Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“He was probably right. Look at all the messed-up former child stars.”
“Yeah. Probably.”
“So what about back then? Before you started playing on stage? I bet someone had a nickname for you before you were famous.”
Taking his shirt collar in his mouth, Jeremy chewed on it and mumbled, “There is no before I was famous, Reg.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was born famous.” Jeremy released his shirt and sighed. “Just because I wasn’t playing guitar and singing for crowds doesn’t mean people didn’t know who I was. Before I was The Jeremy Jameson, I was Beau Jameson’s son or Paula Radcliffe’s son or Walter Radcliffe’s grandson.”
“But you had friends… have friends. Right?”
“Sort of. There’re always people around, but I think you have to be real for someone to give you a nickname, yeah?”
“You’re real.” Reg looked him straight in the face.
Closing his eyes, Jeremy whispered, “Sometimes I don’t feel real.” He drew his shirt back in and started chewing on it.
“Hey.” Though he hadn’t heard him get off the couch, suddenly Reg was right there, his arms on either side of Jeremy’s face, his legs bent and straddling Jeremy’s thighs, and his breath ghosting over Jeremy’s face. “You’re real, JJ.” Reg tugged his shirt out of his mouth. “You’re real.”
“You think so. I can tell.” He opened his eyes and met Reg’s gaze. “I feel real when I’m with you.” He grinned. “I mean, I know I’m trashed, but I feel real right now.”
“That’s because you are real.” Reg paused. “Real bad at chess.”
“Hey!”
“A real lightweight when it comes to drinking.”
“I am n—”
“A real pain in the ass when you don’t get your way.”
“I’m going to punch you.”
“I’d love to see you try, superstar.” Reg’s body tensed, like he was getting ready to move. “Because you’re also a real pretty boy, and I would totally beat you in a fight.”
He was off the ground and at the other end of the room before Jeremy could react.
“I am not a pretty boy!”
“Aww, sure you are. Just look at those delicate features—high cheekbones, plump lips, long eyelashes.”
Jeremy scowled and flipped him off.
“Total pretty boy.” With a wink, Reg walked over to the minifridge and picked up a couple of bottles of water and a bag of something Jeremy didn’t recognize.
“Are you going to make me drink more water?”
“Yup.” Reg raised his hand, said, “Catch,” and then he tossed the bottle.
Though Jeremy missed the projectile, it landed squarely on his chest, so he told himself it was a successful catch. Unfortunately, Reg didn’t agree.
“Dude, that was totally pathetic.”
“I wasn’t ready.”
Arching one eyebrow, Reg said, “Don’t make it worse.” He twisted the lid on his own bottle, said, “Bottoms up,” and he started gulping it down.
Jeremy was still watching him swallow when he lowered the bottle and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.
“Drink your water, JJ.” Reg tore the edge off the bag he was holding.
“What’s that?”
“Almonds. Nature’s perfect snack.” Reg came back to the couch and sat down, his knees spread and his posture relaxed. “I’ll share them with you if you drink your water like a good boy.”
“When you’re sleeping, I’m going to write on your face in permanent marker,” Jeremy threatened, trying to sound angry but pretty sure he wasn’t pulling it off. He liked Reg way too much, even when he was razzing him. Or maybe it was because he did it.
“Drink.”
With a glare, he started swallowing the cool water, realizing halfway through that he was thirsty. Before he could take the next step in the thinking process and get himself another bottle, Reg was off the couch bringing it to him.
“Thank you.” He blinked up at the big man and noticed that Reg’s features were anything but delicate. His jawline was strong, his nose pronounced, though not large, and his cheeks had a constant five o’clock shadow.
“You’re welcome.” Reg handed Jeremy the bag of almonds. “Eat some of those.”
Though he couldn’t put his finger on the reason for it, when Reg told him to do something, Jeremy had no qualms about complying. Maybe it was because from Reg, the demands felt like they came from a place of caring rather than a desire to strengthen his brand. When Reg talked to him, Jeremy felt like he was addressing the man, not the star. Like he’d said, Reg made him feel real.
Rising to a sitting position, Jeremy watched Reg stretch his long body across the couch. “Reg?”
“Uh-huh?”
“Are you having an okay time so far?” It had only been a few days, so the question was probably premature, but Jeremy wanted to know, so he asked anyway.
“Totally. Hanging out with you is a blast, and the show tonight was awesome.”
“Good.” Jeremy smiled, relieved. He popped a few almonds into his mouth, realized he was hungry, and stuffed in another handful.
“How about you? Other than the interview you didn’t want to do, you feeling good?”