Page 90 of Y'allywood Billionaire

I rub my temple. “Christ.” I keep hitting redial, but all my calls to Skye go unanswered. Of course they do. She’s naked and without her phone.

I have to find a way to get there.

After Maddox and I search alternative routes, we find that they’re all blocked. It’s impossible to get to that damn nude beach.

Maddox’s phone buzzes, and he checks it. His mouth curves when he looks at me. “I can get you there. Let’s go to my dad’s house. He called his chopper in.”

I grab Maddox’s arm. “He’s a godsend. Please tell him thank you. From the bottom of my heart.”

We race to Billy’s, my head spinning, and I hope I can say something to the crowd that gets the roads cleared. This is a dangerous situation.

We roll into Billy’s estate, and by the time Maddox parks the car, the chopper lands on Billy’s roof. “Great. It’s here. Lets go,” Maddox says.

I’m definitely not going to argue. And Skye is getting her wish: Maddox and I are going on a helicopter ride. A little late. And a little less romantic than she’d envisioned. But when Skye wants it, shealwaysgets it.

And I’m starting to believe she actually has some supernatural pull with the universe.

We rush to Billy’s rooftop landing pad, and we climb into the chopper. I break out in an instant sweat, and I remember the problem I had on the cliff. How is that going to be up in the air?

Good God.

But I have to do this. And the old Riley would love every second of it. It’s time to be the old Riley. We strap ourselves into the seats in the back, and the pilot turns and says, “Ready for your ride?”

“I’m always ready.” Maddox squeezes my hand. “Riley?”

“I’m ready,” I say, because I am. I have to be.

We’re up in the air before I know it, and the view sucks the breath from my chest. The Buckhead skyscrapers fade in the distance below us. Soon, we’re over strips of green and groves oftreetops. The world seems entirely different from this view—so peaceful and pretty.

“How are you, Rook?”

I flash Maddox a smile. “I’m good. Really good. This is incredible.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

When we get close to St. Sebastian, the coast is in view, and the blue goes on to infinity. The trees become larger as we descend, and they have part of the beach roped off so we can land.

When we touch ground, fans and reporters surround the chopper, and we prepare to make a statement.

Maddox stands at the top of the steps, yelling so people can hear. “Thank you, to everyone who’s here to show your support. We’re so grateful.”

“We want to hear from Riley!” a woman’s voice calls out.

I step by his side, clothed and ready to address the crowd. “Hi, everyone. It means the world to me that you’re here. Because I know you’re not just supporting me, but people everywhere who have been shamed and bullied online. It’s an epidemic: suicide rates are up. Mental health issues are at an all-time high. This isn’t going away, and it’s time we fight back.”

The crowd roars. It feels amazing to be using my platform for something bigger than myself. I have the full attention of the people, and for once, it’s not about what I’m wearing, how good or bad my acting is, or who I’m having sex with.

I inhale, empowered. “That said, we have to keep this march peaceful, and we have to abide by the laws. Please, everyone, let’s not undermine our cause by hurting anyone. And right now, there are so many cars that the roads are blocked. Ambulances can’t get through. People can’t get to their families. I couldn’t have gotten here if the very kind and generous Billy Road hadn’t arranged my air transport. Please. We’ve made a big statementtoday, but it’s time to go home and get to work. I’m seeking out funding to kick off an organization for victims of cyberbullying.”

More cheers.

“We’re going to make a change—I believe in us. Thank you, everyone.” I wave.

Maddox steps to my side. “I have something to add. So many things went wrong with Riley when she started working on the set ofUrban Dawn. She’s not only been treated poorly by the press but by Bingeflix studios, too. But of course, Riley took that adversity and made it into an opportunity to raise awareness of this critical and life-threatening issue. I support her one hundred percent, and I resigned from the show two weeks ago. I can’t be a part of something that’s not doing the right thing for her and everyone. And to demonstrate I stand with you wholeheartedly, let me join you.“ Then Maddox strips bare.

The crowd erupts in roars, cameras snap, and reporters bust into questions.

It’s all so unbelievable, and my heart is bursting, but all we can do is wave, get back on our helicopter, and sit tight as we take off.

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