“He’s right,” Riven says, moving to stand next to Leila and pressing a kiss on her head. “Honestly, we don’t want you disappearing on us. If you’re in our home, at least we’ll get to see you during the off-season.”
Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes, and I hate it. I hate being emotional.
“Okay, but I’m cooking for you guys when you’re home at least twice a week,” I say, blinking rapidly to get rid of the tears. “And I’m babysitting the twins so you and Leila can have adult time. That’s non-negotiable.”
“Done,” Jagger says, pulling me into a hug. He smells like sweat and hockey, and it’s weirdly comforting.
“It’s good to be going home,” I confess in a whisper.
Chapter Two
Abby
I’m three shots of tequila deep and feeling invincible. It’s great to be home.
I adjust the ring light and camera one more time, making sure it captures the perfect angle of the staircase. The leather Catwoman outfit hugs my body like a second skin, and frankly, I look fucking hot.
“Okay,” I mutter to myself, humming the opening notes of “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. This is going to be epic content for View4U.
Grabbing the bottle of lube, I slather a generous amount of the liquid along the banister. I pull down the only glow mask I could find at short notice. It emits an eerie white light, adding to the scene, and the voice modulator is a nice touch. Finally, I settle onto the wooden railing at the top of the stairs, making sure my body is angled so I don’t fall back and crack open my skull.
At my command, Alexa plays the song I’ve been humming, and my voice rings out. With a wiggle of my butt, I slide down the banister, but the lube works better than I anticipated and I’m moving faster than I planned.
I continue singing, my voice climbing higher and higher as the railing sends me flying faster and faster. This isn’t at all how I pictured my first View4U clip turning out. I speed down the railing and my song turns into a scream just before my ass hits the bottom of the staircase.
The impact knocks the wind out of me, and then I moan loudly in pain. It’s highly possible I just broke my ass.
For a moment, I lie there, stunned, my glow mask half hanging off my face and my Catwoman outfit now twisted awkwardly around my body.
Laughter echoes around me.
It has me pushing myself upright, ready to fight whoever has broken into this fortress—maybe I forgot to set the alarm. I turn my head, my eyes still adjusting, to see Landon and Levi looking down at me.
My stomach drops.
“Oh my god,” Levi wheezes, doubling over with laughter. “Please tell me you got that on camera. You looked like a superhero who was completely wasted and had no coordination.”
I stare at them, my brain struggling to process what’s happening right now.
They’re here... Why the fuck are they here?
I thought I made it clear all those years ago that I never wanted to see their stupid faces ever again. “What the hell are you two doing here?” I demand, glaring at them. “Leila didn’t tell me you were coming.”
Landon’s eyes scan me for injuries, but Levi is still laughing like this is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to him. “Areyou okay?” Landon asks, taking a step toward me. “That was quite a fall.”
“I’m fine,” I snap, more annoyed at their presence than anything else. My eyes narrow as I look between them. “And you still haven’t answered my question. Why the fuck are you here?”
Landon offers me his hand, but I slap it away. I don’t need his help, and I can’t believe their audacity in coming here. Not only did they cheat on me with the skank they call an agent, but they threw me away as if I was nothing. But I was in love with them, and it broke my heart. Then everything fell apart, and I gave up on college.
I push myself up and pull the mask off my face.
“Leila didn’t tell you we were staying here for a few weeks until our renovations are done?”
“Do you really think I would be here if she did?” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest. “I thought you were in Willow Grove.”
“Good news, baby, we’re back. We were traded to the Cyclones,” Levi says, as if we’re old friends.
“Don’t call me baby, and I couldn’t care less what team you play for. Now excuse me, I have a bone to pick with your sister.”
