Captive Films: Season One (6 page)

Shopping - Santa Monica

ARIELA

I've only been in Santa Monica for three days but I already love it.
 

Being back on the beach reminds me of when I was last here. It was the summer before our senior year. I had talked my parents into letting me spend the summer with Keatyn. I didn’t really mention anything about the movie or the fact that I’d be spending most of my time with Riley.
 

During filming, I got to see all that goes into making a movie.

Really, it was like planning a large event. Lots of details and making sure everything is just right.

I spent my first day here catching up with my two college friends, the one I’m staying with and the other, who is pregnant and is expecting her first child in a few months.
 

Today, they both had to work, so I’ve been wandering around town, getting myself reacquainted with it. Because yesterday, when the three of us were relaxing on the beach, I made a decision.
 

I’m not going home.

I mean, I’ll have to go back, pack up my things, get a divorce, and all that, but I’m going to live here from now on.

Whether I ever see Riley again or not.
 

Coming here was as much my dream as it was his.
 

And it’s about time I start living my life doing what I want.
 

Not what my dad wants.
 

Not what Collin wants.
 

What
I
want.

 
I even called my boss today and quit my job. I know it’s a bit irresponsible, and I have important events that I’ve committed to, but my capable assistant can handle them.

My friend said I could sleep on her couch for as long as I need to, but I don’t want to impose. I want to find an apartment and a job before I even think about trying to contact Riley.
 

I stroll by a cute baby boutique and decide to look for a gift for my pregnant friend’s upcoming baby shower. The shop is adorable and full of teeny pink and blue outfits, colorful cribs, and strollers that cost as much as a car.
 

I'm holding up a pink velour onesie with an appliquéd giraffe and trying to decide between it and a frilly lace dress when I hear, “Ariela, is that you?”

I turn around and am face to face with Keatyn.
 

I stand still, my lips frozen together, and nod.
 

“Ohmigawd, it's been forever!” She wraps me in a tight hug. “What are you doing here?”

“I, um, I’m visiting a friend, needed a shower gift.”

“Were you going to call me?”

“I don't have your number.”

“It's the same one I've had since high school.”

Keatyn looks at the clothes in my hands. “I like the giraffe,” she says. “Do you have kids?”

“Me, um, no.”

“Married? Single?”

“Uh, married. But getting a divorce.”

I know a divorce is what I want, but this is the first time I’ve said it out loud. It feels really good to finally say it.
 

“Oh, I'm sorry. How long have you been married?”
 

“It's okay. We've been married for six years. Together for about ten. My dad loves him.”

“But you don’t?”
 

Tears start to prickle my eyes. “Uh . . .”

“Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry.”

“You wouldn't happen to know a good attorney, would you?”

“Of course. Dallas.”

“Dallas? Really? It’s hard to believe the weed smoking, joke cracking boy I knew in high school would end up a lawyer.”

“Yep, one of the best. He's Captive Films’ chief legal counsel. You had to assume he’d go to law school with his dad being a senator and all. Never could get him into politics, though.”

“Is he married?”

“Very. He and RiAnne are still together. And she's pregnant with their fifth! That's who I'm shopping for today. Hey, do you have any plans for tonight? We’re all having dinner at my house in Malibu. I'd love for you to come.”

 
A dinner with Keatyn, Aiden, Dallas, and RiAnne? That would be okay. Maybe I could ask them about Riley and find out if he's seeing anyone. Or if he’d ever want to see me again.
 

“Dinner would be great, if I’m not intruding.”
 

“Don't be silly. We miss you.”

“Thank you. I miss you all too.” I don't say Riley's name but it's probably obvious that I miss him the most.
 

“So, I have to get going, but do you remember where the house is?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Awesome. I'll leave your name at the gate and see you around seven.”

“Okay,” I reply shakily. While I’m excited, I’m also scared to death. I mean, it wasn’t just Riley’s life I walked out of. It was all my friends. What if they hate me for it?

Keatyn takes her purchases to the counter where the ladies ooh and ahhh over her.

I put the lace dress back on the rack, deciding the baby needs something soft and comfortable. Actually, I think that’s what I’m craving: a life that’s comfortable, a life with friends, a life with someone who loves just me.
 

When I set the onesie on the counter, the ladies ask me how I know
the
Keatyn Douglas.

“We went to boarding school together. I haven’t seen her in years, though.” We complete our transaction. “Thanks ladies.”

As I'm walking out the door, Collin calls me.
 

I’ve ignored all his calls so far, but decide to take this one.

The note I left on the kitchen counter led him to believe I came here last minute to help a friend in crisis. What I didn't tell him is that
I'm
the one in crisis.
 

“How're things going there?” he asks.
 

“Getting better,” I reply, thinking how lucky it is that I ran into Keatyn. And how lucky I am that she doesn’t appear to hate me for what I did.
 

“You'll be back in time for this weekend, right? Old man Foster needs to see that I'm a stable married man if he's going to trust me with his millions.”

“I won't be back, Collin. You'll have to give him my regrets.”
 

“Dammit, Ariela. I need you there. This is way more important than some bad breakup.”

“Honestly, Collin, I’ve decided not to come back. I want a divorce.”

“You
what
? What the fuck? Did you tell your parents?”

“No, I'm telling you.”

“But we’re a team.”

“We stopped being a team when you started messing around. I deserve better.”
 

“I’ve given you everything you could ever want.”

“I don’t want a husband who cheats on me.”

“I’m sorry. It was a one-time thing, I swear. I love you. Please come back.”

“It wasn’t a one-time thing. I won't be back this weekend, Collin. I'll let my parents know.”

“Don't say anything to them about a divorce. Not until I get a chance to make it up to you. Seriously, you're the only girl I’ve ever loved.”

What he says makes me cry. That's all I've ever wanted. To be treated like I’m the only girl a boy loves. “I wish that were true. Goodbye, Collin.”
 

I hang up, knowing that once upon a time, there was a boy who treated me that way.

I glance at my watch. Two hours until dinner.
 

What if Riley is going to be there?

Wouldn’t Keatyn have mentioned him, if he was?

Either way, I need to look good, and all the clothes I brought with me are pretty East Coast professional. I need something cute and casual to wear.
 

Time to go shopping.
 

Keatyn & Aiden’s beach house - Malibu

RILEY

“Riley, look who I ran into today!” Keatyn says excitedly, the second I step through the front door.

A mane of brunette hair moves through the air as she turns around, and I come face to face with the only girl who broke my heart. The girl I waited fifty-four excruciatingly long days to sleep with. The girl who is the reason I will never fall in love again.

Ariela.
 

I grab Keatyn by the arm and drag her into the kitchen. “What the fuck? What the hell is
she
doing here?”

“Riley, shush. I ran into her today at the baby store.”

“Is she pregnant? Oh my god. That's even worse.” I walk straight to the built-in bar and rummage to the back where I know Aiden keeps the good stuff, grab a bottle of 25-year-old scotch, and take a slug straight out of the bottle. “Is she married? A girl as beautiful as her would have to be married. Does that mean her husband is here too?”

“Riley, calm down. She's getting a divorce and she doesn’t have any kids. I knew you and Dallas were coming for dinner, so I invited her.” Keatyn looks sincere and I feel bad for yelling at her. “Since you're between blondes and all.”

Okay, maybe I don’t feel that bad.
 

“Thanks,” I say sarcastically.

“Look. I’m sorry to just spring it on you both like that. I should have told you but, in my mind, I scripted it just like it happened. She turns around. Smiles at you. But then you were supposed to rush into each other’s arms. Long lost love reunited.”

“You and your damn scripts.”

“My damn scripts have made us both a lot of money, Mr. I Just Bought A Jet.”

I furrow my brow. “I needed that for business. It’s a write off.”
 

“Uh huh.”

“Shut up. Fine, I wanted it.” I shove my hands through my hair and hold my head. I can't fucking believe Ariela is here. I peek past the bar and see her standing by the window, the ocean spread out behind her, looking more beautiful than ever with her long eyelashes, luscious full lips and hips that always fit perfectly into my hands. “And that’s beside the point. I have no desire to see her ever again.”

 
I remember our last time. Her rising on top of me, hair flipped back.
 

“Riley, people change,” Keatyn says, still not giving up. “I’m sure she’s not the same girl who listened when her dad told her not to follow her boyfriend to California because he was going to make music videos.”

“She killed me.”

“I know she did, but she's here now. It's fate I ran into her today. We'd lost touch. She never went back for Homecoming.”

“Neither did I.”

“I know.”

I take another swig. Trying to calm both my nerves and my dick, which is a fucking traitor. The second I saw her, he sprung to attention in a way no other girl has ever accomplished.
 

I hear Aiden, Dallas, and RiAnne making small talk with her. Asking about where she's living.
 

“Riley, I’ll have her come talk to you. Maybe you can at least be friends again. You were always best friends.”

I hide behind the bar while Keatyn goes to get her.
 

Juvenile, I know.
 

Aiden’s probably going to pull my man card.
 

But I’m not hiding. I’m drinking.
 

Besides, I’m not the one who left. She owes me an explanation.
 

“Hey,” Ariela says, a shy smile on her face. She smiled like that right before I kissed her for the first time. “I’m sorry, Riley. I didn’t know you'd be here.”

“Why
wouldn’t
I be here?” I say coldly. “These are
my
friends.”

“I wanted to see you. I was just surprised to see you tonight.”

“Why are you here?”

“To find out how you are.”

“That’s why you came to California?”

“It’s complicated, Riley. Do you think I could have a drink?”

“I’ll give you something else.” I grab her and push her up against the bar. “This means nothing,” I say, forcing my lips onto hers.
 

I thought she would be repulsed. Hate me. Run away.
 

I want to disgust her and make her leave.
 

But she grabs the back of my neck with equal force and shoves her tongue in my mouth.
 

Heat rushes through my body, blood screaming, fire pushing through my veins.
 

Straight to my pants.
 

 
I lean toward the sexy skirt she's wearing, pushing it up, and shoving my massive hard on against her leg. I don't even care if she knows she's making me hard. The thought crosses my mind that I should rip her panties off and do her right here.

For old time’s sake.