Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
I wrote on my board. YOU’RE SURE YOU CAN HANDLE HER ON YOUR OWN?
Lace nodded. “Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time she’s drunk too much.”
Together, we helped KC get inside the cab. As KC slumped in the backseat, she whispered something.
Yuki.
I blinked. I had no idea what it meant, but the pain in her voice was unmistakable and I couldn’t help looking at my friend, wishing there was something I could do to ease her hurt.
As I straightened to let Lace get inside next, I saw her pretty face marred by a scowl. “That’s her ex’s name.” She added darkly, “They broke up in high school and there’s never been closure.”
Ah. I got it, but I didn’t get it at the same time. How could any sane guy hurt someone like KC? The thought had my blood turning cold. KC was a nice girl, the nicest person I’ve ever met, the proverbial good girl. But some stupid guy had still been enough of an asshole to break her heart. If that could happen to KC, then wasn’t it more likely something worse would happen if I was the one to fall?
“Aria?”
I started, not realizing Lace had been talking to me.
“You’re sure you don’t want to ride with us?”
I nodded. The university was just ten minutes away. Right now, I would rather walk, needed to do something that would clear my head.
We exchanged waves and I stayed there, waiting for the cab to turn round the corner before taking the first step home. The night was cold and breezy, and I felt even more thankful I had been able to borrow a jacket from one of the guys at the exhibit.
Pulling the jacket closer around me, I walked slowly, my feet moving at a slower pace than the jumbled thoughts racing in my head. There was a dull ache inside me that hadn’t really disappeared since I sent that message to Kellion, and I was scared it was the kind of wound that would never ever heal.
Minutes had passed when I realized someone was following me. I tried to quicken my steps without being obvious about it.
“Miss.” A hand touched my shoulder.
I didn’t bother looking behind me. I just broke into a run.
The man behind me laughed, and then he was running after me. “Are you going to blow me if I catch you?”
The words had me stumbling.
Amelie knelt in front of me, her eyes shining with excitement. It was the opposite of what I felt, a stomach-churning fear that had my knees shaking under my dress. The fact that my outfit was almost completely transparent, made of lace and gossamer, definitely didn’t help.
Every time I caught my reflection on the mirror, I couldn’t help but cringe. My hair, my makeup, my dress - it had transformed me, turning a 12-year-old into someone who looked old enough to drink. To drive. To win singing competitions meant for individuals of legal age.
“Relax, my love,” my mother was saying. “You have this. You’re the most beautiful girl here, prettier than all the ones who sang before you.”
Dan came forward, standing beside Amelie as he ruffled my hair. “If you really want this, though, you just have to say one thing. Everyone’s gotta have a gimmick to win in these gigs, ya know?”
“What should I say?”
“Just look at the judges and tell them you’ll blow them one.” As he blew me a kiss and fluttered his lashes, I couldn’t help giggling while beside Dan, Amelie gasped and laughed. It was rare to see him act funny like that, and I liked it. He was more like my dad than a stranger when he was funny.
“You naughty man.” Amelie landed a playful slap on his arm.
Dan kissed her on the mouth, making her laugh even more. Turning to me, he said, “Remember. That’s exactly what you should say. You’re gonna blow them one.”
And I had.
I had said those words night after night, too innocent to know what they meant until a judge had thought the words were true and tried to sneak into my hotel room, demanding payment.
The memory crushed me, and before I knew it, I was on the ground, screaming and thrashing as a man fell on top of me, telling me he’d give me the best media coverage if I would blow him one—-
A second later, uniformed men appeared from nowhere, hauling him off my body.
Someone offered me a hand. “Ma’am?” The voice was gentle, soft, unthreatening.
I remained on the ground, dazed. The man looked familiar, and I stared at him until recognition dawned and I realized he had been one of the men supposedly tailing Kellion.
“Ma’am. Please let me help you up. I’m one of Mr. Argyros’ men.”
Shakily, I placed my hand in his. Behind him, I could still hear my attacker howling. He was a middle-aged man, with balding hair and wearing a crumpled suit.