Page 20 of Cosplay & Consequences

Bennet blinked in astonishment. “Oh. Thank you!”

“What brings you back here?” he asked.

“I came back here to support Jessica,” Bray said, leveling a glare at Daniel.

Daniel’s face fell, his smile evaporating. “Oh.”

An awkward silence fell over the backstage area, broken eventually by Bennet.

“Well. I have no idea what’s going on,” he declared, forcing a grin. “But a handsome man gave me a compliment, and I’m calling that a win.”

“I’ll tell you later,” Bray said quietly. “Just know we’re Team Jessica.”

“Got it. I’m on board,” Bennet said, nodding solemnly and dropping his voice lower. “Does anyone on Team Jessica want a turkey leg?”

Bray scowled. “Read the room, Bennet.”

“Actually, I think I’m done here,” I declared, grabbing my bag. “Let’s go, Bennet. I’m taking you up on that offer.”

“See? Turkey leg fixes everything,” Bennet said, cheerfully.

“I should have never doubted you,” Bray agreed, giving Daniel a sneer before she followed Bennet out of the room.

I turned to give Daniel one final glare. “Daniel? One more thing. My number? Burn it.”

I spun on my heel and marched out of the room.

It was a very satisfying exit.

Danny

Iwatched Jessica strut out of the room, and my heart sank. I had expected it to end badly, but not in a train wreck like that.

Paige held out her hand, a big grin on her face.

“What’s that for?” I asked, pointing at it.

Her grin widened. “That, my dear brother, was a crash and burn. Pay up.”

I rolled my eyes and pulled a bill out of my wallet. “I’ve only got a twenty.”

Paige snatched the bill and pocketed it. She nodded at the exit. “I like her. You should ask her out.”

I heaved a sigh and glared at Paige. “Did you not just tell me I crashed and burned?”

Paige smirked. “Oh, I know this girl. I’ve been that girl. She’s still into you.”

I let out a loud scoff and headed to the exit at the opposite end of the room. “I highly doubt that.”

Paige followed and continued to needle me. “I have a good intuition for these things. Find a way to make it up to her.”

“I’m not sure that’s possible. Right now, all I want to do is get back to my room and hide,” I grumbled.

“Well, I don’t think you’re going to be able to hide,” she said, already back on her phone. “Britta messaged me. The studio must have seen the interview. Reuben wants to talk.”

“Wonderful,” I muttered. I let it go. I could handle Reuben.

“And you have a bigger problem. The Boss texted and she is pissed.”