Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“Pizza,” I say. “Getting delivered? Do we have to hide when it turns up?”
“My mom is picking it up,” Mason says. “She’s a godsend when we stay here. If you need anything, just ask, and I’ll send her to go get it.”
I’m not really comfortable ordering around Mason’s mom, and he must read my mind because he clarifies, “She’s been dealing with the ugly side of fame for ten years. When we’re home, she’s like this protective momma bear and will do anything to keep us out of the media.”
“She’s amazing,” Denver adds.
“All right then.” I take a seat on the couch, but no sooner have I sat down Brix, Ryder Kennedy, and Lyric Jones walk through the front door.
It’s obvious right away that something is wrong.
Ryder looks pale, and Lyric practically has to guide him over to us and plop him in the armchair nearby.
“What’s wrong?” Harley asks.
Lyric frowns. “You guys don’t know? Check your phones.”
“We don’t have our phones,” Harley says.
I didn’t see anything when I was masochistically checking out my own tabloid drama, but I also wasn’t actively looking at other stories. I recall maybe seeing Ryder’s face in one but didn’t read the headline.
Brix takes the remote from the coffee table and turns on the TV. “News this big is gonna be all over the place.”
Intrigue.
And there, on Entertainment Tonight, is paparazzi footage of Ryder being asked how he feels about yet another member of Eleven coming out. At first, I think they’re talking about Harley, but then they show the photo I’ve been staring at for the last few hours, and I realize they mean Blake.
In the video, Ryder gets this irritated look on his face, right before saying, “Sexual identity needs to stop being made into an explosive issue. What do I think about Blake ‘coming out’?” He uses air quotes and all. “He was supportive when I told him I’m dating Lyric Jones, so I have nothing but support for him in return.” He doesn’t even give the reporters time to respond before he gets in the back of a chauffeured car and it drives away.
Everyone in the room blinks rapidly with their mouths hanging open.
“Y-you came out,” Harley says.
Ryder remains in his seat, staring at the screen, but it’s like he’s not really there. “I-it wasn’t … that wasn’t supposed to happen like that.”
Lyric sits on the armrest of Ryder’s chair and wraps his arm around Ryder’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you no matter how it came out.”
Ryder’s bright blue eyes meet Lyric’s. “I know we talked about it, but it was going to be properly. You deserve better than—”
Lyric leans in and kisses Ryder’s lips softly to shut him up. “I don’t care how it happened, just that it did.”
Ryder still looks freaked-out.
“Where did this happen?” Harley asks.
“On our way to LAX,” Lyric says. “Ryder’s kind of been comatose ever since.”
“Kaylee,” Ryder rasps.
Lyric squeezes Ryder’s shoulder. “I called Maggie on the plane, remember? She’s taking Kaylee to a hotel.”
“I can ask Mike Bravo to go watch them,” Brix offers.
“Who’s Mike Bravo?” I ask.
Everyone snickers, but no one answers me. Eh, whatever. I’m more focused on this narrative affecting Blake, and now Ryder’s involved as well. I’m all about ruining lives this week.
Go me.
“I’m so sorry you’ve all been dragged into this,” I say.
“It’s not your fault.” Blake’s quick reflex to defend me makes me grateful.
I don’t think I’ve ever met a more down-to-earth guy in Hollywood. Especially someone as big as him. He should be throwing diva tantrums and firing assistants. Oh wait, no, that’s what Ben does.
“It isn’t your fault,” Ryder agrees. “I didn’t have to say it to them. I just got irrationally mad at them making Blake’s sexuality a big deal. They’ve done it to us our entire careers, and—”
“I notice you didn’t tell them I’m not queer,” Blake says.
“For all I knew, the rumors were true.”
Blake tilts his head. “Really?”
“Hey, these two were a surprise.” Ryder waves a finger between Mason and Denver. “I think straight should not be the default assumption anymore.”
“Wait,” Harley says. “Does this mean I’m technically the only closeted one out of all of us now? How in the fuck did that happen?”
“You do know I’m not actually out, right?” Blake asks. “The paparazzi saw me consoling my friend over his boyfriend cheating on him—”
I rub my chest. “Thank you so much for bringing that up.”
“My point is they’ve all ‘outed’ me for the sake of a story. So maybe when I un-come out and tell everyone I’m straight, you can jump up and go swapsies!”
Harley’s lips flatten. “You can tell everyone you’re straight all you like, but I really don’t think there’s any way to put this behind you. People won’t believe you when you deny it. Look at the Ryder-and-me rumors. We’ve been adamant nothing has ever happened between us, and people still don’t believe us.”