Page 8 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

‘She’s a little overly dramatic considering they’re not married, isn’t sh—’

‘Shut.Up. Felicity,’ Will barks at her.

This. Woman. She’ll be lucky if I don’t drown her in that sparkling water. I want to tell her off, but my head is all over the place and my heart is in pieces at my feet. I can’t stay here for another second as I am about to have a really ugly cry and this is not the place. The whole room would undoubtedly film it and air it on their stupid show.

I dodge Will and storm out of the house, heading straight for his Jeep. The only place I can disappear since I didn’t drive myself here and it’s too far to walk home.

I yank the door handle repeatedly, setting off the alarm, which Will flips off with the clicker in his hand as he walks my way. Without a word he pulls open the passenger door for me. As I get in, our eyes meet, and we stare at one another for a moment. He’s never lied to me before and this one changes everything, my entire life,allour plans – gone. Ugh. Talk about worst graduation dinner ever.

3

WILL ADLER

What a fucking nightmare. I should have expected this, yet somehow, I didn’t. Berkley’s right. I lied to her. A big fucking lie that changes all the plans we’d made.

She and I have been together a long time. I know all her faces, moods, everything about her. She’s pissed in a way I’ve not experienced directed at me before. Sure, we’ve been in some battles with my parents in the past, and we’ve had some fights. But she’s never called me one of them or stormed out of the house like she just did. Then again, they’ve also never tried to pay her to dump me or announced they’re pairing me off with a woman I’ve got zero interest in. Then, without warning, they spilled the fucking tea about the show. I knew if I didn’t tell her soon, she’d find out another way, and I was desperately trying to prevent that, but things moved so quickly. Now it looks like I was a part of the conspiracy against her. She must feel terrible.

I get into my Jeep and start it, glancing over at her, but she’s scowling out her window, her arms crossed over her chest tightly as she leans into her door, staying as far from me as possible.

‘You might spark that tree on fire with that glare if you’re not careful,’ I joke, attempting to lighten the mood.

‘Guess I better stare at the house then so that’ll go up in flames too.’

‘Berkley, I’m sorry.’ I reach over to touch her, but she leans further into the door. Ouch. ‘I was going to tell you tonight. I didn’t expect those loudmouths to come out with it like they did.’

Silence, but an eye roll so I know she’s listening.

‘Nothing we’re planning for our future is ruined; we can still move in together. I’ll film from our place.’

‘Did you ever think that maybe I don’t want to be a part of this show? You know I hate the spotlight and now you want to move into our apartmentandhave cameras following our every move. Nope. I’m out.’

I sigh heavily. ‘You still want to come over and we can talk more about it?’

Head shake.

‘Want me to take you home instead?’

Nod.

‘You want me to shut up?’

Another nod.

My heart slows with each of her wordless responses. The silent game is a first for us and I don’t love it. Yes, as Mike and Felicity so harshly informed her, I did sign multiple contracts to participate in theRoyalsshow.Withoutdiscussing it with her first. How do you bring something like this up?Hey, Berx. I’ve decided to take the shallow rich-boy path and attempt fameThe Real Rich Kids of Portland-style. What do you say? Up for my annoying family and friends and airing our dirty laundry for the world to see?

Berkley isn’t an air-our-dirty-laundry kind of girl. Sure, she’s got a mouth like dynamite and can be absolutely fearless, but she’s also private. She hates having her emotions on display or being the center of attention – two things essential for reality TV now that I think about it.

Why did I think she’d be good with this? In my defense, my parents and the production team talked it up like a lifetime opportunity and convinced me she’d eventually be all in. That does not appear to be the case. I’m not sure I can even talk myself out of this, but I have to try; I love this woman.

After we’ve merged onto the freeway, she speaks. ‘Was this you or your asshole family?’

‘Both?’ I answer honestly.

‘Explain.’

Here we go.

‘A couple months ago, a production company approached my parents and pitched a reality show idea centered around Mike, me, Felicity and Finn. The Harpers are old family friends and some of the richest assholes on the west coast, along with my parents. They got the ball rolling and didn’t even include me in it until a few weeks ago. I’ve meant to tell you about it every day since I found out, but my parents kept telling me that these things don’t often close, so I wanted to wait until I knew it was a sure thing. When I ended up signing, it was rushed and chaotic, and my head was spinning with all the info I was presented with. I kind of did it because everyone else did, and they were looking at me like I’d ruin their lives if I didn’t participate. It was all four of us or no one. You know how my family is. What was I supposed to do?’

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