Page 15 of Be My Compass

I could never escape the Jameson shadow and they could never resist the pull to ask. Always with questions. Sharply pointed arrows in the form of innocent curiosity.

What was it like growing up on camera? Are you really friends with that celebrity? Which episode was your favorite?

My teeth clench just thinking about it.

Relationships aren’t for me.

I’ve made peace with that.

And mom knows that.

She’s hitting me where it hurts with this Make It Marriage proposal.

No. Not even a proposal.

She didn’t send any instructions besides the link.

It’s a foregone conclusion in her mind.

“You're still going to go through with it?” Kaelyn’s voice is tight. Her trim eyebrows pull together and form a wrinkle in the middle of her forehead. “You’re still going to fill this out?”

“I’ll think about it.”

She tightens her fingers on the cup. “If you’re doing it because your mom asked—”

“You’re stressing yourself out.”

“You stress me out.” She huffs. Takes another sip. “I hate how they try to control you. It’s disgusting.”

I straighten and nod to the TV. “What is it tonight?”

“Kastle—”

“That’s why I didn’t want to tell you, Kaelyn,” I say quietly.

She’s my escape.

I need her calm so I can feed off that energy.

I need her to breathe so I can breathe.

Her jaw clenches and the tiny muscles in them strain against her dark brown flesh. “Hercules.”

“A musical?”

“Mulan, then,” she grumbles. “That has some fighting.”

“Still a musical.”

“They’re all musicals,” she snaps.

I smirk. “Pizza?”

“Too fatty.” She smacks her stomach that’s all smooth brown skin and lean muscle. “I’m gaining weight.”

“There’s vegetarian pizza.”

“Swear words aren't allowed in this house.” Her lips twitch.

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