Page 2 of Daddy's Obsession
“After your little stunt last night, we decided it would be best for you to go onLive Dailyand talk about the situation.”
I blink in confusion, trying to figure out what I did. “I… what stunt?”
My stepmother lets out a long-suffering sigh. “The pictures of your frowning face are everywhere. We need people to see you happy and smiling. You need to do damage control. They are going to talk about Steve and you’re going to tell them you’re not concerned, and then they are going to ask about Brent. You’ll tell them that you hope to one day reconcile when he’s done sowing his wild oats.”
I scoff at that. “Mom. I’m not going to lie. Brent would love nothing more than to have some sort of claim on me and I’m not doing it.”
“Why do you have to be so damn difficult?”
I flop back in bed. “I’m sorry, Mom. It’s just not a good idea to say anything that would lead him on.”
“Fine, then I want you to be tearful over his betrayal. No crying though, you’re ugly when you cry.”
I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve heard that. Showing emotion is only acceptable if it’s done prettily. Frowns are not acceptable. Tears are not acceptable. Anger is a big no-no. Perfect smiles and serene expressions, always.
“Yes, Bridgette.” I know it’s wrong, but I get a little joy in knowing how much she hates when I call her that. Before she pushed me into modeling, she insisted I call her by her first name; once the cameras were turned to us, she demanded I call her ‘Mom.’ Being the perfect picture of a doting mom is hard to do when you won’t let your kid call you anything but your first name.
“The car will be there in fifteen minutes. Don’t dawdle.” She hangs up before I can respond.
I check my phone for messages and see one from my brother. A genuine smile spreads across my lips for the first time in I don’t know how long… probably the last time he called.
I sawthat fucker got out. Sending Gage.
Don’t trust those assholes to keep you safe.
Love ya, itty. Call if you need me.
Gage Buchanan.My brother’s best friend. I was only sixteen when my brother enlisted in the army. He has always been my protector and best friend. It broke my heart when he left but I understood. After Dad died, Bridgette became impossible. She pushed me into modeling, pulling us both out of school. Andrew resented every minute of it. He was the youngest to ever be starting quarterback for the varsity football team. Scouts were already sizing him up and making offers. He was set to go pro straight out of high school, and Bridgette ruined his chances.
The military has been good for him and he loves it. He came home on leave for my eighteenth birthday party—Andrew never misses a birthday—with Gage in tow. I had an instant crush on my brother’s friend, but he made it more than clear that he thought I was just a dumb kid. Like the rest of the world, he saw my pretty face and made assumptions. People brush me off as being ditzy or shallow or vain or all of the above. I’m none of those things.
I’ve only seen Gage one other time, when he came with Andrew to my twenty-first birthday party. A little thrill of excitement goes through me remembering that night and my very first kiss. Andrew wanted me to live it up for my twenty-first, so he dressed me in a disguise and took me to a club. Gage joined us shortly after. We drank and danced, and when my brother slipped away with a girl, Gage stayed close.
I’m not sure who initiated the kiss. One second we were dancing and the next his mouth was on mine. The kiss wasn’t a slow and sweet one like I always imagined my first kiss would be. Gage plundered with hungry fervor. When we broke apart, panting for breath, the heated look in Gage’s eyes bled away into disgust. He left me standing in the middle of the dance floor and I haven’t seen him since.
I’m not sure how I feel about having Gage here. Two years ago, he left the army and opened a personal security business. He’s made a name for himself, and from what Andrew has told me, he’s the best in the business. It’s not a huge surprise that Andrew would send Gage since he can’t be here himself, but I can only imagine the situation is going to be extremely awkward.
Wish you were here,bubs. Love you.
Ten minutes later,I’m showered and dressed in black skinny jeans and a blousy white shirt. I slip into a pair of heels. I’m distractedly shoving my phone in my purse as I walk into the main area of my hotel room and slam into a wall. Before I can fall to my butt, two strong arms grab me.
Panic floods my system and I shriek, yanking away from the grip. I flail around desperate to get away.
“Easy.”
“Gage?”
“That’s right, princess. You’re okay. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
All of the tension leaches out of my body and I sink into his hold. I should probably be questioning how he got into my room but with his strong arms around me, I can’t find it in me to care how. Bad Estella. Quit perving on your brother’s best friend. It’ll only end in disappointment; my twenty-first birthday should act as a cautionary tale when it comes to anything Gage-related, but my idiot body seems to have a mind of its own. I take a steadying breath, then reluctantly pull away.
“Sorry about that. I guess I’m a little on edge.” I force my perfectly practiced smile in place.
Gage frowns. “That’s understandable. I’d be worried if you weren’t on edge, considering.”
A knock on the door causes me to jump.Jesus.I need to get it together. I move to answer the door, but Gage pushes me behind him. “Stay here.”
“It’s just my driver.”