Page 71 of The Pursuit of Happiness

I open a new text thread with Nate and quickly type out:

NATE

Me

Fucking Rogan is here with that dumb ass game

Almost immediately, he answers.

Nate

Bro, are you serious? I know what game he

brought and I’ve been begging him to let

me play first. Before Miles.

You don’t even like games! Why did he bring it to you??

Me

I think he’s trying to bond

Nate

Well…I guess that’s nice of him…?

I’m about to type out a reply when Rogan returns looking slightly flushed. “You good, bro?”

He nods, waving me off, “Yeah, I’m good. It just feels really hot in your foyer.”

I groan, “This California heat has been insane.”

He throws himself down on the couch beside me, “No shit. I feel like my balls are sweating all day every fucking day.”

I give him an extremely disgusted and uncomfortable look, “What placed you under the impression that I want to hear about your sweaty balls?”

He smirks, “You don’t have to play pretend, Sly. I know you care about my balls.”

I pick up the controller to the game I have no interest in playing and press resume. “Not even in the slightest of bits,” I huff.

Chapter 17

Aria

I want to becomephysically violent as the makeup artist accidentally pokes my eye with the black eyeliner pencil she’s using to line my water lines. “I’m so sorry!” She apologizes rapidly, a deer in the headlights look in her eyes as if she’s afraid I’m about to go diva on her.

I blink the tears away and fan my eyes, “It’s okay, no worries. I probably moved.” I take back what I said about the physical violence. She looks scared enough as is. Besides, I think my nerves are getting to me.

I am so unbelievably anxious about this talk show, the slightest of things are threatening to toss me over the edge. John Sweet has a reputation for making rude jokes about people in front of them on national television. I’ve heard whispers that he’s a closeted sexist, so naturally, I’m panicking because of course Selene wants to book Sly and I on this show right after the entire world has watched us have sex.

Selene promised that she spoke to his team, but there’s no telling if that will actually stop John from bringing it up. What makes things riskier is that this is a live show and nothing can be edited out.

As if matters couldn’t be any worse, I feel so out of place in this outfit that was chosen for me. I didn’t even get a say in my hair and makeup. I’m completely made up with dark, bold eye makeup and my hair is styled into a loose, updo on the top of my head, the blue strands poking out in different places. My least favorite part about my appearance is the baby blue latex-like, tube dress that Selene had chosen for me. I’m also wearing a pair of heels to match. Fuckingheels! I was already five-foot-nine-inches before the heels, but now I may be closer to Sly’s eye level.

The makeup artist steps away and gives me the chance to look at my overly made-up face and I thank her even though I want to take about six makeup wipes to my skin. She packs up her kit and my dressing room door opens. I turn to see who’s entered and feel instant relief when I realize it’s Sly. He looks mouthwatering in the black button up and slacks he’s wearing. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, revealing the expanse of tattoos on his skin.

I feel his eyes roaming over every inch of my body the way that mine have explored his. When his eyes land on my face, he has a sympathetic look on his face. “You look perfect, Kane. There is not one person or thing on this planet that shadows how unbelievably perfect you are.”

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