Page 16 of Fight For Me

We haven’t known Bodhi for long, only since Rose and Leo started dating, but somehow it feels like he’s been around forever. Pretty much the whole family is crazy about him, much to Leo’s annoyance—they made it much harder on him when he started seeing Rose. Bodhi’s the kind of guy you just can’t help being friends with, I guess.

“Of course, I told him,” Everly says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

Bodhi grins widely. “She tells me everything. I’mveryeasy to talk to.”

Leo rolls his eyes. “You’re a fucking gossip is what you are.”

Bodhi sniffs. “If I was a gossip I would have told you and Rose about the amazing reality show opportunity two weeks ago.”

“You’ve known fortwo weeks?” Rose looks annoyed. She does not like being left out of family happenings.

Bodhi ignores her, squeezing Everly’s shoulders. “An amazing reality show which you are totally doing, by the way.”

“Don’t listen to him, Everly,” Leo says. “He just thinks he’s going to finagle his way on camera.”

Bodhi’s whole face lights up. “Do you think they’d let me? I could just like, stand in the background. Fold scarves at your shop, or whatever.”

Fox leans forward to grab a package of Oreos. “I doubt it’s even happening, man. The parentals were not pleased.”

“We thought it would be just my dad throwing a fit, but Uncle Daltrey was just as pissed,” Everly says. “And Uncle Levi wasn’t happy, either. Even our moms weren’t backing us up, and I thought for sure my mom would be excited about it.”

Bodhi frowns. “You want me to call her? I’m sure I could make her see what an amazing opportunity it is.”

“You have Aunt Paige’s number?” River asks.

“Of course, I do,” Bodhi says. “She calls me to chat aboutThe Bachelor.”

A small grin finally breaks through Fox’s stormy demeanor. “That actually makes perfect sense. You and Paige are basically the same person.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, since Paige is the best.” Bodhi turns back to Everly, his expression faltering. “You’re not seriously going to let them talk you out of it, are you?”

She shrugs. “You didn’t see my dad, Bodhi. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stops talking to me after this.”

River scoffs. “Come on. You and every one of your sisters have that man wrapped around your little fingers. Not to mention your mom. There’s no way he goes more than a day without talking to you.” He tips his beer bottle in her direction. “Mark my words, he’ll be on the phone begging you to forgive him before the end of the night.”

“That’s a good point.” Bodhi starts tapping on his phone.

“Who are you texting?” Everly asks, leaning over his shoulder to peer at his screen.

“Presley, Santana, and Vega,” he says, like it’s totally normal to have the numbers of his best friend’s girlfriend’s cousin’s little sisters in his contacts. “I’m telling them to really lay it on thick with your dad.” He grins when his phone dings. “Santana says they’re already on it.”

“Dude, maybe you shouldn’t be encouraging this,” Leo says, leaning forward. “I think the parents have a good reason for being opposed to this.”

Fox scowls at him. “Seriously? Should I remind you of how opposed they were toyouwhen you started hanging out with their precious Rosie? My dad wanted to get out a shot gun.”

Leo rolls his eyes. “I’m not saying they aren’t totally overprotective.” He casts a worried look at Rose. “But I also remember how terrible it was when those gossip magazines published that story about you. It was fuckingbrutal. Of course they want to protect their kids from that kind of thing.”

Rose looks away, her expression conflicted.

“Hang on.” Fox pulls himself up from the couch to gape at his sister, who isn’t meeting his eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re on their side!”

“I don’t know,” she admits, voice soft. “I see Leo’s point—that experience was terrible. I wouldn’t wish it on any of you.”

Last autumn, a celebrity magazine published a story about Rose and her relationship with her mother and the entire thing had been a shit show. She’d nearly lost Leo over it. It was even worse because that wasn’t the first time that kind of thing had happened to her. A former boyfriend had once sold a ton of intimate details about her to a tabloid. She didn’t tell us until much later how much the whole ordeal affected her.

“But this wouldn’t be like that,” Everly argues. “We have a contract and—”

“You have a contract to control what gets filmed,” Rose cuts in, sounding much more determined now. “That doesn’t stop the tabloids from writing whatever the hell they want about you. And they will. If you’re on TV, you’ll be fair game.”