Page 59 of The Road Less Traveled By

Bree only continues to laugh, and I could get drunk off that sound. It's been far and few between lately, and whenever she laughs, I want to bottle it up and store it somewhere for later. I prefer hearing those than the screams and sobs.

“He knows we’re kidding, Nico, but we should let him get back to work,” Bree says, a hint of mischief in her tone as she scoops up the magazines. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Nico’s brow raises at her, and I’m already pre-annoyed at whatever these two are planning. “I’m two steps ahead of you. Shall we?”

“We shall.”

“What are you both up to?” I ask.

“We’re definitely not going to flip through these and figure out a hundred new ways to push your buttons, that’s for sure!” Nico salutes me.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Nico plays nice.” Bree waves as she heads out of my office and for the rest of the time I’m working, I hear her laughter float through the house a few different times, and it has me smiling at my desk the entire afternoon.

And damn, if that isn't the best sound I’ve ever heard.

Chaptertwenty

— NDA BY BILLIE EILISH

“Okay, so this iswhat I’m wearing to Liv’s event tonight! It’s a simple silk slip dress. I went with the champagne one you guys voted for on my Instagram story yesterday. This one is definitely my favorite since it matches her book cover,” I say to myself.

I’ve finally picked up my camera after a few weeks of being too afraid to film anything. I’m taking it slow and only doing a day in my life video. Most of it is probably going to get cut since most of my days consist of me not sleeping, working out, and sitting in my bed editing photos for the posts I'm allowed to make.

“I’m wearing these brand new Chanel shoes. They’re sleek black heels, and they’re not the comfiest, but for the outfit, I’ll suffer.” I laugh to myself as I feel another presence enter my room. “Okay, let’s go to Liv’s event!” I say before I shut the camera and turn it off.

“All set?” Vince asks me, and I nod at him, excited to go support my sister at her biggest signing to date. While I look more dressed up, Vince has opted for his usual attire—an all-black outfit, fit with an extra button undone on his shirt, and his hair looks natural, as it curls on the end, that one hair still hanging in front of his face. If I was bold enough, I’d reach over and tuck it in for him, but he doesn'tseem to mind it.

“I’m ready. Liv and Tristan just got to the store and said there’s already people lined up to meet her!” I say, a huge smile crossing my face. My cheeks already hurt from all the smiling I’ve done today because my talented sister has a huge signing tonight.

“You’re proud of her,” Vince states, a small smirk crossing his face.

“I am. She’s been through a lot. Liv deserves all the success in the world.” I stand from my vanity and grab my camera before Vince grabs the purse I was going to bring out of my closet and hands it to me. “How did you know I was bringing this one?”

“You always lay your stuff out early, and this one was on the little table in your closet.”

“Always on top of things, Evans, aren't you?”

“Of course. Now, let’s get going before Emerson yells at us to hurry up. He’s following us to the event.” He opens the door to my room for me, and as we walk down the stairs together, I feel his hand hover against the small of my back. He’s not touching me, more so guiding me down the stairs and making sure I don't fall since I’m wearing tall heels.

He’s barely touching me, and if I put my hand in that tiny space between us, lightning would strike. I’m sure of it.

Does he feel it, too?I hate that I’ll never know the answers to these questions because once Ralph is taken care of, Vince will leave, and I’ll be alone again. Connie will probably continue to ship me off on fake dates for the rest of my life, and I’ll never have a choice in anything ever again.

But who am I to complain? My life has so many other beautiful things in it, but sometimes the bad outweighs the good, and it becomes all I can focus on.

Not tonight, though. Tonight is all about my sister and her amazing accomplishments.

Teags and her mom are coming to show support. Harry and his girlfriend are coming, and I think Dom might even stop by. A few other book girls I know from Instagram have told me that they’re coming, andare excited to see Liv and I, and it’s so adorable the way my viewers have helped champion Liv’s books.

I knew I loved my audience, but they continue to shock me with the amount of love and support that they show the books that I love.

Vince opens the door for me, and the sound of something falling has the both of us pausing in my doorway. When I look around the porch, I spot a small pink envelope, and Vince leans down to pick it up.

“What is that?” I ask him, a knot forming in my gut.

Vince says nothing as he carefully flicks the envelope open and turns it upside down, a cell phone falling out of it. It’s a simple gray flip phone, and Vince is pressing a ton of buttons, trying to find an answer as to why it’s here.

It’s obviously from Ralph. Only he would leave something like this for us to find when we’re about to leave the house.

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