“Did you hear that, girl?” she squealed. “Our whole life is about to change! Just you wait!”
Diamond picked up her bully stick and retreated to the bedroom, leaving Ruby to marvel at her good luck all by her lonesome. It didn’t matter, though. All that mattered was that her work had been seen at one of the very biggest venues in the entire world. It had been noticed and then admired.
This was the big break she’d worked so hard for but had begun to doubt might actually ever come.
This was it.
And she was more than ready for whatever came next.
Brandon Price’s cell phone buzzed with an alert quickly followed by a second. Apparently he’d made the “worst dressed” list, and his father wasn’t very happy about it.
Of course, he hadn’t even wanted to attend the stupid awards ceremony, anyway—let alone wear a monkey suit to the thing. But when the gushing up-and-coming actress had begged him to be her date for the evening, Brandon’s father had wasted no time accepting on his behalf.
That was the thing about dear old dad.
He saw his son as an extension of himself and his business rather than as his own person with his own dreams and ambitions. Price Sr.’s fitness empire had hit the big time when Brandon was still in elementary school. That meant moving to a larger, swankier house, switching to a private tutor and—worst of all—being groomed as his father’s successor from a very early age.
While Brandon could appreciate the big muscles and flirtatious women that came with being heir to the popular health and fitness brand, he’d never actually gotten the chance to figure out where his own interests might lie.
And it was starting to look like he might never get the chance, either.
He’d had zero interest in the flashy awards show last night. It was so long and so boring. And besides, he’d only seen one or two of the movies that were nominated. His father had said it would be good for Brandon’s image to accompany the sweet girl-next-door type to support her director who had just been nominated for the first time.
And so Brandon went, but he refused to go quietly. He’d grown a few days of messy stubble and paired his tuxedo with a mesh undershirt and neon yellow bowtie, thus achieving the worst-dressed accolade today. Not that it really mattered, anyway.
For as much as his father liked to complain about Brandon’s rebellious streak, any press was good for them—yes, even the worst dressed list. For years, his bad boy image brought the fitness fanatics in droves. Everyone seemed to think that Brandon was living the perfect life filled with women, money, and fame.
Well, everyone except for Brandon himself, anyway.
Money was great, provided you could spend it on the things you wanted. Brandon’s father kept close tabs on what he spent, where he went, and with whom. He wouldn’t even let his son eat a slice of pizza. for crying out loud! In addition to grueling daily workouts and a regular diet of protein shakes and detox teas, Brandon wasn’t allowed to eat anything that had been even slightly processed or that might otherwise mar his carefully maintained physique and glowing complexion.
It wasn’t just frowned upon. This rule had actually made it into his contract.
It was also a condition of his trust fund, inheritance, and salary all rolled into one. Misrepresenting Body by Price would dash his wages and could possibly get him fired if he managed to take things too far.
Sometimes he’d fantasize about grabbing a super-sized value meal from McDonald’s and scarfing the whole thing down right in his father’s face, if only to call his bluff. And if Brandon got fired, so be it. He’d never asked for this job, and he was pretty sure his dad needed him just as much—or even more than—Brandon needed him.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t actually qualified to do anything else. He’d only ever been paid to smile, look good, and parrot back all the words his father’s publicity team shoved in his mouth day after day. He’d gotten his high school diploma but never had the opportunity to attend college. Dad said Brandon didn’t need an education when his entire future was being handed to him on one giant organic, non-GMO platter. Yum.
He glanced down at his father’s text now and frowned.
What were you thinking wearing that? the message came, typed out in very unnecessary all-caps.
Can’t talk, Brandon texted back. Lifting.
That would avoid the upcoming confrontation at least for a little while longer. Give his dad some time to calm down. Despite the older man’s huge success, he was always angry these days. Ever since Brandon’s mom had asked for a divorce about five years ago, Dad had turned all his attention toward ensuring his son could never follow suit.
It was exhausting being the center of his dad’s universe, especially since they had so little in common. It was all so shallow, every last part of the life they both lived. And Brandon longed for a way out, though he doubted he’d ever find one.
It hurt when the gossip rags called him dumb, spoiled, or any number of other insults they so enjoyed hurling his way. In truth, they didn’t even know anything about him.
But then again, Brandon also knew very little about the real him that lay hidden beneath all the glitz and glamor. He supposed the media could be right about everything. Even his father could be right what was best for him, as much as he loathed the idea.
Maybe he was just a shallow pretty boy like everyone said…
Then again, maybe he was meant to be so much more.
Brandon groaned and grabbed a heavier pair of weights from the rack. If he strained his muscles hard enough, eventually his mind would quiet down and let him enjoy the day ahead.
It was better not to think.
Just do.
Just live one day at a time.
Eventually he’d learn to be grateful for the life he had and would stop thinking about all the things he was missing… right?
Head to Amazon to purchase or borrow your copy of FLIRTING WITH THE FASHIONISTA so that you can keep reading this sweet romance series today!
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I hope you enjoyed No Time for Romance. If you want to read more of my books, please visit my website at www.RaineEnglish.com. You can also find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RaineEnglish, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RaineEnglish. I love to hear from readers, so please write to me at [email protected].
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