Chapter 128

"Good morning." Rhys said as Pearl started the coffee. He was still on the couch and was just waking up. "What time did you get home?"

"Not sure. You were asleep." She said as she pressed start and went to the bedroom to her ready. He didn't mention the candles and flowers and neither did she.

It was the second day of the shoot and when it was complete, they were having a wrap party at the Avalon later that night. Rhys followed her and took his clothes off from the previous night and headed to the shower. Glancing at him, she remembered how sexy her husband was. His body was perfect, lean, chiseled abs and chest combined with his dark hair that was getting long again and bright blue eyes. She looked back down and organized her outfit for the shoot. Brown leather pants and snake skin heels with a half tank and a long, fringe floral robe. She got dressed while he was in the shower and washed her face so she would be ready for hair and makeup when they got to the shoot.

She went to the kitchen and made herself some coffee. She thought about the night before, how much fun she and Fi had and how insane it was to hang with the prince of England. Pearl was more than curious about him, he seemed so normal, so unlike what she had imagined a person like that would be. Last night felt like hanging at their local brewery in town, it didn't feel pretentious or uncomfortable. It was the opposite, in fact. She was certain she and Erik would be fast friends.

"So, how long are we going to do this?" Rhys asked, dressed and sitting to put on his shoes.

"Do what?" Pearl played dumb but she knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Acting like roommates and business partners. Playing this game." Rhys unnecessarily clarified.

Pearl looked at him and sipped her coffee. For the first time since she met him, she didn't want to talk about it or put any effort into it. He didn't. He wasn't talking about it. Offering an apology. Why should she? She was done. And it scared her. Was this the end for them? She looked at him and felt only disgust and disappointment.

"I'd rather keep it like this for now. I have my reputation to protect and frankly, you embarrass me when you act like you did the other night after I defended myself. So, we will keep it professional for now." Pearl said. Rhys looked at her with shock. Yes, she was being patronizing and petty. And yes, he deserved it. She had used the exact explanation he had given Matt and Fi. The outlook he had towards her was now what she was using to keep him away from her and he didn't like it.

Their driver arrived and they headed to the studio. Pearl spent the drive calling the guys and making sure they were ready to go so she could about talking to Rhys.

"I feel like I haven't seen you in months but I just saw you yesterday. How are you? Are you ok?" Dylan asked as they were getting hair and makeup done. Pearl was finishing a bottle of wine and getting ready to open another one and it wasn't even noon yet.

"I'm ok. I guess." Pearl said, popping the cork. She was no good at lying, especially to Dylan. And she was pretty sure she was drunk.

"What's going on? Come out with it. I know better."

He said, looking down at the wine and knowing she was lying to his face. Pearl sighed and proceeded filled him in on everything. She could see Dylan seething, which is why she didn't want to tell him in the first place.

"This guy, man. What the fuck is his problem?" Dylan shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"It's ok. I'm sure we will get it figured out. But right now, I'm angry. It's getting harder to get over every time it happens." Pearl said, putting her head down.

"The fucking prince of England? What the hell, Pearl? Ha! Billionaires and movie stars and now princes. If you don't know your worth by now, there is absolutely no other way to prove it to yourself. And if things get heavy with Rhys and you need to get out of there, come to my hotel. I'm staying in a villa at the Sunset Marquis. I don't want you at his house if he is acting like this. I'm serious." Dylan looked at her and she could see the worry. He was so beautiful, with his hair tucked behind his ear and his understanding eyes. He was a young Ethan Hawke and he had the most sensitive and caring look about him. He was a walking emotion. He was so handsome and her mind drifted to the articles about him. How he had saved her life. The women that drooled over him and the talk about her hot guitar player, but he was always her Dylan in her mind. No matter what. She looked at him and something came over her. She wanted to be held by him. To feel safe again. Taken care of. Protected. She could feel it and she felt bad about it. Regret. She was feeling regret. Maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was all the chaos and fighting for her worth she was having to deal with, the always having to be so strong. But it was there.

"Do you ever think about that night? Us?" Pearl asked. Dylan looked away and his cheeks flushed. "What?" He asked. She knew he heard her by the way his voice wavered. "Do you ever think about our night together? I mean, I'm sure there have been others since but I mean, do you think about that night with US?" He was quiet for a few moments and then he looked over at her. He turned his swivel chair and faced her, leaning forward, closing the space between them. He looked into her eyes. "Every single day." He answered, holding her eyes to his for another moment and looking away, standing up and walking out. Pearl took a deep breath and laid her head back onto the chair.

The set was ready and it looked bad ass. The stage and the lighting were dark and haunting and the guys looked great. Ian had arrived and looked like the perfect guitar god with his black shirt and leather pants. He gave Pearl a hug and smelled the alcohol on her breath. "You alright?" He asked.

"No. But I will be." She said. He nodded and hugged her again, letting her know he was there for her. She was blessed with these men that she called family. "Thank you for asking." Pearl said. He smiled and nodded again.

The shoot was grueling. Rhys made Pearl stop and start for her close up shots so many times that she had lost count.

"Cut! Pearl, I said look to the right. Are you even listening to me? What are you doing? Let's do it again." Rhys yelled angrily. Pearl was exhausted. They had been at it for 7 hours and they were just supposed to be lip singing and performing their song.

"Hey man, why don't you ease up a little. She's been working her ass off like we all have and if you don't have what you need yet, maybe it's something you're doing wrong." Dylan said, making it clear they had all he enough.

"What are you trying to say? I'm here to help you guys out but if you don't want my help, then fuck it I guess." Rhys said. He was acting like a childish ass and if he thought Pearl wasn't going to put up with it, he should be damn well sure the rest of the guys weren't either. The rest of the band looked at Rhys. Matt pulled him aside and they left to talk outside.

"Pearl, I'm not going to give him any chances. That's your job I guess. But if he fucks with you in front of us, it becomes my business." Dylan said. Tony and Ian looked on in agreement. They were all over his shit. Blake remained in the back, trying to rest. He was exhausted too.

"Try to breathe guys. It's been a long couple of days" John said, walking over to them.

Matt returned without Rhys. "I'm going to wrap this up. Rhys decided to take an extended smoke break. He will be back in a few." Matt was making excuses for him. Pearl rolled her eyes but expected nothing less. It's what he did, he avoided dealing with Pearl and any other thing he found tedious and his Hollywood buddies enabled it.