Page 30 of The Pretender

Entry Number: 75

Sebastian and Valentina

First Interview Continued, also known as that time she threatened to kill me in a public bathroom

“I’m assuming you retaliated after he ruined your video?”

I look at Valentina and grin. “She tried…but—” Vee clamps her hand over my mouth. Her eyes carry a threat to not say another word. The air around us feels thick, but Tom doesn’t notice, since he was scribbling something on his clipboard.

“What do you mean bytried?” he asks, clueless to Vee’s glacial look and our subsequent stare down. “Do you mean she was never successful at pranking you?”

I scoff and Vee snaps her fingers in front of Tom and the camera crew. “Can we have a smoke break?”

My brows pinch. “You want a smoke? Since when do you smoke?”

She pushes my hand off her thigh and then remembers we have an audience and grabs for my hand, interlocking our fingers. “Since now, Pookie. Come with me?”

I frown at the nickname, but I stand anyway, knowing she wants to ream me out, which is fine. I get off on that kind of pillow talk. “Sure, honey. Whatever you want.”

* * *

Why aregirls such pains in the ass?

Me: Are you ready? It’s 6:30…

Pretend Like You Like Her: Almost. I needed Aspen and she’s at Bennett’s. Pick me up there.

Normally,this wouldn’t bother me, but today, after the video and rumors of Vee and I dating… I’m not exactly eager to face the Jameson twins and their irrational protection of Vee and Aspen.

I don’t know much about Bennett Jameson, but what I do know doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies. He’s the football team’s quarterback and rumored to be the NFL’s number one draft pick this year. I wouldn’t know, though, because I don’t watch football.

Drew, on the other hand, seems okay. He’s never been a dick to me, but I’ve also never “dated” his childhood friend. For all I know, he’s in love with her and is too much of a pussy to tell her.

Rolling my shoulders, I crack my neck and rap on the door. I hear muffled whispers and then… heavy stomps that end at the door. And as it flies open with a pained creak, I’m met with a human shield.

It’s Drew.

He doesn’t say anything, only eyes me up and down with blatant disdain. Looks like he isn’t happy to see me.

“Vee,” he calls behind him, “I’m not fucking playing with you. You’re not leaving until you find something else to wear.”

He never looks back, just assumes she’ll do as she’s told.

I, not so quietly, smother a laugh—he must not know Vee like I do. She never does as she’s told.

“Can I help you?” He clips out at the sight of my amusement.

I’ll forgive his dickish behavior. Valentina brings out the asshole in me too. “The girl with improper attire,” I drawl, “she asked me to pick her up here.”

Drew eyes the phone in my hand. “Your camera better be off. We’re not fans of your little shitshow.”

I hold my phone up and show him the black screen. “Tonight is off the record.” I almost cross my heart, just to be an asshole, but think better of it. I’m here for Vee, not a war with one of the Jameson brothers.

“Drew!” A female voice shouts from behind him. “Don’t be such an asshole. Let him in while he waits on Vee; she might be a minute.”

Drew’s lip curls like he’d rather drown kittens than let me come in.

“It’s alright, I’m good out here,” I reassure him.

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