Rhys
J oeyelevatorswarnedon myme wayby shootingto my earlymemorninga text asmeeting. I was
Flint’strailingcrewtowardscouldn’tthe stop talking about the candid photos he took of Keira and me
lost in a passionate embrace. The famed photographer wanted my permission before releasing a few of
those shots along with the ones promoting SCORE Yours on the internet. I never planned on
announcing to the whole world my girl and I were dating, but it’s bound to come out. I might as well
control how it happens. I gave Joey my blessing, shot my girl a quick text, and headed to my meeting.
By mid-morning, the frenzy was at fever pitch. The photos went viral in a blink of an eye. The
pre-orders for SCORE Yours ballooned. Arianne was jumping up and down. Beckett was floored. So
was I. He’s the one who gets tongues to wag. Not me. On the heel of the media frenzy, I was assaulted
by a flurry of text messages and emails––the press, friends, colleagues, contacts, family members, my
mom and Noah. It was nonstop. Even a few brave members of the staff came up and congratulated me.
My best friend’s text message had me in stitches. NOAH I don’t do the lovey-dovey stuff because I
don’t go there with women, but I have to admit those photos of you and my sis... Jesus. You two are
into each other.
I never intended on backing away from Keira because I was too far gone, but at the same time, there
was no way I was going to lose my long- standing friendship with a guy who’s had my back more
times than I can count. His acc eptance of my relationship with his little sister is a huge weight off my
shoulders.
By three o’clock, my brain is mush. “I need coffee and cheesecake.” I stand up from my desk. Since
Beckett was in a generous mood when he came back from a meeting with the advertisement agency, he
stopped by one of the best shops in town.
Just as I’m about to reach the door, my phone rings. I shake my head as I acc ept the call. “Shane,
what’s up?” I walk to the couch before sitting down. “You’re dominating the entertainment news, my
friend.” “It’s wild. My hashtag is squashing Beckett’s and your brother Collin’s.”
Shane lets out a laugh. “I never thought I’d see the day,” he says. “You and me both.” “Is pretty boy
Beckett able to handle it for a day? After all, he’s the media’s sweetheart.”
“Barely,” I say. “I guess it’s the same for your little brother.” “I’m pretty sure it is. Since we’re talking
about Collin here, I’m sure he’s plotting a devious way to steal the media’s attention away from you.”
Be my guest. “I’m sure he will.” “On a serious note—” “Oh, because you didn’t call just to razz me?”
“Nah. That’s Collin’s forte. I’m the supportive Dennison brother, remember?”
“True.” “In any case, the last time we talked about Keira, you seemed troubled. Torn, even. The photos
of you locking lips on camera flooding the internet suggest you decided to go after the girl.”
I nod into the phone even though he can’t see me. “Our conversation was a wake-up call. I decided to
man up. The only blip was Noah landing in LA unannounced before I had time to tell him I was seeing
his sister.”
“No shit,” Shane says. I tell him everything.
“I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of Noah’s fury. I consider myself fit and invincible, but
next to him, I’m nothing. The guy could break me in half without even trying.”
“That’s exactly how I felt. Breaking the bro code has its consequences. I was more than willing to pay
the price, but I’m grateful he didn’t rearrange my face.”
“Another thing to celebrate,” he says. “Let’s add it to the list.” “What do you mean?” “When I bumped
into you at LAX on the day Keira arrived, I promised her a Cuban meal. I was going to ke ep it casual,
but there’s too much to celebrate. One, the news of you two dating. Two, her becoming the face of
SCORE Yours––great choice, by the way. Three, pretty boy Beckett is off the market––proof God
works in mysterious ways. Four, your headphones were dubbed the best thing since Edison’s light
bulbs––which is a pretty tall order. And five, the announcement of an upcoming red-carpet event to
kick off SCORE Yours.” He pauses. “There’s a hell of a lot happening in your neck of the woods. Low
key doesn’t cut it anymore.”
“You’re right, there’s a lot to celebrate. A Cuban meal sounds great, Shane.”
“I called the boys, and everybody can make it. I’d love for you and Keira to come over to my place on
Saturday afternoon. We’ll stretch out the celebration until the wee hours.”
“I’ll check with my girl, but I don’t see why we shouldn’t be there. Thanks for the invitation. I can’t
wait.”
“A heads up. I have to invite Collin. He’s my baby brother and my neighbor. If I forget to invite him,
I’ll never hear the end of it. It’s best if you pr ep Keira in advance. He’s been drilling me to find out if
she has a long-lost twin or a sister he doesn’t know about.”
“He’s lost it.” “Pretty much,” Shane says. “And even if she did, I’m sure Noah wouldn’t be thrilled
about my brother dating his sibling.”
“Noah would veto the relationship,” I say with a laugh. “Your brother is something else.”
“My brother is a pain in the ass and delusional.” “The former is a given, but what brought on the
latter?” “He declared the flag should’ve been flown half-staff on the day he found out Beckett was no
longer interested in manwhoring anymore. He
requested the same thing this morning after reading the headlines about your relationship. He’s in
mourning. Poor lad. He’s losing more and more partners in crime and he doesn’t know what to do with
himself.”
I laugh harder. “I swear, Collin will be single forever,” I say. “There isn’t a woman strong enough––or
crazy enough––to handle his ass.”
“And if she’s out there, that encounter will be like two missiles colliding.”
“Damn right it will.”