Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“What costumes?” I ask him.
“Oh, we’re dressing them up and putting masks on them so the girls have to pick one to go through the haunted school with, but they won’t know who it is and have to pick based on their number one fear.”
“So,” I take a deep breath. “You’re dressing them up as—”
“—Their own worst fear., And then we’ll send them into the haunted school, whatever team gets out first and the fastest gets their first pick of a date night. And on top of that, their pick of where they want to donate the prize money they win for making it through. Easy. Makes them look generous and on the bonus side it mixes up the couples a bit before the end.
“So,” I nod my head slowly. “We’re not doing the brunch today or the rapid fire dating questions one minute speed date?”
“We might later this week, but for our first episode—since it’s live—this just made more sense. It’s loud. It’s going to be great.”
My head already hurts. My anxiety just kicked into overdrive.
And this is going to be a goddamn nightmare.
The fact that it’s live is painful.
I don’t miss a beat though. I put my coffee down and march over to the guys’ house and open the door.
Both groups look miserable.
Immediately Rae hides some cheese behind his back while Eric chokes on a cookie and spits part of it into the sink. Yeah, live will be great with these guys.
“Listen,” I don’t know why I suddenly point my finger in their general direction as if they’re in trouble, it could be stress? “No cussing today, whatever management has sold you as, whether you’re the cute one, the sexy one, the innocent one.” I don’t look at Sookie. “That’s the only role you play today, we changed filming a bit, costume and makeup will be in here soon but I need your word because if any one of you step out of place today during this live filming—” More choking takes place from some random band member. “—You’re going to have a problem and album sales could easily tank or even more fun you can be canceled for not fitting the stereotype you’ve been given. Any questions?”
Sookie raises one hand then reaches with his other for a bag of chips. I’m ready to slap them out of his fingers because, salt, live filming, and he needs to not look puffy on tv. He crunches down on a Dorito. But then, my evil twin sister rears her ugly head and I think… so what if he looks puffy, less adoring women for him to have to sift through…
I hate myself for that thought.
Kind of… but not really.
“Nutritious breakfast.” I cross my arms and try to act stern.
He grins and grabs another. “What can I say? It was the closest hag, I mean bag, next to me.”
My nostrils flare, my temper does the same. “Bag, it’s a bag, Sookie and what’s your question?”
“What,” Crunch. “If.” Another crunch. “We slip up?”
I cannot handle his crunching nor can I handle the fact that he’s goading me on purpose in front of everyone. He is. He’s flirting and enticing me with those chips he keeps eating like they’re the best thing he’s ever had. He’s doing it intentionally too. I just know it. I stomp over, ready to grab the chip from his mouth when he swallows and grins at me, then very slowly licks his thumb. My mouth goes dry.
I hate him.
I definitely hate him today.
“Sorry, had some extra cheese there.”
The entire room is silent. I’m sure they’re watching this strange exchange of ours with extremely curious eyes, but I can’t seem to help myself and at least pretend like I’m professional. My nerves are wound up. I spent an entire evening stalking him on YouTube. I dreamt about him.
I woke up thinking about him.
Simon told me I’m a “type”…
My screen saver is a cat.
There’s only so much a girl can take.
I walk up to him nice and close and poke his chest. If he’s surprised by my boldness, he doesn’t let on. If anything, he just stands taller, stares harder.
“Behave yourself. You should be the least of our worries—you’re the easy one without any drama. Remember, you’re an innocent virgin who’s afraid of flying or doing anything, and you!” I point at Rae, suddenly feeling the urge to go on a rampage. “Are heartbroken over Lucas and Grace,” I turn to Lucas. “You’re the bad boy with emotional trauma who jokes around too much,” Kai’s next. “You’re the sporty one, fun, talented at everything, you love the gym and you hate sugar.”
Kai pipes up. “I actually like sugar—”
“—Not the time.” Rae elbows him and shakes his head. His eyes are wide and I know he’s taken aback by my attitude. “So not the time.”