Chapter 39

Pearl settled into the hot bath and put the cool wine bottle on her forehead. The day had been overwhelming to say the least. Rhys dropped her at her apartment on the way home from seeing his new giant mansion. He had a meeting in Chicago that evening and wouldn't be back until late into the night. He offered to stop by when he got back into town but she told him she was happy to have some time to herself after the day they had. He understood and he kissed her forehead and told her he'd see her tomorrow. She checked her phone and she still hadn't heard back from Dylan. It bothered her. The whole thing bothered her. His reaction to her at the brewery and his lack of a response. It really bothered her. Why would he work so hard to build a bond with her and say all those things just to go back to being a dick? Her phone dinged and she saw it was a text from David. "You've been on my mind. I just wanted you to know that. I miss you. I hope you've had a good week." Pearl didn't know how to respond. "I hope you're having a good week, too."

She texted John next. "Hey man. I need to talk to you, are you home?"

John replied "We are at Fifth Street, come out and have a beer with us! Blake and Tony are here, too. We tried to call you earlier but it went straight to voicemail."

Must have been when she was out in the woods pretending she was Cinderella earlier with Rhys.

"I'll be there in about 45 minutes. That ok?"

"We'll be here" he said.

She got to the brewery and found the guys. Dylan was working behind the bar and didn't even acknowledge her when she walked by. "Hey Pearly Pearl!" Blake said and gave her a hug. "Hey there. So, I have some news, I'm actually glad you're all here. I wish Dylan was over here, too but you can tell him later I guess." Pearl started. "I'll get him." Tony said and headed over to the bar. Pearl watched. Dylan was hesitant but Tony convinced him. He came over and stood behind where John and Janie were sitting. "So, tomorrow is a big night for us, and it's about to get bigger. Jason Robertson from Epic records is going to be there, to see us. He's scouting us for a possible record deal."

"Bullshit!" Blake said and slammed his hands on the table. "Are you serious?" "I am." Pearl said.

"Pearl! Oh my god! How the hell did you manage to do this?" John asked, he was so excited he could barely remain in his chair.

"Are you fucking serious? Her movie star boyfriend, I imagine. Sometimes it's not what you do, it's who you do. Right, Pearl?" Dylan said in the most shitty way possible. "What? Pearl said. And she was starting to say more but Tony interrupted "This is amazing, Pearl. We are stoked. Thank you so much for making this happen" Dylan walked back to the bar and the rest of the guys and their girls talked about how exciting it all was.

Pearl walked past Dylan on her way to the bathroom. He had his hand in the wall, talking to a girl that looked no older they the legal drinking age. She tried to ignore him. "That's my friend Pearl, the star fucker." Dylan snarked as she walked by. "Excuse me?" Pearl asked. She was pissed off and over all these childish games. "What is your problem?"

"I don't have a problem." He said.

"Why are you acting like a jealous boyfriend? I tried to talk to you yesterday and you totally blew me off, repulsed by me. And now you're acting like a dick for no reason. If there's something you need to tell me or talk to me about I wish you'd just be grown up enough to do it." She yelled, feeling the anger boiling into tears.

The girl ran off, clearly knowing this was over her head.

He turned towards her and grabbed her face, lovingly. He looked directly in her eyes and said, "I'm madly in love with you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I'm completely destroyed by the thought of another man putting his hands on you, it makes me insanely jealous. You're my world. Marry me, Pearl." She froze. Her face softened. His turned into a sneer. He laughed in her face. "Is that what you want me to say, Pearl? Is that what you want to hear? You do venerate yourself, don't you? Well don't plan on it. You're just vapid and tedious these days. If I gave you any other impression than that, I do apologize." And he gave her a shitty smile.

"Go to hell, Dylan." And she left.

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