Behind His Lens (10 page)

That’s the reason I picked up painting
in the first place. Dr. Francis suggested it for therapeutic purposes once he decided I could quit taking the prescriptions. It was either start to keep a journal, join a weekly support group — hell no — or pick up a hobby, like painting. Dr. Francis said that it would help me work through my emotions, and in a way, it does.

The summer after high school I started painting. I lost touch with every friend, or rather acquaintance, I had from my old life, and I let the images in my mind take over.
It wasn’t enough though. It didn’t sate me, so on the very first day of my freshman year at Columbia, I swapped out of Finance Honors and into Fine Arts.

I’ve painted ever since. I don’t have a strict medium, everything collides together and usually I let the work lead me. Each time I start a new painting
, my heart beats wildly and my limbs feel light. My stomach quivers and a high spreads through my veins like a drug.

But then, every time I finish, I step back, tilt my head
, and feel the spiraling downfall carry me back to the darkness of my life. Every single time I finish a piece, I think the same thing. “This is all there is?”

But then, I begin anew, grabbing a fresh canvas and racing for the next high.

…

Mrs. Jenkins came by earlier, but I brushed off her left-over coffee cake and told her I still wasn’t feeling well. I stayed in bed and skipped my morning run. I can’t help but replay last night in my mind. I was tipsy when we got to the bar and those shots
pushed me over the edge. Yet, sadly, I still remember everything. I remember practically throwing myself at Jude. What guy watches a girl strip and then leaves? Every time I think about it a new wave of nausea hits me. He could see the sadness beneath the thin layer of makeup. That’s why he left. Why would he want to be with someone as messed up as I am?

Naomi called me last night and a few times this morning. I know she’ll be over soon if I don’t respond to her texts. We’ve been friends long enough for her to see me when I’m low, but for some reason I just want to file away last night in the recesses of my mind. It’s embarrassing and I’m sure I’ll have to see Jude again if Naomi and Bennett are serious about each other. That thought makes me dip my brush into the paint I’d mixed earlier and spread it harshly across the canvas.

I have a splitting headache, but I don’t take any of the aspirin Jude left me last night. I relish the pain; I used it when I chose the brushes. I used it when I mixed the acrylic paint until I ended up with a deep, red hue. It’s beautiful and sad, like a wilting rose. I’ve heard every single argument concerning whether or not abstract painting can be considered art, and to be honest, I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks. I stood in front of my first Rothko painting when I was eighteen years old and it broke my heart. It tore at the sadness that I felt every day the summer my father died. I sat on the floor of the museum with my knees tucked toward my chest and wept.

I didn’t go to his funeral.

Staring at that painting was the first time I’d acknowledged his death anywhere outside of Dr. Francis’ office.

Rothko’
s canvas stood floor to ceiling, painted a solid black. There was nothing else, no abstract elements, no faces or shapes. Just a dark, rich black. The spotlight in the museum highlighted the texture of the paint on the canvas, the way Rothko streaked the lines. The brush strokes were visible, alive, organic, and they spoke to my soul.

I let myself feel more that day in the cold museum than I did in a year and a half of therapy.

…

“Open this door, Charley, or I will bust through it. I’m serious,” Naomi calls as she hammers on the door to my apartment. It’s almost seven at night and I’ve avoided talking to her all day. I shot her a text saying all was well, but of course she saw through it.

I hover on the other side with my cheek pushed against the cold wood. “Naomi, I’m fine.”

“Charley, let me in,” she begs
, and her voice cuts through me. I don’t mean to make her sad; I don’t mean to make anyone sad. This is why I wish she’d just leave. I hate being the friend that brings everyone down. It’s not fair that she’s always the happy one trying to cheer me up.

A second later a slip of paper slides
under my door, hitting my foot. I glance down to read her chicken scratch.
Naomi + Charley = Bad Bitches for life (no exceptions, not even on the sad days).

I let a smile break through the cloudiness and unlock the door. Dr. Francis said part of recovering was choosing to be happy, to allow people in and to accept their kindness.

“I’m doing it for your sake, Naomi,” I say as I crack the door open and let her walk past. “Can’t you see that you should be sexing Bennett right now, not hanging out with me?”

I shut the door and whip around to look at her, but sh
e completely ignores my logic. A timid smile dots her face and she reaches out to show me the contents of her intervention. I cup a hand over my mouth, trying to quell my emotions. She has all the essentials because she’s amazing, and I love her. It’s that simple. I have to accept her kindness because she gives it willingly and without strings attached.

“Dinner,”
she says, holding up a white cardboard box, “Obviously pizza because what else would you want?”

I smile gently as she puts the
box down and grabs her purse. She pulls out a DVD and holds it up. “Best of SNL with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.” She tosses it over and I have to think fast to catch it.

“And lastly, some sleeping pills.” She knows me so well that sometimes I swear she’s an extension of myself.

“I’m going to force you to eat, we’re going to laugh our asses off, and then I’m staying with you until you pass out. You’re
allowed
sad days, Charley. I wouldn’t expect anything less, but you aren’t allowed to have a sad life.” Her warm, brown eyes see straight through me, and I nod gently. “I’m cutting you off. Starting tomorrow, you’re going to wake up refreshed and you’re going to rock that photo shoot. I’m not going to ask about Photographer Boy because he doesn’t get to add to your sad days. Tina and Amy are the only people we need tonight,” she states, finally cracking a smile.

I brush away a tear, but it’s different from the sad tears that filled my day before she arrived. She’s like a guardian angel and I thank my lucky stars that she walked into my life our freshman year at Columbia. Without a word
, I walk over to her and hug her with every ounce of strength I have. I want her to know how important she is. How much her kindness affects these sad days.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Charley

I brush a stray strand of hair away from my face as I weave through the crowded sidewalk. I feel better. I know I
’ll have more lows. After all, my newfound resolve is only skin deep, but on days like this it’s hard to remember just how sad I felt yesterday. A good night’s sleep is exactly what I needed.

As I head into MILK studio fifteen minutes early, I smile and take a deep bre
ath. Jude did the right thing. He saw that I arrived home safely and he left when he felt uncomfortable. It was an honorable thing to do and I see that now. Yes, I wanted to jump his bones, and yes, he walked away after I took my shirt off for him, but that doesn’t mean I should have yelled at him.

“Morning, Charley!” Joanie chirps as I walk out of the elevator.

“Morning, Joanie,” I wave, genuinely happy to see her again.

Most of the crew has already arrived. I wrap my hand around the strap of my purse, trying to spy Jude among all of the frantic people. I shouldn’t have been surprised to find him in the same location he had occupied on Friday: tucked behind the media table, scrolling through proofs.

As I approach the table, he looks up and wets his lips. I take in his dark stubble, his tousled brown hair, and his blue, button down shirt. He’s got the first two buttons undone and a shadow of brown chest hair is just barely visible. His expression is reserved, maybe even hesitant, but when I offer what I hope to be a “truce” smile, his shoulders relax.

“Hi.” I swallow and adjust my purse strap.

His smile grows even wider. “Hi.”

I glance around to the assistants who’ve all paused their work and are looking at us with bemused expressions. I shake my head, smile, and look back to Jude.

“Could we talk for a quick second?” I ask with a hopeful tone.

He raises his eyebrows in surprise, but quickly recovers, “Oh, sure.”

Once we’re away from prying eyes and ears, I clear my throat and begin, “I’m really sorry about Saturday night. I was rude to you after you were nothing but a complete gentleman.” My cheeks redden from the sincerity behind my words, and I look to the floor for a moment. I have no clue what he thinks of me after that night. I just hope my apology isn’t falling on deaf ears. I push past the thought and continue.

“I don’t know if you remember me saying that I usually don’t drink that much…or really at all,” I offer, trying to skirt around the subject of whether or not he was listening me talk about my mother.

“Charley, you don’t need to apologize. We’ve all been there… and yes, I remember everything you told me that night.” His voice is level, but when I glance up into his blue eyes, they’re warm and sincere. He’s being so much nicer than I was expecting. He should hate me after what I said to him.

“Um, also… I am still glad you were the one to take me home. That was a silly thing for me to say and I only think of Tom as a friend.” I know I’m speaking too fast and rambling, but I want to clear the air before I lose my nerve. “You didn’t have to leave the bar to take me home. You don’t even know me and you took care of me.” I run a hand through my hair and laugh pitifully, “and then I threw myself at you. I’m so, so sor…”

“Charley, do you want to get coffee with me?” He cuts off my sentence, not letting me finish my apology.

What did he just say?

I shuffle back a step as my stomach flutters. “Coffee?”

His head tilts to the side and he gives me a dimpled grin
. “It’s a type of beverage. Most people tend to drink it in the morning. I like it black, but,” he pauses and pretends to scrutinize me, “I think you would maybe want it with cream and sugar.”

I shake my head and laugh, narrowing my eyes playfully.

“Good thing you’re a photographer because you have pretty poor detective skills. I prefer vanilla lattes.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, knowing I still haven’t answered his question.

My default answer for the past four years has been no, a solid no. So why isn’t a polite decline springing from my lips now? He hasn’t asked me on a date; after all, maybe it would be okay if we got coffee.

“Ah, like your lipgloss,” he murmurs, glancing down to my mouth. Something tingles across my flesh. Anticipation? Hope? I suck my bottom lip between my teeth and meet his gaze.

“How’d you..?”

“You drank my beer.” He shrugs confidently, but I swear I see a subtle blush grace his handsome features. I can’t believe he would have been able to taste my lipgloss on the rim of that beer. The thought sends a shot of lust through me. I like knowing he’s tasted a tiny part of me. With a resigned sigh, he shoves his hands into his pockets and shakes the thoughts from his head. What was he thinking about? The way it tasted? I have that same vanilla lipgloss on now…

I drop my gaze, unable to look at him anymore.

“So, I guess I have to accept your offer since I owe you a drink now.” I pull the strap of my purse harder, unable to stand still under his gaze. I don’t know why, but for some reason a simple “yes” won’t cut it with Jude. I can’t just give in to his charm and dimples, a girl could get lost in those bad boys.

“It is the least you could do,” he offers with a seductive smile. “Should I grab your number?”

My eyes flint around the studio before answering him, “Have Bennett get it from Naomi.”

His eyes search my face, almost begging to learn the mysteries I keep tucked away. “You aren’t making this easy.”

I smile and shrug, trying to hide my excitement behind my calm facade. Nothing about this is easy. I’m the match head and he has every power to ignite me. To strike me and watch me erupt into flames. I just hope I get to burn long enough to get him out of my system before he decides to move on. I stand mute and fidget from one leg to the next.

He starts to retreat so he can get back to work, but he keeps his blue eyes pinned on me, making my stomach feel hollow and tingly all at once. “Wednesday af
ternoon, Charley. Pencil it off because you and I are having coffee and I know just the place to take you.”

In that moment, Jude’s charm steals a piece of my heart and carries it away with him. I can’t help but wonder what he’ll choose to do with it.

I shouldn’t have agreed to coffee.

…

Jude

Thirty. Thirty-one. Thirty-two.

“Take it easy, man. We still have another couple of rounds,” Bennett warns as he spots me behind the bench. With one final heave, I shoot the bench press bar back into its metal holders and sit up.