by E Cleveland
“Dude, that’s totally him.” A young guy with greasy hair and a nose that looks like it’s been broken a few times points at me from the other table.
“Nah, I don’t think so,” his red-headed friend disagrees.
“Oh my God, it totally is.” A girl who might not be old enough to be in here looks at me with wide eyes and a sultry smile.
“I’m gonna ask him.” The oily one jerks his head at me. “Hey! You! Aren’t you that guy from the news?”
Cole’s lips curl into a sneer. “How about you mind your own fucking business, guy?”
“I fucking knew it.” The living, breathing oil slick stands up and stumbles our way. “Dude, you’re like, Internet famous. Let me take a pic, this is awesome.” He pulls out his cell phone and flicks it in my face.
“Leave him alone, Steve.” The girl looks horrified but does nothing to stop her friend.
“Nah, fuck that,” he slurs. “How many times am I going to meet someone famous? Huh? C’mon, lemme take a pic with ya. It’ll only take a sec.” He saunters on over like I owe him something. Like I’m not a real person, just a statue in a park or some monument for him to post on his timeline later.
“Get that thing out of my face,” I snarl, balling up my fists.
“Don’t be a lame cuck, man. Take the fucking picture with me,” he slobbers.
“What the fuck did you say?” I pop up from my chair and start swinging. The first couple punches don’t land, but then I connect. The girl starts screaming as the asshole’s other friend jumps in and tries to take me down.
Cole knocks over his seat and jumps into the chaos, fists are flying, the girl is still screaming and the bartender is threatening to call the cops, but I keep hitting the guy. My hand splits back open and blood goes flying everywhere. I’m not sure whose it is. I don’t even care. This rage is boiling over and I can’t stop it from spilling all over the place.
“Fuck, let’s go. The cops are on the way.” Cole yanks me off the guy. How did I get on top of him? How long have I been smashing his face into ground beef? My senses return and I let Cole drag me out of the bar and back down the road. We duck into my motel room as sirens wail down the empty street.
It takes a second for us to catch our breath, but as soon as we do Cole starts laughing. “There? Feel better?” He looks at me, his eyes full of hope.
“No, not really.”
“Well, you will,” he reassures me.
“No, listen. My mind is made up. I’m going. I’m going off the fucking grid. No cell phones. No Internet. No fucking viral videos where we laugh at people’s worst moments. Just no.”
“Don’t run away, Sawyer.”
“I’m not running away, Cole. I’m turning my fucking back. On all of it. I’m done. If you’re really my brother, you’ll understand that.”
Cole looks down at the floor and then back up to me, a flicker of understanding burns in his eyes. “Okay,” he finally agrees. “Then I’ll do everything I can to help you go.”
4
Elsie
“Can you believe my pic already has thirteen thousand likes? I only put it up, what, an hour ago?” I sweep my cell in front of Tom’s and Stacey’s faces. They don’t pay attention to the image of my ass perched on the edge of our hot tub in these killer Victoria’s Secret string bikini bottoms. They lived it, standing awkwardly to the side with their drinks while Ben helped me get the perfect shot.
I ignore their indifference, smiling down at the screen. I love how the light sparkles off my eighteen-carat diamond, like Ben stole a star from the sky and put it on my finger. I don’t care if everyone is bored or jealous or whatever, this shot is getting the love it deserves. It might have taken almost an hour to get the angle and the lighting perfect, but amazing butt selfies don’t just happen.
I should know, it’s kinda my thing.
“I believe it.” Ben nuzzles up against me in the hot tub. “Everyone wants a piece of that ass.”
I lean back against him and close my eyes, feeling the world swirl a little as the jets from the tub whirl over my skin and the pricey champagne hits me.
“You guys are too cute.” Kate intrudes on my moment from across the ten-seater tub.
I flicker my eyes open and the room spirals a tad, but as soon as her sour face comes into focus, I miss the drunken kaleidoscope of colors.
“I know, right? Aren’t they adorbs, bae?” Stacey prods on her husband, Tom, tilting her cut jaw at him and flicking her eyes our way. God, even her chin looks like it has muscles. Stacey and her man are both fitness models. I swear, my left ass cheek probably has more fat than both of their entire bodies put together.
Tom wraps his thick arm over her shoulder and smiles. For a second, I wonder if his arm is crushing her with his ridiculously built bicep. “They’re perfect together,” he answers, “just like us.”
Tom’s hand breaks up through the surface of the bubbly water and cups his wife’s strong jaw. The two of them might be built like human armor, but they still kiss tenderly. I can tell that it won’t be long before they retire to their room in our ski cabin and go fuck each other’s brains out. The image of their bodies slapping together, like two planks of hardwood, sweeps through my mind.
“You know, it’s getting late,” Stacey purrs, leaning over Tom like a kitty about to pounce. I can’t see either of her hands, but I can imagine where they are. I wonder if Tom’s dick looks really small when compared to his muscles on an even more muscular frame.
I smirk over at Ben. Next to Tom he looks like a pipsqueak, not that I’d ever tell him that. Still, I prefer the more natural look, even if he is a little on the short side and a bit scrawnier than I’d prefer. I shake the thought from my head and get another rush from the booze messing with my vision. Who cares if he’s a little small? He’s filthy rich. Besides, ever since he proposed my Instagram fame has propelled to new heights.
Just don’t wear heels over three inches around him. And don’t get fat. Then he won’t look like such a waif beside you. See? His stature is actually a good thing, it’s more motivation to stick to your diet. I smile at the famous bachelor who proposed to me after only four months together.
Ben smirks back at me, his green eyes locking on mine. The day he put a ring on it, a lot of hearts on the Internet were broken. Not only is he young and hot, but the fact he earned his millions by outsmarting his opponents in poker games only adds to his appeal.
He’s a risk taker. Hard to read. Sexy as hell. And he’s mine.
5
Elsie
“Thanks for inviting us up here. Can you believe we’ve never been to Alaska before? We’ve always meant to come here for a little vacay, but never found the time,” Stacey explains. I still can’t see her hands. I push the uncomfortable idea of her playing with her hubby’s little pecker out of my mind.
“Of course! What’s an engagement celebration without my best friends?” Ben answers in a chipper tone.
“And my stepsister,” I chime in.
“Foster sister,” Kate corrects me.
Thanks for sucking the air out of the room, sis.
I roll my eyes at her and ignore her bitterness. She’s just jealous that my star is on the rise and she’s still trying to get her first fifty thousand followers on Instagram.
Like it’s my fault Ben saw me online and decided to ask me out? It’s my fault we hit it off and our fans absolutely loved us together? Seriously, she needs to get over herself.
I always asked Ben what photo on my profile made him decide to contact me. His answer has stayed consistent. The one where I’m in a field of flowers in a Taylor Swift hat and a little sundress is the shot he insists stole his heart. I don’t believe it, though. Not when eighty percent of my pics are of my big bubble butt. I know what really drew him in. And I know how to keep him.
I snuggle back in the tub against my man, rubbing the ass that’s made me famous against him.
“We should probably hit the hay, though,” Tom announces loudly, toss
ing back the last gulp of his Patron. I look over at Stacey and notice her shoulders are slightly trembling, her hands still mysteriously under the water.
Ewww.
“Okay, wait, guys. Before you go do your thing, let’s take a group selfie!” I know I’m kinda cockblocking, but it’s only going to take a second. Besides, that’s what they get for jerking each other off in the hot tub when we’re all sitting in it.
“Another one?” Stacey whines.
“It will only take a second.” I turn around and take another swig of my Dom Perignon, scrunching up my nose as the bubbles tickle their way down my throat.
“You always say that,” Kate chimes in, “then it takes an hour!”
“Oh shush! We’re here to celebrate my engagement, remember?” I grab the selfie stick, with my phone already attached. “So, please indulge me if I want to take pictures to remember it by,” I chide them. I leave out the part that the photos I’ve been taking at the resort have never been more popular.
Stacey and Kate quit being crybabies and everyone scooches together on one side of the tub.
“Everyone ready?” I ask.
“No, wait a sec. Here, Tom, put your arm under my tits and push it up so I look like I actually have some,” Stacey instructs her husband.
“Are you sure you’re okay with your face being in this one? You don’t want to turn around and moon the phone?” Kate sneers.
Jealous bitch.
She probably wishes it was like the good ol’ days when she was the popular one and I was often confused for a boy with my short, anti-lice haircut and tattered clothes.
“No need to take another belfie.” I use the popular phrase that Kim Kardashian made famous with the selfie of her huge ass. “Not when I’ve got the most desired man on the Internet on my arm.” I force a smile at her that turns genuine as I watch her lips twist down with envy.
“All right, everyone, in three, two, one.” The flash on my cell phone strobes over us from where it’s perched on my selfie stick. It’s hovering at the perfect angle over our heads and, with the fireplace crackling with soft light behind us, we might not even need a filter with how good we’ll all look. Who am I kidding? You always need a filter.
“Ellen DeGeneres has got nothing on us!” I squeal and flick my finger across the screen. “This looks even better than that Academy Awards pic she took with all the celebs.”
“Ohhh, let me see. Did you get my good side?” Kate plucks the iPhone from my fingers and scrutinizes it. Her big brown eyes squint down as she analyzes the picture to death.
“No, you don’t, gimme that.” I grab it back from her and quickly add my hashtags before she can find any problems. “It’s done. Everyone will love it. Annndddd, posted.” I smile up at her angry face and turn the phone screen back toward her. “See, it’s already getting tons of love.” I twist it back so I can watch the heart symbols collect numbers from my adoring Instagram followers.
I hold my breath anxiously, willing the numbers to rise. My chest tightens as I wait for the first thousand likes to roll in. If my picture doesn’t get that many off the bat, I have to delete it. You don’t make a living from being a model on this site with pictures no one cares about.
More than that, I won’t be able to enjoy the rest of my night if my fans don’t care about what I’m doing. Every time the counter by the empty little heart jumps up in numbers, it fills my empty little heart with pride. The social media love soars past my magic thousand in less than twenty seconds and my nerves calm. I casually lay my phone on the hot tub ledge and protect it from the water with my big, fuzzy towel as the moment of anxiety rolls off my shoulders.
“Of course, everyone will love it.” Ben sits between us, wrapping his arms around our shoulders and pulling us both in tight. “It’s got two of the most beautiful women on the Internet in it, so quit worrying and let’s get back to our party.” He smiles. I feel myself relax in his half-hug; especially once Kate’s scowl begins to transform into a sly smile.
“Hey, and what am I? Huh? Chopped liver?” Stacey calls out. We all turn toward her. “You couldn’t say the three most beautiful women? Like, what am I? Some kind of ugly duckling then?” She pouts.
“Of course not. I meant three. My mistake.” Ben soothes her bruised ego with a slick smile. I don’t think there’s a woman on this earth who can resist his charm. The way he can make his green eyes twinkle when his sultry smile spreads over his boyish features, it makes every girl I know flush with excitement.
“Okay, I’ll let it slide this time.” She stands up and tugs on Tom’s hand, eager to get the rest of their night started.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in my book.” Tom stands up next to her and helps her out of the tub, wrapping a towel around her. I try not to notice that his “little Tom” is standing at attention, pressed up against his dripping trunks. It’s hard to ignore.
Luckily Romeo on Roids takes his little, and I do mean little, distraction into their bedroom and Stacey follows, slamming the door behind them.
“I should get some more wood for the fire,” Kate announces, snapping my attention back to our party of three in the hot tub.
“I think we’re all right, aren’t we?” I squint, forcing my eyes to focus on the small pile of logs beside the roaring fireplace.
“Nah, I could use the fresh air anyway. Besides, you can never have too much wood, right?” She smirks and stands up, running her fingers underneath her bikini bottoms. She frees them from where they were wedged between her ass cheeks before getting out and grabbing a robe.
“Whatever you say.” I laugh. I find it’s best to ignore Kate. Letting her make a big deal out of anything gives her exactly the attention she’s desperate for.
I should know. I’m desperate for that same attention.
6
Elsie
I lean over the rim of the tub and laugh as one of the jets almost takes my top off. Giggling, I move over and grab the bottle of Dom. “Want a top up?” I ask Ben in the sultriest voice I can manage.
“Hmm?” He looks over at me slowly, dragging his eyes off Kate’s grand exit into the snow. She’s heading out to the woodshed behind our cabin. If I had to guess, it’s probably not so much for “fresh air” as it is to smoke. No matter how many times I tell her it’s a disgusting habit that’s going to give her wrinkles, she won’t quit.
“Oh, uh, no,” he answers. “I’m going to give Kate a hand out there. I don’t want her to knock wood down on herself or freeze.” He quickly makes his way from the tub and dries off before throwing on his robe and walking out.
What a gentleman. I sigh, letting the contentment of this moment wash over me like one of the jets in this tub. I fill the champagne to the top of my crystal glass, watching the bubbles slink up the side and burst on the surface. Taking a huge mouthful, I slowly swallow, letting my mind wander.
It wasn’t that long ago that all of this would’ve been beyond my wildest dreams. It’s amazing how far I’ve come. Not to mention what I’ve overcome. My thoughts are shrouded with childhood memories I’d rather have erased from my brain forever.
No.
I won’t let my moment in the sun be clouded over by the dark storms of my past. I’m going to enjoy every second of this. I have a hot man, I’m popular, I have powerful friends, money. This is the life. Who cares where it all began?
I pick up my cell and check on my account one more time. Both my butt selfie and my group picture are burning up with online love. I can’t help but smile at the screen. It’s like I can feel the adoration those little emoji hearts represent pouring out to me. It fills my soul to know there are so many people out there who care about me. Who love me.
After another sip of my champagne, I’m surprised that I’m already down to the last gulp in the glass. Wow. That went fast. Where the hell is Kate? What’s taking her and Ben so long?
Standing up on wobbly legs, I fall back down on my famously big ass, making a big splash in the hot water. L
aughter bursts from my lips at my lack of grace. Good thing no one caught that in a photo.
This time, I manage to get my feet under me a little more sturdily and step out of the tub carefully, so I don’t slip and crack my head on the floor. I pluck the thick, plush towel from the side of the hot tub and carefully pat myself dry before wrapping it around me. Grabbing my phone from the ledge, I walk over to the door of the chalet. I stare out the window, but don’t see any sign of my stepsister, sorry, my foster sister, or my fiancé. God, I hope they haven’t passed out or something. I’d hate to have to get Tom and Stacey to help me drag them in here.
Placing my dry feet in my fur-lined boots, I yank open the door and brave the cold to take a quick peek around the property for them.
Brrr. A shiver runs down my spine and I tighten the towel around me as I walk faster past the woodshed. I stop in my tracks. What is that?
I swear I can hear a chipmunk chattering, but when I look around, I don’t see anything. I know it’s not my imagination, though, it’s actually getting louder as I step quietly toward the wood supply. My gut sinks as I start to make sense of what that noise could be in my drunken mind. I walk through the snow, behind the woodshed, and stop dead in my tracks.
Ben is standing behind Kate, her bikini bottoms around her ankles and his trunks pulled down to his thighs. He’s fucking her like a wild animal, fast, forcefully, from behind. Her chipmunk chatter fills the air. “That’s right, mmmm, like that. Fuck me, Ben. Deeper.” She doesn’t notice me. Neither of them does. Standing in the snow, watching my fiancé fuck my foster sister, like a fucking idiot.
“I can’t believe you’d do this to me!” I scream, tears welling up in my eyes. I turn on my heel and do my best to run in a straight line back up to the cabin.
“Ahhh, shit. Elsie! Wait!” Ben calls after me.
“No, just finish. We can get her later,” Kate says.