Page 15 of The Pretender

“Ah. Well, we can always go another weekend when they aren’t there.” I love the lake house. Aspen’s parents own it, but we all have a key and can use it any time. It’s about an hour from the University, but it feels like it’s miles away from everything. I miss it.

“Asp and I were talking about maybe taking a road trip to see your brother in Cali. Since it’s Asp’s last year and all.”

I open my mouth, and Drew holds up one finger. “Hold that thought.” The blender whirls to life, and after a few seconds, he hands me a strawberry daiquiri. “Do I not get a Jäger bomb?” I nod to the drink next to him.

“Hell no,” he laughs. “Jäger makes the undies drop. Yours are staying put tonight. Mine, however, are not.”

I take the drink and shrug. My panties weren’t coming off anyway, but it’s nice to know I have back up in case Vance takes this invite as a code word for hookup. “So, we’re taking a road trip soon?”

Drew shrugs a shoulder. “Bennett isn’t on board yet. I’m working on it.”

I nod. Bennett is always a tough sell. Why he’s so grouchy and responsible, we’ll never know. “Well, I’m sure if anyone can sell him, you can.”

He does this stupid little wink that makes me laugh. “Did you see that competition Malcolm is bragging about?”

I fake a gag. If there was ever someone who I loved to hate more than Sebastian, it’s Malcolm Desantis. “I try to stay clear of anything Malcolm says.”

Drew’s forehead scrunches. “But it’s a million dollars. How have you not heard about it? Isn’t the internet like your personal playground?”

“Yeah, but…”

I don’t want to tell him I already entered. For some reason, I don’t want him to know quite yet.

“But?” Drew prompts me.

“But I don’t follow Malcolm. He’s a vulture.” He never plays by the rules. Copying others and spoofing their videos is his go-to technique. He lacks originality.

Drew takes a sip of his drink and nods. “I agree, but it’s still a million dollars, Vee. You’ll be seen by millions of viewers. Who knows? Some studio or production company could be in the market for a makeup artist. It’s a big opportunity.”

I know and I’m on board three thousand percent, but the thing is, the rules weren’t exactly clear.

Drew grabs his phone and shoves it in my face. He’s like a little boy all excited to show me what he found. “This is what I’m talking about.” I take his phone and grin; this boy has always been my biggest fan. Scrolling through Malcolm’s page, I act like this is the first time I’ve seen the announcement. I haven’t seen Malcolm’s entry, so I snoop through his hashtags, clicking on the one #unicamflixcompetition. There I find the ad for the upcoming reality show.

I read aloud to Drew, “Looking for the next rising MyView star. Producers, actors, cameramen, and writers are all welcome. Use hashtag #unicamflixcompetition on your daily videos as entries. The top two accounts with the most subscribers will face off with a final fan vote. The winner will be awarded one million dollars and a one-year MyView reality series.”

I finally look up and meet Drew’s glassy eyes. I snatch the drink from his hand and toss a piece of ice at him. “Pace yourself, Drusilla. I’m not dragging you to your room again. I sprained my ankle last time.”

Drew catches the ice easily and tosses it into the blender, mixing another drink. “The competition is cool, huh?”

“Yeah, it’s cool. I just don’t know if my videos will qualify.” I’m not sure it’s a skill they are looking for.

“Message them and ask,” he says and shrugs. Nothing is ever a big deal to Drew. That’s one of the reasons I love his crazy ass.

“I hate that Malcolm is participating, though,” I say to myself. “He’ll be a nightmare to deal with.”

Drew takes another drink and cocks a brow. “Why is that?”

“About a month ago, this one guy claimed Malcolm copied his videos before he posted them. I don’t know exactly how it happened, but I don’t put it past Malcolm to cheat.”

I’m pretty sure Drew hasn’t heard a word I’ve said since something on his phone snagged his attention four sentences ago. “You got this, Vee-Dog,” he mumbles, giving me a thumbs up.

“Ugh.” I jump from the counter.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” His head jerks up quickly.

“Outside. I was going to see if Bennett and Fenn needed any help since you seem to have this managed.” Really, I just want to see if Bennett and Aspen are still arguing, and if not, maybe I can use the excuse to separate them and go back home and plot ways to get my chair back.

Okay fine, I really just want to stalk Sebastian. He didn’t wear those ugly shorts for no one. And the fact that he won’t tell me who only ramps up my curiosity.

---