Page 85 of Wants and Needs
“Not Harrison,” I say automatically because we’ve had this conversation before. “I don’t want him to invest just because you’re asking him, Tristan.” I’m going to remain firm on this. It’s the same reason why my parents aren’t investors.
All the money for the development of the app and implementation of the algorithm have come from my savings. I don’t want any handouts.
“I really don’t think he’d do it just because I suggested it, Liam,” Tristan says, and even I can detect the frustration behind his words. “This idea is fucking genius, you’re all geniuses, and I don’t know what’s wrong with Mrs. Blackwell to not want to invest, but?—”
“The whole reason I agreed to pitch it to her is because she has a strong connection to and knowledge of the music world. I don’t want just any person with money getting a percentage of ESoothe. I want it to be someone who cares about the impact it can have in people’s lives.”
“I know,” Tristan says, and sighs.
“We thought we could tell the streaming companies we’ll go with the exclusivity for six months, and go with the one who offers the best deal,” William pipes up. “The second people see the potential and everyday benefits ESoothe can offer, we would have the upper hand, right?”
“That is another option I was going to bring up today,” Tristan says, and nods as he reaches for a container of yakimeshi. I do the same and start to eat while they discuss the probable deals we’ll be offered.
“I have one personal matter to discuss with you as well, Liam,” Tristan says when we’re all done eating.
“What is it?”
There’s a pause where he looks at Parker and William, then he speaks bluntly.
“I thought you’d want to discuss it alone.”
I have no clue what he’s talking about, but I shrug. “They’re my friends. Whatever you say, I trust they won’t break my confidence.”
“All right.” Tristan stands and goes to his desk, retrieves a tablet, and walks back.
When he hands it to me and I see the picture, I can’t help but groan.
“What is it?” William asks, clearly worried.
“It’s nothing more than hearsay and a grainy picture,” Tristan says softly, and sits again. “I wasn’t aware you were in a relationship with Carter.” This time he speaks more slowly, like every word has been thoroughly thought out. “If I had been, then I could’ve prepared better to avoid a situation like this one.”
“What does it say?” Parker asks, his tone unusually lively.
I read right from the article.
“A source that attended the Mayor’s Ball tells us that Liam Trent, eldest son of Samantha Sawyer and Ed Trent, stayed at the ball for only an hour and had a new man on his arm. According to our source they were holding hands or hugging all throughout the night.”
“I always forget your parents are famous.” William snorts and shakes his head.
“I wanted you to be aware of it,” Tristan says again. “I doubt you two will get any more attention, because neither of you is really in the limelight, but maybe it would be prudent to talk about it with Carter.”
I debate what to say about Carter and our relationship.
I trust that Tristan wouldn’t tell anyone it was all supposed to be fake. After all, Carter took me to talk to Theo about how to make a fake relationship look real because Theo’s father and Tristan were faking it for about two seconds as well.
But is it relevant anymore?
Whoever the source for this article was, they didn’t say anything that’s a lie or offensive, and Carter and Iarein a relationship now.
Well, that is if I can keep my shit together long enough for Carter to develop deeper feelings for me.
As deep as mine already are.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I tell Tristan. “Things with Carter have all been rather ... quick,” I settle on.
“It’s fine.” He waves a hand around. “Like I said, I just wanted you to be aware.”
And now I have to go tell Carter and hope he doesn’t mind that we’ve officially been outed to anyone who cares.
