Page 4 of Fever Dream
And then… “Ten grand a day!” my grandparents exclaim in unison.
Based on their reaction, I should have led with that part. “Yes, that’s the fee they’re offering you for the rental. My payment is on top of that. And it’s something I plan to put back into the farm as well. It could secure us for years to come.”
My grandparents stare back at me through misty eyes.
“You officially have my blessing,” Opa grumbles in his typical fashion.
Another firm squeeze on my hand, but this one lasts longer. Oma grips me, her touch saying more than her words ever could.
“Only if this is something you are truly comfortable with,” she says carefully. Though I can tell by the expression on their faces that this is more money than they can reasonably turn down.
“I’m comfortable with it,” I assure them, forcing my mind not to wander down the path of how fucking embarrassing this will be and how much flack I’ll get once the guys on tour find out. Never mind what Carl will have to say about it. I definitely don’t want him catching wind of this until it’s all over.
But for my family? None of that matters.
“I’ve got the WBRF finals coming up. I need to kick Theo Silva’s Goody Two-shoes ass, and then I’ll be back. Even with the show, I plan to work in the morning and film in the afternoons.” I straighten as I say it. I’m nothing if not competitive, and I’ve got my eye on the prize this year. I know my days of professional riding are numbered. And I have every intention of going out with a bang.
“I have total faith in you, Em. If I think about it, you’ll excel in this role,” Riley muses while plucking a piece of crispy bacon off the serving plate and popping it into her mouth. “You’re a hard workerandyou bring a lot of experience to the table when it comes to eliminating women from your love life.”
Not even Parker can hold back her giggle at that jab. It’s not a secret among us that I’m a commitmentphobe who constantly opts for the most casual, least attached option I can find.
“True.” Evan points at her. “But what I can’t wait for is watching him have to make conversation with them, pretending he’s interested. Or wine and dine them. Ooh!” His finger shoots up in the air. “Or meet theirparents.”
He and Riley roar with laughter, and I roll my eyes. Those two constantly play off each other, so their teasing is nothing new. But as sadistic as Evan is, he’s not wrong. Just the thought of meeting a girl’s family could give me hives.
You’re in it for the money, I remind myself.
I peek back up at Oma and Opa, their faces etched with fondness as my idiot siblings volley back and forth all the humiliations they’re looking forward to seeing play out on TV. I know my grandparents love our Sunday breakfasts. All of us seated around this table, stuck with one another through better and through worse. It’s one of the traditions we’ve all worked to carry into adulthood as best we can. We may leave, but wealwayscome back.
Even with all the shit-talk that gets doled out.
And in that spirit, Oma pats my hand and breaks the silence by hitting me with a killer one-two punch. “You kids are underestimating him. You’ll be wonderful, Em. And if it doesn’t work out, I agree with Evan that you’d make an excellent sex worker.”
Laughter erupts, and I groan before dropping my head into my hands.
“What?” She holds her hands up to either side in an innocent shrug. “I’m not oblivious to what you kids get up to. And just because I love you, that doesn’t mean I think you’re perfect.”
This.This is the level of offside, targeted humor I expect from my family. We are all imperfect, a little rough around the edges, but the Brandts? We’re thick as thieves.
Which is why I knew they’d all come around to supporting me in this. Convincing them wasn’t even too hard.
It’s convincing audiences I’m actually looking for love that will be the real challenge.
CHAPTER 2
Julia
“JULES, I DIDit!”
I grin out the window of the taxi as it weaves through the streets of Los Angeles. My brother, Theo, is pretty much always happy, but his joy after winning his second WBRF championship is infectious.
“I know you did, you fucking rock star. I watched online in my hotel room. Got a noise complaint from the people next door from cheering too loud,” I lie.
His deep chuckle filters through the phone. “You’d better not be making that up.”
“You’ll never know. I tried calling you, and you didn’t even bother answering, so I guess I know where your priorities lie. And they are clearly not with your little sister.”
He scoffs. “Says the girl who didn’t even make it there.”
