earned me a groan from Ty. “That will be fixed in two months?”
“Three at the most.”
“Hmm…wanna know what I think? I think you’re mentally insane. It seems all that silicone and Botox have gone straight to your brain. Two months was bad enough, and now you’re saying it could be three? Yeah, well, thanks for the offer. But unfortunately, regardless of what you may think, I’m not that desperate. I’ll pass.”
“Give me one good reason,” she demanded, as if I wouldn’t be able to come up with one.
“I have a job that I happen to love. I can’t just disappear for two months—possibly three—and expect them to hold my position. And last time I checked, impersonating my sister so she doesn’t lose her spot on some mindless reality TV show while she recovers from a back-alley surgery in Mexico isn’t covered on FMLA.”
“Oh, yes…how could I possibly forget about your job playing video games. It’ll be okay, Tosh. I’m sure there are many companies biting at the bit to hire someone with your experience.”
With my finger hovering over the red button, I looked at Ty. Aside from random grunts and groans, it was as if he hadn’t been here. Then again, anytime Tiffany was in the room—through video feed or in person—everyone else faded. And I didn’t mean that in a complimentary way, either. Everyone disappeared because Tiff always made everything about her.
I tapped the screen, disconnecting the call, and then handed the device to a sullen Ty. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t. She’s caused more damage than you know, and I refuse to give her an opportunity to rub salt into my wounds.” I couldn’t believe she had the gall to contact me after so long and practically demand that I give up my life to bail her out again. I was done letting her take advantage of me.
“I really wish you’d reconsider. A lot is riding on this, and she’ll make it worth your while.” The iPad lit up in his lap with an image of Tiff on the screen—pre-Mexico. That picture was enough to remind me of all the torment I’d had to endure at her expense.
I stood from the couch and said, “There isn’t enough incentive in the entire world to do her the tiniest favor, let alone something of this magnitude.” I was still patting myself on the back for repelling Tiffany’s latest scheme. I was proud that I could stand on my own two feet.
“You think I don’t know what a horrible person she is?”
I turned, finding Ty on his feet, the iPad flashing with the incoming call sitting in his open briefcase. Desperation clung to his every feature, down to his fisted hands at his sides. For someone who had appeared completely put together, he seemed to be falling apart before my very eyes. I couldn’t look at him and turn down his request simultaneously, so I stepped away and headed for the door. I had my fingers wrapped around the knob, ready to expedite his exit, but his next words stopped me dead.
“She’ll pay you fifty grand a month.”
1
Tasha
“I’m not wearing that.” I crossed my arms, rejecting the tenth outfit in a row. “I don’t understand why I have to dress like her if I’m not even leaving the house. I’d get it if I were going shopping or something, but I’m not.”
It was very clear that Ty was more than tired of my defiance. He huffed, shook his head in reprimand, and then stood in front of me with his hands on his hips. “Because, Tasha, if you want people to believe that you are the Tiffany Lewis, then you have to play the role all the time, which includes being at home. The tiniest slip-up could ruin this entire thing.”
We both knew I wouldn’t care if that happened.
But the money meant something to me, and for that reason, I needed to try.
“There have to be boundaries, Ty. I refuse to become my sister. I’ll pretend to be her for the camera’s sake. I’ll act like her in front of others, or anytime I’m in public, but please don’t ask me to be her when I’m all alone.”
“How exactly do you expect people to believe you if you don’t practice?”
I had to laugh. Really, his question, though serious to him, was quite comical. “Ty, I hate to be the one to point this out, but I grew up with that snobby wench. I was on the receiving end of her