Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
When my tug on a knob switches on the ancient contraption, I mentally fist bump the air. The picture is grainy, but the sound is clear.
After inching back so I can peer out the window, I squint until I spot the program emblem of the show my neighbor is watching. I stab my finger into the channel button on repeat until I reach my desired channel, then adjust the antenna to make sure Nicole’s face presents as unblemished as it does in real life.
I step back when the flecks of blue in her eyes can’t be missed. She looks good. Tired, but Bonnie has concealed that well.
“It’s been quite a week for you this week, hasn’t it, Nicole?”
Nicole shyly smiles before nodding. “You could say that.”
“Multiple one-on-one interviews with the who’s who of the entertainment industry. Numerous viral hits on YouTube and TikTok, and album sales that would make any music exec’s eyes flash dollar signs,” the host reads off a card in front of her. “You must be proud.”
“I should be,” Nicole replies. “It’s more than I ever thought possible, but—”
The talk show host cuts her off. “But you’ve had a handful of downfalls as well.” She slices Nicole’s confidence in half when she brings up the video that almost ended her career before it truly started. “We’re assuming this was a joke gone wrong. You surely knew the public wasn’t ready for that.” She laughs before shifting her focus to what I assume is the production crew. “We will never be ready for that disaster.”
“That performance was never meant to be released,” Nicole stammers out, her tone as low as her shoulders. “It was recorded without the permission of the label and myself.”
“Do you think he uploaded it?” The host’s voice couldn’t be more ear-piercing.
“He?” Nicole asks as her eyes dance between the host’s, her confusion unmissable.
“Your stalker.” It dawns on me that this is the first time Nicole has faced the ruse Knox commenced to keep us apart when the host instructs her production assistant to hand Nicole the newspaper Knox showed me this morning. “He’s a handsome chap. Aren’t all the psychos?”
Since her question is directed to the at-home audience instead of Nicole, Nicole doesn’t answer. She continues reading the article that slanders my family’s name alongside hers, her focus only shifting when the host announces, “The YouTube accounts are under different names, but perhaps his new account was so you wouldn’t know he almost ended your career before fixing it.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
The lady pats Nicole’s hand like she has air for brains. “I’ll explain during the commercial break.” She locks her eyes with the camera. “We’ll be right back with delicious recipes for the upcoming pumpkin spice season and a live performance from our very own pumpernickel. See you soon.”
When I throw the remote at her head, pissed she insulted Nicole on air by comparing her to a dense loaf of bread, the power of my hit knocks the antenna to the ground.
I curse my short temper to hell when I notice an antenna ear on the floor. It’s snapped clean off.
Not eager to miss Nicole’s performance, I snatch up the broken antenna and head for the twenty-four-hour reception desk. A hairdryer won’t fix my fuckup this time around.
Halfway there, I’m stopped in my tracks by a dark figure standing under the awning. He’s wearing a black sweatshirt, black pants, and black sneakers, but no amount of darkness can conceal the humbleness of his soul.
“River…”
When he lifts his downcast head, tears burn my eyes.
He’s crying hard and drenched like he walked in the rain for miles.
“How did you get here?” I ask while yanking off my coat to cover his shuddering shoulders.
His sniffles are the worst they’ve been all week when he confirms my suspicion. “I walked.” He drags his hand under his runny nose. “I didn’t have any money for a taxi, and the men at the hotel work for Knox.” He locks his drenched eyes with mine. “He said it would help you. That’s why I gave it to him. He said it would make Nicole love you more.” He bangs his head with his fist. “I fucked up, Laken. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. You—"
“I broke everything. I fucked up.” He tears at his hair, his anguish too firm for him not to self-harm before he once again hits himself. “Now Nicole doesn’t want to hug me. She hates me.”
Clumps of his hair fall to the ground when I band my arms around him and pull him to my chest. He fights against me and pleads for me to let him go, but just like he wouldn’t let me do anything that would have seen me taken away from him again for another nine years, I hold on tight until his tears have soaked my shirt with more than rain, and his begs for forgiveness no longer ring in my ears.