Page 19 of My Best Friend Prince Charming

8

Shannon

I left Ryker’s house, my head swirling with confusion. What was happening between us? Ryker was changing, and quickly. First, all his new clothes, which would probably end up looking incredible on him, and now, the way he’d been touching me lately. I couldn't say I didn’t like it—because I did like it. A little too much, and that was what scared me. I wasn’t sure I was ready to face what it might mean for Ryker and me. I was comfortable with the way our relationship had been. It was safe and predictable. Routine. But this? We were entering uncharted territory, and I didn’t know how to navigate this terrain.

When I saw Ryker coming home from Charter, Gabi had gotten out of the limo to say goodbye to him, and she’d ended up hugging him so naturally, I’d thought Ryker was interested in her. I mean, regardless of the hug, what guy wouldn’t be?

She was a drop-dead gorgeous uber-famous movie star. The kind of girl every guy dreamed about. Poised, gracious, and well-spoken. She didn’t even come off as fake. She seemed genuine and down to earth. How was that even possible? Would I be that nice if I had that much attention and money? Gabi didn’t have to worry about barely scraping by financially. If Ryker’s new spending habits were any indication, she could spend the entire day at the mall and not even come close to making a dent in her bank account. I had no idea what that must be like. I’d spent so much time ensuring I had every last penny accounted for. I had to, or we wouldn’t have been able to survive. Most girls my age spent their money on new clothes or the newest shade of lipstick. I saved up every penny to help my mom put food on the table.

I pulled open the screen over my front door and then the door itself. Mom still wasn’t home. Maddie was sitting at the table, painting her nails.

“What’s up, Shannon?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“You just come from hottie’s house?”

I made a face. “Don’t call him that.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s weird.”

“That’s what half the school is calling him. And now there’s a rumor going around that you’re dating him since Austin is sucking face with Tabby Lewis. I have to say, you really dodged a bullet on that one. Ryker is a way better catch, and I thought that before he got rich and famous.”

“There’s a rumor going around that I’m dating Ryker?”

“Oh yeah. People are shipping you big time. Just give it a few days, you’ll have a hashtag trending.”

“I don’t even know what any of that means.”

“You don’t know what a hashtag is?”

I rolled my eyes. “I know whatthatis. Just not the rest of that gibberish.”

“You’re the biggest nerd in the school, and you write fan fiction. How do you not know about shipping and trending hashtags?”

“Because I write my fan fiction. I don’t hang out on social media. It’s not my thing.”

“It’s only a matter of time, and you’ll be hanging out on there, whether you like it or not,” Maddie said.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Haven’t you noticed the crowds of creepsters outside our house with the cameras, or are you really that disconnected from reality?”

I scowled. “Of course, I’ve seen them. I just don’t know what they have to do with me.”

“Duh, you’re always with Ryker. If half the school is shipping you two, then it’s only a matter of time before your face is plastered all across the internet with him.”

“You mean the paparazzi is going to start writing articles about me and speculating that I’m dating Ryker?”

“Obviously.”

I opened my mouth to speak but shut it again. I hadn’t thought of that. “But I’m not dating him. We just have to let them know that.”

“Yeah, like that will work. Those people are vultures, looking for whatever piece of juicy gossip they think will get the most attention. Everyone loves a best-friends-to-lovers story, especially when the lovers are next-door neighbors who grew up together. And they’ll be more than happy to create that story for the masses.”

“You mean they won’t believe me.”

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