Page 76 of Y'allywood Billionaire

“Right,” I blurt out automatically. I can’t think because my brain is frozen in shock. I swallow hard, falling back to the speech I’ve practiced. I gave this a lot of thought, and I can’t let Maddox and the rest ofUrban Dawnlose their jobs. Everyone has been pining to make me the enemy from the beginning, so I’ll give them what they want: a scapegoat. “So, with that said, I know many of you will want to embargoUrban Dawn,but it’s important you know that none of the show’s cast and crew members know about what we did, and they are not at fault. Please don’t punish them for something that was my idea. I’m sending my deepest, heartfelt apologies to you, my fans, and my friends and family.”

I stop speaking, but Maddox doesn’t take over. When I glance at him, his eyes are wide, and he’s pale. He says, “Wow. Riley, you always surprise me. That’s one of the best things about you.” He nods, resolute. “But it wasn’t your idea. I won’t let you take the blame for this. It wasmyidea.”

My heart would skip a beat, probably, if it weren’t dead and blackened. With the shock wearing off, my gut is roiling withfury, and I’m not sure I’ve ever been so hurt by a man. Screw it. Screw it all.

Surprised, heart, and anger emojis are floating up the screen in packs, and users are logging in so fast, the number looks like a spinning dial.

When I see the look on Maddox’s face, I realize that he’s about to do something big. He just took the blame and now—

Oh, no! He might be about to quit the show.

Maddox says, “And since this was all my idea, I should be the one to face consequences. I’ll be leaving—“

I interrupt, “Thank you, Maddox. And thank you all for listening. Have a good night.” I turn off the camera, making sure the recording light is off and close the screen. Then I look at Maddox. “Don’t do it. Don’t quit. Think of the cast and crew and their families. The show will go on without me. Hell, it did last year. But it won’t without you.”

“God, Riley. You meaneverythingto me,“ Maddox grounds out. “Why won’t you let me help you?”

With anger boiling inside me, I grit, “Because I don’t need your help.” I shake my head furiously. “I just don’t get it. An hour ago, you told me you loved me.”

“I do.” He looks at me like I’ve lost it. “I absolutely love you. But as far as being together, nothing has changed. Your life is still going to be a living hell if you’re with me. We’re still going to face all this same bullshit until it beats us into submission. I love you, Riley, but for people like us, that doesn’t mean we can run away into the sunset together. I wish to God it were different, but that’s just reality.”

“Right. How could I have been so ridiculous to believe you loving me meant you’d stay with me?”

“I’m sorry.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “I mean, what else are we supposed to do?”

“‘We?’” I scowl at him with fury in my eyes. “There’s no ‘we.’ You just said so. So, you figure out your life, and I’ll figure out mine.”

I stand and step toward the door, turning back to say, “I guess this is for the best. You don’t want kids, and that’s a deal-breaker for me. And even if you did, I’d want my children to have a father who fights for the important things in life.”

I walk out of the room.

25

Ousted

When I get home, I see a pink note taped to my door.

My stomach plummets.

I rush up to it mumbling, “No, no, no.”

I pluck it, reading the big bold words that say, “Eviction notice.” With tears welling in my eyes, I scan the rest of the document, but I already know what it says. I’m not allowed to have a dog in this building, and I’ve had one, which, according to this, means I’m violating code seven, rule two of my rental agreement.

I have thirty days to get out.

Ilovethis apartment. It’s got private tree-filled views, and it’s the first place I rented with my own money, with no help from my parents. And I have everything just the way I wanted it.

I take Farmer for a walk, and in the hallway, I pass the super who scowls at me. At least I know who ratted me out.

Out of habit, I check my silenced phone to see I have thirty-one missed calls and so many text message notifications that I have to doom scroll down to see the entire list. Maddox, Smith, Skye, Sophie, Eva, West, my parents, and people I haven’tspoken to for years. Random numbers, probably one from the CEO of Bingeflix.

I jam the phone in my pocket as I finish the walk. My brain is in so much of a fog, it’s hard to think. I know what’s to come is very bad, but right now, I feel nothing. I’m going through the motions, walking Farmer and staring ahead, blank.

When we arrive home, I get ready for bed before I remember to check my phone again. Now, it’s fifty-two missed calls, text messages from practically everyone, and a notification that my voicemail is full.

I throw the phone down on the bed before I dive, face first, into my pillow. I see the screen light up, and it’s Maddox calling.Again. He’s the last person I want to talk to. I flip the phone over and close my eyes, not bothering to get under the covers.

I take the ring off my left ring finger, happy to take the thing off. I carefully place it in a case before putting it in my jewelry box. Then I flop into bed.

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