Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 114492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
But now, I’m wondering if his obsession with her was a sign that things weren’t completely right in his head.
Actually, I was a tad bit worried when he called me in the first place, barking at me to find some random girl who’d sent him an email. (Any time Jonas gets ultra-obsessed about something, it’s usually not a good sign for his mental health.) But, much to my relief and surprise, the magical, mystical Sarah Cruz turned out to be well worth his effort, a truly fantastic girl. The minute I met her during our mutual limo ride to the airport, I thought, Now here’s a girl who’s gonna bring out the very best in my brother. She’s absolutely adorable. And I can certainly understand the physical attraction, too, I don’t mind admitting.
So what the fuck happened in the four days between that limo ride and today that made Jonas’ wheels fall off his cart?
Downtown Seattle is whizzing past me outside my car window.
I exhale and shake my head.
I’m so fucking worried right now, I can’t think straight. I just wish I understood what’s going on with Jonas. And The Club. And Sarah? I shake my head again. What the fuck did Jonas mean she might be in serious danger?
My phone buzzes with a text and I look down.
“Hey, Josh!” the text says. “Loooooooooooong time no see. How ya doing, baby? LOL!”
I chuckle in surprise. Now there’s a name I never expected (or particularly wanted) to see on my phone again: Jennifer LeMonde. I admit I was dazzled by the girl’s pedigree (and slamming body) when we dated for four or five months when I was twenty-three—chalk that up to youth and being stoned out of my mind half the time—but once the initial heat and the novelty of her Grammy-winning daddy and Oscar-winning mommy wore off, not to mention the weed, I quickly realized Jen was very likely the least interesting girl in the world. And that’s when I decided once and for all to pull my shit together and lay off the weed and fulfill my family obligations in earnest. And I’ve stayed on track ever since, other than during the occasional short vacations of total debauchery I’ve allowed myself over the years (which I’m not sorry about, by the way). Honestly, my little sojourns into hedonism have helped me stay the course, something I’ve been bound and determined to do, not just for me, but for Jonas, too. I mean, let’s face it, Jonas and I can’t both be on the verge of a nervous breakdown at all times, and Jonas long ago called dibs on that role.
“Hey, Jen,” I type. “It’s been a long time. What’s up?”
“Have you seen what’s going on with Isabel lately? OMG!”
“Yeah. Hard to miss. Good for her. I’m thrilled for her,” I type.
I’m being sincere. From what I remember of Isabel from seven years ago, she’s a really sweet girl. I’m honestly thrilled all her dreams of stardom are coming true.
“The studio rented Isabel a freaking castle in San Tropez all next week to celebrate her movie opening at number one!” Jen writes. “Dude. It’s literally a castle! Made me remember that time our whole group partied together in Cannes—remember that? Or, actually, come to think of it, you probably don’t! LOL!!!!” She adds a whole bunch of wineglass emojis and a marijuana-leaf emoji and a smiley face wearing sunglasses. “So, anyhoo, Isabel’s getting a huge group together to party in the castle in France (did I mention it’s a freaking castle???!!!! OMFG!!!!) and she wanted to know if maybe you and Reed wanna join us for a mini-reunion? It’ll be just like old times! LOL!” She adds what appears to be a dancing cat, a reference I’m not sure I understand.
I stare at my phone for a moment, shaking my head. I’m not even remotely tempted. “Sorry. I’m in Seattle for a family emergency,” I write. “Gonna be tied up here for a while helping my brother. Plus, I’m an old man nowadays, Jen. You wouldn’t even recognize me. I’m practically chasing damn kids off my lawn. Been working pretty hard building my family’s business since you last saw me. But, hey, feel free to contact Reed directly to ask him if he’s interested. I’ll send you his number. And please tell Isabel congrats on all her success for me,” I continue. “I’m genuinely thrilled for her. Just saw she won some People’s Choice Award or something? Ha! Awesome. She’s America’s Sweetheart.”
“I know! She totally is! LOL! She’s blowing up! She’s gonna do Jimmy Fallon in NYC when she gets back from France! OMFG! Can you believe it? She’s so excited.”
“Saw her face plastered on a billboard on my way to LAX today. She looks great. Tell her nice boob job, btw. Her surgeon did excellent work. Unless that’s photoshop?”