by Rachel Jonas
“We’ve got so many memories out here—midnight swims that turned into sleepovers, parties, afterparties,” she adds with a quiet laugh. “We’ve been at this friendship thing a long time.”
I nod, agreeing. “We have, and I think I even knew back then that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
She swipes a tear from her cheek, and it takes everything in me not to hold her again, crowd her.
“I went to see my dad. That’s why the ticket was gone,” she reveals. “I gave it back and let him know I won’t be using it. Now or ever.”
Hearing those words is all my heart needed to settle down completely. Her eyes meet mine and I don’t miss the unshed tears there.
“You’re okay?”
Sniffling, she nods. “I am now,” she says. “Got a message this evening. From Pandora, of all people. She sent several messages, actually. The last of which is how I knew to find you here.”
She swipes at the tears but seems more self-assured than sad. Like she’s found new strength through whatever happened tonight while we were apart.
“So… what did the messages say?”
Joss breathes deep, her skin glowing with the turquoise light that shines up from the pool.
“It wasn’t so much what she said, but what she showed me.”
I wait while she takes her phone from her pocket, then scrolls, turning the screen toward me when she finds what she searched for. I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking at.
“It’s you, right? An old pic?”
She laughs, but it never quite reaches her eyes. “Look again.”
I take the phone this time, examining it more closely. It’s a girl with skin the same shade of warm brown as Joss, the same dark ringlets, the same dark eyes, but… there are slight differences. The point of her chin, the shape of her brow, a tiny mole above her lip.
My gaze narrows as I continue to study the pic, trying to make sense of what I’m seeing.
“Her name’s Peyton, she’s almost fifteen, and… she’s my half-sister.”
I lower the phone to stare at Joss.
“That’s the exact look I had on my face when Pandora first reached out,” she says. “This was sent to her a little after noon, then she sent it to me. Not sure if she was on the fence about making it public, but I guess she decided against that.”
“Shit, I—I’m not even sure what to say. Did your dad know before tonight?”
She sighs when I ask.
“He did and, while that fact is super fucked up all on its own, it’s not the worst part. He got a threat last month, from someone who knew he and Mom had left the country and that I stayed behind. They said they’d expose his secret if he didn’t convince me to leave the city, too. Apparently, he had until summer’s end to get the job done. So, there was no business he needed to handle here. Only this, getting me to leave to protect himself.”
I don’t miss that the solemn undertone of her voice intensifies with this realization. She’s hurt, and rightly so.
“I suppose it makes sense that he was so different, so much kinder than usual. He thought he could manipulate me into following him. But the jokes on him, I guess. Whoever’s blackmailing him clearly decided to pull the trigger early. He likely pissed them off somehow.”
Or… I pissed them off somehow.
My head spins as pieces begin to fall into place. I hate that I’m thinking what I’m thinking, but… there’s someone who fits the bill. Someone with motive, someone who’s made threats, someone who would’ve been inspired to pull the proverbial trigger today.
Around noon…
I hold on to that thought, keeping it to myself for now. I’ll confirm my suspicion soon enough. But right now, Joss is here and she needs me, so I focus on that.
“You’re really okay, though?”
Her shoulders lift with a shrug and she breathes deep. “Mostly. I just told him I need space for a while, because I didn’t have the energy to argue since I didn’t exactly sleep well last night.”
My gaze follows hers out to the water and I don’t have to wonder why she tossed and turned. Mostly, because I did the same until the sun came up.
“I fucking suck,” she says with a small laugh. “We should’ve talked shit out last night, but I ran. I ran and—”
“You were scared.”
“Yeah, but I’m sure you were, too. We should’ve been scared together,” she says, turning to face me again. “I wasn’t mad at you and I didn’t blame you, so I hope you didn’t think that. My mind just went right to my parents and that this is almost exactly how their story played out and… I don’t know. I just freaked.”
Her palm is warm in mine when I take it.
“I understand but you’re here and that’s all I fucking care about.”
She searches my eyes, only finding sincerity there. A faint smile touches her lips, then she leans on my shoulder.
“There’s something I need to tell you and I’m scared shitless to say it, because I’m not sure what you’ll think or say, but I—”
“Joss, it’s me. You can tell me anything. You know that. Nothing’s changed.”
She doesn’t lift her head from my shoulder, but even without seeing her eyes, I know it’s all coming back to her, memories of all the shit we’ve faced together, secrets only the two of us know. She has nothing to be afraid of with me, in our friendship, in this relationship. I have her no matter what.
“I… didn’t take the pill,” she admits. “I don’t really have an excuse, other than my personal convictions based on my mom’s decision to have me, but… I didn’t take it,” she repeats.
I breathe deep and being honest, I wasn’t expecting that. When it takes me a bit to respond, she peers up with worry in her eyes. Twice as much as before.
“You’re pissed.”
“No, not at all,” I answer. “I didn’t buy it to force you or anything. I got it so you’d have the option, and so you wouldn’t have to risk Pandora getting wind of you buying it yourself.”
When that last part leaves my mouth—considering the picture she shared with Joss in private—I’m not completely sure she doesn’t already know about this situation, too. She definitely does her share of shit-stirring, but when it comes down to it, she’s had our backs on the big things.
“Whatever happens, we’re in this together. You and me.”
There’s no way Joss can question whether or not I mean those words. What I feel for this girl is so powerful, she has to feel it, too.
“I love you,” I say, leaning to kiss her once. “So fucking much.”
“I love you, too. Always have,” she admits, warming the sides of my face with her hands.
Our future could look drastically different than either of us expected, but… at the end of the day, we’ve got one hell of a solid foundation. One built on friendship and fortified with love.
Come what may, we’re in this together.
“I need a favor. I need you to promise me you won’t leave while I make a quick run.”
Joss seems suspicious when I release her and stand.
“Ok, but where are you going?”
“There’s just something I need to take care of. Tell you all about it when I get back.”
She nods and, with that, I rush toward my car.
The one who did this, tried to hurt Joss with that post, they’re about to feel my fucking wrath.
41
Dane
Dane: I’m sorry for ditching last night. I should’ve at least called you, even if I didn’t reach out to your mom.
Shawna: All good. Congrats on finally making that love connection. Wishing you and your girl the best!
I smile to myself, knowing her words are only genuine. Even if things didn’t quite work out like she might’ve hoped.
Dane: Thanks.
Dane: I’m looking for your mother. Any idea where I can find her?
Shawna: Funny you should ask, she’s here visiting, tossing out ever
ything with flavor from my cabinets and fridge. Need me to have her call?
Dane: No, don’t. She’s not answering for me. Mind shooting me your address? I’ll just stop by.
Shawna: That depends. Are you pissed at her for something?
I hesitate, hoping she doesn’t alert Rose that I’m coming for her.
Dane: Let’s just say she did some shit she needs to answer for.
Shawna: Well, what kind of daughter would I be to set up my own mother?
Shawna: Just kidding. One sec.
The next message to come through is her address and I speed toward her building.
Shawna: Here you go, but hurry. I think she’s leaving soon.
I lower the phone and go over the plan again. First, I need to hear Rose say it. I need to hear her admit that she threw a fucking tantrum because she couldn’t control me, resulting in her thwarted attempt to send Joss into a tailspin. No fucking way that message to Pandora about Peyton came from anyone else. I’m not sure how she knew, but I know she had a hand in this. Once she confirms, once I know for sure she’s guilty, I’ve got something for her shady ass.
Whipping into the lot outside Shawna’s building, I spot Rose’s car and block her in before hopping out to lean against my hood. If it weren’t for the ‘she’s on her way out’ text, I would’ve stormed toward the entrance, but this is better. I’ll let her come to me.
Patience pays off when I spot her leaving out the front and then descending the steps. She’s glued to her phone as usual, not paying attention to her surroundings as she comes my way, no clue I’ve got eyes locked on her.
That is, until she hears my voice.
“I bet you’re real fucking proud of yourself.”
Startled, she nearly drops her phone.
“Dane,” she says with shock and a hint of frustration. “What are you doing here?”
I don’t miss how quickly she adjusts her expression, pretending to still have the upper hand.
“You couldn’t control me, so you thought you’d enlist Pandora’s help to fuck Joss over instead.”
Her brow arches and that innocent act she tried to pull fades away. “I do believe I warned you not to cross me, didn’t I? You always like to think you’ve got everything figured out, so it seemed like the perfect time to teach you a little lesson in respect. It also proved to be an opportunity to show that you’re not as invincible as you’d like to think.”
A laugh slips when I realize how out of touch she is. “Invincible? Apparently, you’ve missed how screwed up my life has been these last few months. If there’s one thing we Goldens realize we aren’t, it’s invincible.”
She crosses both arms over her chest and scoffs. “I asked one simple thing of you in return for rebuilding your reputation, and that was loyalty. There was a plan in place that would’ve taken your career to the moon, Dane.”
“You mean a plan that would’ve taken Shawna’s career to the moon,” I correct her. “You never had my best interests at heart. It was always about you securing the bag for yourself, to the point that you even used your own daughter, made her life fucking miserable chasing perfection.”
“Who the fuck cares if her star would’ve risen in tandem with yours? And boo-hoo! Yes, I push you both to be the best you can be. Since when is that a sin?”
“You’re physically incapable of admitting that you screwed this shit up, aren’t you?”
“Screwed up? Dane, I could’ve made you very, very rich. The only thing I screwed up was not realizing from the beginning that you were too blinded by the hearts in your damn eyes to see the vision! So, yes, I’ve pushed hard, and I’ve played the part of the coldhearted bitch to help you reach greatness, but I’m starting to think you’re a lost cause. The day you make something of your life, hell will freeze over.”
“How’d you do it? How’d you dig that shit up about Joss’ family?” I ask, ignoring her rant.
“You think I’d reveal my source? All you need to know is that this city is loyal to those who are loyal in return. I know low people in high places and those people always come through for the right price. And let’s just say I was more than willing to pay whatever the cost to ensure Shawna will never want for anything. It’s about foresight. Something you know nothing about.”
“In case you’ve missed it, your daughter isn’t the materialistic airhead you make her out to be. I haven’t known her long enough to pretend I have her all figured out, but something tells me she’d turn down a paycheck for your acceptance any day of the week.”
Rose falls silent then, looking stoic as she pretends my words didn’t register.
“Shawna knows I love her. She’s not some fragile bird who needs the cooing and coddling other girls are looking for. I raised her to be tough because that’s what she’ll need to be to survive. Tough.”
This speech sounds oddly familiar, but the one whose given it in the past is currently behind bars. Thank God. Knowing there’s no arguing with this level of narcissism, I decide it’s time to cut my losses and move on.
When I lower my gaze and a smirk breaks free, Rose is up in arms again.
“What the hell is funny? The prospect of your shitty future?”
When I glance at her again, the smirk turns into quiet laughter. “Well, someone’s future will certainly be shitty, but it definitely isn’t mine.”
She watches as I lift my phone and upload the audio I just recorded of us. Audio that will show the world what a fucking shark she really is.
“What is that? What’d you just do?”
I shrug and tuck the phone away. “Just posted an update, but you don’t have anything to worry about. I’m nobody, remember? I’m sure no one will see it.”
Her finger slides over her phone screen until she gets to my profile, I guess. The suspicion is confirmed when I hear my own voice playing through the speaker.
“Have a good night, Rose. And a great fucking life.”
I climb into the front seat of my car while she watches in horror, witnessing the moment her career crashes and burns. The influencers who follow me will be interested to see what it’s really like being one of Rose’s clients. And if I know the network, the first-hand account I’ve just uploaded will be viral by morning.
As of tonight, her agenda for me, for Joss, just got canceled right along with her career.
She thought she was ruining me, but payback’s an even bigger bitch than she is.
Epilogue
Joss
Warm sand between my toes, sunny sky above, the rush of the ocean beside me. To top it all off, Dane and I have this entire beach to ourselves. And to think, this vacation was nothing more than an idea a few weeks ago.
Here, my head and heart are both so much clearer.
Blue: Well?
I smile at my phone when she texts, knowing everyone back home is anxiously awaiting the results. Much like Dane and I are.
Joss: Nothing to report yet, but it should be noted that we only have a two-minute wait and you’ve already texted five times.
Blue: Cut me some slack! I just keep picturing this fat-faced cutie calling me Aunt Blue!
A laugh slips out that helps dispel some of the nervousness. No, we’re not hoping it’s positive, but we’ve accepted that it’s a possibility.
Joss: Promise you’ll be the first person I text either way. That is, if Dane doesn’t get to West first and spill the beans.
She knows as well as I do that our boys tell each other everything.
Blue: Ok, good luck!
I smile at the phone and shove it back into the pocket of my jean shorts, seconds before my gaze is drawn toward our villa when the sliding door opens.
“It’s time,” Dane says with a quick nod.
Those two words have me sprinting up the stone steps, then across the patio. I’d come outside for fresh air, hoping to calm my nerves, but it didn’t help much. A million thoughts have been racing through my head—what will it say? Has the course of our lives just been cha
nged forever?
However, the one thing I don’t question is whether Dane and I are strong enough for this. Whatever comes next, that small stick we left on the sink holds all the answers.
“You good?”
I glance toward Dane when he speaks, trailing me to the bathroom.
“Fine,” I say, which is mostly true. But then, his palm warms my shoulder, halting my anxious steps.
“Whichever way this goes, we’re good. You know that, right?”
He takes my face in both hands, drawing my eyes to his. The contact settles me a bit, all because I believe him. One hundred percent. Whatever the outcome of the test, we’ll make it.
I nod, and he seems to realize I’m being honest. When his hands leave my cheeks, he leads the way this time. We cross the threshold, and our attention fixates on the sink. Or rather, on that tiny stick resting on it. As we approach, I imagine Dane’s heart is racing just as fast and as hard as mine.
Which is pretty fucking hard.
“Wait,” he says, stepping in front of me, blocking my view before I can finally put an end to my curiosity.
My eyes widen at him, finding it hard to believe he’d postpone such a pivotal moment.
“What is it?”
“Just sayin’. This is our last chance to vlog this moment. If we let it pass, the opportunity’s gone forever. Well, at least until I potentially knock you up again.”
He earns himself another of my hard glares with the statement. For several reasons.
“You know, way, way in the future,” he clarifies with a wink that has me smiling up at him.
“As tempting as it is to let the whole world know the condom broke and this is our life right now, I’m gonna have to pass. Besides, that kind of defeats the point of us escaping Pandora.”
He, legit, looks disappointed and I know it’s not about clout or views for him. He just genuinely loves the idea of us and wants to share all our moments with our followers.
Our followers.
Shifting the focus of his brand to be about us and not just him was completely his idea. With Rose out of his life, and with me in it, he wanted to take things in a completely new direction. So, we vlog and post as a couple now—cooking videos, decorating the loft as a team, date nights, every minute of this vacation.