I wake up to my phone blowing up. And I wish that was literal. I decided that the mature, rational adult thing to do about this topless, side-boob incident was to ignore it. So, I’ve been screening Kitt’s and Dad’s calls. Even Will, Jimmy, and Milo have tried to get in touch. Cooper just sent me a picture of himself with my photo. He looked so happy.
The ringing cuts off, and I sag in relief. Of course I know I can’t put it off forever, and they’re due home from the States tomorrow, but I’m a massive baby.
I throw my luxurious duck-feather quilt off and get out of bed. Jennifer buys the best of everything because she wants people to know she has the best of everything. The quilt is comfy as hell but creepy as fuck.
Arching my back, I stretch out the kinks, and my bloody phone starts up again. On a sigh, I pick it up. Kitt’s name flashes across the screen. I gulp, and my hands start to shake. I’m going to answer and hear his voice for the first time since we broke up.
You can do it.
“Hello?” I say, trying to keep the pain from my voice.
“Are you okay, Tex?” He’s breathless, worried.
“I’m fine, Kitt.”
“Vogue?”
“You read Vogue?”
“Internet, Texas,” he replies dryly. “Your pictures are everywhere. I read the article from there.”
“Oh.” Fucking Internet. “Yeah, well, I was watching Jennifer’s shoot, and she wanted a couple with me. Turns out, they liked our pictures.” I like our pictures.
“Right.” He clears his throat. “Was it also her idea for you to take off your top?”
“Don’t blame her, Kitt. It was my choice. Mine.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Choice—as in, choosing from one or more options.”
“I know what it fucking means!” he snaps. “What the hell are you doing? You shouldn’t have left. I knew something like this was going to happen. Well, not like this because I never thought you’d do something like that!”
My hands shake for a different reason. “Excuse me? What do you mean by, something like that? Like what exactly?”
“Oh, come on, you have to admit, this isn’t you!”
“Actually, I think you’ll find it is me. I’ve changed, Kitt, grown up. I make my decisions, and I don’t have to justify them to anyone. In fact, put my dad on while I’m at it.”
Oh God, what are you doing?
Who knew I had so much conviction in my actions, and…well, balls?
“Texas…” His voice changes. He’s no longer angry. I’m sure he is, but he’s not showing it. “Look, I’m worried, babe. You break up with—” He can’t say it, and that kills me. “You go home, and now, you’re doing topless shoots. I don’t get it.”
“I went with Jennifer to her shoots, and on the second one, she asked if I’d like to have a go. I did, and you know what? I liked it. It was my decision to take my top off. She told me if I said the word, she’d get me out of there. I wasn’t forced.”
“No one made you?”
“No. I’ve been working some things out while I’ve been here. Jennifer and I are in a good place. I’ve been doing a lot more for myself even though I’m still staying with her. I’ve realised what I like, what I want to pursue.”
“Modelling?”
“Yeah. I’ve been asked to do more. Jennifer is speaking to…people. I don’t know. I’m good at it.”
He chuckles low in his throat, and it’s like music. My God, I have missed that.
“Yes, you are good at it.”
“You like the photos?”
“I love the photos.”
I can feel my heart melting. I was supposed to stay strong, not let him back in.
Who are you kidding? You never managed to get him out.
“Is my dad mad?”
“He’s been very quiet.”
“Shit.”
Kitt laughs. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Texas?” Dad’s voice in the background makes me cringe. He’s going to want to talk to me.
I take a deep breath and then another. This will probably go a lot better over the phone.
“Er, yeah, she’s here,” Kitt replies to Dad.
“Does he want to talk to me?” I ask.
“Texas, are you okay?” Dad asks. He must have snatched the phone from Kitt.
“Hey, Dad. I’m doing great. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
Silence stretches for long seconds, and he finally clears his throat. “I don’t know what to say, Texas.”
“Nothing. You don’t have to say a thing. I’m happy, Dad.”
“We’ll talk about this tomorrow. I’ll come to Jennifer’s. There are things I need to discuss with her, too.”
That sounds like fun. Not.
“All right, we’ll be home.”
“Home?” he repeats in a low voice.
My heart takes a nosedive. “Not home, home. Her home.”
“See you tomorrow, love.”
He hangs up, and apparently, I’m done talking to Kitt as well.
You are definitely done talking for one day.
TEXAS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
NOTTING HILL, ENGLAND