Addicted (The Addicted Series, #1)(46)

“Speak for yourself, honey,” Gabe interjected. “He can disrespect me all he wants, whenever he wants,” Gabe said, admiring Tyler's incredible body.

"Shut up, Gabe!" April snapped. She turned her eyes back on Tyler, her expression stony. “Please leave, Tyler.” April said coldly. “We need to finish this up.”

Tyler didn't respond, and instead made his way toward the judges’ table. By this time, my heart was pounding and I could hardly breathe.

"Victoria," Tyler pleaded. "Please talk to me. I can explain what happened that night you walked in on me and Candice. If you let me." He reached out his hand to me when I didn’t respond. “Come on,” he urged, nodding toward the exit. “We can go out into the waiting room and talk."

I stared at his hand like it was poisonous, dueling emotions roiling through my body like a tidal wave.

“Tyler, don’t make me have to call security,” April commanded.

Tyler ignored her, pleading with those beautiful eyes of his. “Please, Victoria. All I’m asking for is a chance to tell you the truth.”

“Oh, to hell with this,” Gabe chipped in. “Vicky, you best take your cute little ass out there and hear him out! The man is making a fool of himself just to talk to you.”

Gabe’s words had a slight effect on me as I stared into Tyler’s handsome face.

Maybe I should hear him out. I mean, Gabe might be right. Why would Tyler go through all this trouble to see me after all this time unless he cares for me?

I almost did it. I almost reached out and took his hand.

"I'm calling security," April growled, taking my silence as proof that I was mortified and didn’t want to talk to him.

"Don't!" I jumped to my feet, grabbed my water bottle and dashed the rest of the contents into Tyler's face. "Go f*ck yourself!" I yelled.

Then I turned and ran from the room sobbing.



Tyler





Shit. That didn’t go so well.

I wiped the water out of my eyes, feeling some of it drip down my neck, down my chest and beyond as the judges whispered amongst each other, casting glances my way.

April looked taken aback by Victoria’s sudden burst of anger, frozen for several moments. Then she stood up and rose on her tip toes to look over my shoulder. “Thank you all for coming,” she said loudly. “I’m very sorry about the unexpected disruption. For those of you who are interested, we will resume at noon tomorrow. Ashley will show you out.”

The last remaining models were quickly ushered out by a young woman who looked like a model herself.

“You guys can leave as well,” April said to her fellow judges. “I’ll keep the votes and notes and hand them over to Christine when she comes back.”

After several furtive whispers, the other judges, except for Gabe, got up and began walking out.

April turned on me when they were gone, her eyes furious. “What the hell was that?” she demanded. “All you’re going to do is get Vicky into trouble with a stunt like that.”

I shrugged. “That wasn’t my intention. I just need five minutes with her. Five minutes.”

April scowled. “And that makes it right?” she growled. “You need to go and never come—” She paused and stared at me suspiciously. “Wait a minute. How did you know that Victoria would even be here? She doesn’t usually work the judging panel.”

I gave her a crooked grin. “I have my ways.”

“Ugh!” April snarled. “You are so infuriating! I see why Victoria would get so pissed off when talking about you.” April placed her hands on her hips. “Look, it’s obvious your little stunt didn’t work. So you’d better just head on out. I don’t know what Christine will do about this, but I hope she puts your nuts in a vice. You need to be taught a lesson.”

I shook my head. "I'm not leaving until I talk to her. At this point, I don’t care what happens.”

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this," April sighed. She made a flipping motion with her hand. "Gabe, please get security."

Gabe looked reluctant. “Why don’t we just . . .”

"Gabe!" April cracked. "Now!"

"Alright!" whined Gabe, slowly getting up. "Don't get your panties all in a bunch."

He made it couple of steps before I said sternly, "Wait."

Gabe paused, turning around to regard me, his eyebrow raised.

"Hear me out," I said to April. "Just let me tell you my side of the story and I'll leave."

April pursed her lips, undecided.

“Five minutes,” I urged. "I just want Victoria to know that I . . .” A lump appeared in my throat, making it difficult to speak. "That I love her," I finally managed. It was hard to say it. I’d been thinking it for a long time, but my words were carefully chosen. I knew it would give April pause.

Shock etched across April's face at my announcement, exactly what I was hoping for. Even I was surprised by it. It felt very strange to have those words come out of my mouth, especially after I'd sworn to never fall in love with a girl again.

“Wow,” April gulped. “I was almost convinced. But not quite.”