Chapter 22 I don't need you

Chapter 22 I don't need you
Alcohol and a stick of cigarette was usually Adrian’s first solution whenever he wasn’t in high spirits. Which was why he’d gone straight to Jack’s club after his conversation with Silas.

He couldn’t wrap his head around how a stranger had gotten their hands on their marriage certificate. 

The document that was uploaded was as real as it could be. Adrian recognized his own signature, there was no denying it.

But high profile families like Rowan’s weren’t the type to be careless with something of great importance. 

This only meant they hadn’t cared at all. After all, they had nothing to lose if news of their marriage got out.

For Adrian—he was going to lose everything.

Some fans were already starting to cancel him, asking for him to be pulled out of the project. Because in the end, he was the easier target.

Rowan had his family to back him up.

As for Adrian…Lily’s adoptive family might have taken him in, but they’d never considered him family. His pride would also not let him run to them for help.

He was the only one suffering for something he’d never even wanted to do. Even that bastard, Rowan, had gone radio silent ever since.

“Come on man, you look like your dog died.” Jack grabbed Adrian’s phone from his hands and put it in his pocket. “Stop looking through those comments. Most of them would never be able to speak to you in real life.”

“Their only power is the anonymity social media grants them,” Adrian recited alongside Jack. It was their little mantra for whenever shit hit the roof.

“Not going to lie, you’re having it really tough. You should’ve run as fast as you could when they asked you to marry that prick.”

Adrian drank the liquor Jack poured him. “I should have. If only Lily hadn’t run away, still haven’t been able to find her location.”

“Do you think she left the country?”

“I certainly hope not,” he sighed, like he’d been doing every two minutes. “I haven’t heard anything from the guy investigating. He’s one of the best so I’m sure he’ll have some information for me soon.”

“The mood’s too depressing here, I’m calling the girls,” Jack stood up, Adrian’s phone still in his pocket.

“Don’t bother, I don’t need someone leaking another—”

“Dude, chill. I have as much to lose if news gets out that I’m running a strip club. I don’t know why these people project their moral superiority,” Jack mumbled. “Actors need to have fun too.”

Adrian chuckled and lit up another cigarette. “Don’t let your fans hear that. We still owe them our success, we wouldn’t be here without them.”

Jack bumped their shoulders together. “You’re too understanding for your own good.”

“I’m just stating facts.” He exhaled, the smoke obscuring his view for a bit. 

“The girls are here!” 

Jack clapped in excitement as they walked in, sitting down beside them. Adrian shook his head, he knew his friend was putting up an air for him.

He’d know since he was younger that Jack didn’t fancy girls.

It was years ago when they’d gotten their first major roles and they’d had a crazy night to celebrate that Adrian found out.

Jack had gotten super drunk and then confessed his feelings to Adrian who gently turned him down. They’d remained inseparable since then, Monroe joining their little group later.

The rascal hadn’t called once since the scandal broke up. Must be having so much fun with his new sugar mummy to care about his best friend.

Adrian pouted, accepting another drink from one of the girls.

One of them grabbed onto his arm, running their fingers along his back and torso. “You’re even more beautiful in person,” she purred in his ear. “I must’ve done a lot of good in my past life to have the chance to meet you today.”

Adrian was too gone to care about being called beautiful, something he was usually so sensitive about.

“Here, let me light up another one.” She put a cigarette stick between Adrian’s lips, her thumb brushing it lightly. It was so soft. 

Picking up the lighter from the table, she leaned into him, her entire chest pressed against his side. She struck the lighter and watched him exhale, the need to replace those damn cigarettes.

It wasn’t everyday that you got close to your favorite actor, or had the opportunity to have your hands all over him like this. 

The other girls were all dancing but she was more determined than they were. Slowly she undid the first buttons on his shirt.

“Should I pour you another drink?” she asked.

Adrian shook his head, watching as the dim red light played across the planes of her face. Maybe he should let his guard down for a night, it wouldn’t be too bad to have someone sleep beside him.

If he could forget his past, the current situation, and just be…even for one night. The girl was an absolute beauty. 

He watched as she popped another button open when he didn’t protest. 

There was a sly smile on her face that he recognized instantly.

“Pour me another drink,” Adrian said, stopping her movements briefly. He was going to need to be totally wasted if he wanted to be with her and not have his monsters come out to play.

She placed a chaste kiss on his shoulder before grabbing the bottle of liquor off the table.

Adrian closed his eyes and tried to forget everything that had happened, starting from Rowan’s bruising kiss.

He touched his bottom lip, the bruise was still there. 

The bastard really had kissed him like a fucking dog in heat. It still hurt.

He emptied the glass the girl handed back to him. 

By the time it was nearing midnight, Adrian was a bright red and his shirt was entirely off. The girl was sitting on his lap, grinding into him with the beat of the song.

She kissed his neck, his alluring collarbone and his chest. It felt like she’d died and gone to heaven.

Adrian let himself get drawn to the feel of her soft body against his, the grind of her heat on him. It was starting to wake a desire that’d been long buried.

He lifted his hip slightly to match her rhythm, he was full on dry humping her when suddenly her weight was lifted off him. 

His eyes were heavy but he managed to peel them open, frowning slightly when he saw a split image of Rowan.

Was he imagining it?

“What the hell are you doing here?” he mumbled, slurring over his words. “I bet you’re here to celebrate my downfall. You and your family succeeded in ruining my career. Are you here to rub it—”

He was suddenly pulled off the couch by Rowan’s strong grip. 

Rowan leaned in close to his ear and whispered, “You’re going to regret letting someone else lay their filthy hands on you.”