If this doesn’t get me views, nothing will. And right now, I need them like air.
Glimmer and Glow officially dropped me as an ambassador after I bailed on the Bali trip. I should’ve seen it coming, but it still stings.
My numbers are tanking. I need this date to feel like proof I can still exist.
I still don’t fully understand why Mom can’t bring herself to visit Dad. But I’m starting to realize that there are parts of her I’ll never understand.
She’s lived a different life than I have. Made different choices. Has a different way of dealing with things.
I may not agree with it, but I can at least try to give her space to figure it out. I can set an example. I can encourage.
I can stop being so angry about it.
Still working on that last one.
"We’ll call the guy… Heath to protect his identity," I continue, smoothing primer onto my skin. "Heath and I dated in high school for a year. He was on the volleyball team, and I was… not at all athletic."
I reach for a brush, debating whether or not to include the part where he cheated on me.
"And then he cheated on her with some cheerleader," a voice interrupts from behind me.
My eye twitches as I whip around.
Brooks leans in the doorway, arms crossed, grin already set. He doesn't wait for an invitation, he just slides onto my bed like he owns the place.
I exhale slowly. "Ever heard of knocking?"
"Ever heard of locking?" he shoots back.
I glare at him through the mirror before turning back to my camera. "Sorry about that, guys. Let’s move on."
"So," Brooks annoyingly continues, "you’re seriously going on a date with Holden?" He says the name like it personally offends him.
"Not that it’s any of your business," I say sweetly, "but yes. Now, kindly get out before I start throwing things."
He ignores me. "Let me get this straight. You’re going on a date with a guy who slept with—"
"Kissed," I correct through gritted teeth. "It was just a kiss."
Brooks tilts his head, mock-thoughtful. "Oh, right. And you know this because you were there?"
I glare. "What do you want?"
He shrugs, completely unbothered. "Where is your little date night happening."
I grab my mascara, focusing very hard on the tiny mirror instead of his stupidly attractive, infuriatingly smug face. "I don’t know. Holden’s picking me up at seven. He said it’s a surprise."
Brooks snorts. "That sounds ominous."
I roll my eyes. "What’s your problem with him?"
Brooks scoffs like it should be obvious. "I don’t trust a guy who couldn’t land a residency anywhere but the local hospital. And that’s only because his daddy pulled some strings."
I frown, pausing mid-swipe. "Holden said he wanted to be close to home since his sister is having twins."
Brooks raises an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And he also said it was just a kiss. Funny how that guy can’t seem to keep a single story straight."
I turn, pointing toward the door. "Get. Out."
