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“You know what I mean, Forrest,” I growl.
“What do you have in mind, Benn?” Gabe interjects before we can launch into an argument on petty semantics.
I look at my new friends, the unexpected family they’ve become to me in a very short period of time. Our closeness is foreign to me, but it’s so natural, so right. We have been brought together, and we won’t let each other fail.
“It will really take all of us standing together,” I say slowly. “And maybe it’s not the best idea?—”
“Out with it!” Gabe grouches. He juts his thumb toward Forrest. “I thought he was the dramatic one.”
I grimace. “When the cameras start rolling for the finale, why doesn’t Stella just tell the truth?” I suggest.
My words are met with blank looks.
“You mean about the blackmail?” Gabe asks, his complexion waning.
“I mean about who she’s choosing to be with,” I explain.
Understanding blankets the entire room, and we all look at one another, waiting for the others to make the first objection.
“You really want me to pick all three of you on national television?” Stella asks slowly.
“Only if that’s what you want,” Forrest says quickly. “We wouldn’t want to put you in a position that makes you uncomfortable.”
She exhales slowly. “Of course that’s what I want, but what about your reputations?—”
“Stop!” all three of us cut her off in unison, and she does.
“You’re what we want, Stella,” I tell her. “And as it turns out, we can tolerate one another, too.”
Forrest snorts. “Speak for yourself,” he jokes as Gabe laughs.
“We’ve been working on a way that we can all be together after we leave, and Gabe has already found you a condo that’s central to our places. You can look at it and see if you like it before we sign the lease on it.”
Her beautiful, full mouth becomes an “O” of surprise.
“But first, we need to clear out of here,” Forrest interjects. “And if you pick all of us, there’s nothing for the studio to hold over any of us. We can still sue them for breach of contract and invasion of privacy, but we will have stolen their power. They’ll have absolutely nothing to hold over us, even if they do air a sex tape. And if they air a sex tape, we can file criminal charges. I’m sure their lawyers have already explained the repercussions of doing that.”
“I… I don’t know what to say,” she mumbles. “Are you sure you’re all on board with this? It means that everyone will know. Forrest, your dad will eventually find out about this, and Gabe,your parents. Bennet, you’ve worked your whole life to stay under the radar?—”
“Yes!” we chorus, without hesitation.
“Yes,” I say again, shuffling closer to brush one of those wayward strands of hair away from her face. “We’re a team now—and going forward. This is what we want.”
Her eyes mist as I pull her into a hug. Gabe embraces her from behind as Forrest grumbles, “Any room for me?”
“There’s always room for you,” Stella sniffs.
We break apart and look at one another as the plan comes to fruition.
“I have a confession to make,” Forrest sighs, and everyone groans.
“Now what?” Gabe grunts.
Forrest rubs his neck. “In my defense, I had no idea things were going to turn out like this.”
“Tell me,” Stella urges. “There are no secrets with any of us, right?”
“I’m supposed to make a fool out of you, too. It’s in my contract. I outright reject you before you can pick anyone.”
