“And it’s about what would have happened if we’d ended up together.”
That shuts me up.
“Woman,” I say, shaking my head. “You?—”
I set the book down and kiss her. It’s one of thoseswoop her back and kiss her until she’s limp as a noodlekind of kisses. When I lift her upright, she fans her face and dries her eyes.
“I didn’t think anyone would read it, but it blew up…practically overnight. It went to number one in the whole Amazon store, and a few months later, it hit theUSA Todaylist. I have an agent. Book two is coming out in a couple of months…”
With each new statement she says, I have a physical reaction. My fist is at my mouth, I put my hands on my head, I have to lower them to my knees…I’m a mess.
“Fuck.Me!” I yell. “You’ve become a bestselling author overnight and you haven’t told a soul? How do you sleep at night with news like that roaming around in there?”
I wave my hand around her head and she bites her lower lip, grinning so big.
“Wait…so what was that phone call?” I ask.
“I’ve worked really hard to keep it a secret…obviously. My parents are going to flip, Rhodes. It’s one thing to disappoint them with the skimpy cheerleading outfits and sexy dances, but this book…it’s where all of my hopes and dreams and pent-up sexual frustration went. I started writing it when Carrie was pregnant with Levi and I’d write every night for weeks and then it would be too hard to deal with reality, so I’d set it aside. Carrie’s even in there…as Sabrina.” She puts her head in her hands. “She’s going to find out,” she groans. “The people from church…everyone in town.If they don’t already know.” She groans again. “So, Calista found out because she’d emailed asking Zoey to do a signing at Twinkle Tales, and when I responded, I did it through my iCloud email from my phone. That was her on the phone, and apparently she wasn’t the only one I made the same mistake with that day. I also emailed an influencer who wanted to have me on her podcast and she put two and two together. I’m sure the two of us blowing up online helped because it’s all over the place now, and just a matter of time before everyone knows.”
“You don’t need to worry about what anyone thinks. It’s your work and I’d be proud of it no matter what, but for it to be so successful—that’s huge, Elle. You should tell the whole world with pride.”
“I should’ve asked permission to use your last name,” she says.
“Are you kidding? That’s my favorite part.”
I back her into the wall and lift her arms over her head. Her tits jut out and I thrust into her, wishing we were naked right now, but her leggings are the next best thing.
“Are you gonna read the book to me now?” I ask, my voice raspy.
“Hell, no,” she says.
“Oh, I think you are,” I tell her, kissing down her neck. “I think you need to read me every word to make up for the fact that you wrote a goddamn book and became a fucking sensation without letting me know!”
I must have yelled the last part because my parents and Levi come charging into the room just as I’m hiking Elle’s leg over my hip.
“What’s all the commotion? So much yelling going on! We were too curious,” my mom says.
If she’s flustered about seeing us making out, she doesn’t show it. Amara knows how to keep her cool.
I go to the box of books and open it, taking two out and handing them to my parents.
I nod at Elle likecome on, let it out, baby.
“I wrote that book,” Elle says softly.
My mom does know how to lose her cool after all. “What?” she gasps.
When Elle nods, my mom starts dancing around the office and goes over to hug Elle, squealing.
My dad goes over to hug her too. “This is amazing, Elle. Congratulations.” He holds it up, studying it proudly, and shakes his head. “Wow. Just incredible.”
“I’ve seen this book all over the place!” Mama says. She points at the last name. “This is what caught my eye.” And then it’s all smug struts. “Mm-hmm, look at that. That’s our girl.” She looks at me and points. “Andyoubetter go ahead and make it official.”
“Mama!” I say, laughing.
Elle’s cheeks turn bright red, but I just grin.
I’m so ready to marry this girl.
