“You sure you’re okay?”
Letting go, she gives me a playful shove. “I’m better than okay. I have you. Now, go sit down, and stop distracting me, or I’ll never get this cooked to perfection.”
I watch her for a second, looking for any signs of indecision.
There is none. She’s still sure about us. She’s still all in.
TEXAS
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
LONDON, ENGLAND
We’re back in the UK for a week before going to America. I thought I’d feel less stressed here, but the storm surrounding our relationship is raging. It’s pissing me off because I don’t get stressed.
I’d just like to be a regular couple, even for a day.
Kitt is worried because I’m not as chipper as I usually am. I need to regroup and get my fuck it back. I need to hold my middle finger up and say, Sod it.
Easier said than done.
Kitt rolls over on my bed and throws his arm across my waist. That helps. “Are you really kicking me out?”
“Yep,” I reply. “I don’t want you to see me before I’m ready.”
“That’s a stupid idea. I like seeing you before you’re ready.”
Tonight, we’re going to a red-carpet event, a movie premiere, and it’s the first time Kitt and I will be together in public as a couple. It’s time. Maybe once we’ve confirmed what everyone already knows, I’ll do better with not caring.
While I’m with Kitt, I’ll get more attention. It’s always going to happen. So, maybe what I need to do is get used to how it is now. Is this how Peyton felt when she joined the cast, and things got crazy?
“Go, Kitt. Promise, I’ll make it worth it later.”
I watch the struggle in his eyes. He wants to stay, but he wants me to make it up to him.
“What will it be, Daniels?”
He kisses my forehead, rolls over, and catapults himself off the bed. “Until tonight,” he calls over his shoulder.
I laugh and fall back against my bed. Thought so.
Time to get ready.
I’m torn. I want to be me because no one else can do it better, but I want to be what Kitt deserves.
Oh.
No, no.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Fuck the posh dresses. I’m going as me.
And if I ever think like that again, I’m going to stab myself in the head.
Shunning the long-length ball gowns, I slip on my deep red skater dress and black heels. I will be exactly who I am, and I don’t care who doesn’t like it. Let people say I’m not enough or that my clothes aren’t red-carpet worthy. They don’t matter. I have Kitt, and there will be alcohol.
I’ve grown up in the spotlight, but my dad sheltered me from much more than I realised until recently. Now, I’m jumping into it with both feet. There’s no way I can keep as much privacy anymore, not since I’m with the heartthrob lead singer in one of the fastest rising bands.
“Damn it!” I snap, poking my hair in front of the mirror. I’m in the dress I want, but my hair is not going right.
Dad laughs from my doorway.
I frown at his reflection. “What’s so funny?”
“You’re stressing about your appearance, pumpkin. You’re turning into a girl.”
I glare at him and go back to the unruly mop on my head. “This is all your fault. Why did I have to get your stupid hair? Jennifer’s hair is perfect all the time, and mine always looks like I’ve just woken up.”
“You’ve never cared about your hair before, Texas. Why now?”
“Because it won’t pin up properly!”
“And you think Kitt will care what your hair looks like?”
“No…but I do.”
Dad walks into my room with a frown on his face. He pulls my hand away from my hair and gives it a squeeze. “If you care what the whole world thinks, I’ll call a hairdresser in now. If you only care what you think, leave it alone.”
“You’re right,” I reply. Sod the hair. It can be down. I give him a hug. “Thanks, Dad.”
He hugs me back a little harder than usual and kisses my forehead. “Anytime. You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thank you. I don’t really like the whole dress thing.”
“There’s my girl.” He releases me with a smile. “I’m proud of you, Texas.”
“Thank you. I’m proud of you, too. You’re handling this Kitt thing a lot better than I thought. You even gave him a compliment there. He really wouldn’t care what my hair is like.”
“And I’ll keep dealing with it just fine as long as he doesn’t hurt you.”
“He won’t. This is more than what he had with other girls.”