I try to laugh. “What, you think I don’t want you to be happy?”
The look he gives me is answer enough.
“Well, you’re wrong. I’m happy for you.”
But as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know they’re a lie. Kenny’s right. I’ve imagined the moment Kenny or Ripper came and told me they’d found someone they were serious about, and it wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Ginny was supposed to be beside me, hugging and congratulating them because she was always better at the emotional stuff. Now she’s gone, but the moment is still happening. It’s like I’m caught in an alternate reality I need to escape from.
What does it mean to be happy now—that Ginny wasn’t necessary? That it’s possible, even easy, to live without her?
The way Kenny’s looking at me says I’m the problem.
“You okay?” he asks, and the sudden bark of his voice through the mic makes me jerk back, knocking my glass offthe console. It shatters on the floor, a mess of shards, peaty-smelling whiskey, and melting ice.
“Shit.” I hear Kenny scramble to his feet.
But I just stare at the mess.
I think Theo might be right, those things he shouted at me in Vegas. I think there might be something really wrong with me.
Chapter 29
Now
Excerpt from Instagram Live hosted by user @sashatheepopprincess, 12M followers, on Monday, July 8, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. (225K people viewing)
A beautiful woman sits in front of a camera. She has long, strawberry-colored hair with bright-pink extensions. Her full lips are overlined with pink lip pencil, her wide green eyes framed by lash extensions. She wears a lavender bandage dress. The low-cut top reveals two blue gemstones tattooed on her pale chest, one on each breast. A diamond necklace dangles from her neck, the glittering letters spelling out S-A-S-H-A. Behind her is an opulent marble kitchen.
Sasha waves to the camera.“What’s up, Diamond Army? You know I had to pop on here to get you riled about my album drop. You hoes better make this the biggest release of the year. I swear to God, Diamond Army better represent.”
Fire emojis shoot up the side of the screen.
She snaps her fingers, revealing long, lavender fingernails that end in
sharp points.“Now what do you wanna know about this album? Give me
all your burning questions. AMA, bitches.”
@diamondarmyqueen:SASHA WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sasha snorts.“Not a question but appreciate the love, momma. Next.”
@ruffrider23:Sash u always got the most fire collabs girl. Who’s on this album?
Sasha clicks her long fingernails on the countertop.“You know your girl don’t play. Everyone’s begging to do a track on a Pop Princess album. This one’s got collabs that’ll make you sick. I’m talking Odesza, Ice Spice, Jack Harlow. And I got this rock ’n’ roller that’ll blow your minds. Keeping that one a secret, you’ll have to buy to find out.”
A flurry of heart emojis explode.
@toohot2handlebtchzz:omg is it Hannah Cortland?
@carrielovellteach:I will die if it’s Hannah Cortland
@marybrown1999:Stfu if it’s a Hannah and Sasha joint I will be deceased
@itsmissdiamondarmy2you:Hannah Hannah Hannah
Sasha grabs her camera from the tripod and squints at it.“Now why y’all blowin’ up these comments talking about Hannah Cortland? Y’all . . . ”
She shakes her head, then sits back and twirls a strand of silky hair around her finger.“Let me say this. That bitch acts like she invented sadness. On all these stages mopin’ around, cryin’ and shit. Is that really what y’all want to pay your hard-earned money to see? Some skinny little blond girl acting like she’s trying to win an Oscar for most dramatic performance? Bitch, go back to the OC!”
