Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 129110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
"It's fine," she shrugs, realizing she opened a can of worms.
I grit my teeth.
"I mean you gotta feel a little bad for the guy. Living in fear that your personal stories are going to be shared with the entire world."
"Feel bad for him?" I gasp.
"Well, yeah. It must suck."
I scowl.
Poor Asher, right?
"Don't you think it's a little weird that this appeared on your doorstep?" I narrow my gaze as my phone dings. As she thinks it over I fish my cell out of my pocket.
"Oh my god." I drop it.
"What?" She jumps to my side.
"It's Travis. He got one too."
"No!"
"Now he wants to meet tomorrow and discuss it."
"Did you tell him about Asher?"
"No! I don’t even talk to him anymore!"
This has gone too far - going after everyone who is or was in my life.
"Okay, I changed my mind," Jess shakes her head. "I'm definitely not signing this and it's officially weird."
We exchange a look.
"It is weird, right?"
"Yeah, especially if you didn't know about it." She tosses the papers to the side.
"Asher never said anything."
"Maybe it wasn't his doing?"
"I mean, maybe," I shrug. "It's like I'm dating two different people."
"I wonder if it's because you haven't signed anything."
"What do you mean?"
"You didn't sign what they wanted you to. Your relationship is clearly progressing, so now they're getting everyone around you to sign something instead. They're putting you in a corner. This way, anyone you mention Asher to can't say shit."
For some reason this only makes me more mad.
"I don't think it's Asher's fault though," she defends.
"Maybe not directly, if he really doesn't know about this, but indirectly isn't it just as bad? He plays right into this contrived life."
"True," she sighs. "Still, I wonder if it makes him feel bad that you haven't signed."
"Really?" I gape. "I'm not some transaction."
"No one thinks you are."
"I can name a good amount of people that do."
"But he doesn't."
"Honestly, I don't know what he thinks anymore, and just when I do, I'm wrong."
"Oh, Elle."
I shrug. "I'm torn. I imagine he feels it too, but he just... lets it happen. I don't know if he doesn't see it, or if he's so used to it already it doesn't matter. Everything is designed for him to maintain a certain look, and for every one of his people to keep their pockets padded. Conquests and fake relationships. There's always a purpose to everything... until I came along."
"What do you mean?"
"On paper there's no reason why Asher in his right mind would be with me, and everyone knows it. I don't fit into his story."
Jess frowns.
So do I.
"So different than we ever thought, huh?" She pats my shoulder.
"It's crazy how in high school we were so stupid about this stuff, thinking it was all... I don't even know, sparkles and roses?" I let out a low laugh. "Teenage girls fall right into it like little pawns, and we were no different. Only now I know there's a whole string of people and lies that surround him. They build this fake universe that appeal to people like me because no one expects someone like me to actually get in. I don't fit and I'm starting to think no one is going to stop until they're sure I'm gone."
"But what about Asher?"
"That's just it. When he's not this sex icon or whatever he's the best person. He's funny and smart, caring and kind... the absolute greatest, and so sweet."
"Then you're sabotaging yourself based on the perceptions of people who don't matter."
"I don't need to. They already clearly have a head start on making sure things don't work out between us. I make their lives a living hell just by being his girlfriend. I ruined their plans, and if it gets out that he's in an actual relationship I ruin his image too. How can we have a future based on that?"
"But deep down there are real feelings and you know it. The first good thing to come your way and you're intent on ruining it just because it's difficult."
"It's more than a little difficult," I correct. "Am I supposed to spend my entire life indoors hiding?"
"Do you think if you signed what they want that could change?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like if you sign the agreement it will get them to back off. Maybe they're scared that if you are found out there's nothing backing them up so any news outlet and their mother could come to you."
"I dunno. I don't think so. I think the agreement is more along the lines to ensure we remain hidden and if we don't I'm to blame, there are consequences, and he walks away freely."
"I mean look at it this way. Would you sign a marriage license? Or a pre-nup? It's really no different."
"Oh my god it's totally different. The first draft I ever glanced at had a specific relationship end date. Like he can't be photographed with the same woman more than three times unless it's during relevant movie or music promo. Transaction."