Page 2 of Bodyguard Book Boyfriend

“I’m afraid to open it,” I whisper into the phone.

“Do you want me to come over? You know I will.”

“No, it’s late. I’m a big girl. I’m sure it’s fine.”

I open the message, but my eyelids are shut tight. I count to ten before I slowly peek at the words on the screen. My heart dips into my stomach at the headline.

Is reporter Tarae Green standing in the way of true love instead of standing on the sidelines where she belongs?

The headline sucks, but it’s the source of the article that’s heart wrenching.Person to Personmagazine is one of the largest online publications. They have millions of viewers a day. And my name is front and center.

“Why, Lord? When I was manifesting my name in print, this is not what I meant!” I yell, kicking my feet like a toddler.

On the other end of the phone, I hear my best friend cracking up. I frown, but CeCe’s laugh has always been contagious, so before long we’re both dying laughing like a couple of hyenas.

“Friend, I love you. But you need to be specific when it comes to your manifestation,” CeCe says once our laughter dies down.

“You’re right. But hey, at least my name is in print, right? I don’t want to read the rest. What did it say?”

“Nothing you don’t already know, but I wanted you to see the comments. It’s some real crazy bastards saying some worrying shit. One wrote, ‘You deserve to be alone. If you get in Alexa’s way, that white couch of yours will be dyed red with your blood.’ Tarae, are you still there?” CeCe questions after she finishes reading.

My heart has dropped for a completely different reason now. That comment was extremely violent and way too specific.

“What the fuck! Painted red with my blood? How the fuck did they even know my couch was white?” I sit up and look around my apartment like someone is watching me.

“Fuck if I know. But like I said, you need a bodyguard. Cause weirdos on the internet should not know what color your furniture is especially talking about blood being on it. That shit is crazy.”

“Damn, you’re right. But maybe if I stay out of sight, people will forget all about me. Football season doesn’t start for another couple of months, so I won’t have to go anywhere…” I don’t finish my sentence because CeCe interrupts.

“Uhhh, did you forget that I’m styling you for the ELFIEs?”

“Shit, I actually did.”

The ELFIEs are the biggest preseason award show in American Sports. And the who’s who of celebrities will be attending. Everyone goes to the ELFIEs, and no matter what that headline might have implied, I am important in the entertainment sports world. I’m so important that I was asked to co-host the event with mynowex. We were a popular “it couple” in sports, after all.

“I have to call my agent. Maybe she can get me out of this.”

“If anybody can, Shelby can.”

“I sure hope so,” I sigh in defeat.

The last thing I want to do is be in the same room with Mark Dixon. I sure as hell don’t want to stand beside him while I read a teleprompter with a fake-as-hell smile plastered on my face.Yeah, no thanks.

“Well, if you need that bodyguard and a date— I know just the person who can help you with that as well.”

“I’m afraid to even ask.”

“Don’t worry, sis; not only will you be protected while you’re out in public, but you can also get your back blown out in private.”

Cierra cackled before another text message beeped on my phone with a link to someplace called The Book Boyfriend Agency.

“Oh Lord, what is this?”

“It’s just what you need in your life,” Cierra says.

Before I can respond, my doorbell rings. I frown because I’m not expecting anyone, but I get off my couch and go to look out my peephole. I smile at the person standing on the other side.

“Hey CeCe, Christina’s at the door.”