Page 66 of The Wreckage Of Us


Font Size:

"She's so fluffy!" I giggled, rolling onto my back. "And soft and wiggly and fluffy!"

"You're so high on freedom right now," Jasper chuckled, ruffling my hair.

I looked up at him, grinning. "I am! And you know what I can't wait for? Corinne. Oh Jasper, I can't wait to see her again. She's in North Carolina with her kids, but she's my best friend now. Did I tell you? We're best friends."

"You did tell me. About twelve times since we left the clinic." Jasper laughed softly.

"I'm serious." I sat up, cross-legged on the bed, tugging Tulip into my lap. "She helped me so much. Like, when I wanted to purge or when my mind got fuzzy, she'd just... sit with me. She didn't judge me or push me to 'get better' faster. She just... stayed. And I don't think I've ever had a friend like that."

Jasper shook his head, laughing as he tossed a shirt into the closet.

"She's good for you, Brits."

Jasper's expression softened, his eyes glinting with something like pride.

"I'm glad you found someone like that, Brit."

Chapter 25

Brittany

The next morning, as sunlight streamed through the curtains, I sat on the couch, legs bouncing, flipping through a magazine when my phone buzzed. Jasper sat on the edge of the bed, his face softening.

I have been talking about Corine's trauma and asshole husband and her cute kids for hours.

“She’s been amazing. And now you’re amazing. And—well, speaking of amazing things—” he paused, digging into his pocket, “—your agent called.”

I tilted my head. “Huh?”

“She says you’ve been offered two gigs,” Jasper said, pulling out his phone. “A photoshoot with Corinne. And a Victoria’s Secret show. In New York.”

My heart slammed into my ribs.

“Me? Victoria’s Secret? No. No, no, I can’t—Jas, I can’t—”

“Hey, hey.” He reached for my hands, squeezing them. “Listen to me. Mom’s not your manager anymore. I am. And you know I’m never letting anyone push you too hard. You’re safe with me. I promise.”

My eyes darted around the room, panic bubbling in my chest. My fingers began twisting the edge of my sleeve again, faster and faster.

“I-I don’t know. It’s too big. Too many people. What if I mess up? What if they laugh? What if I—”

“Britsy.”

His voice cut through the storm in my head. I froze.

“You’ve already done the hardest thing. You fought your way back from hell. A runway is nothing compared to that.”

I blinked at him, my breathing slowing.

“Do you really think I can?” I whispered.

Jasper smiled softly. “I know you can.”

“I’ll be there, front row, with Tulip in my lap.” His smile broke into a grin. “We’ll be your biggest fans.”

.

Three days later, I sat across from Corinne at a tiny café downtown, hands wrapped around a steaming cup of cocoa.