Page 1 of Crave

Chapter One

Landon

Listen to You’re my Best Friend

by Queen

Iwalked out from the meeting with the cast and producers and tried to ignore the sinking pit in my stomach.

I’d had a crap week after my encounter with Adam, so I decided to limit contact with everyone. I was slammed at Red, and Max seemed to lurk around every corner with smiles and a listening ear. It was as if he’d turned into Dr. Jekyll instead of Mr. Hyde. I’d gotten some heavy hitters at Red who edged the line of appropriateness, but they were rich, handsome, and harmless, so I buttered them up and took their crazy ass tip with a smile.

Usually, Max fumed, but he only made a joke and kept pouring drinks. His famous Maxtini Spritz cocktail was officially featured on the Red menu, but he didn’t even brag. He watched me flirt with Randy and joined me on breaks where he askedendless questions about the reality show and entertained me with stories from some of the customers at the bar.

I found I liked this new Max. I wasn’t stupid enough to imagine he wasn’t still trying to plead his case and hope for something sexual between us, but I didn’t care. He was a nice balm to the raw feelings I experienced with Adam so I decided to keep Max around. Besides, the group was happy about our resolution. Before I’d entered the janitor’s closet, I’d been happy, too.

My cheeks burned at the memory of what I’d done. First, I begged Adam to fuck me. Then I rode his leg like a whore and came all over his jeans. I’d shown no pride, doing what he commanded in the shadows of a closet next to the mops and brooms.

I’d loved every sick moment.

The scene kept playing over and over in my head. I shivered from the memory. At least, I’d managed to walk out with some dignity. I’d seen the mad lust in his eyes and carved into his face, so Adam didn’t fool me. He was just as caught up as I was. But I needed some space because his opinions on my career pissed me off.

I headed to the diner to meet Elle for lunch, relieved I could spill my worries about the show. I kept hearing Adam’s comments, about their goal to humiliate me to the masses for ratings. I thought of my parents watching and my stepsister. How bad would the show be? And if it was bad, would the hit be worth it to further my career as a model and influencer?

I entered the diner and found Elle at our favorite booth, sipping a seltzer. We hugged and I took the seat opposite her. “I’m so glad you were free. I just came from the meeting and my head is spinning.”

“Tell me everything and I’ll help you unravel it. Oh, do you want the ahi tuna salad? I can’t eat the whole thing so I figured we’d split?”

“Perfect. And a side of?—”

“Onion rings. I got you, girl. I needed fried food, too.”

I laughed, relaxing. Elle looked adorable in a cute sundress that showed off her long legs and golden tan. Her hair fell in straight, shiny strands and had grown longer, just touching the small of her back. There was nothing better than being with a bestie who knew your shit. I wished I could tell Elle about Adam, but I wasn’t ready. We were too screwed up right now to explain and I needed to figure that out first.

I sighed and focused on Elle. “Okay, I met the cast and I thought they were cool, but I didn’t get much time with them. One of the guys is super-hot and knows it. Another girl looks like she wants to be the leader. I’m definitely filling out the void for Barbie doll but with no empowerment. Guess they didn’t see the movie.”

Elle grinned and shook her head. “Ken is nothing, remember?”

“Not in our world. I was told they want to play up my helpless factor and lean into my influencer career.”

“What does that exactly mean?”

“I’m supposed to bring a million suitcases and dress in heels and short dresses, even when we work. They want me to flirt with all the guys. Stir up jealousy with the girls. Cause drama. This is all in my nondisclosure agreement, so you can’t breathe a word?”

“Of course not.”

“They’re not demanding I do any of that, but they highly suggest it.”

“They want ratings. Hate to break it to you, girl, but even The Bachelor is set up.”

“Not the final rose! Don’t lie!”

Elle cracked up. “No, but they highly suggest doing things during the season to get a certain outcome. Television is always like that, part of the tradeoff. What else do they suggest?”

I dreaded saying it aloud. “They want me to have a showmance with one of the guys. Clayton. Ugh, he’s not even my type. He’s cute but very nerdy. They think it’ll be a great hook. Beauty and the geek, you know? I’m supposed to teach him to kiss while we’re shoveling horse shit.”

Elle groaned. The waitress dropped off our plates and I immediately soothed myself with an onion ring. God, they were good. Crunchy and hot and full of grease. “That’s awful! But I’m not surprised. There are definitely possibilities of you two blowing up with a hashtag.”

I nibbled on my lip. “Elle, what do you think? Can it end up being a disaster? What if I say something fucked up and I’m cancelled? What if the public hates me and I become a villain? And I don’t want to be kissing this guy on tv when we’re not hooked up in real life. I’m starting to freak out.”

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