Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Who do I think I am?
Maybe I’m just a joke.
I give my head a sharp shake and look at my follower count that’s recently surpassed a million. I’m doing something right or these people wouldn’t be here.
With a quick check of my makeup, I turn the camera on me and push the live button. My smile is wide and bright—you can’t even tell it’s fake.
“Hey, Gems,” I say, waving at the camera. “If you’re new here, I’m @GemmaLovesUx2 and I’m dying to tell you about this new primer I just got. Your makeup will look as flawless when you go to bed as when you applied it in the morning. I’m telling you guys you’re going to freak out at how amazing this product is.”
The hearts and comments start flooding in, reminding me I am good at this.
I won’t let some creep torment me and throw me off my game.
I’m Gemma freaking Park.
I invented the game.
Family dinners each Sunday with all my siblings and their significant others are becoming quite a circus. Now that Jude got his porch fixed, even Grandpa and Violet come over. There are spouses, fiancés, fiancées, babies, dogs, and now old people. Everyone has someone.
Everyone but me.
I’m young, so it’s not like I’m looking to date anyone, but I can’t help but feel slightly jealous of my friend Willa, who’s happily married to my brother Callum. They have baby Bane, who is so cute and perfect. Willa’s not much older than me either.
And then, there’s my twin, Dempsey. At eighteen, he’s engaged to Mom’s best friend and local detective, Sloane Thurman. They don’t want kids from what my brother tells me, but they recently adopted an adorable puppy named Beauty.
Dad always said no pets.
The second Dempsey moves out, he gets one.
I’d stupidly assumed this past summer that starting at Park Mountain University, I could stay on campus and finally have my freedom. Dempsey got his freedom. Unfortunately, Dad made it very clear I’d live at home through college.
So unfair.
Luckily, he budged on his rules for the Tahoe he got me and Dempsey. At one time, we were only allowed to drive it if the other was in the car. But since Dempsey moved out and got his own car, the Tahoe would sit in the driveway, never getting driven unless Dad gave in.
The highlight of my day is when I get up and go to school. I’ve completed a whole semester already. It’s been so much fun meeting new people. Getting out from beneath my dad’s overprotective blanket is a plus as well.
“Gemma, sweetie, you’ve barely touched your lasagna,” Mom says from beside me. “You feeling okay? I can make an appointment with Dr. Thacker in the morning.”
Dad’s not the only overprotective one. Sometimes, even though it’s always filled with love, I feel smothered by my parents. It was worse for Dempsey. He could barely stand it and took off the second he was able to.
I’m stuck until I graduate.
Not because I don’t have the money or whatever. I have a trust fund, allowance money, fun money Dad gives me, and all my considerable earnings from my sponsorships. It’s just, I’m afraid of being lonely.
“I’m fine,” I assure my mother, giving her my most perfect smile that fools everyone, including myself sometimes. “Just nervous about starting a new semester tomorrow. One of the teachers I got is supposed to be really hard. He comes up with crazy projects that totally suck.”
“You’ll do great.” Mom reaches over and clutches my hand. “Get through this week and we’ll go get massages on Saturday.”
I do love a good massage.
“You’re a lifesaver, Mom.”
Dinner continues, every single person absorbed in their own personal happiness. I’m so used to deflecting my own emotions just to please my parents that sometimes I feel slighted.
Why can’t I just blow up at dinner and tell everyone off like Dempsey has before?
The thought of doing that, though, makes my skin crawl. I need to just get over my weird feelings lately. My parents have always been this way, but it’s not because they’re cruel. They just love us so much and want to protect us.
“Want to get up early and meet for coffee before your first class?” Tate, my brother Jude’s fiancé, asks from my other side. “I feel like we need to catch up.”
I love Tate. He’s perfect for my brother and really brought him out of his reclusive state. Tate fit right in with our family. It also helps he’s a therapist. This family needs lots of therapy.
Except me.
Dad says I’m perfect. I never do anything wrong and am always succeeding in whatever I do. What do I need therapy for?
Maybe he’s right.
Sometimes, when I’m about to get my period, I feel sorry for myself. I must be getting ready to start soon.
“Sounds fun,” I say, flashing him another perfect grin. “Maybe Dempsey will join us.”