At fifteen, JT Pierce was the star of a hit TV show and had the world in his hands. Every teeny-bopper magazine had his face on it; every teenage girl had his poster on her wall. But then the show went on hiatus, and JT wouldn’t lower himself to bit parts or commercials. Slowly, his star faded from view.<br><br>Seven years later, JT is Johnny Thomas, who hopes to jumpstart his career by hiring his former manager, Lou Merrin. He wants to do serious movies, a huge blockbuster or two, and claim one of those coveted Oscars for himself. But Lou cautions Johnny about the paparazzi, who can make or break a star these days, and he’s heard rumors of Johnny’s sexuality that might prevent him from landing those coveted leading roles.<br><br>Still, Johnny’s nothing if not persistent, and he swears he’ll play it straight. Until he meets Brett, a photographer who turns his life -- and his heart -- upside down. Suddenly the celebrity gossip website Z-23 seems to have exclusive pictures of Johnny, and someone close to him leaks information about an audition that was supposed to be kept quiet. When photographs surface that Johnny thought were taken in confidence, he realizes he must choose between the career path Lou offers him and the love he wants to share with Brett.

Beautiful Liar

As Johnny closes the door, he feels as if he’s severed connections with that part of his life. The happy part, when he was himself, when he was…. 


He shakes his head; he won’t say it. He wasn’t, all right? He wasn’t.


Fresh tears spill down his cheeks—just when he’d thought he was all cried out. Damn it.He wipes at his face brusquely and locks the door. He won’t cry over this, he tells himself, but his heart isn’t listening. It feels bruised and his chest hurts. He just wants to lie down….lie down and let this whole sordid affair sort itself out while he sleeps. 


Alone, a voice inside him says. His bed is too large for just one man. His body will ache for Brett’s touch. 


Why did he let that asshole get so far inside him? Johnny fists his hands in his hair and tugs as if he could pull all thoughts of Brett out of his mind. Why did he let himself fall so damn hard? 


Chapter 14