Page 7 of Pretty Wild

Your secret is safe with me, promise. The only person who knows is your mother. She sends her love. She went to have drinks with the reps from the Sullivan Foundation.

Me

Tell her I love her and will call her soon. I better finish unpacking and get to bed.

Dad

Call if you need anything, Ryan. Anything. I’m worried about you.

My heart skids to a stop in my chest and my eyes fill with tears.

Me

I’m fine, Dad. Promise. Love you.

Dad

Love you too. Good night.

Me

Night.

I glance through the rest of the texts, finding several from friends and business associates, all of whom I’ll return tomorrow. Then, I find the name I expected to see, yet had hoped wouldn’t be there. My finger hovers over his name, and ultimately, I decide not to open the message. Whatever he has to say doesn’t matter. From the moment I watched the episode where he told the world how he really felt about me, all blame was placed on me.

You’re always busy.

You’re making a bigger deal out of this.

It was for ratings, stop overreacting.

This business is ruthless, and we have to stick together.

Why the hell is he still texting me? All he has to do is walk away and we both move on. Instead, he keeps blowing up my phone, calling my family and friends, trying to find out where I am.

I’ll tell you why.

Because my last name is Marcotte.

Because my father has more influence in his pinky than half of Hollywood.

Because he’s starring in my dad’s next movie.

Because it’s all about appearances, and he isn’t looking so hot right now.

I set my phone down on the counter, knowing I should just block him but not having the brainpower to deal with it right now. Instead, I go to the cabinet, grab a glass, and fill it up with water. Water that has a slight yellowish tint to it and smells a little musty. I quickly dump out the contents of the glass and set it aside, knowing I’ll have to make my trip to town sooner rather than later. As soon as I get my SUV back, I’ll retrieve what I need, because there’s no way I’m drinking whatever contaminated water is coming out of the tap.

Gross.

I take a look around, for the first time wondering if I made a mistake. I’m not a country girl, one who’s fine sleeping in a little cabin in the woods. I’ve never stayed anywhere that isn’t a five-star hotel or resort, so why did I think this was a good idea?

Tears burn my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

I can do this.

I am strong, capable, and independent.

I don’t need lavish hotels or fancy cuisine.

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