Page 70 of Lucky Shot
“Ruby,” I remind him.
“How’s Moonshot treating you?” He lets both hands fall to his sides as he smiles at me.
“It’s been good.” My brow furrows. “You work here too?”
“One of many jobs. I like to keep busy and try out a bunch of different careers, you know?”
I nod. I kind of do get that. One of my favorite things about writing characters is putting myself in different mindsets and situations, kind of like trying on different jobs.
“Anywho…” He twirls his pen in one hand.
“Can I get a water, and do you have any coffee back there?”
He makes a face. “Yes.”
“That bad, huh?” I laugh. “Just the water is fine.”
“Good choice. Back in a minute.” He turns on his heel and heads off, returning not long after with my drink. I order the burger and then settle in with my laptop, notes, and a buzz of information in my head from being on the ice with Nick the past two days.
I start by typing out everything I can remember. From the way the skates felt tight on my feet—something Nick assured me was important, the difficulty of holding the stick in gloved hands, to the nip of the air as we circled the rink, and the exhilaration of finally hitting the puck into the goal. I can see why he loves it so much. It’s hard, like writing the first draft of a book, but once you conquer it, there’s no better feeling.
My eyes are bleary, and my half-eaten burger is cold when I finally stop typing. I glance down at the bottom left of the screen. Eight pages of notes. It’s more than I’ve written in…as long as I can remember.
Sure, it’s not a book, yet, but it’s something.
I pick up my phone to text Olivia and tell her I’ve broken through my slump, but a text from Lily is already waiting for me.
I smile as I tap on her name. Between the time difference and her touring schedule, we’ve barely had a chance to talk since I’ve been here.
Lily
Have you seen this?
I type back a reply before clicking the link she sent.
Me
Hi! I miss you. How are you? How’s the tour?
I can’t wait to hear all about her week. Her publisher sent her to independent bookstores around the country to celebrate her latest book. I’m so happy for her and excited for her to fill me inon all the usual things: the joy of reader interactions and signing until her wrist hurts, and the less than glamorous travel delays and bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. I’m not even feeling any jealousy or sadness wondering if I’ll ever publish a book and go on tour again.
And I guess that’s why I’m not prepared when I click the link. I assumed she sent me a news article or interview she’d done while I’ve been in Moonshot with my grumpy hockey player and not keeping up with the world. Instead, I’m greeted with a headshot of Matt in a shirt I bought him before I knew he was a lying, manipulative, book-stealing asshole.
Gradient Pictures To Develop Matthew Rose’s Best-Selling Novel Becoming Alaric
My stomach drops and an acidic taste fills my mouth. I should have seen this coming. It’s the biggest book of the year, maybe of the decade. Of course someone was going to adapt it for television. With my luck there’ll be merchandise and kids dressing up as the characters for Halloween.
I skim the article and then close out and go back to my messages with Lily.
She sent another text.
Lily
Proof that good things happen to bad people. Are you okay?
Me
Fine.
