Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
But a brief walkabout reveals he’s done just that. There’s no Christian in the guest room, the kitchen, or living room, and a quick glance outside reveals his truck has vanished from the driveway.
Heart sinking into my stomach, I assure Bella, “He’ll be back. He adores you, even if he isn’t so sure about me,” but I’m not sure I believe it.
I mean, I know he cares about me as a friend, but he made it clear from the beginning that he wasn’t interested in anything but a little wham, bam, see-you-later-and-we’ll-never-talk-about-the-whamming-again, thank you, ma’am. Leaning on him while I freak out about my pet running away and dragging him to my bed for an off-limits sleepover was never supposed to be in the cards.
I can’t blame him for running off, if that’s what’s happened, but it still hurts.
And reminds me of another McGuire who nearly screwed up his entire life by running away. Barrett bailed on my sister mere minutes after their first steamy encounter, hurting Wren so deeply that she ran away to Thailand for three months to lick her wounds. But somehow, they made it past the fallout from their mutual running and are now happily married.
Thinking of Wren, and how much I wish I could talk to my sister about what’s going on with Christian, I settle in at my desk in the living room and open my computer, Bella in my lap. I’m not planning to spill my guts about my potential On the Run McGuire or anything—Christian and I promised to keep this a secret from our families, and I’m not one to break a promise—but I figure an email to touch base can’t hurt.
Wren and I write each other emails all the time. We started the tradition when I went away to college, but we’ve kept it up since I came home. There’s just something about a letter that’s so different than texting or talking on the phone. Sometimes we send actual snail mail letters, too, with old photos or little sketches inside. It’s just a thoughtful, personalized way to show how much we care about each other.
Opening my email tab in my browser, I hit “compose” and prepare to start writing only for my laptop to blow up with text notifications.
“What the heck?” I mutter, idly stroking Bella’s back as I lean in to see what all the fuss is about.
It looks like I’ve received a slew of text messages from Nora about fifteen minutes ago, not long before midnight. Worry making the hair at the back of my neck stand on end, I open my messages app. Nora isn’t the type to send more than one or two texts at a time or to text after seven or eight p.m. Seven texts from her this late at night can only mean bad news.
NORA: I have no idea how to tell you this, Starling, but I think you deserve to know what’s happening as soon as possible. So you can get help from the police or whoever you’re supposed to contact in a situation like this. So I’m just going to spill the beans, okay?
Brace yourself? Please? For real?
The sex tape you made with Christian is on the internet. In a LOT of places on the internet. I came across a link to it on the town’s digital message board before one of the moderators took it down. But a quick internet search showed it in a lot more places. It’s basically everywhere, babe, and it’s obvious that it’s you and Chris, even though you’re in costume.
I’m so, so sorry!
I’m here for you. Anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.
And please know I don’t judge you for this AT ALL. I’ve only had a few serious boyfriends and even I have images and videos out there that would be prime revenge porn material in the wrong hands. You did nothing wrong, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed.
Call me if you want to talk, okay? Anytime.
I’ll keep my phone turned on and by the bed.
Oh, and if you need help finding a lawyer, let me know. I have a cousin who’s dating a high-powered divorce attorney in Minneapolis—super famous guy, total shark who wins all his cases. He doesn’t specialize in this kind of crime, but I’m sure he’ll know someone who does. I can get you a recommendation and we can go from there. Just know I’m here for you and want to help you get whoever did this thrown in jail. All the hugs!
I finish reading the texts and sit frozen in shock as my stomach bottoms out with a vengeance I’ve never experienced before.
It’s like I’m trapped on an elevator in free fall.
How could this have happened? How?!
Christian said he was the only one who had access to the footage and even he hadn’t watched it yet!