Reluctantly Famous by Heather Leigh Read Free Book Online Page B

high-handed.
    “ I am twenty-five
years-old, jerkoff! I don’t have to explain myself to you!” My
anger at everything shitty happening in my life explodes on my
idiot brother. I’m so pissed off that I’m literally shaking. But
I’m not stupid, Drew isn’t someone you want to face when he’s
angry, sort of like the Hulk. I quickly move through the kitchen,
putting the table between myself and Drew, who looks livid enough
to try and rip the table in half.
    Hulk indeed. All he needs are cutoff
shorts.
    “ You’re my sister and it’s
my job to look out for you! So yeah, you do have to explain to me
where the fuck you’ve been all night!”
    Over Drew’s shoulder, I see Sydney slip out
of the bedroom. Her eyes fly back and forth between Drew and me,
hesitant to get involved but probably worried enough to attempt
it.
    “ It’s none of your damn
business where I was or who I was with!” I defiantly cross my arms
over my chest, giving Drew the adult version of sticking my tongue
out at him. For some reason I want to piss him off even
more.
    It works, because my brother clutches at his
hair, something he only does when he’s on the verge of losing his
shit.
    “ I don’t want you to have
a fuckin’ reputation as another conquest, Allie! I’ll beat his
fuckin’ face in! That shit’ll follow you around for the rest of
your life! You wanna be the girl guys wanna fuck just because some
movie stah had you!”
    I gasp from the slicing pain of his words,
almost bent over from the agony. That was a low blow, even for Drew
who pulls no punches when he wants to get his way. He doesn’t know
details, but he sort of figured out what happened at B.C. For him
to use that against me… it’s fucking cruel.
    “ You’re an asshole.”
Before I can cry in front of them, I go to my room and slam the
door shut.
    “ Shit, shit, shit…” The
memories that I’ve tried to repress flood back, making me nauseous.
I throw myself down on the bed, burying under the thick down
comforter, using it as a shield to protect me from the pain.
Unfortunately, you can’t escape your own mind, no matter how hard
you try. That’s a lesson I learned all too well.
     
     
     
     
    Allie – then
     
    “ This is a bad idea,
Al.”
    I finish putting the last coat of mascara on
my eyelashes, batting them in the mirror to see how they look.
    “ Beth, you worry too much.
It’s going to be fun. I mean, not everyone gets to go out with the
star of the football team.”
    She moves out of my way as I grab my
favorite pair of Manolo boots and shove my feet into them.
    “ Allie, I
just…”
    “ Listen,” I snap, “you’ve
been hounding me ever since people found out about my brother. I’m
having a great time. I always have to live in his shadow. Here, I’m
the one everyone wants. Me. I’m going to have fun and live it up
while I can. Be my friend or don’t, it’s up to you. Just stop
fucking killing my fun!”
    Beth flinches back as if I slapped her. The
wounded look on her face nearly has me apologizing. Nearly. I grab
my coat and purse and stalk out of the room without saying another
word.
    “ Hi Troy.” Ever the
gentleman, Troy opens the car door for me, helping me up into his
tall SUV before going around to get in behind the wheel.
    “ Allie, you look
gorgeous.” Troy smiles. He’s all wholesome good looks and tousled
blond hair. “I was so glad you finally agreed to go out with
me.”
    “ Well, I figured since you
were persistent enough, you deserved a break.” He asked me every
day for over a week before I finally relented during a party at his
teammate’s place.
    Troy grins over at me, his blue eyes burning
with something I can’t quite put my finger on. I shiver as a chill
ripples down my spine.
    “ Cold?” Troy asks as he
maneuvers the large vehicle onto the road.
    “ Yeah,” I say with a weak
smile, “well it is November in Boston.”
    We chat about useless stuff for the
thirty-minute ride to the restaurant. Troy