BooksBarbecue
Back Someone Had to Do It
Chapters (39)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Dedication
  4. About the Authors
  5. PROLOGUE
  6. 1
  7. 2
  8. 3
  9. 4
  10. 5
  11. 6
  12. 7
  13. 8
  14. 9
  15. 10
  16. 11
  17. 12
  18. 13
  19. 14
  20. 15
  21. 16
  22. 17
  23. 18
  24. 19
  25. 20
  26. 21
  27. 22
  28. 23
  29. 24
  30. 25
  31. 26
  32. 27
  33. 28
  34. 29
  35. 30
  36. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  37. THE STORY BEHIND SOMEONE HAD TO DO IT
  38. SOMEONE HAD TO DO IT: THE PLAYLIST
  39. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Something flashes in his eyes, something dark I’ve never seen before. The sound of damp flesh against my cheek rings in my ear. I stumble back a few steps from the impact, but it takes a second for me to realize it’s his palm that has collided with my face. It takes longer for the pain to register. I stare up at him, waiting, but his eyes are unapologetic, and I know it’s over between us for good; I’ll never be able to look at him the same.

It’s not long before Mom takes that blade and tears into her flesh again. About two weeks later.

But this time I’m too late.

7

TAYLOR

I can’t believe this bitch actually showed up.

I bite at the inside of my lip, watching Brandi step into Cipriani’s from my table near the front. I’m still contemplating how to play this, what to say, how to make my opening gambit.

This girl has no idea who she’s messing with.

It was her on the other side of that door last night. I know it was. I’d wager my inheritance on that.

The slim but plain-faced hostess at the entrance greets her with the same effervescence as she did with me, and I resist the urge to chuckle when I hear Brandi give her my father’s full name. The hostess motions my way, and then Brandi’s head turns.

The sight of me kills her smile. A line appears between her brows.

“Hey,” I say, plastering a smile on my face, my fingers twinkling in a little wave.

She smiles back, no wave, her teeth white and perfectly straight, but it falters toward the end. I can see the tension invade her shoulders from here.

She slinks over to the table, wearing tall heels and a midi-length dress with a strong waist and soft, scooped neckline. All her curves are on full display.

“Where’s Si...” She stops at the edge of the table, her eyes flicking around the space. “Uh, your dad? Is he here yet?”

When she shifts under the light I can see her skin peeking through her makeup; she’s not wearing that much foundation, mainly just highlighter and bronzer.

“He’s not coming,” I say with no pretense.

“What do you mean? I got an email saying he wanted to meet at ten for a pre-interview.”

I don’t let go of my smile. “It’s just me.”

She studies me for several seconds before reaching for the chair opposite me and taking a seat. “Cool. I just didn’t realize—I thought it would be just me and Simon.”

Of course she did.

“Is he okay?” she asks. “Did something happen?”