Page 69 of Count On Me

“Dude, that’s what makes it genius. All those women watching you declare your love for your childhood sweetheart ispriceless. They’ll be swooning in their seats and it’ll show Edie how committed you are to her. Plus, you kill two birds with one stone when you prove once and for all that you don’t care about what your followers think. How many do you even have?” Jenson has always been the most competitive out of us and I know he’s only asking to see if he beats me. I know he doesn’t so I smirk.

“Five mill.”

“Well that’s just obscene,” Penny shrieks, and I can’t help but grin. I know it’s stupid, but it makes me happy that so many people follow me.

“It is obscene. His videos are all of him topless in the gym,” Lockheart grumbles, which just causes me to grin harder.

“Some of us have actual real content on our socials. We rely on our skills on the field rather than being objectified for our bodies,” Jenson retorts.

Penny snorts. “So Jaxson has more and you’re pouting about it?”

“I’m not pouting.” He folds his arms over his chest and sticks his bottom lip out as all of us laugh in unison.

“So, not pouting, how many do you have?” Penny rolls her eyes and tries to placate him.

“Four mill,” he begrudgingly tells her and she rolls her lips between her teeth to stop her laughter.

“Oh snap, you’re not even close. Baby bro spanked you on this one, Jen.”

“Fuck you.” He snarls back and Lockheart sighs loudly.

“Jeez, you’re all obsessed with mindless social media,” Lockheart snipes out.

“Aw is someone getting jealous? What's your TikTok handle? We'll follow you.” Jameson grabs his phone, ready to type in Lockheart’s name.

“Haven’t got one. I don’t do social media. I don’t do media full stop,” he bites back and Penny nods her head at him.

“Right, gotcha,” Penny quips with an uncannily confident look on her face. “Journalist/blogger/influencer broke your heart. It’s okay. We got you. Once we’ve sorted this mess out we can help you with your own happily ever after.”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lockheart look so shocked and vulnerable. Just for a second. And then he schools his features into his normal scowl and I want his fucking backstory.

“Couldn’t be further from the truth.” He growls, but Penny doesn’t even flinch.

“So before Lockheart pops a blood vessel, we’re all set for the plan?” Jenson asks and we all nod.

“Good. Look bro, even though I miss your ugly face, I need to bail. I have people to see and places to be.” All three Brady brothers and Lockheart fold their arms over their chests and shoot Penny a questioning look. “Save it, losers. I have never and will never need you to protect me. Douches. Love you all.” The little square on the screen that her face was in turns black and Jameson starts to laugh.

“God help any man who takes on Penny Richards/Brady. If we’re done, I need to jet too.” I nod and he salutes as his square turns black.

“Jaxson, you and I both know I’m your favourite and your mine.” Jenson winks and I smile back. “Don’t be replacing me with him.” He jerks his head toward Lockheart and he rolls his eyes at him. “Tell Angie I said hi. Actually, don’t bother. Just… Forget it. See ya later.” His square goes black and it’s just me and Lockheart standing in his living room.

“So that’s the Bradys,” I say through laughter.

“Your brother got a thing for Angie?”

I shrug my shoulders. “No idea. But I’ll find out and keep you posted. So, Tiktok?”

“Tiktok.” He groans and I can’t fight the smile from my face for my extra Brady bro.

44

JAXSON

I’ve been getting regular updates from Bruce about how Edie’s doing. Nothing too personal, just if she’s going out and if she’s okay with people, stuff like that. I want to know if that fucker has left any emotional scars along with the one he left on her collar bone. The rage that image conjures threatens to consume me but instead I focus on the task at hand and force it back down.

“Hi Mama, Pops,” I greet them through the screen as my parents' faces come into focus.

Before I can say anything else, my mom barks at me, “Have you made up with our Edie yet? You know I’m not getting any younger and I want grandbabies before I’m too old to enjoy ‘em.”

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