Chapter 34
Rhys
Joey warned me by shooting me a text as I was trailing towards the elevators on my way to my early morning meeting.
Flint’s crew couldn’t stop talking about the candid photos he took of Keira and me lost in a passionate embrace.
The famed photographer wanted my permission before releasing a few of those shots along with the ones promoting SCORE Yours on the internet.
I never planned on announcing to the whole world my girl and I were dating, but it’s bound to come out. I might as well control how it happens.
I gave Joey my blessing, shot my girl a quick text, and headed to my meeting.
By mid-morning, the frenzy was at fever pitch. The photos went viral in a blink of an eye. The pre-orders for SCORE Yours ballooned. Arianne was jumping up and down. Beckett was floored. So was I. He’s the one who gets tongues to wag. Not me.
On the heel of the media frenzy, I was assaulted by a flurry of text messages and emails––the press, friends, colleagues, contacts, family members, my mom and Noah. It was nonstop. Even a few brave members of the staff came up and congratulated me. My best friend’s text message had me in stitches.
Noah
I don’t do the lovey-dovey stuff because I don’t go there with women, but I have to admit those photos of you and my sis… Jesus. You two are into each other.
I never intended on backing away from Keira because I was too far gone, but at the same time, there was no way I was going to lose my long-standing friendship with a guy who’s had my back more times than I can count.
His acceptance of my relationship with his little sister is a huge weight off my shoulders.
By three o’clock, my brain is mush.
“I need coffee and cheesecake.” I stand up from my desk. Since Beckett was in a generous mood when he came back from a meeting with the advertisement agency, he stopped by one of the best shops in town.
Just as I’m about to reach the door, my phone rings.
I shake my head as I accept the call.
“Shane, what’s up?” I walk to the couch before sitting down.
“You’re dominating the entertainment news, my friend.”
“It’s wild. My hashtag is squashing Beckett’s and your brother Collin’s.”
Shane lets out a laugh.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” he says.
“You and me both.”
“Is pretty boy Beckett able to handle it for a day? After all, he’s the media’s sweetheart.”
“Barely,” I say. “I guess it’s the same for your little brother.”
“I’m pretty sure it is. Since we’re talking about Collin here, I’m sure he’s plotting a devious way to steal the media’s attention away from you.”
Be my guest. “I’m sure he will.”
“On a serious note—”
“Oh, because you didn’t call just to razz me?”
“Nah. That’s Collin’s forte. I’m the supportive Dennison brother, remember?”
“True.”
“In any case, the last time we talked about Keira, you seemed troubled. Torn, even. The photos of you locking lips on camera flooding the internet suggest you decided to go after the girl.”
I nod into the phone even though he can’t see me. “Our conversation was a wake-up call. I decided to man up. The only blip was Noah landing in LA unannounced before I had time to tell him I was seeing his sister.”
“No shit,” Shane says.
I tell him everything.
“I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of Noah’s fury. I consider myself fit and invincible, but next to him, I’m nothing. The guy could break me in half without even trying.”
“That’s exactly how I felt. Breaking the bro code has its consequences. I was more than willing to pay the price, but I’m grateful he didn’t rearrange my face.”
“Another thing to celebrate,” he says. “Let’s add it to the list.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I bumped into you at LAX on the day Keira arrived, I promised her a Cuban meal. I was going to keep it casual, but there’s too much to celebrate.
One, the news of you two dating. Two, her becoming the face of SCORE Yours––great choice, by the way.
Three, pretty boy Beckett is off the market––proof God works in mysterious ways.
Four, your headphones were dubbed the best thing since Edison’s light bulbs––which is a pretty tall order.
And five, the announcement of an upcoming red-carpet event to kick off SCORE Yours.
” He pauses. “There’s a hell of a lot happening in your neck of the woods. Low key doesn’t cut it anymore.”
“You’re right, there’s a lot to celebrate. A Cuban meal sounds great, Shane.”
“I called the boys, and everybody can make it. I’d love for you and Keira to come over to my place on Saturday afternoon. We’ll stretch out the celebration until the wee hours.”
“I’ll check with my girl, but I don’t see why we shouldn’t be there. Thanks for the invitation. I can’t wait.”
“A heads up. I have to invite Collin. He’s my baby brother and my neighbor. If I forget to invite him, I’ll never hear the end of it. It’s best if you prep Keira in advance. He’s been drilling me to find out if she has a long-lost twin or a sister he doesn’t know about.”
“He’s lost it.”
“Pretty much,” Shane says. “And even if she did, I’m sure Noah wouldn’t be thrilled about my brother dating his sibling.”
“Noah would veto the relationship,” I say with a laugh. “Your brother is something else.”
“My brother is a pain in the ass and delusional.”
“The former is a given, but what brought on the latter?”
“He declared the flag should’ve been flown half-staff on the day he found out Beckett was no longer interested in manwhoring anymore.
He requested the same thing this morning after reading the headlines about your relationship.
He’s in mourning. Poor lad. He’s losing more and more partners in crime and he doesn’t know what to do with himself. ”
I laugh harder. “I swear, Collin will be single forever,” I say. “There isn’t a woman strong enough––or crazy enough––to handle his ass.”
“And if she’s out there, that encounter will be like two missiles colliding.”
“Damn right it will.”