Dante
As for my pre-competition routine: painting my nails and visualizing victory.
If you’d like, you can follow me around for a day, get the full experience. We can end our next training session with a real lesson in unwinding.
Little Fighter
You still haven’t answered my question about your last encounter with authority.
Dante
That story requires an in-person telling. Along with the leg sweep you’re curious about.
Little Fighter
Good night, Mr. Hastings.
Dante
Break a leg at tomorrow’s premiere.
The message shows delivered. Three dots appear, then vanish.Gone, just like that.I drum my fingers against the leather seat, fighting the urge to send another message.
Something witty, something that would make her roll her eyes but smile anyway. But I resist.
The drive from the airstrip stretches endlessly, my phone a dead weight in my hand. Her cabin stands dark when I pass it.Windows black, no sign of life. She’s probably already in LA, practicing those perfect sound bites for tomorrow’s red-carpet interviews.
By the time I’m showered and in bed, there’s still no response. Not even one of her signature comebacks. Crickets chirp outside while this persistent ache in my chest refuses to subside.
It’s too quiet.
Before I can stop myself, I’m scrolling to find her voice memo again.Pathetic, really.But I click play anyway.
“Hello, Mr. Hastings.”
I close my eyes, letting myself imagine the quirk of her lips, the way she probably shook her head while recording this.
Fuck, I’m in so much trouble.
This isn’t like picking up some socialite at a charity gala or flirting with flight attendants to pass the time.
This is Reese. Brilliant, infuriating Reese Sinclair, who sees right through my carefully crafted bullshit and makes me want to let her. And that’s fucking dangerous.
Chapter 10
Reese
August 22nd
Reese Sinclair and Jaxon Elio Spark More Dating Rumors at theLove and LoathingPremiere
Heather
We need to talk about Felix. People are catching on to the fact that he’s turning this into some B-movie cash grab.
Reese
Aren’t you the one who always tells me not to listen to whisperings?
