Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
She shakes her head, not convinced. “I feel certain you could have hired another influencer.”
I shrug. “But I trust Benson. He won’t rat me out, and he’ll do right by me.”
“I don’t like it,” she says softly, shaking her head. “It brings up very bad memories.”
She isn’t wrong, but I don’t verbally agree with her. Maybe at the beginning, it was hard to look at Benson and not think of our choice, but now, three years later, that’s no longer the case. I don’t think of the pain, but rather how supportive and kind he was. And how much of an asshole I was. I think that’s why I’m working so hard to get him so many deals. I want to make sure he gets the most out of this, and I know I can catapult his career once he hits the ice with his professional team. He’s already going to go top ten, but wouldn’t it be awesome if he could go with millions in his pocket?
“Hm, I don’t know, Cameron. Just be careful.”
“I’m good, Mom. We’re friends, that’s it.”
“I find that hard to believe,” she says with a rueful look. “While it was sexual before, this is just a partnership. What if it turns out to be more and then you get pregnant again?”
I roll my eyes. “This is strictly business.”
“Sure,” she says, rolling her eyes. “I give it a month before you fall between the sheets with him and I get another call.”
Do I have a flashing sign above my head that reads “HORNY”?
I thought I was keeping my red-hot thoughts to myself, but I must not be by the way everyone thinks I’m going to fall into bed with him. That’s the last thing that’ll happen. I can take care of myself faster than any dude, and while, yes, I’d rather have him between my legs, I’m not dumb. Sex leads to feelings, and feelings are the last thing I need when he isn’t looking for anything more than money.
“Mom, stop.”
“Maybe you’ll keep the next one,” she mutters, and I glare, my heart seizing in my chest at the blatant slap in the face.
“You’re being toxic. What was the point of all that therapy we went to if you’re going to say sly shit like that?” I snap, and I notice she looks to the side. Probably to my stepdad.
“You’re right. I apologize.”
“Thank you,” I say, holding her gaze. “Trust me, okay?”
She doesn’t comment on that. Instead, she says, “I love you. See you tonight.”
“Love you.”
I hang up, and my screen goes back to Benson’s post on the BullieBoards. Of course, my mom’s words fuck with me, and I want to ignore him, but I can’t. I trust myself, I trust him, and I know this is going to work.
And it will without either of us getting hurt.
Or me looking like Miss fucking Muffet at Evan and Callie’s wedding, all alone, because Benson would have all the money he wanted and free ass.
Chapter Fifteen
Benson
I move my fingers along the guitar, playing the melody to Noah Kahan’s “Your Needs, My Needs” as Quinn sings. I don’t look at the camera. Instead, I look at my friend, who sings with his eyes closed and his heart open. He comes from a musical family. His mom and sister were on Broadway, his dad taught not only me to play guitar, but the whole family. Most of them even play piano. On holidays, there is a playlist that is emailed with everyone’s part for each song. The Adlers love to sing just as much as they love hockey.
And while Elli and Shelli sing like angels, as does Evan, I love Quinn’s voice the most. It’s very gravelly, almost like he belongs in the hills of Virginia with a banjo and a piece of grass between his teeth. It’s soothing, nice, and I think that’s why we have such a successful following for our cover songs. Not only do we do all the songs acoustically, but Quinn’s voice is pure gold. While he is a legit genius and has a full ride to Vanderbilt to become a sports surgeon, this little side gig has helped a lot of people.
We split half of the earnings from this account between the two of us, and we give the other half to whatever charity we want to help. I grew up poor, never living beyond my means, so having the money I do is already a shock. I want to help people who need help since that’s how I was able to play hockey when I was younger. Through charity and donation. Sponsorship families. The Adlers. I’m a true believer that you can’t go to the grave with money, so why not give it to those who need it?
Usually, it’s the Nashville Assassins Foundation since Shelli does great work to help so many, but last month, we donated to the student services organization on the Bellevue campus. They help college kids who can’t afford food, clothes, or other necessities. This month, we’re donating to the Autism Center of Bellevue where Callie works on campus. Unlike with other influencers who do videos on what donations they make, no one knows we do this because it’s for no one but us. It’s not for us to impress people; it’s to help, and we enjoy doing it.