Bad Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy #1) - Lauren Rowe Page 0,5
pretend to hang up. I want to listen in.”
“Okay, bye.”
As instructed, I pretend to disconnect the call, and return to Bryce, my stomach churning and my mind racing.
Bryce says, “I was going to text and ask what you’re doing tonight.”
“Sorry, I’m working at the bar until about two thirty.”
“Hey, that works for me,” he says. “I’m a night owl.”
Shit. Fuck. “I can’t. I’ve got class on Friday mornings, so I always race home after my Thursday-night shift to catch a few hours of sleep.” I look at my watch. “Shoot. I’m running late for an event in North Campus. Gotta go!” And off I go, resolved to call Bryce tomorrow to tell him the truth: I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m not looking to support any guy’s dreams “religiously” or otherwise at this particular time. In summary, I’m just not feeling it.
The moment I’m out of earshot of Bryce, I bring my phone to my ear. “Ally?”
Alessandra laughs. “Coward.”
“I know. I’ll call him tomorrow and set him straight.”
“You realize you’re the only girl at UCLA who’d ever turn that boy down, right?”
“Dude, he’s looking for a freaking wife.”
“Running away all the time, you’re only going to make him want you more. I’m sure he’s used to girls throwing themselves at him.”
“Oh, he is. And they can have him. He’s way too big a momma’s boy for me.”
“Oh, the horror. A genuinely nice guy.”
“You know what I mean. I’m still in my bad-boy phase, as I should be. It’s what’s going to make me ready for Mr. Right whenever he finally comes along in six point five years.”
“I’m shocked you don’t want to give Bryce a quick test drive before you cut him loose. Even if he’s a Cling-On, why not at least hit that hard body hard before turning him away? He’s panty-melting, Georgie. I looked him up after you told me about him, and almost had a stroke at his hotness.”
“I know. If only he’d played it the least bit cool with me, the way he did at the coffee place that first time, I would have been hitting that hard body hard as early as this week. As it is, I can’t run away fast enough.” I sigh audibly at the heartbreaking situation. “Now, what were we talking about before I bumped into Mr. Love at First Sight?”
“Reed Rivers. I was freaking out he’s listed as one of the panelists.”
“I didn’t hear any of that. Who’s Reed Rivers?”
“The founder of River Records—the record label.”
“Never heard of it.”
“Well, you’ve sure as hell heard of their bands and artists. Hang on. I’ll consult the mighty Google.” Alessandra pauses briefly. And then, “Holy shit. The River Records roster is insanity. They’ve got both Red Card Riot and 22 Goats. Plus, Danger Doctor Jones, Laila Fitzgerald, 2Real, Aloha Carmichael, Fugitive Summer, Watch Party... ”
“Holy crap.”
“Right? The list goes on and on. That’s only the top tier of the roster, but the next tier down is still pretty damned impressive.”
“Those are all my favorites.”
“Those are all everyone’s favorites. It’s why every student at my school would sell their soul to get signed by River Records.”
“Including you?”
“Dude, I’d sell my soul, kidneys, and freaking virginity to get signed.”
I cringe. “Please, don’t joke about selling your virginity. I took a class on sex trafficking this quarter that was horrifying.”
“I was kidding. Obviously.”
“I know. But that would be a disgusting way to lose your virginity—to some pervy old guy you don’t even like. Also, careful what you put out into the universe. From what I’ve heard, the music industry is full of predators, every bit as much as the movie business. Creeps who’d happily promise a sweet little virgin like you the sun and moon, just to get into your pants.”
Alessandra laughs. “Interesting your momma bear comes out to protect my virginity, but not my soul and kidneys.”
“Only one scenario seems like a real-world possibility.”
If I know Alessandra, she’s rolling her eyes at me right now. But smiling, too. “Okay, Georgie,” she says. “I promise I won’t sell my virginity to anyone, okay? Well, except to Reed Rivers. I can’t make the same promise when it comes to him. That man can have anything he wants.”
“Stop.”
She giggles. “Google him, and you’ll see what I mean. Honestly, Reed wouldn’t need to promise me the sun and moon in exchange for my V-card. Just an Uber ride home. Actually, not even that. I’d demand nothing from him. Take my virginity, Reed Rivers! Please!”