Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“Of course.” There’s a smile in his voice. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to tell you just how overrated you are.”
“I’m listening.”
“You’re not as attractive as everyone claims,” he says. “There are plenty of other actors in Hollywood who look far better.”
“Are you saying I look good enough to belong in Hollywood, though?”
“Shut up and let me finish.”
Laughing, I shut my eyes and lean back on the couch, listening to him serve me lies until I fall asleep.
I’m dreaming of throwing epic passes at The University of Alabama’s stadium when something wet touches my thigh.
Confused, I look up at the sky, but it’s bright blue. No sign of an oncoming storm anywhere.
“Easton! Easton!” The crowd cheers my name as my teammate rushes into the end zone.
The wetness touches my thigh again, leaving a strange trail, and I open my eyes.
Scarlett is kneeling between my legs, her fingers pressed against my briefs.
She looks up at me, and I smile.
Then I realize she’s Tully.
What the…
“Hey there.” She smiles and presses another kiss against my skin. “Happy birthday.”
Fuck. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Giving you a birthday blowjob.” She smiles. “Don’t you want one?”
Only if it was from your sister. I clear my throat before those words slip from my mouth.
“Exactly.” She presses her palms on my knees. “Lay back and let me finish.”
“No, don’t.” I clasp her wrists and stand up, moving around her. “I just want to be alone today.”
“Ugh. Seriously?” She opens a bag, pulling out a champagne bottle and some type of dessert tray. “I bribed a guy to get us some top shelf alcohol and I even bought you birthday candles to go with this custom cookie cake.”
I sigh. “I really just want to be alone today, Tully.”
“But I’m your girlfriend.” She stands.
“I’m aware,” I say. “It’s not personal.”
“It feels like it.” She walks over to me. “Why can’t I be here with you? Like, on all days, why not today?”
“Tully…”
“Save it.” She looks into my eyes. “When you stopped letting me come over months ago because you claimed you didn’t sleep well with me in your bed, I bought that.”
“That’s the truth.”
“When you said, ‘I feel like we need to work on being better friends in our relationship’ I bought that bullshit, too.”
“That’s still the truth…”
“What about my truth, then?” Her voice cracks. “Like, I get the social media thing with the sponsors can be annoying, but we both signed all those deals and they pay us pretty well.”
“It has nothing to do with social media, Tully.”
“I also understand that you’re under a lot of stress since every college is trying to sink their claws into you, and everyone in this town thinks you’re some sort of celebrity, but…What about me?” She sighs. “What happened to the guy I was dating last year?”
I swallow, knowing that she could never handle the truth. She’s a drama queen through and through, and the only people who exist in her world are those who serve her best interests.
“I don’t really have anyone close in my life,” she says. “My mom loves her vlogging shit more than anything, my dad loves that money, and my friends are…” Her voice trails off. “I have friends, and I want to have you, too.”
I hold back a sigh.
She didn’t mention Scarlett.
She never does…
“I’ll let you have your birthday because well, it is your birthday.” She presses her hand against my chest. “But we need to talk within the next few days because I need to know that you still like me as much as I like you.”
She kisses my cheek. “Save the champagne and cookies for me, okay?”
“I’ll walk you to your car,” I say, stopping myself from making a promise I don’t want to keep.
I grab her hand and lead her outside to the silver BMW she supposedly “shares” with Scarlett. I’ve yet to see Scarlett behind the wheel.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I say, shutting the door.
“I’ll hold you to that.” She blows me a kiss. “Happy birthday.”
I stand in my driveway long after she’s gone, and when I can’t take the silence anymore, I grab the keys to my dad’s car and head to the only place I want to be.
7
ME
Dear Elliot Tipton,
In debate class, you once argued that “parents who put their kids on the internet for content are selfish people who fuck them up for life.” I told you how wrong you were, how I grew up in a family like that and I turned out just fine.
You were right, though….
One hundred percent.
Wish I Would’ve Told You,
—Scarlett
I look like a poor girl’s version of Little Bo Peep.
All I’m missing is a flock of sheep and a golden herder stick.
“Stop frowning, Scarlett!” My mom fluffs the white petticoat under my pink dress. “This is a thirty-thousand-dollar period piece. You should be thrilled to wear something so beautiful.”