Page 31 of The Twisted Beats

While I’m creating a plan to get what I want.

Between his slight Irish accent and his words, Callum Mayze is smoking hot. And he will be my first kiss.

We end up out in our resort-like backyard, making s’mores at the fire pit. Callum, Bren, and I are eating ours, sitting on bed-like lounge chairs near the pool and away from the adults.

As we talk about the entertainment industry, Callum’s gaze keeps falling to my breasts. I’m cross-legged in the center of my chair and have my chest pushed out to make my boobs look even bigger. I’m one of the lucky girls who developed early.

Callum turns to me, brushing his dark hair off his forehead. He wears it longer on top and it keeps falling in his eyes.

“How did you get into acting, Lily?”

“You know my mom’s a model. She put me in a contest for the most beautiful baby and I won. She had me in shows and movies not much after that.” I shrug. “She runs everything. I just go where I’m told.”

He leans toward me like he’s truly interested. “Do you like that?”

“Yeah, I have my own show now. It’s calledEmber From Denver. I play a young girl who’s determined to create a female rock band and make it big. She lives in Denver and works in the music scene there. It’s tough because she’s young, so it becomes her mission.” I glance at Bren.

He rises to his feet. “I want another one. I’ll be back.”

Once he’s away from us, Callum scoots to the edge of his lounge chair so he’s right in front of me. “You sing?”

“I do, but not very much. I have to perform a song every few episodes, but it’s not the center of the show.”

“We should do a duet.” He places his hand on my knee.

My body ignites. Zings of electricity splinter in every direction through my insides. I’ve been attracted to boys before, but this weird sensation is something new.

“I’m not a good singer, Callum. You wouldn’t want to do a duet with me.”

“It wouldn’t be for anyone else but us.”

“Oh…” My stomach flips. This boy is doing something strange to me and I like it. A lot! “I’ll ask about the song. If my dad says it’s okay, I’ll do it.”

“Why ask for permission?”

“Because I always have to ask my parents if I can do something work-related.”

“You’re your own person, Lily. Be free and do what you want for a change. Otherwise, you’ll always be doing what other people tell you to do. What kind of life is that?”

My mind goes blank. No one has ever said anything like that to me. I thought everyone did what was expected of them.

I swerve to a topic I understand. “How did you get into music?”

He removes his hand from my knee. “My pops was a musician. He taught me everything I know. Now that he’s gone, I wanna follow in his footsteps.”

“Where is he?”

“Dead.” Callum’s eyes grow dark and pained.

Did he say dead? How do I respond to that?

“I’m sorry.” My heart squeezes. “How did he die?”

“Suicide.”

A quick zap of agonizing tension seeps through me as my stomach bottoms out.At least you didn’t murder him.I scratch at my wrist with my fingernails.

I force the thought away. “Callum, that’s so sad.”