You've Got Fail(62)

My lunch began to make its protestations known again.

Jason glanced back at me. “Speaking of green, maybe we should head back.”

“No vomit allowed in the bird,” the instructor barked as we banked out over the ocean and headed back north.

“Anyway, I think I’m going to seed him the startup money. Have to talk it over with my accountant first and all, but I’m down to invest.”

“Wow, that’s… Wow.”

“We’d need ad space on your site, of course.”

“Not a problem.” I let out a relieved breath as the New York City skyscrapers appeared far away on the horizon.

The instructor leaned forward and swiped a toggle.

“Take the stick, Jason. I’ll even let you land us.”

“Sweet.”

Jason grabbed the stick with a little too much verve, and we swooped downward, the earth approaching faster than the paparazzi on a Kardashian.





23





Scarlet





“You don’t have to do this.” Hannah stared at me in the mirror as I put on my earrings.

“I do.” The big night was here—the one where I blew everything to bits.

She leaned against the doorframe behind me. “I like Willis. I like you and Willis together.”

“He’s just a mark.” It rang false even to my ears.

“He’s not, and you know it. There’s more.”

I dropped my eyes, for once unsure under her steady gaze. “Even if that’s true, it doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it matters.” She grabbed my shoulder and squeezed. “We’ll find another way. Blackmailing Willis could backfire. What if he would rather have you out him as the real Scarlet Rocket than pay you off?”

“He won’t. He’s built this little empire brick by brick. It’s his pride and joy. The book comes out in a few days.” I shrugged. “I’ve timed it perfectly. After the party, I’ll tell him to pay up or have his name trashed all over the blogosphere and the book deal destroyed.” Cold, but necessary. I stared at my own eyes in the mirror, loathing what I saw.

My plan had been shadowy at first, but when I’d discovered how much was riding on Willis continuing the Scarlet Rocket ruse, I knew just where to turn the screw. If his fans found out he’d been tricking them all along, they’d abandon him in droves. I had no doubt the scandal would destroy him. My only question was, if I followed through with my plan, would it destroy me, too? Could I do such a horrible thing to Willis and live with myself?

Hannah dropped her hand from my shoulder. “There has to be another way.”

“What other way?” I whirled, anger and pain crossing paths inside me. “Fifty-thousand dollars isn’t just going to come knocking. We have three more days before Pauly comes to collect on your screw up!”

She flinched and paled. Her voice, barely over a whisper, cut my heart to shreds. “You’re right. I-I’m sorry.”

“No.” I sighed and pulled her into my arms. “I am.” Stroking her hair, I held her as she trembled. “Everything will be all right. We’ll get the money, pay Pauly, and leave this dump. Start a new life. It’s almost finished. I just have to get through this.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Shh.” I held her tight and tried to think of what Mom would say in this situation. “We’ll make it through and be stronger on the other side.”

“But Willis—”

“I know.” I closed my eyes. “He’s turned into more than I ever intended.”

“You fell in love with him.”

Tears welled in my eyes, but I couldn’t let them fall. “I don’t know when it happened.”

“I do. The moment you first met him.”

“Not possible.”

“I knew it then. You didn’t take his wallet and run like usual. You stayed. When you got home that night, I could feel the change. For the first time in a long time, you looked forward to something.” A sob shook her. “But I’ve ruined it.”

“Nothing’s ruined.” I rocked her back and forth in my arms like Mom used to do. “We can fix it. But first, we have to deal with Pauly.”

“I’m scared.”

“You’re safe here. Just stay in your room. I’ll be back right after the party.” Because Willis won’t want to see me anymore. The ache in my chest popped open like a can of biscuits.

“All right.” She nodded and pulled back, her red-rimmed eyes weighing heavy on my already sunken soul.

I tucked her hair behind her ear, hoping my calm movements would soothe the both of us. “It’ll all be over soon. I promise.”

Her gaze faltered. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”



“Have I mentioned how amazing you look?” Willis spoke in my ear as we walked up the carpeted stairs to the Vanity Fair party.

“Only five times or so.” I smiled as the cameras clicked around us.

“Just five?” He scoffed as we reached the top step. “I need to up my game.” He gave me a long look, taking in my black gown that fell to my ankles. The slit rose to my upper thigh, and the strapless bust cut a straight line across my chest, giving it an almost corset-like appearance.