Hell, I should probably get her a plaque.
Or not.
With my luck, she’d open a roadside stand to show it off and never return to work.
But at least I’m not falling behind, so I’m calling it a win. I was up late last night getting chewed out by my brothers—who just realized I’m out of town—and I’d kill for a cup of Kona Gold coffee right now.
I’m dragging ass, and the diner stuff isn’t getting the job done.
That’s because coffee isn’t a substitute for sleep.
A fact I’m learning all too well.
“I’m probably going to regret asking,” I say, pulling out my sunglasses and slipping them on, “but what is a rabbit ranch?”
“Look!” Lucy points to a yellow sign with—you guessed it—a giant rabbit on it. “Hare it is.”
I roll my eyes. I haven’t had nearly enough sleep for animal puns.
We pull into the parking lot of what looks like an old service station, and I can already tell this is going to be one of those attractions I just don’t get.
My first clue?
A sculpture featuring a bunch of rusted-out cars buried nose down in the grass.
How is that even art?
“They’re VW Rabbits,” Lucy says, following my gaze. “Get it?”
I shake my head because I really don’t. “How is this my life?”
She laughs and pushes her door open. “I guess you’re just lucky.”
“Yeah, that must be it.”
I climb out and follow her across the gravel lot to the service station. She starts snapping pics, careful not to miss a single angle.
“Exactly how many gas-station photos does one aspiring influencer need?”
“Precisely three hundred and fifty-eight.” Lucy turns to face me, phone held high. She taps the screen, and the flash nearly blinds me. “Oops!”
I blink, trying to clear the white spots from my vision.
“Sorry about that.” She grins up at me, smiling so hard her eyes crinkle at the corners. “I must’ve turned the flash on by accident.”
Bullshit. I’m not buying that for a second.
The little smartass did it on purpose.
On the upside, if Lucy’s really posting three hundred and fifty-eight pictures of old fuel stations, I doubt I have to worry about her content going viral.
Not that I want her to fail.
I just don’t think being an influencer is a sustainable career choice, especially for someone as smart and talented as Lucy. Because no matter how hard she works, she’ll never be in control of her career. Not when success is reliant on the passing whims of her followers and getting lucky with ever-changing social media algorithms.
She’d be much better off at Triada, where she can grow and develop and showcase her many talents. Where there’s actually opportunity for professional advancement.
If that makes me an asshole, so be it.
