Page 67 of Big Girl Panties

Kali cleared her throat, and the look in her eyes made my stomach drop to my shoes.

"Kali." My voice took on a warning tone. "What is it?"

"Brooke," she whispered like she was about to tell me someone had died.

"Just say it," I ordered, bracing myself. "What is it?"

"You and Matt are all over the internet."

I exhaled the breath I'd been holding. "Yeah, I know. He kissed me at his match last night. I saw it this morning, but I've been kind of busy because someone called out today." I shot her a teasing look.

My gaze shifted to Davina, who was flipping through her phone, eyes getting wider with each swipe.

"What is it?" My stomach started to knot.

Her eyes shot up as she dropped her hand with her phone in it to her side. "Nothing."

"Davina," I scolded her. "What is it?"

"It's trolls."

"Trolls?" I repeated. "What kind of trolls? Like, the kind that live under bridges?"

"The kind that live in their mom's basements, hiding behind computer screens and saying nasty things about people they don't know."

My chest tightened painfully. "What did they say?"

"It doesn't matter," Davina said quickly. "None of it is true."

I held out my hand. "Let me see."

She shook her head, so I rolled my eyes and lunged for my phone.

"Brooke," Davina's voice was sharp. "Do not do this to yourself. It doesn't matter what a bunch of keyboard warriors think about you and Matt."

I froze, staring at my black screen.

"Do not torture yourself," Kali added. "It's not worth it."

My shoulders sagged. They were right. Why should I care what strangers thought?

"Put the phone down," Davina said, "and walk away. Let's go out tonight instead."

"Actually," Kali grimaced, "that's probably not a good idea either."

Davina's head snapped back like she was offended that her idea wasn't good. "Why not?"

"Because when I came in, I had to lock the front door. The sidewalk is swarming with paparazzi hoping to get a photo of Brooke."

"Seriously?" I frowned.

She nodded. "I think we should get you home, and Davina and I can come back and close up."

"But you're sick."

She shrugged. "I'll survive. Let's get you out of here and home before they show up at your front door."

"My car's around back." Davina was already untying her apron.