I took dinner out of the oven and switched the TV on while I ate. Ten minutes in, I was full, pushing the plate away and planning what to do with the leftovers. My phone vibrated on the counter, and I mindlessly reached for it.
Bellend: I told you to be a good girl, so why don’t you start by finishing your dinner?
I stared at the words in shock. I could hear the message in Brody’s arrogant, aristocratic tone.
I put the phone down and looked up at the camera. The fucker was watching me?
I raised a middle finger to the camera to test it out.
My phone vibrated again. I picked it up.
Bellend: Getting home late was strike one, cheer captain. Strike two is not finishing your dinner. This is strike three.
I smiled and shook my head as I texted him back.
Me: Strike three? Hmm, what the hell are you going to do about me breaking all your rules when you’re half the world away?
Bellend: It’s not ideal, I appreciate that, but I can keep a tally like no one. You’re running up a debt. Be careful, heathen.
Me: Or you’ll do what?
I caught sight of myself in the mirror over the sideboard that ran along the dining room wall. I was really smiling. I looked like I was having fun. I didn’t know what to think about that.
Bellend: How did your second audition go today?
Me: How did you know about that? Are you stalking me?
Bellend: Yes. How did it go?
I blew out a breath, the memory of reading the lines and losing myself for a sweet, perfect moment filling me. Another smile hit my lips.
Me: It was good. I don’t know if I’ll get anywhere with it, though.
I stared at my phone, and when his message didn’t come back as quickly as before, I figured that he’d lost interest in the conversation. I was about to put my phone down, ignoring the disappointment that hit me, when it rang.
It rang?
Nerves leapt in my gut at the sight of his name on the display. Who the hell called people these days? Maybe it was a pocket dial?
I answered cautiously.
“Keep trying. It’s a new rule.” Brody’s voice was achingly familiar.
I scoffed. “You love your rules, don’t you?”
“As much as you love to break them, I suppose,” he said.
His tone was off. More somber than usual. I hated the fact that I could tell his mood from just a few words.
“What are you in London for, and how long will you be gone?” I asked.
“Why? Missing me already?”
I rolled my eyes at the phone. “More like I’m just wondering how many guys I can manage to invite over while you’re not here. How many parties I can throw, you know.”
“Well, you have a few days, and that’s it,” he murmured. “And I’m in London to see my sister.”
I stared up at the camera, as if I could see him. “You have a sister?”
