Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 129110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
I lick my lips, still stunned by his response.
Teenage fantasy.
"You're silent. You're never silent. You're mad."
I shake my head and brush it off.
“Actually, I bet they’d be proud if you showed some humility. They warrant the truth and you deserve to tell it."
"I dunno..."
“You know what you need?"
He's suddenly amused. "I bet you're going to tell me."
I roll my eyes. "You need to make it your Five Life’s Mission."
“I’m sorry?” he chokes out a laugh. “My what?”
“It’s this game Jess and I made up in high school. You dedicate five minutes of your life and focus on nothing but your mission. For example, your mission would be to get your friends to forgive you, or at least have the opportunity to explain your side of the story. E-mail them, call, send a group text, whatever you choose, just do it. Spend five minutes and make it happen. Make it your Five Life’s Mission.”
“That’s utterly adorable,” he chuckles, and the way his eyes sparkle reminds me of where we were before all the weirdness that happened just now.
I clear my throat.
Teenage fantasy. That's all he is.
"Seriously though, you should."
"Truth?"
"Always."
"I thought I was over the past, but recording again after so long has really made me miss them. Being with you makes me forget about the bullshit. It reminds me how to have fun - kind of like how it was back then."
"So you're using me."
“Elle…” he sighs, but what he wants is written all over his face.
"Asher, they'll always be a million reasons to chicken out."
He pauses, and we get caught up doing that staring thing. "Are we still talking about Let's Go?"
"Yes," I roll my eyes and hold out my hand. “Give me your phone."
We eye it on the table at the same time.
I leap for it first.
“Elle…” he groans, but when I hold it away from him he's suddenly on me. I can't help but yelp a giggle as he wrestles me for it, and when I end up on his lap we both pause.
I’m on his lap basically straddling him.
Shocked by the intimacy he stops, and I seize the moment of weakness to break free. He lets me go without issue, and I run towards nearest door, like the totally mature person I am.
Turns out to be a bathroom.
I lock myself in, quickly find all four member's names and send the brief text, all while he's banging on the door.
"Elle!"
"What?"
I pause when his phone lights up with a text.
His sister.
I don't read it.
"Scared I'll see all your famous friends, or is it your many girlfriends you're embarrassed about?"
He stops knocking.
I open the door.
He's standing with his arms crossed.
"You are!" I can't believe it.
I mean he’s not happy, but he’s not exactly mad either.
"The NDA you didn't sign doesn't just protect me you know. There are a lot of famous numbers in there."
"Good thing I copied them all down with the non-existant pen and paper I had... oh wait."
"You had your phone."
"Check it." I take it out of my pocket and toss it to him.
He catches and throws it right back. "Also, my girlfriends don't text me."
"Oh right. You just snap your fingers and-"
"Elle-"
"I don't need the details."
"Suit yourself," he shrugs.
"So what do you think?" I hold up his phone. "Wanna have your security guard come and get it from me, or are you a big boy and can handle me yourself?"
His eyes light up with a chuckle.
"Somehow I think you could probably take him."
"And what about you?"
"Me?" he chuckles again. "I'd willingly let you have me."
His phone dings and I glance at it, mostly just so I can think about his words and their meaning for another moment.
I'd willingly let you have me.
The text is already being answered by the group.
I look back at Asher. He appears somewhat horrified. I wonder if it's because he knows it's them or because he realizes what he said to me.
“See what they say.” I toss the phone to him. "Also," I clear my throat. "Your, um, sister texted while I was in there. Don't worry, I didn't read it.” I immediately realize my mistake.
He never told me he has a sister.
“Half sister,” he glances up. "Fan."
“Well naturally I know who she is from the magazine,” I lie.
“Naturally,” he rolls his eyes. “I probably should have had Tiny body check you after all. Make sure you're not carrying scissors or something.”
"Who?"
“Tiny,” he looks up again. “My bodyguard. And scissors... so you don’t chop off my hair and sell it."
“Oh god,” I roll my eyes and fall back onto the couch.
He slowly sits down next to me.
“She’s my half sister. My Dad’s daughter."
I nod. "Is that why your Mom doesn't like coming?"
"No," he sighs. "She's never met her. Or his wife. She won't see him at all," he hesitates. "It makes her too upset... He's her biggest regret."