Page 54 of Official

SAMANTHA

Ispin on my tiptoes in the middle of the kitchen, humming and floating on a blissful high from last night.

I take one look at the pool outside and tingle all over.

My morning shoulder workout in the hotel gym was also productive, and I felt stronger than usual, probably due to my carb intake from yesterday. It’s why cheat meals are so important to me. Other than being essential for a balanced lifestyle, carbs shock my metabolism and boost my energy.

And it didn’t hurt that I had extra energy after the orgasms Xander gave me last night.

While the coffee brews, I check my phone for unread texts and see they’re all from Val.

Val: You. Sneaky. Bitch.

Val: You and Xander? XANDER?

Val: Where have you two been hiding?

Val: You never called me! I was upset, but then I saw how busy you’ve been ;)

Val: But seriously… CALL ME.

Before I have a chance to answer, the phone rings in my hand, and my brother’s name flashes across the top.

“Why the fuck am I looking at a picture of you and my best friend on the internet looking like you’re on your damn honeymoon with an announcement thathe’syour mystery boyfriend?” Teddy’s rushed voice booms out of the speaker.

I set it on the kitchen counter and wipe the sleep from my eyes. It’s too early for this decibel, but it doesn’t stop me from messing with one of my favorite people. “Because we eloped. I thought that was clear.”

“What?” he rages.

I bet his cheeks are puffed out like Dad’s get when his top football teams lose. Or when we steal from Dad’s secret stash of candy. Recently diagnosed with diabetes, Mom has him on a strict diet, but Teddy and I know he keeps a pile of sweets in the garage that he digs into for his own sanity.

“I’m going to kill that motherfucker. I told him what would happen if he laid a finger on you, and now I’m going to have to cut his—”

“Whoa, whoa.” I speak up to ensure he can hear me as I grab my mug of coffee, steam rising out of it as I lean on the opposite counter. “Deep breaths, big brother. I’m just kidding.”

“What?” he repeats, but with much less hostility.

“Teddy, the post is a lie. Xander is just helping me get out of a dicey situation.” I sigh, immediately glancing toward his bedroom door.

I slept in his bed last night—well, we didn’t do much sleeping.

But no one has to know, especially not my brother, until we’re ready to tell them.

“Explain,” he clips.

“You saw the nasty shit I was taking over the whole mess with the wardrobe malfunction, and then Jason posted a series of videos bashing me, claiming he and I were never together. He even posted pictures with another woman to make people think she’s been his girlfriend this whole time and not me.”

He scoffs. “Pathetic.”

“Even so, it was all so humiliating, but I couldn’t let him take away all that I’ve built. He might’ve gained a host of new followers because of me, but I couldn’t let him win. I needed an announcement that was a lot juicier than anything Jason was spewing.”

“The fucking prick,” Teddy grinds out.

I reach for a banana from the fruit bowl as I continue. “So, Xander offered to stand in as my boyfriend, and in turn, he’s already gained several new followers himself. I suspect my merchandise sales will be back up in no time too. As you might’ve noticed, neither of our reputations were exactly glowing a week ago, and we turned it around.” Silence answers me, and I check to make sure he’s still on the line. “Teddy?”

“There’s really nothing going on between you two?” he asks, the hesitation in his voice heavy.

His question might as well be sitting on my chest like an anchor.

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