“I’m not playing anything.” I shrug, because apparently I’m a liar now.
“I just want to make sure you—”
The driver’s door swings open and Emmett slides in, grinning as he buckles his seatbelt. “Alright, ladies,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows. “Are we ready to rock and roll?”
“If by ‘rock and roll’ you mean a quiet nap and a complimentary Xanax,” Tori mutters, leaning against the window, “then yes, let’s rock.”
Mia crosses one leg over the other, her sunglasses perched on her head. “Anyway, speaking of pain in the ass—Robyn is being a total thundercunt.”
I twist around, resting my head on the back of the seat. “What now?”
“She’s mad at the world and a heinous leech, what else is new?” Mia shrugs. “Also, it might have something to do with me bailing on a callback to come here.”
“What?Mia! We could’ve rescheduled.”
“It was my choice. Anyway, she’s been blowing up my phone, saying it’s ‘unprofessional’ to disappear without telling her where I’m going.”
“You call your mom by her first name?” Emmett asks at the same time I blurt, “You didn’t tell her?”
We all turn to stare at him.
Mia giggles. “Robyn isn’t my mom. God, wouldn’t that be a nightmare? I don’t have a mom, actually. Just two dads.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “Robyn’s my manager. I told her I needed a break, and she didn’t ask where.”
I giggle, shaking my head. “What’s the headline this time? ‘Girl Gone Wilde’again?”
“‘Wilder Than Ever,’” Mia says, grinning. “Apparently I’m dating a married French director. News to me. Also news to him and his partner, I’m pretty sure.”
“Oh yeah, I saw that one,” Tori chimes in, pulling out gum and not bothering to offer a piece to anyone else. “Honestly, you looked so good in those pap photos. Icon-level hair.”
“Thank you,” Mia says sweetly. “The dress deserved its own headline.”
“You two are insane,” I mutter, but I can’t stop smiling.
“So…” Mia leans forward, dropping her voice like we aren’t all in the same truck and can hear her perfectly clearly. “Ishegoing to be there?”
“Who?”
“You know who.”
I pretend to fiddle with the radio, even though my phone is already connected. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You’re literally blushing,” Tori says, smirking.
“I have a sunburn,” I deadpan.
Mia leans in, narrowing her eyes, about to call me on my bullshitagain, but Emmett cuts in. “Are we talking about Wes?” he asks, casual as ever.
I choke. “We are not,” I say quickly, turning up the volume four more notches. “Let’s just enjoy the scenic drive.”
“This is going to be delicious,” Mia teases. “Emmett, we need to make a pit stop. The cinematic level of tension this weekend is going to require popcorn.”
“There is no tension,” I lie.
“Oh, there’salwaystension with emotionally unavailable men,” Tori says, blowing a bubble with her gum. “It’s, like, their love language or something.”
“Okay,” I snap. “Let’s all shut up and play the quiet game. Starting now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
