Tommy had totally forgotten their rooms were right next to each other with adjoining door. As they walked towards the rooms, Tommy kept looking back behind him to make sure they were both following him. Dave then said “Wouldn’t it be better if we did this in our room though?” Tommy was irritated by this. He knew Helen didn’t really want to share a room with Dave now. However, Tommy being the professional he is smiled at them both as they approached the rooms. “I mean the hall is empty. Not like it really matters anyways if people see all three of us go into my room or y’all go into y’all’s and then I go into mine. So, whatever y’all want is fine with me.” He said and smiled as Helen asked Dave to open their room door then because she hadn’t had a key. Which is correct. Her key for their room was with her bags in Tommy’s room. This made Tommy smirk a little as he entered his room and shut the door. When Dave said “Maybe people will assume we’re still a couple if we go to our room together and lock the door … and Tommy you can just join us a minute later using the door in your room that comes into ours.” Tommy couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Luckily for him Dave wasn’t looking at Tommy since he was opening the door.
Once Tommy got into his room. He went and waited near the adjoining door. All he really wanted in this moment was to hold Helen close and let her know she was okay. That she was safe. However, he had to be professional first. Tommy smiled as Helen opened the door. It was almost as if she ran to the door like he had. Maybe she did. He stood in the doorway of the two rooms. Helen was in his room while Dave was in the other room. The room Dave and Helen were supposed to share. Tommy was very conflicted by this since not that long ago Helen and himself had announced their feelings for one another and shared some passionate kisses. He wasn’t that torn up about Helen and himself kissing in private. He sure was pissed at Dave for doing what he did in public with Ravneet Chadha. Tommy knew most of the people in Beverly Shores, even though he had only lived there for six years. He just didn’t know the newer ones. As they stood there in silence his blood began to boil again recalling everything Dave said to hurt Helen. He didn’t care that Dave and himself were friends. Dave was wrong for what he did, for what he said. Helen is the sweetest and most perfect woman that Tommy has ever met. Yes, they had feelings for each other maybe that was part of the reason Tommy wanted to hit Dave so bad in this moment.
Tommy balled up his fist but kept a smile on his face as he looked from Helen to Dave and back again. He had never felt this much anger and dislike for someone since he was a teenager back in Louisiana. While they stood there in silence his mind drifted him back to Louisiana, back to when he was a teenager.
Memory
He was back in Natchitoches, back on the riverbank in the historic city where he was born and raised. He had just left his local high school. Natchitoches Central High School home of the Chiefs. He had to walk to go get Rayla. However, he was late getting there because on his way there he saw a boy picking on his other sister. The little boy pushed Sasha, and she fell to the ground. This made the blood in Tommy’s veins run hot as fire. He didn’t even think about what he was doing. He walked over to the boy, who was three years younger and only a freshman while he was a senior. He pushed the boy away from his little sister. Then punched him in the face. He didn’t care the consequences in this moment. Nobody messes with his family. However, the little boy goy up blood coming from his mouth a little. He threw punches right back at Tommy. He got Tommy’s lip and busted it. After that, Tommy punched him again but this time breaking his nose. The boy laid on the ground crying. Tommy helped Sasha up and they took off to go get Rayla.
It wasn’t until he heard Helen’s beautiful voice say “May I start?” that he came back to the reality at hand. He couldn’t believe he just went into the memory of that fight. It was the only one he ever had to get into. He looked to Helen as she spoke. He listened carefully making sure he got every word she said. No matter how important or unimportant it was. Tommy looked at her, he wasn’t really committed to whatever the fake relationship with her and Dave was or wasn’t anymore. All he wanted was to be committed to her. Tommy nodded along as she said “This fake dating thing was supposed to help us, to create buzz for the movie. But I’m not sure it was worth what it’s turning into.” Tommy had agreed it was turning into a nightmare PR thing instead of being what it was supposed to be. Tommy nodded again as she spoke about how they deserved more than a half-hearted relationship. Tommy thought More you than him He was still so upset by Dave and his actions and words. He would give him a yelling later, because he knew if he got into it right now, he might hit him. He needed to cool himself off before talking with Dave privately.
Then the gut punch to his heart came out of Helen’s mouth. “I don’t want to mix work and pleasure anymore.” Tommy’s mind started racing but he didn’t let it show, or he hoped he didn’t let it show. Does she mean me? What about us? We just admitted our feelings. It can’t be over this soon… However, at the same time he kind of hoped Helen would see his confusion or know he was worried she was talking about him too with that part. Tommy stood there for a moment before speaking. He had to approach this the right not. Not only for Helen or himself but for Dave too. So, hopefully Dave wouldn’t sense things between him and Helen.
Tommy looks over to Dave “Well, I understand where you are coming from Helen, and I’m sure Dave does too. Maybe, if y’all are both ready and willing to end the fake relationship… Well, maybe we can end it but on a positive note. Maybe, we can say that even though the movie hasn’t released yet. That both parties have come to the conclusion that they are better off as friends then lovers. While they had a good run and enjoyed time together during the filming of the movie, they just realized that they aren’t truly in love with each other. They just got caught up in film and how they felt while filming. I mean I can fix this in a way that doesn’t damage either of y’all’s images or reputations. I just need the words from both y’all that it’s what y’all want to do. I would not send this info out unless y’all both wanted me to, and both were ready for it. I don’t think it will hurt the movie either. Well, I mean filming wraps up soon, right? So, like even if y’all do “break-up” before the movie comes out. As long as filming is over, we can make it work.”
He took a breath and glanced at Helen then back at Dave looking for their reaction. He knew they needed to end this fakelationship. He knew it was what was best for both parties involved. “When does filming end again? My mind is an absolute mess with my baby sister showing up here after saying she was staying in Beverly Shores. Plus, I don’t have the filming schedule on me, it’s back home at my house, in my office. So, can y’all just make things look great between y’all till filming is over?” This was hard for him to say given his feelings for Helen and how bad he just wanted to be with her. He also knew that he needed to help her possibly find a new manager before they go any further with whatever they have bubbling between them. He wanted so bad to yell at Dave and tell Dave how crappy he was for talking to Helen the way he did.
On the other hand, all he wanted to do was let everyone know how he felt for Helen. He really hoped that Helen’s words that kept repeating in his head the whole time he talked weren’t directed at him. He tried desperately to not let it show that he was concerned or thinking about that. He had bigger fish to fry at the moment. He had to make sure that none of this confusing shit got out the wrong way. He had seen some people with their phones out when Helen and Dave were arguing and he really hoped that nobody would post it before he could get in front of it. He pulled out his phone and messaged a close friend that worked for a news outlet. He let them know if they receive anything about a kiss with Dave being in it to please let him know before posting about it. He had said he would explain things later to them.
@LunaticLeviTheSecond | Dave
@eunoia | Helen
Mentioned: @Jass | Ravneet