Fallin' for the Fame - Chapter 10
There's that sting again.
Previously: The interview went off the rails, but it was Indigo’s reaction that caught Sam off guard. Between the cracks in Indigo’s armor and the intimacy of her time with Legend, Sam was left wondering if she was in over her head… and if Indigo’s feelings for Legend weren’t as finished as they seemed.
10
“No, no,” Mom scolds gently on the other end of the line. “It’s gotta simmer at least five more minutes. Then add parsley.”
“Got it. Thanks, Mom.” The chowder bubbles thick and creamy on the stove, the scent of Old Bay and briny shrimp curling around me like a hug. I turn down the heat and stir the pot hard. My phone slips against my cheek, as I press it between my ear and shoulder. This call is taking much longer than expected. Luckily, Legend is across the living room on a call of his own, pacing near the sofas.
I’m at his place, attempting to make Mom’s Seafood Chowder. He sent a text earlier, asking if I had plans. Of course I didn’t, so he invited me over. His staff is off for the night, so I offered to bring food. Now if I could just get this to taste like home…
“You know,” says Mom, her usually calm tone on the brink of a lecture, “if you were here, I’d teach you how to make some proper crabcakes to go with it. But I suppose I’ll send you the recipe.”
I’ve only been out here a week, but it’s clear she must miss me a ton. This is only the fifth hint she’s dropped in our conversation that I’d be better off at home, which certainly isn’t helping me get over being homesick. I already miss the Storyville espresso, my old loft, and the U-Dub campus. Not to mention, Mom and my sisters. But if I can just get this soup right, perhaps I’ll head back soon with a handsome celebrity to introduce to them all.
“That reminds me. Honey, have you seen that Squatty Potty I ordered last fall? I’ve been looking all over for it.”
“Sorry, Mom. I have no idea where you’d put that.”
She clicks her tongue. “’Cause when Trey doesn’t have it—”
“How is Trey doing, by the way?” Better his feelings than his bathroom habits.
“He’s well… for the most part,” she says. Then relenting with a sigh, she adds, “Honestly, he seems pretty down in the dumps since you left. And Justin heading to Silicon Valley did not help.”
I go still at the sound of the name. Justin. It stings like lemon on a papercut.
Of course Trey was devastated when we broke up, but I’m more haunted by the look in Justin’s eyes the day I left. I wonder if he’s doing okay… ’Cause I still can’t say I am.
I casually glimpse over my shoulder, noting that Legend still seems to be wrapped up in his conversation. With a lowered voice, I ask, “Has… Justin given him a call or anything?”
He called me this week. Just once. Of course, I missed it while alphabetizing Indigo’s handbag collection. But I didn’t call him back. I didn’t know what to say. I mean, how do you tell your ex-high school sweetheart that you’re out in LA, kicking it with your celebrity crush who you’ve been secretly DMing for three frickin’ years? Not to mention going incognito to spy on his ex. Besides, after the way we broke up, I figured it would just be… weird. I hold my breath, anticipating Mom’s response.
“No…” Mom says, slow and careful. ” But if there’s a message you want to relay, we can—”
“No, Mom.” I shoot the ceiling a look, kicking myself for even asking. “It’s fine.” I wipe my hand on my jeans, then stir the soup again.
’Cause if you want—”
“Mom, please.” Checking to ensure Legend’s still distracted, I hiss into the phone, “Just—He’s fine. I’m fine. It’s fine.”
The line goes silent, and I swallow hard, the guilt as thick as chowder in my throat. First real conversation we’ve had all week, and I’m snapping at her like Simone.
“Anyway, I better go,” I say, forcing a lighter tone.
Her voice softens to match. “Okay, honey. But if you need anything, anything at all… I’m right here. If you change your mind. If you wanna come home—”
“Got it.” I choke out. “Love you, Mom. Bye.” I rush off the phone before the tears can fall.
The soup bubbles, warm and fragrant… but it does nothing for the cold sitting behind my ribs. I add salt anyway. Because I don’t know what else to do.
“Look, I said I’d do it, aiight?” Legend runs a hand over his head, pacing like he wants to punch a wall but can’t afford drywall repair. I bet he’s talking to Victoria.
He’s been running around like a maniac this week, prepping for some private concert. It seems like he’s constantly racing around town for fittings, meetings, and rehearsals. I’m surprised he’s even free tonight.
He ends the call and blows out some air. His shoulders rise and fall, like they’ve carried the entire week.
“Just picture her naked!” I call over my shoulder.
He lets out a soft laugh and heads my way with an effortless, heart-stopping smile. “That would be a nightmare.”
“That’s the point. There’s absolutely nothing she could say or do that would be worse than that.”
Legend chuckles, stepping up behind me. “I hear you.” He peers over my shoulder. “Yo! Is that what I think it is?”
“Your favorite.”
“Ah, man! You’re amazing.” He throws his arm around my neck and kisses my cheek.
Oh. My. Gosh.
“I swear, Sam. You’re the sweetest chick I know.” Grabbing a carrot from the counter, he heads over to the wine rack behind the bar. Meanwhile, I’m frozen, spoon in hand.
I’m gonna be smiling for days. I’ll never wash my face again.
“Feels like the only time I get a chance to chill is with you these days.” Legend grins as he grabs two glasses and uncorks a bottle of wine.
I stir like it’s the soup I’m flustered about. “Victoria’s working you hard, huh?”
“Like a mule.” He returns and passes a glass of red wine my way, raising a toast with his own. “To chilling with longtime friends.”
“And a break from tyrant bosses,” I add.
The two of us laugh and clink glasses.
Legend’s still filling me in on the upcoming show when we sit down to eat on one of his terraces. The golden sun dips lower, casting long shadows across the table. The city hums below, but up here, it’s just us—quiet, warm, and more intimate than expected.
“At first, I told her no—these guys fund sweatshops in India! But she wants to turn a blind eye to the whole thing. Says that’s none of our business or whatever.” Legend sighs as I pass him a spoon. Wisps of steam coil and dance, rising from the bowl of chowder. “This smells amazing, by the way.”
I smile, praying it tastes just as good.
“You still swear by this chowder, huh?”
My lips part in hesitation. “Still?”
He grins. “You used to say it was ‘liquid love’ during finals. Every time you were stressed or homesick, you talked about your mom’s chowder like it could save your life.”
That memory hits unexpectedly. “Wow. I forgot I told you that.”
“I didn’t.”
My stomach flips. It’s just soup. Just a memory. But the way he says it—soft, certain… it throws me off balance. I glance down, suddenly too aware of my own breath.
“So… it’s a private concert for these politicians?”
“Technically. They’re sponsors of the label,” he says, placing a napkin in his lap. “So according to her, I don’t really have a choice.”
“That sucks,” I say softly. “I’m sorry, L.”
He lifts his wine glass to his lips, eyes distant. “Not as sorry as I am.”
I understand how difficult it must be for him, having the job of his dreams but no real say on his commitments. At least he’s getting paid to do what he loves to do. This morning, Indigo had me voice-record all the lines for an audition she has coming up. She’s planning to listen to them while she sleeps.
“Not animated enough,” she said. “Do it again.”
I’d rather shovel cow manure for a living.
The trouble is, being around Legend always flips some switch in me. With him, hope doesn’t just whisper… it shouts. One look, one laugh, and my heart completely forgets how messy this could get. I nearly passed out when he kissed my cheek in the kitchen.
Legend blows on his spoon and takes a sip so effortlessly sexy, he could make cafeteria food look five-star. His eyes spark like firecrackers. “Wow. That’s good!”
“Really?” I scrunch my nose, not quite buying it.
He nods, encouraging me to have a taste.
I take a sip and throw a hand over my mouth. “Oh man, it is good… and really hot!” I fan my lips as Legend chuckles.
“You all right?”
“Mmhmm.”
I gulp down half my wine before Legend tugs the glass from my hand.
“Slow down, tiger. I’m trying to wine and dine you, not carry you to bed.”
Oh, if only… I dab at my lips with a napkin.
“Enough of me griping,” he says, swirling the wine in his glass. “I heard you on the phone with your mom. How’s it feel being away from home?”
My stomach knots. Crap. How much did he hear?
I shift in my seat and rest my elbows on the table, exhaling like my heart isn’t doing somersaults in my chest. Between Mom’s latest guilt trips and Simone’s raunchy texts, it’s not like they’ve let me forget them.
But still… the quiet here is louder than I thought it’d be.
Especially without... my best friend.
“It’s different,” I say, batting the depressing thought away. “I’ve never been this far away from my family before. I honestly miss them more than I thought I would.”
I look out past the railing, past the hills, past the ache clawing at my chest.
“Think of it as a summer vacation.” Legend blows his soup and takes another sip. “You know I got you.”
I glance up. “What?”
“I know it’s a lot being out here.” He shrugs. “Just sayin’… you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.”
He says it so casually, like it’s nothing. But it lands like everything. It’s not a grand gesture. Just steady. Quiet. And exactly what I didn’t know I needed to hear.
“In the meantime, I’ll do my best to make LA your home away from home. Aiight?”
His words settle deep in my chest, warm and steady, like the super-salty chowder in my bowl. I smile, my heart doing that thing where it forgets its normal rhythm.
I take another careful sip, being sure to blow this time. When I look up, I find Legend studying me. His gaze drops—first to my lips, then my torso—slow and deliberate, like he’s memorizing something he shouldn’t. The moment our eyes meet, he looks away, almost bashful.
Wait. Was he checking me out just now?
He clears his throat like he’s the one trying to recover.
“So, you owe me an explanation, Sam.” He says it like a tease, but the look he gives says otherwise.
I blink, curious. “An explanation for what exactly?”
He tilts his head, eyes gleaming under the terrace lights. “As beautiful as you are, you’ve never once mentioned your love life.”
I inhale wrong, choking on a mouthful of soup. I grab my napkin and cough into it, mortified.
Legend drops his spoon. “You okay? Still too hot?”
I wave him off, still sputtering. “I’m fine,” I croak, trying to breathe and speak at the same time. “Really.”
He watches me closely, concern etched between his brows as I straighten up and cough once more, doing everything I can not to melt into the floor.
“I, um… I recently got out of a relationship, actually. A long-term boyfriend.”
Legend doesn’t say anything at first. Just nods. Once. “How long?”
“Long.” I drum my fingers on the table. “It was… long. Um, he recently got a job in Silicon Valley, and—You know what they say about long-distance relationships.”
“You didn’t wanna move?”
I shift in my seat, gripping my wine glass a little tighter than necessary. “He, uh… moved out of our place just before you invited me out here.”
Both of Legend’s brows rise as he crosses his arms. “So, y’all was kickin’ it, fa’ real, fa’real?”
I nod, then take a lengthy sip of my wine.
“Why’d you never say anything?” he asks, leaning in, elbows on the table like he’s piecing together a puzzle.
“It… never came up,” I murmur. “And—I don’t know—Maybe I’ve just always been a private person. Kinda like you.”
Legend lets out a dry chuckle, his gaze falling to the table. “I couldn’t keep that kind of secret if I tried.”
“It wasn’t a secret,” I say, picking at the edges of my napkin. “Not really.”
Legend stares at me soberly. “What’s his name?”
My eyes drift over his shoulder, focusing on the electric blue pool glowing a story below. “Justin.”
There’s that sting again.
“He know about me?”
My stomach tightens. I set my spoon down gently. “Not exactly,” I say, voice a little tight.
He doesn’t speak. Just watches me. Waiting.
“You know,” I blurt, pushing to my feet, “this would be great with some bread. You want some bread?” I head for the kitchen before he can answer.
May 29th
From: Justin C.
To: Samara A.
Congratulations, Sam I Am!
I wish I could’ve been at your graduation. I know the hype isn’t nearly as big for Grad School, but I would’ve loved to see you walk just the same.
Silicon Valley is something else. Giant parks are everywhere, and the beaches are incredible! And get this—my roommate’s a Trekkie too! But the guy is almost never home. Around here, there’s a conference or tech convention every week!
I start the new job tomorrow, and I’m terrified, Sam.
Wish me luck!
~Teddy
June 3rd
From: Justin C.
To: Samara A.
Hey, Sam I Am!
Well, I’ve survived my first week. And I’ve gotta say it hasn’t been nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
Working at Apple Park is honestly a dream come true. I love my new job, and there are a ton of cool people here. I even got to meet Tim Cook yesterday, Sam. TIM FRICKIN’ COOK!!! Now I know how those BTS groupies must feel.
Anyway, I’ll do my best not to freak out too much and keep my cool.
Let me know how you’ve been.
~Teddy
June 12th
From: Justin C.
To: Samara A.
Sam! What’s up?
I tried to call, but somebody’s too busy to pick up… You really gonna leave me hanging, Sam I Am? I thought our friendship meant more to you than that.
I’m settling into life in Silicon Valley, and I think you’d love it here. The theaters and museums are unbelievable. The place is real cool. Oh! And there’s this nice ice cream spot, not too far from my apartment. I go there alone sometimes and order your favorite: Birthday Cake with a cherry on top. Maybe one day you’ll visit, and I can take you there.
I miss you, Sam I Am.
~Teddy
June 14th
From: Samara A.
To: Justin C.
Hey Justin!
Sorry it took me so long to respond. Life’s been crazy busy! I’m glad you’re enjoying Silicon Valley. You always said you belonged there.
I actually have some news of my own. I’ve found a job. It’s temporary for the summer, but it pays great. I’ve been hired as Indigo Taylor’s personal assistant. I know, crazy right?
Anyway, thanks for letting me know you haven’t forgotten about me.
Miss you too, Teddy.
~Sam
June 14th
From: Justin C.
To: Samara A.
Excuse me? Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?
You mean to tell me that that Samara Allen, who’s too afraid to fly to Portland, traveled to Hollywood to serve one of the craziest divas in the world?
This is a joke, right?
~Teddy
June 14th
From: Samara A.
To: Justin C.
No. It’s true.
Of course, I didn’t fly! I drove the hatchback.
I question the decision every day.
~Sam
June 14th
From: Justin C.
To: Samara A.
Wow. I’m shocked. After you turned me down, I never thought you’d leave Seattle.
[REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE?]
[CANCEL]
Copyright © 2025 Kimberly R. Vargas. All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from the author.
Author’s Note:
Hey y’all! 💕
Thanks so much for checking out this chapter of Fallin' for the Fame! I hope you’re loving Sam’s journey as much as I’ve loved writing it.
New chapters drop every Wednesday, so be sure to stay tuned! And if you're enjoying the drama, romance, and all the twists in between, don’t keep it to yourself—hit that subscribe button and share with a friend who loves a good love story.
I’ll see you next Wednesday!
Kimberly R. Vargas
Romance Author | Storyteller of Healing & Love
Catching up on the series?
Whoa! Chapter 10 really pulled me in. The tension between vulnerability and fame is so raw here. That final exchange had my heart racing! 😭 I’m loving how the emotional layers are unfolding without rushing it. You’ve got me rooting for them and worrying for them at the same time. Can’t wait to see what’s next!