jeopardise  your whole career over some stupid girl you've only known for less than a week!" Rafael almost explodes, his face almost red. 

A wouldn't even call it a hit to the stomach, more like a brick. And the hardest part was working out why the hell should I care. It's not like Rafael is wrong.