Fallin' for the Fame - Chapter 1
One DM away from a dream... or a disaster.
1
Empire State Building with Mimosas, watching the sunrise over Manhattan.
My usual Friday morning never looked like that. Instead, I lie in my bed, reading Legend Blake’s message again and again, wondering if the fantasy could ever be real. Would he take me there? Really?
I tap my thumb against the edge of my phone, trying to think up how to reply. The early rays of the sun stream in through the apartment’s half-moon window, warming my shoulders and shimmering across the screen.
The conversation started last night with a little game he proposed. It reminded me of Would You Rather, but he insisted it wasn’t quite the same.
It began with simple questions like: Ferris Wheel or a bouncy house?
Bouncy house. Definitely.
New York Pizza or Po’ Boys?
New York, all the way.
Legend: Ok Ok. I got another one.
Sam: Shoot.
Legend: 3 ingredients that would make for the perfect first date.
After all the flirting—and him claiming we were so alike we must be soulmates—my stomach had already been through its share of tumbles and twists. He kept going before I could ask what he meant.
Legend: I’ll tell you mine: Yacht in the Caribbean, during sunset, couple of glasses of Moët & Chandon.
Sam: LOL You’re so extra!
Legend: What?! Girl, you KNOW you want it!
Sam: 😜
Legend: Aiight. I see you. So tell me, what would you want?
I held my breath, cheeks burning hot. In all the time we’ve talked, he’s never been so straightforward with me. No way was he suggesting taking me out for real. I teased in response.
Sam: Guess.
But for whatever reason, he didn’t respond. At least, not until now.
I figured I’d said too much, but looking at his response, I guess he decided to play along.
Every word, every flirtatious text is starting to feel less like a game these days. Honestly, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep pretending it’s harmless.
Inhaling a deep breath, I stare at the screen, a mass of hazelnut hair falling into my face. I brush it back, running over how I might respond.
Option 1: That sounds beautiful.
Option 2: You know me so well!
Option 3: It would be perfect… if you were there.
No. Can’t say that. I could never say that. I’m just another fan. Only one of more than fifteen million followers on IG. He’d probably blow me off anyway.
Then again, how many fans has he entertained nearly every day for the past three years? Maybe I should go with Option Three…
Out of nowhere, my boyfriend Justin pounces on my back, his six-foot frame knocking the wind out of me. I choke and wheeze as my phone slips from my hands and tumbles into the sheets.
“Good morning, beautiful!”
The phone rests beside my pillow, Legend’s message staring back at me. I scramble to turn off the screen. “Teddy, you nearly scared the crap out of me.”
He sucks his teeth and flips me over, knocking off my cozy blankets. He gazes at me with soft brown eyes, a million-dollar smile on his round, handsome face. He proceeds to saturate my cheeks and jaw with wet, indulgent kisses.
“Justin… Justin! Your stubble tickles. You need to shave!” I laugh, struggling to come up for air, but his hickory brown arms envelop my waist as he holds me close.
I nudge him back, admiring his chocolate bald head and dimpled chin. With my honey-gold skin and slim frame, most people see us as an odd couple. But after seven years of dating—not to mention fifteen years of friendship—I have more in common with him than anyone I’ve ever met.
A grin plays on my lips as I look him over. He’s got on nothing but a pair of plaid boxers, and his skin is still damp from the shower. “What are you up to?”
He continues on his mission, nuzzling me with his nose. “I’m sorry about last night. The team hit a snag and wanted to go out for drinks afterward.” He eliminates what’s left of the space between us, whispering in my ear, “I missed you.” He runs his robust hands across my belly, making a trail down my sweat shorts, and headed for the back of my thigh. A clear mating call.
I gnaw my lip, studying the vaulted ceiling. “It’s all right. I packed up the leftovers, so you can take them for lunch today.” Wiggling out of his grasp, I sit up on the pillows.
I’m no match for my boyfriend when it comes to strength—Mom swears I got my lanky arms and legs from Dad’s side of the family—but Justin’s always been a gentle giant, following my lead. Wonder what’s gotten into him this morning.
I brush some hair behind my ear and adjust the straps of my tank top. “So, dinner at Mom’s tonight?”
Justin purses his lips, blinking at me.
I know he’s frustrated, but after my recent conversation with Legend, I just… can’t right now! I cross my arms, waiting for his answer. It isn’t long before his pout melts into a genuine smile.
“Can’t wait,” he says.
My shoulders slump as the reality of our evening plans start to sink in. “Wish I could say the same.”
“Aw, come on.” Justin joins me on the pillows, wrapping an arm around me, rubbing my shoulder. “I love your mom’s cooking.”
“It’s not my mom that I’m worried about, or her cooking.”
He looks me square in the eye. “Really, Sam I Am? You not gonna let this go?”
“You don’t understand. Your dad never remarried.”
“Even if he did, I’d at least give the woman a shot. That’s all your mom wants from you. Trey’s cool people.”
“You’re biased,” I say. “Both of you are software geeks.”
“That does give us plenty to talk about.” Justin is a software engineer for Apple, my stepdad, Trey, designed a traveling app. The two of them could go on about zeros and ones for hours. Justin squeezes my arm. “But I bet y’all have a lot in common too.”
“Such as?”
He gazes out at the living room just below our loft. “Well… you both love your mom.”
I scoff, gathering sheets around my waist, praying that maybe they’ll put a barrier between us.
Justin laughs. “Look, I’m sure that there’s more. But Sam, you can’t do this forever. I mean, he’s been with your mom nearly as long as we’ve been together.” He pulls the sheets from my grasp, making his way back to my neck, lowering his voice to its sexiest bass. “And if he’s into your mom even half as much as I’m into you, ain’t no way he’s backing out anytime soon.” He returns to planting sweet kisses along my jaw, his fingers wandering into my hair. He’s always loved my hair. And I’ve always loved him.
The scent of his Old Spice bodywash lingers in the air, hints of cinnamon tickling my nose as I run my hands over his broad shoulders and kiss him back. Justin’s always been on the bigger side, but in recent years he’s started working out, and most of his excess cushion has transformed into pure muscle. I can’t say I’m disappointed with the results. I curl my fingers around his beefy biceps.
A sigh escapes me as my body grows warm. “What time is it?”
He moans. “Who cares?”
I chuckle, glancing at my phone. “Justin! It’s almost six-thirty!” I shuffle back, preparing to jump out of bed. I’ve got so much to do!
But Justin slips the phone out of my hand. My entire body tenses as I clasp the air, trying to get it back. “What are you—What are you doing?” If he sees my DMs with Legend, I am so dead. Thankfully, he sets the phone on the nightstand without looking.
“I thought you missed me…” He drowns his words as he swallows my lips with his.
I pull back. “Teddy, I gotta get in my—”
“I know. I know. You gotta get in your morning jog.” But his eyes are ravenous. “I was just hoping maybe we could have a little fun instead.” It isn’t a question. His hand makes its way under my shirt as he suffocates me with pecks and moans.
I close my eyes, forcing back the image of Legend Blake’s gaze as the sun rises over the Empire State Building. Ugh! I can’t do this right now.
I nudge my boyfriend back. “Teddy, you know I can’t. I’ve gotta work out, and then—”
“Shower.”
“And then—”
“Breakfast before work.” He grins at my side-long stare. “I know you better than you know yourself.”
“After seven years, you better.” I smile, kissing him. “I owe you. All right?”
Justin bobs his head, seeming to accept defeat.
I pat his sculpted shoulders and hop out of bed. If I hurry, maybe I’ll find a moment to respond to Legend in peace.
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, lovely readers! 💖
Thanks for checking out this chapter of Fallin' for the Fame! The story’s just getting started, and trust me—you don’t want to miss what’s next.
New chapters drop every Wednesday, so hit subscribe and share with a friend who loves a little romance, drama, and surprises.
See you next week!
Looking for the rest of the series? START HERE
Ooooh I’m invested! Can’t wait for next Wednesday! ❤️
I didn't expect Teddy now I'm intrigued 😁😁😁😁