Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“So does this mean we don’t get to leak the sex tape now?” I joke. “And there was a girl at the baggage claim,” I remind her. “She was excited to see you and had you sign her book.”
“Ohhhh, right.” Chloe says with a nod. “I remember her now. Good thing she didn’t follow us to the car. Though if she did, there’s your sex tape.”
“Where’s the fun when we don’t have a copy of it?”
Chloe laughs, looking up from her phone. Her eyes meet mine and a rush goes through me. I never want this night to end. Because when it does, I have to tell her the truth.
“What are you talking about?” Jack asks.
“This.” Chloe flips her phone around and shows everyone the photos. “We, uh, were excited to see each other and I didn’t realize someone took photos, which they sold to the media.” She lets out a sigh as she rolls her eyes. “And I took a selfie with that girl and everything.”
“Do you have paparazzi following you around?” Lennon asks, leaning forward.
“Not usually,” Chloe tells her. “I’m not that interesting, and I think most of the time when someone sees me, they’re hoping to see Charles instead. We’re still friends and hang out when he’s in LA,” she adds with a shrug. “We go to the same gym and sometimes the paparazzi get all excited when they see me come out, and then when they realize it’s just me, they all leave. I’ve yet to take that as an insult,” she laughs. “I like to be the voice behind my characters, but not be the center of attention, like I said today.” She looks at me again.
“Because getting pizza and sitting at the table gives you more attention than that.” I look at the photo on her phone.
“Right? My life is hard.”
We laugh and Chloe yawns. It’s only around nine, but the sun already set, and it feels much later than it really is.
“I should call Karina back,” Chloe says and lazily stretches her arms out in front of her. “And I have to pee.”
“I’ll walk you in,” I tell her.
“I’m coming in too.” Lennon stands, wrapping her arms around herself. “It’s getting cold out here and we’re almost out of firewood.”
“There’s more in the shed,” Jacob says. “Feel free to go get it.”
“Exactly why I’m going inside.”
Mason pokes at the dwindling fire and I gather up the cups and glasses. Chloe goes in first, and is upstairs on the phone by the time we get in. Dad took Nana Benson back to the assisted living facility, and Mom is sitting at the kitchen table, reading a book.
“Are you kids calling it a night already?” She folds a napkin in half and sticks it in her book to mark her place.
“I think I will,” Jacob says. “I’m on rotation to go into the clinic tomorrow morning.”
“Then you better get some sleep.” Mom gets up and pulls a plate from the fridge, already prepared with leftovers for him. “Drive safely. I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom,” Jacob says and gives Mom a hug. “How long are you two staying?” he asks as he makes his way to the door.
“I figured we’d leave here around four or five at the latest.”
“I’ll probably stop by before then.”
“Sounds good,” I tell him.
“The night is young,” Mason says with a sigh. “You want to go to La Cantina?”
“If Chloe wants to go, we will. But since she’s not feeling well, we’ll probably head out too.”
“You just want to go back to her dad’s place so you can bang her.”
“Mason,” Mom says in warning, and I don’t have to turn to see her to know the look on her face right now. “Be a little bit more mature.”
“It’s physically impossible,” Lennon says. “And I’ll go to La Cantina with you. You can be my wingman and prove to my mom and Aunt Jeanette that there are no good guys left in town or maybe the world.”
“You don’t need a good one. Just a good time.”
“Ugh,” Lennon huffs, shaking her head. “I have lesson plans to do tomorrow, so I won’t see you,” she says to me. “Let’s not go over a year without seeing each other again this time.” She opens her arms for a hug. “And I really like Chloe. I’m glad you two are finally together.”
“Me too,” Mom, of course, agrees. “They always got along so well, and Chloe was just such a nice girl. I’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time, and I know, I know, I don’t want to rush anything, but I have such a good feeling about this.” Mom beams. “You two were meant to be, and I’m excited to see what your future holds.”
My chest immediately tightens. As much as I want to enjoy the rest of the night, I want to tell everyone the truth because it’s fucking killing me to keep this inside. I’m not a liar, and withholding something this big feels like the biggest fucking lie and I’m close to coming undone.