At first it seemed cool to be in charge. Living on my own with no curfew, no rules, no one to get in the way of my fun.
But the truth is, I don’t need parents who depend on me.
I need parents I can depend on.
Once again Ezer was right: Dashing Nick Dashaway is just another corporation with a slew of employees, including my family.
When the door closes behind her, I make sure to lock it.
I can’t afford any more intrusions. It’s time to plan my escape.
DECEMBER 24
12 Hours, 32 Minutes, and 2 Seconds till Christmas
NINSLEY
By the next morning Tinsley and I are officially boyfriend and girlfriend.
I learned this via Twitter, where our relationship status is trending.
Depending on which Hollywood blog you read, we are either the most adorable couple on the planet—or the absolute lamest.
There’s even a Twitter account for Tinsley’s ring, with nearly a million followers.
It’s projected to hit five million by the end of the day.
And don’t even get me started on the Facebook fan pages and Tumblrs.
Not to mention that in the short span of time since the episode aired, more than a few of my most ardent fans have sent Tinsley death threats.
Ezer thinks it’s great.
Tinsley too.
All I know for sure is that the fans have renamed us Ninsley, and I’m not sure how I feel about it, other than really, really weird.
I’m sitting by my pool when Ezer comes out to join me. “Nick!” he says. “Great news!”
I don’t even bother to acknowledge him, but it’s not like he notices.
“We did it, kid! It’s official—we hit number one and number two!”
I shrug, unable to fake that I care.
“Hello? Did you hear me? The acoustic version hit number one—the studio version follows at number two! We own the charts, and the ratings went through the roof. Just like I predicted, ‘Someday’ had a million downloads before the credits stopped rolling. The media is in an absolute frenzy. Everyone’s begging for interviews. You have no idea how much money you’re about to make between now and New Year’s Day. And the whole someday-ring scene”—he leans in so close I’m overcome by onion-bagel fumes—“genius. The girls are swooning. They all want to be Tinsley!”
“You mean the ones who aren’t actually threatening to kill her?” I look at Ezer, watching as he dismisses my words with a wave of his hand as though he doesn’t find the threats the least bit disturbing.
“Crackpots, haters, and trolls are all part of the business. Tinsley knows not to take it seriously. She knows I’m looking out for her. She’s also savvy enough to know it’s the first sign of hitting the big time. Success breeds contempt, Nick. Always has, always will. There’s no place for small minds in a big life. You gotta learn to ignore ’em. They’re just sad little people with lives so miserable they project their hate elsewhere rather than taking a good, long look at themselves. The important thing is, at this very moment you and Tinsley are the names on everyone’s lips!”
I lift a hand to shield my eyes from the sun so I can see him better. “Really?” I say. “That’s the important thing?”
Ezer makes a face like he doesn’t have time for my nonsense. “You’ll thank me once you see the amount of money pouring into your bank account. Every time someone downloads your song, a cash register rings and an angel gets his wings!” He laughs at his joke for a lot longer than it warrants.
“Did Tinsley know about the ring?” I ask when he finally reels it in.
His face changes, switching from delighted to not-so-delighted in a handful of seconds. “What’re you implying?”
“Just asking a question I’d really like answered.”
Ezer’s lips jerk to the side. It’s one of his giveaways, and it’s all I need to confirm my worst suspicions about him, about Tinsley, about me.
He rubs a hand over his chin and levels his gaze right on mine. No hiding, no nonsense. Finally. “What do you want me to say, Nick? I thought you understood how this works. If you’re worried I’m going to rush Tinsley down the aisle at thirteen, think again. I wouldn’t even consider it at eighteen, or twenty-one for that matter. So you can breathe easy. You don’t have to marry her, Nick. You don’t even have to see her after the show wraps tonight—other than for your contracted appearances, and of course when we begin filming The Lazy Daze of Dashaway Summer Sizzle. I think we can both agree, the timing works perfectly. Everyone loves a Christmas love story, not to mention a summer romance.”
“And Tinsley’s fine with all this? She’s totally on board with pretending to like me and kiss me for the sake of the cameras?” For some reason the question sets me on edge. I guess because I’m not sure I’m ready for the answer.