Page 53 of The Hollywood Switch-up

It’s the PERFECT time. Post it today. Before the narrative gets away from us completely.

Erika read the message twice, resistance settling into her. A week ago, she might have done it without question. Anneliese asked; Erika delivered. That was how it had always worked. But a week ago, she hadn’t stood in a villa with Stefan’s hand warm against her jaw. Hadn’t felt the word real hit her in his mouth like he’d been waiting to use it.

Eri:

What actually happened at the Temmys?

Annie Banana:

What?

Eri:

You’ve never told me. Not really. Just that he humiliated you. But HOW?

The typing dots pulsed for a moment.

Annie Banana:

He made me look like a fool in front of everyone who mattered. Isn’t that enough?

It wasn’t. It wasn’t anywhere close to enough. But Erika knew her sister enough to recognize the wall going up.

Eri:

I don’t think I can post it, Annie.

Annie Banana:

Can’t or won’t?

Both. The word sat on her tongue. She deleted three different responses before settling on something safer.

Eri:

It doesn’t feel right. Not without knowing the whole story.

Annie Banana:

The whole story is that he’s a manipulative, ambitious, self-serving asshole who will use anyone to get ahead. Including you, Eri. ESPECIALLY you.

Annie Banana:

I’ve watched him do this before. Get close to someone. Make them feel special. Then twist it into something he can use. He’s GOOD at it. It’s literally his job—making people believe things that aren’t real.

Annie Banana:

Don’t let him play you the way he played me. Please.

Anneliese never said please. She demanded, she maneuvered, but she didn’t ask. The word hung there on the screen.

Eri:

I’ll think about it.

She wouldn’t. She knew that even as she typed it. The past week had shifted something finally loosening. She wasn’t ready to confront Anneliese directly. But she also wasn’t going to destroy a man’s reputation just because her sister asked nicely.

Annie Banana: