“Says the girl who prefers Marvel films over DC,” he teases.
“At least I don’t thinkDie Hardis a Christmas movie,” I retort. Yes, I can talk back too—but I’m his family, so I don’t count.
Out of the corner of my eye, Ali walks by my room and halts in her tracks. “It’s not, Carson. Stop claiming that it is. It will never be a Christmas movie.”
“Nice to see you too, Rios.”
Putting Ali and me in the same room can lead to, according to my brother, complete and utter chaos. See, Ali is the only person in the entire world who matches my energy—she’s as weird and goofy as I am—and I love her like she’s my twin instead of Carson.
“Carly, I have to ask you about something,” Ali tells me. “Are you busy tonight? Like, doing anything that isn’t related to your capstone project?”
I was about to say that I was going to finish editing my capstone project, until I remember I can’t, because all my data is at school, and I don’t feel like driving back this late.
Dread fills my insides. “You’re not setting me up on a double date, are you?”
Ali’s sheepish grin comes into full gear. “Not exactly. See, Vinny and I needed three or more people to reserve a lane at the bowling alley, and we were hoping to bring you and his friend along so that things aren’t entirely awkward.”
I raise a brow. “You mean Vinny’s friend who doesn’t like me?”
“He doesn’t not like you—” She begins to protest before Carson cuts her off.
“Someone doesn’t like Carly?” My brother remarks jokingly. “Someone alert the press.”
Ali narrows her eyes at the computer screen before continuing. “As I was saying—” she clears her throat— “Crew is just very wary of anyone working in the film industry. Besides, it’s just bowling. You still have your bowling ball, right?”
I nod. I do love bowling, and I miss kicking everyone’s asses on the lanes. “As long as you’reactuallyplaying this time.” Though with Vinny around, it’s more likely that she’ll be invested in a game of tonsil hockey.
“Thank you!” She squeezes my shoulders. “We’ll leave at six.”
After she leaves, I move my eyes back to the screen, where I receive an IMAX screening of Carson’s frown lines.
“Did she say Crew?” Carson questions. “As in Crew Shentu?”
I nod, and he visibly winces. Keep in mind, my brother attends USC, the University of Southern California—another university known for enrolling many former child stars—so the last thing he should be feeling is surprise.
However, everyone in my age group knows about Crew Shentu. We practically grew up watching him on screen. Being the son of award-winning actress Teresa Shentu, his name would know no bounds within the industry.
And why he left it remains a mystery.
“Now, I get it.” He runs a hand through his already messy hair. “He’s already jumping the gate with you. What first impression did you give him?”
“Nothing. I swear. Crew just heard about me through Ali and Vinny and already made up his mind.” Just by that alone, he’s already as bad as the gossip tabloids that write about him. What a fucking hypocrite!
Soon enough, he’ll learn that there’s more to Carly Ryder than just her career.
“Well, don’t let a first impression skew your view of him,” Carson reminds me. “Or don’t think about him.”
My fingers find my silver Claddagh ring and twirl it underneath my desk. “Kind of impossible. Ali’s boyfriend is his best friend.”
“And you’re gonna kick their ass at bowling.” He smirks. “You know it.”
I nod, feeling a little lighter now. “Thanks, little Cars.”
We talk for a little longer before he hangs up, and I sit on that advice for a while. Yeah, don’t think too much about Crew’s opinion of me.
It should be easy enough to do for a whole night.
3
