Page 44 of The Road Less Traveled By

“That’s okay, Bree. When you’re ready, just know you can always talk to me. But buckle up because I have lots to say about this book.” Teags pulls me into my room, wet clothes and all, and I hear Vince yell at someone that just walked in the house.

“Find out how that package got through the fucking gate! Now, or you're fired!”

I hope they find something, anything that can help catch this fucker before it’s too late because if he’s sending me bullets as a warning, I don’t want to know what will happen if he actually gets his hands on me again.

Chaptersixteen

— DELICATE BY TAYLOR SWIFT

My phone ringing interruptsthe song I was listening to, and I turn the treadmill off as I answer. “Hello?”

“Bree? Are you in a wind tunnel right now? What is all that noise?”

I take a few seconds to calm my breathing. “You caught me in the middle of a workout. What’s up, Con?”

“I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Okay…” I say, weary of how she worded that sentence. “About what?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to throw your own event this year?”

I take a deep breath. It’s been a dream of mine to host an event that helped out a cause I care about, but is now really the right time? I already feel like I’m on the brink of exhaustion, and this could make it worse, but it’s been something I’ve wanted forever. “Is now really the right time? Can’t we wait until next year, when things have calmed down?”

“I don't know if I would ever describe your life as calm, Bree. I think now is as good of a time as ever, and it could bring some good publicity, too.”

I take a sip of my water as I mull over what she said. If I say no, she’ll keep hounding me until I say yes. Having no fight left in me, I agree. “Yeah, you’re right. Just let me know what you need from me, and I’ll get it to you.”

“Thanks, Bree. I’ll send an email by the end of the day. Did you still want to do the Mental Health Foundation?”

“Yes,” I say immediately.

“Great. I’ll be in touch. Make sure to smile for the cameras with Alex later!”

“I will,” I say as I end the call. I have another fake date with Alex in a few hours, and I’ve been up since three this morning, running my body to the point of exhaustion. Even though I’m exhausted, I know I won’t be sleeping tonight, either.

My body is running ragged, and I don't know how much more of this I can handle.

I smile for the media when I’d rather be home in bed beneath my sheets. I pretend to be madly in love with Alex when I’d rather he admit that he still has feelings for Lily. I have to pretend like I’m fine with all the distractions from Ralph, but I’m petrified.

I’m handling this as best as I can on my own. Liv has her own shit to deal with, Teags is still trying to find her way back to herself after Tobias, and the last thing they need is to deal with my shit. They aren't famous, so why should they have to deal with the shitstorm that my life has become behind closed doors?

I take a big sip from my water bottle and trudge up the stairs, hoping that a long, hot shower will brighten my spirits.

Six hours later, I’mon my way to a bookstore to meet Alex. Connie thought it would be a good idea to show the media that Alex has taken aninterest in the things I love, so we’re going to wander around a bookstore and chat.

I’ve never wanted to not go to a bookstore before. I hate all this showmanship that comes from this deal. When I first agreed to it, I knew it would be like this, but I didn't take into account how exhausting it would feel. It turns out that pretending to be in love with someone is harder than I thought.

Normally, in the books I read with this trope, somewhere along the way, the lines get crossed, and things aren't as fake as the two of them thought.

With Alex, that will never happen. Eventually, maybe he and Lily will work things out. Hecouldhave his happy ending if he stopped being such an ass, but I’ll probably never get one, and I have to live with that.

I’d rather spend my life without romance than be stuck in a sham relationship.

“Bree, we’re here,” Vince says as the car slows to a stop. I can see photographers outside the building already, and before I can calm myself, the car door opens, and Alex’s face greets me.

“Hi, sweetheart. Care to join me inside? I already picked out some books I think you might like,” he says as he offers me his hand.

“Thank you,” I say as I step out of the car, the lights from the cameras practically blinding me. I see Vince clear the path for us, and I know he’s already mad that Alex opened my door for me. It’s protocol that Vince does it, and Alex broke it.

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