51. Alice
51
Alice
M y phone begins to buzz in my pocket. My family is watching this. They know the truth now. They know that Will lied. They know that he’s Billy. And—they’re all trying to ask me about it.
My dozens of waiting texts are easy to ignore with the chaos in the room.
Chatter and camera flashes and hands all fill the air.
Beside me, Theo curses. “No,” he says.
“Yes,” I say, my heart fluttering and my breath so rapid that I fear I’ll faint.
No one waits to be called on. They all call out questions, and Will has to guard his eyes, blocking the light of a million flashing cameras.
Why hide?
Do you have proof?
How did you manage to maintain a low profile?
What else are you hiding?
How has this anonymity affected your business ventures?
Does your staff know?
Do your friends?
Did you have plastic surgery to hide your appearance?
Question after question. But the guys, my team, they are looking at me.
“You knew,” Mason says.
My hands shake, and I entwine my fingers together. “I did.”
Theo drops another curse and shakes his head.
“You didn’t tell us?” Mateo says. “We’re supposed to be a team.”
“It wasn’t my secret to tell,” I say. I want to add that, for the most part, he and Theo have never made me feel like I’m a part of their team.
“She’s right, guys,” Mason says. “Will had to come out on his own.”
Theo scoffs. “You say that like you knew too.”
“I didn’t,” Mason says. “But when you think about it, doesn’t it make sense? I’m not shocked.”
“Well, I am,” Mateo says. His eyes narrow on Theo. “All this time, you said Will was changing Billy’s mind about your ideas.”
I press my lips together, and peek up at Will, who is still answering question after question. “Can I say something?” I don’t give either man a chance to answer. “Theo, you’re smart. Will wouldn’t have you on this team if he didn’t think so. So, the lies, the boy’s club persona, the constant calling me princess—it’s pointless. I am so much more than a princess, Theo. And calling me one doesn’t make you funny or likable. It makes you a jerk. Think of how great it would be if you could be a smart, valued member of this team, and have people like you.” I shrug one shoulder. Mason snickers behind me. But I am completely earnest. “I think you’d be happier, Theo. You should try being nice.”
“Nice?” He barks the word. But his face softens—like maybe he’s considering it.
“Yes, nice.” I peer up at Will. He wasn’t asking me to leave—but telling me he’d made the choice to tell the world his secrets. “I have to go.” I swallow, a plan forming as I watch Will give out all the answers he’s been concealing for over a decade.
No going back now.