Our heads whip to the tinted store windows. Four preteens just ran into the glass, bouncing on their toes. They scream a variety of names, mine included, and they cup their hands to the window. Trying to peer inside.
I smile.
It’s funny. If I thought it wasn’t, I’d be irritated every minute of every single day. Typically, there’s a line outside of the store until closing, so I’m not surprised people are already here before eight.
“One, two, three,” they all count together before shrieking, “MAXIMOFF HALE!”
My lips stretch wider.
You, as in the four preteens and also the whole world—you all know me as Maximoff Hale. CEO of a nonprofit charity, one-time philosophy major, competitive swimmer, son of a sex addict mother and recovering alcoholic father, and the steadfast older brother to three and cousin to eleven.
You’re obsessed with my perpetual “single” relationship status, and you’ve never seen me publicly date anyone. On occasion that I wasn’t careful enough, you’ve seen photos of me bringing home random girls or guys.
You know I’m not serious about them.
You know they’ll only last one night. Not one damn string attached.
Youdon’tknow really anything about our bodyguards. Like how they exist in our lives as close as family members. It’s their duty to maintain anonymity with the public, and you can’t keep an eye on them orknow themthe way that we do.
So you know nothing about Akara Kitsuwon and the rest of Security Force Omega.
Akara grins at the three girls and one boy who can’t see us, but we can see them flailing excitedly and taking selfies. “This shit never gets old.”
I raise my OJ. “Immortal entertainment.” Two homemade signs smack the window.
I read one:FUCK ME, MAXIMOFF HALE!She looks twelve, pigtail braids and braces.
My jaw muscle tenses. “Just kidding.” That’s not fucking funny. It should go without saying, but I’d never have sex with a preteen or teenager or anyone who looks on the cusp of being that young. Jesus…twelve.I have a sister that age.
I’m not against hooking up with fans. It’s pretty much inevitable, but it has to be a.) consensual and b.) someone of legal age and c.) a one-time thing.
Akara scrutinizes the preteens. “The scary part,” he says, “that shit doesn’t even faze me anymore.” He eyes the lock on the store entrance before returning to his cellphone.
The other sign from her friend:I WANT TO HAVE YOUR BABIES, XANDER HALE!!
Xander is my fourteen-year-old brother.
My shoulders square, but I try to brush that sign off without a long thought. Akara resumes textingagain.I lean forward. Still not able to see his screen.
“Hot date?” I ask.
Akara quickly says, “No.” Then he removes his elbows off the counter. Sitting up. “It’s Sulli.”
Sullivan Meadows.My nineteen-year-old cousin.
“Sulli’s blowing up your phone?” I give him a look. “Didn’t you tell her that you’re with me?” I needed a bodyguard just to drive here and meet anewbodyguard. The irony. I asked Akara if there was anyone available from Omega, and he offered himself.
“I thought she’d be asleep until nine, at least.”
I wait for him to add more.
He stops there.
“Why?” I try not to snap. I swear the whole security team enjoys keeping me out of the loop. I could get twice as much information by just asking my family. But I restrain myself from texting Sulli.
“It doesn’t matter,” he says evasively and eats another bite of bagel while messaging my cousin.
“It does to me. She’smyfamily.” She’s not a part of security. She’s on my side.Famous.
