Chapter 9
“I don’t know about y’all, but I’m ready for some bonuts.”
The biscuit shop that the four of us girls go to every Sunday morning, when we’re free, makes the best biscuit donut holes. They’re covered in cinnamon sugar and come with a delicious berry compote for dipping. We only order them for breakups, breakdowns, or on my breaks from school.
Now that winter break is here, I can’t wait to dive into an order of them with my besties.
“Me too.” Shayna smiles with her entire face, even though it’s way too early in the morning to be that energetic without caffeine. “Let’s go.”
I slide into my Ugg dupes and open our front door. Immediately, I’m bombarded by a barrage of camera flashes and loud questions shouted in my direction.
“Veronica! Veronica, look over here!”
“Can you confirm the rumors that you’re dating Griffin Reynolds?”
“Veronica, what’s your statement regarding those claiming that you broke up Griffin and Brittany?”
I stand there stunned, unable to move or process what the heck is happening.
Not only do the paparazzi know my name, but they found my address and are linking me with Griffin.
I might’ve considered this lifestyle, living in the spotlight, after my first date with him.
But that ship sailed long ago, yet I’m still being thrown overboard and dragged beneath the water’s surface, drowning in a sea of questions I want nothing to do with.
Kelsey steps around me and pushes me back inside before shutting the door and locking it. She presses her full weight against the door, as if her body acts as an extra barricade. “What was that about?”
“Why are they calling you Veronica?” Shayna shakes her head. “I mean, obviously I know that’s your legal first name, but how do the paparazzi know that?”
“Why are they here?” Alyssa purses her lips. “We know you went on that hot chocolate date with Griffin, but that was years ago. Why are they suddenly interested in that now?”
I’m still internally freaking out that there is a whole swarm of paparazzi in front of our house, but my friends’ questions break me out of my stupor.
“We should sit down. I have something to share.” My heart races as I shut the curtains over our front windows and double-check that the front door is locked, even though I watched Kelsey do it.
My besties move to the living room, assuming their usual spots. It’s uncommonly silent as they wait for me to talk.
“I wanted to tell y’all right away, but I needed time to process everything.” I take a deep breath, then blurt out, “I ran into Griffin yesterday.”
Shayna gasps. “Where?”
“Rise his broad shoulders and stature look intimidating even from behind.
I don’t know what he says to them, but within minutes, they’re moving off our sidewalk, getting back in their cars, and driving off.
By the time I’m eating bonuts with my besties, I can’t even enjoy them. There’s not a paparazzo in sight, but I don’t feel at peace. I can’t with the niggling sensation that this is only the beginning.
I’ve done everything I can to keep my mind off the articles since I read them. Yesterday, I caught up on all my laundry and cleaned the bathroom I share with Shayna. Now, I’m deep cleaning our kitchen.
“What are you doing?” Kelsey sounds cautious, like I’m a dog that will spook if she takes one wrong step.
I don’t look up from my kneeling position on the tile floor. “I’m cleaning the grout. Do you know the last time we cleaned it?” I laugh hollowly. “Probably never.” I dip the toothbrush into the soapy water and get back to scrubbing.
“Did you know your phone is blowing up?”
I still don’t glance up, trying to focus on the task at hand. “It’s probably just more news outlets calling me for a statement.” I got multiple calls yesterday asking for a comment, so I assume today is more of the same.
Kelsey blows out a long breath. “They must really want to get in touch with you. It looks like you have a ton of notifications.”
I haven’t been on my phone all morning, trying to avoid reality and live in ignorant bliss, so maybe I should check it. Who knows, there could be a family emergency.
I push up from the ground and wash my hands before grabbing my phone off the kitchen table.
There are a few missed calls and voicemails from different numbers that I ignore, but one of the unknown numbers also sent me eleven text messages.
I open the thread and roll my eyes when I read the first texts.