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Other than my aunt and uncle, there’s no one I can talk to.
You confide in the wrong person and suddenly your private life is plastered all over social media. If that were to happen, the ordinary existence I’ve created for myself would disappear in the blink of an eye and I’d be forced to return to LA and a career I’m no longer sure I want.
Until I figure out that piece of it, I need to keep my mouth shut.
“That’s too bad. I think we could all use a few new friends.”
I pop my shoulders and try to remain unaffected. “I’m good with the ones I have.”
He cocks his head, eyes sifting through mine until it’s tempting to squirm on the red vinyl. Energy intensifies before crackling in the air like lightning.
“Here you go!” The waitress sets both plates down in front of us. “Enjoy!”
That’s all it takes for the thick tension to dissipate. I force my attention to the mountain of shoestring French fries alongside a burger that’s stacked with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion. Unsure where to start with this monstrosity, I set aside the onion as Colby does the same.
My belly rumbles as the tantalizing scent inundates my senses and makes my mouth water. Without further ado, Colby picks up his burger and takes a gigantic bite. It takes two hands to hold the massive sandwich.
When I don’t make a move toward my meal, he sets his down before pointing to my plate.
“Wolf was right. It’s fucking delicious. Go ahead and try it. Don’t be shy now.”
I’m still trying to figure out if I should use a knife and fork.
“If you don’t eat it, I’ll be forced to take it home and give it to the jackals I live with. Trust me, it’ll be a fight to the death.” A small smile quirks his lips. “Can’t say it wouldn’t be amusing to watch.”
“It kind of sounds like you’re a sadist,” I joke.
“Not at all. I’m all about the pleasure.” He gives me a flirty little wink. “Play your cards right and you’ll find out firsthand.”
And there he is again—cocky Colby.
Or, as he’s known around campus, the baby-faced assassin.
“It would appear that your nickname has been well earned.”
His shoulders shake with silent laughter. “Oh, firecracker…you haven’t seen anything yet.”
That’s precisely what I’m afraid of.
Colby chows both his burger and fries in a matter of minutes. I’ve never seen anyone demolish a meal with so much gusto. It’s like a car accident I can’t look away from.
When my belly grumbles for a second time, I wrap my hands around the burger before bringing it to my mouth. The butter-seared bun, perfectly seasoned meat, and toppings practically melt in my mouth.
Holy crap is this good.
My eyelids drift shut as I chew and swallow. It’s only when I go for a second bite that my eyes pop open, and I find him staring at me with a heated expression.
“Watching you eat shouldn’t be so sexy.”
Warmth floods my cheeks at the thought of him staring at me so intently. I clear my throat and try to lighten the mood. “Don’t worry, watching you wasn’t. I was afraid you might choke and then I’d be forced to jump in and save you.”
Instead of being offended, he bursts out laughing.
“I have two brothers and a sister. It was always a fight to grab what you wanted and eat it as fast as you could so you could go back for seconds.”
“Sounds like you come from a large family.” It’s reluctantly that I admit, “I guess we have that in common.”
His eyes widen comically as his hand lands in the middle of his chest. “No! We have something in common?”
I roll my eyes as a smile simmers around the corners of my lips. “I have three sisters and a brother.”
As soon as the comment is out of my mouth, I realize my mistake and wish I could snatch it out of the air.
“So where are you in the lineup?”
“Oldest.”
“Gasp! Another thing we have in common. It’s almost like we’re twinsies.”
“Please.” I pop a fry into my mouth. It’s delicious.
“Are you guys close?”
I draw in a deep breath before releasing it gradually back into the atmosphere. “We are, but our family dynamic is…complicated.”
That would be the nicest way to put it.
My sister, Cheyenne, and I were super close while growing up, but we’ve drifted apart over the years. She’s resentful that the show has been built around me. From what I’ve seen online and on TV, she’s the only one who’s delighted by my disappearance and is doing her damnedest to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Aren’t most families complicated?”
Probably. But I feel like mine is more tangled than others. We have the added layer of fame to contend with.
But I keep that to myself.
Even if there’s a teeny tiny piece inside that wants to purge all the secrets from my system.
