Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Whatever,” I bite out as I look at the text, hating that he might be right.
I shove the phone back into my pocket. My father is riding my last nerve. Apparently, he has some people in Greece he wants me to meet to solidify his ambitions.
The only reason I have any intentions of going to Greece is to see my grandfather. He’s the only one who’s ever cared and asked me what I want.
He was the one to encourage me to start modeling and performing. He told me if I was going to do something outside of the family business, I needed to be the best at it—choose something I’d make a difference at.
I can’t honestly say I was making a difference. However, I was one of the best. Doors were opening. I was proving myself and making a name. Once I dyed and cut my dark hair for a gig or two, my agent had gone crazy.
I landed my second huge modeling contract and was in talks for a few movie deals. A contract I lost and movies that fell through while I was laid up in a hospital bed with a broken arm, fractured wrist, and burns down my right side. One of many contracts I lost—unable to show up, they had to replace me.
“Here you are?” Skittles sings when she finds me out on the deck.
“Hey, what’s up?”
She walks over with two steaming cups in her hands and a smile on her pretty face. Everything is so easy with her. Too bad I think she has a major thing for Pit. I haven’t called her on it yet, but I plan to.
“I thought you’d like some hot chocolate. You missed breakfast.”
“Thanks. I ate before anyone else was up.”
“Is everything okay?” She frowns and her little nose wrinkles. It’s adorable.
I swallow. Her concern for me always tugs at my heart. She doesn’t know me. If she did, she’d be more cautious about becoming friends with me.
Now that I know who her father is, I know more, so I have to keep who I am hidden from her. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to share that part of myself with her. Another reason it’s a good thing she’s not interested in me.
“I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind.”
“Care to share? I’m all ears if you need me.”
I sigh and think it over. I know things about Skittles’s family I don’t believe she knows. The soon-to-be mayor has distanced himself from so much of his and his wife’s past, only reaching back when convenient.
However, you have to be on a different kind of level to know this. Things that happen inside Vander and Bridge Lake have a way of being washed away.
“Everything in my life is changing. Things I had control over before are so out of my control now. I hate having to answer to anyone. Now I have no way to make my own path and it’s like I’m drowning.”
“I can understand needing control. I also know that sometimes what you think you have no control over, you just might if you look deeper. Pull the right string and you’ll find yourself back on top,” she replies.
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not, but in my book, you have to at least try.”
I scoff. “For all intents and purposes, Skittles. Let’s not forget I’m a living, breathing Two-Face. Including the dual personalities,” I seethe, knowing I’ve said too much.
She looks at me with eyes full of concern. Placing her cup down on the banister, she then reaches out to touch my arm. Bouncing her gaze across my face, it’s as if she’s seeing me for the first time.
“Two-Face? Josh, your burns stop on your torso. Why? How do you see yourself as Two-Face? Your personality is nothing like that.”
I hold my snort in. Baby, you have no idea. Jeff and I witnessed my father brutally murdering a man when we were little boys. That summer, I was sent to Greece and learned who we are as the Nikolaou-Kylix family.
It’s because of that murder I’ve never wanted to become the man my family wants me to be. I’d rather strip butt-ass naked and pose in front of a camera than become the monster my father is.
Before I can give her an answer, her phone rings. Good, I can avoid this conversation altogether.
“Go ahead and take your call. I’m fine.”
She looks at me with concern as if considering my words. The phone stops ringing. I sigh. She’s not going to let this one go so easily.
However, her phone rings again and her shoulders slump. Whoever is calling is determined to get to her. She holds up a finger.
“This is Shawna. I need to make sure she’s okay. Don’t move,” she warns.
Shawna, the little cousin. Not the one who’s two years younger. That’s Lex. The three are closer than close, but neither Shawna nor Lex are related to each other by blood, only Mayven.