Page 144 of Plus Size Player

“I’m excited for you, Mom! Okay, I see Dad trying to step his game up. Now you can stop living vicariously through me.”

“Speaking of, how are things with you and your boyfriend?” She let out a little yelp. “It doesn’t even feel real coming out of my mouth.”

“It doesn’t feel real hearing it either,” I joked, pulling my legs under me on the couch.

“Is everything okay?”

I took a breath before opening my mouth.

That short pause was all she needed.

“What’s wrong?” Her voice was a bit more serious. “Did something happen?”

“There was an event that I didn’t go to on Saturday because I already had plans to go to Aaliyah’s party, and another model went in my place. Apparently, there were some business decisions made and the partnership with RLF and Bowen is linked to the model who went instead of me. I gave up all my brand deals and contracts to do this. It was the kind of opportunity that was worth it though.” I shook my head in disbelief. “And after I put all my eggs in this basket, I might get phased out.”

“What?” Mom reacted. “And Russ let that happen?”

“Russ was with me. He found out about it when we got back yesterday afternoon.”

“He’s not going to let them phase you out.”

I sighed. “I don’t think he’ll want to do it, but who knows if that will be the end result.”

“What? What do you mean? Is he not the man you said he is?”

I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “No, Russ is perfect. Literally everything I ever said I wanted in a man.”

“So, he’s not going to let them phase you out. It’s his company, right?”

“He’s the CEO but he has a board he answers to. He’s about to expand his brand. And the executives and board members who were at the event want the new model.”

“Well, they have to still honor your contract,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, I just got finished looking it over.”

“You should call your uncle and have him take a look, too.”

“Yeah, I’m going to. I sent him a text earlier about it.”

“Good.”

We were both quiet for a second.

She took a loud, audible breath. “This is just a minor hiccup, but you don’t have to worry too much about it. What’s for you is for you.”

“I know. I just really wanted it to be for me.” I groaned in frustration. “But this is what I get for putting all my eggs in one basket.”

“When it’s worth it, you take the risk. Is it worth it?”

I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah.” I glanced at the printed version of the contract that was splayed across my coffee table. “It is. And they can’t outright fire me. They’d have to pay me out, but theycouldreplace me for the national campaign—”

“No!” my mom cried out, sounding as heartbroken as I felt.

“Yeah. And that’s why I texted Unc. I’ve been reading over stuff this morning, wondering if I set myself up.”

“Set yourself up?”

“I don’t like not having options. If I’m tied to one thing and then that one thing screws me over, I’m left with nothing.”

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