Chapter 21

"Does Finnick know about this?"

"It's exactly because of him that Effy doesn't want to tell."

"Because he'll try to ruin everything like he did with Reed."

"Bingo!" Mackenzie clicks her tongue. "Do you think he likes her or just can't stand seeing her with someone else?"

"I think it's a bit of both. He doesn't have the courage to admit that he likes her, so he can't stand seeing her with someone else."

"Do you think their story will have a happy ending someday?"

"An ending? For sure. Happy? To be honest, I don't think so."

Gasping, I decide to change the subject.

"And you? Why aren't you going?"

"I don't know..."

"There's still time."

"Don't make me doubt it!"

"It would be cool. I peeked at the guest list, it's full of famous people."

"This is a whole new world I don't belong to. It's strange to think that three years ago they were playing at Purple Ride and Anarchy, and now they're singing at sold-out shows, with tickets selling out in less than two hours."

"You need to accept that they've reached where they always wanted and be happy for them."

"I am, it's just hard. Bryan is such an important and meaningful part of my life, but I feel like the more successful he gets, the farther apart we grow." She looks really sad. My brow furrows at her outburst.

"Do you want my advice?"

"Please."

"Move to New York." I close the suitcase and zip it up. "Apply for a position at one of the newspapers here, ask Angel for help, and move here. You're only in doubt because you haven't made up your mind yet, but once you make your choice, you'll feel better."

"I hate that your advice makes sense."

"And I hate that you act like this when things could be solved in a very practical way." I smile, trying to ease the tension in the conversation. "It would be nice to have you around." I appeal to her emotional side. "Come to think of it, I'm completely alone here."

Tess appears at the door, leaning her shoulder against the frame and furrowing her brows at me. I wave my hands, showing that I'm just trying to convince Mackenzie to move. My roommate lights up her own phone screen, justifying her presence.

"I'm late. Shit."

"I'm late. They chartered a flight to Miami that leaves at two-thirty."

I jump out of bed and rush to get dressed. My chosen clothes are on the chair by the desk: denim shorts, boots, black belt, ribbed bodysuit, and the white shirt I throw over to complete the look.

"Should I call you later?" I suggest, putting her on speaker so I can make a bun in my hair.

"Sure, talk to you later. I want more details when you get back."

"You wouldn't have to if you weren't so proud and went to Miami!" I exclaim, starting to get impatient.

"Bye, Gravity!"

She says goodbye, leaving no room to continue the discussion.

Tess leaves me alone, and I manage to finish getting ready—in record time.

I drag my carry-on luggage to the living room, where she's sitting, staring at her well-done cuticles and white nail polish. I study her thick, voluminous curls falling over her shoulders. The headband keeps her face well exposed, and the light makeup makes her even more beautiful.

"So, I'm not good company?" she teases, mentioning the end of the conversation she overheard with Mackenzie.

"I only said that to try to convince her."

I search for my sunglasses and find them on the coffee table. I adjust them on my face and blow a kiss in the air to Theresa. Luckily, she agreed to go to Bandit's party as Chase's plus-one, so I won't be the only "girlfriend" among them.

"Ready?" Tess grabs her bag by the handle and stands up. I nod, signaling yes, and follow her out of the apartment.

"I thought it was interesting."

"What?"

"You accepted."

"Accepted?" I test to make sure we're on the same wavelength.

"I'm his daughter, Vity." Tess laughs with all the pride she has inside her. "I know my dad's decisions. Even the unlikely ones."

"Honestly, I don't know what you're talking about." I’m thankful the sunglasses help me keep a nonchalant expression.

"How much did he offer you to date Ashton?" she whispers, pressing the button to call the elevator.

I swallow hard, feeling the sharp jabs of the words scratch down my throat.

"Fake relationships in the music industry are common." Her little chuckle comforts me, but I've signed a contract that demands confidentiality. As much as I want to tell her, I can't. "I've seen it many times, but you know what's even more common among them?" Tess turns her face toward me, so I get a better look at her expression, and she seems to be enjoying the topic. "Until the end of the contract, it stops being fake."