CHAPTER FOUR

 

 

“And that, Glammers, is how you totally rock winged eyeliner,” Sutton gushes to the camera. My beautiful, dark-haired friend beams brightly, her glossy lips sparkling in the ring light I’d attached to the recording station. “I’ve been reading your comments and I know that a lot of you have been struggling with this tricky technique, but I’m here to tell you to keep practicing and you’ll be as good as Kali in no time.”

Beside Sutton, Kali winks and nods. I’ve been recording my two besties for the past couple of hours. When we first started these tutorials way back in college, it blew my mind exactly how much time we’d spend shooting videos that actually ended up being only a few minutes long. There are always so many retakes and bloopers and mistakes that a shoot can sometimes take all day.

But that’s what it takes to stay on top of the social media world. We have a strict schedule that we follow to a T to make sure our followers are never left wondering when they might hear from us, and that doesn’t even include Sutton’s frequent live sessions on Insta.

Both of my best friends look flawless and confident as they sit before the camera now in the two director’s chairs we have set up. Kali’s been giving yet another round of her awesome makeup tips with Sutton as her model. These videos always make me glad that my blond bestie is here to help me get all glammed up whenever I go out. I might know how to put an outfit together and style it just right, but I’m helpless when it comes to lipstick or mascara. The last time I tried to do my own eyeliner, I poked myself in the eye. Of course, Kali and Sutton joked that I’d done it to avoid a few photoshoots we had coming up.

“That’s right,” Kali agrees with a big smile. Like Sutton, she absolutely glows with cheerful energy the second someone points a camera in her direction. It isn’t only the fancy setup of lights or the sun shining in through the open windows that makes both of them look radiant. They have an inner glow that’s so amazing to see. “I hope this video helps all you beautiful people out there. Next time, we’re going to be breaking down some smoky eye looks that’ll be fabulous for that hot date.”

“See you next time, babes. Mwah!” Sutton says as I lean forward to turn off the camera.

Kali and Sutton share a grin and a high five.

“That went great!” Kali says excitedly. “And you finally sat still long enough for me to finish a look. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”

Sutton playfully sticks out her tongue and dramatically rolls her eyes.

As much as Sutton adores being front and center on our videos, sometimes she’s got the same attention span as Kali’s sweet lab mix. She’s always bursting at the seams to chase something else more exciting. Which I suppose is why we can’t trust her in the kitchen at all. Even when she tries to brew coffee, she manages to get distracted and either add way too many coffee grounds or let it brew too long. Just thinking about her infamous cup of black and bitter joe makes my whole mouth screw up to the side. And that’s just her coffee. Her cooking is a whole other story.

“I’ll edit that file and have it up by tomorrow,” Sutton says as she slides off her chair and runs her hands through her long, dark hair, giving it a shake as she does so. “Boone and I are going on a date afterward so I’ll need to get it done early.”

She smiles, her pretty green eyes going somewhat wistful as they always do when she brings up her rugby-playing Texas sweetheart.

Our G&G fans go wild every time Sutton or Kali post about their boyfriends, Boone and Grayson, so lately the girls have been uploading more content with the guys included. It never fails to increase our comments or likes. I don’t really mind it, either, because I’m so happy that they’ve found two fantastic men who treat them so well. Watching Kali and Sutton go all googly-eyed over their hunky men gives me the same warm feeling I get while watching my favorite rom-com movie. I’ve always loved love. Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday, despite being perpetually single. Even when I was a kid, I was sneaking romance novels that were way too mature for me. You know the ones. They have half-naked men on the cover with long hair flowing in the breeze. Back then, I couldn’t get enough. Actually, I still can’t!

Maybe that’s why I’m refusing to date.

Maybe I know the real thing won’t add up to all those books I salivated over as a girl.

I know my two best friends have hit the boyfriend jackpot, but they’re so different than me that it’s not surprising that such gorgeous and sweet men have crossed their paths.

“I’m surprised Chanel wasn’t in here helping you direct the video, Liv,” Kali muses as Sutton leans forward to inspect her makeup in the mirror on the tall highboy table again. She bats her eyelashes at her reflection and blows a kiss into her reflection. “She usually follows you around like a hoppy little duckling,”

I bite my lip and peer out of our studio to see if I can spot a cute little gray bunny jumping about, but she’s nowhere to be seen.

“I know.” I sigh. “She’s been acting a little strange lately.”

Both of my best friends share a concerned look.

“What do you mean, strange?” Sutton asks, forgetting all about her flawless makeup.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “Just…like…extra tired. She’s been sleeping a lot and isn’t her usual active self.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Kali says reassuringly, climbing to her feet and putting her arm around my shoulder. “Living with Coco and Georgie can be exhausting, I bet.”

Sutton nods. “Kali’s right. She probably just needs some extra bunny beauty sleep.”

“I hope so,” I murmur.

Honestly, I wasn’t so sure. I’ve never seen my baby act this way. To say I’m worried about Chanel is putting it mildly.

Outside the studio, a strange noise abruptly resounds down the hall. A baffling mix of choking and heavy breathing, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. The sound is so bizarre and startling that it makes all three of us immediately stop what we’re doing and freeze in place.

For a second, we all just stare at one another. Then, when the odd sound echoes a second time, my friends and I dash out of the studio, following the noise all the way into the living room.

“It’s coming from under the couch,” Sutton says.

Both George and Coco are hovering near the source of the sound. George whines, his tail between his legs as he snuffles against the bottom of the couch with his nose. Coco seems equally worried. She sticks a long, silky paw beneath the couch and meows loudly.

I drop to my knees, peeking underneath the sofa to spot a gray ball of fur.

“It’s Chanel!” I cry out, reaching my arm beneath the couch to gently pry my precious bunny free from her hiding spot. “Come here, baby. That’s it.”

As I climb up to my knees and sit back on my heels, cradling Chanel in my arms, she begins to cough loudly. My heart pounds against my chest and I gently hug her close. This is the first time I’ve ever heard her make such a sound, and I hate every second of it.

“I need to take her to the vet!” I shout, jumping to my feet and hurrying across the room.

“It’s Sunday,” Sutton says, following me. “The vet is closed.”

Chanel lets out another strangled cough.

“There’s an emergency vet open 24/7 on Palm Street,” Kali says, falling into step beside Sutton. “Someone is always there.”

I have no idea how Kali knows that, but I’m glad she does. I only slow down long enough to grab my purse from the counter in the kitchen on the way to the garage.

“Are you sure you’re okay to drive? Maybe we should go with you,” Sutton suggests.

I glance over my shoulder at her and Kali as I open the door. I appreciate their offer, but I don’t want to waste even a second waiting for them to grab their purses and keys. “I’ll be fine. I’ll text you when I know something.”

Once in the car, I settle Chanel in my lap and start the engine, then back out of the garage and race down the driveway. The vet Kali mentioned is on the other side of town and I drive way faster than I usually do, desperate to get my poor bunny some help. Tears well in my eyes every time she starts to hack.

“Hang on, baby,” I plead with her as I finally pull into the parking lot of the emergency vet.

Cradling my beloved bunny, I jump out of the car and race in to the small brightly colored building. The lobby is empty and I make a beeline for the counter. Unlike the regular vet where Kali, Sutton, and I always take our fur babies, there isn’t a receptionist sitting behind it.

“Hello!” I call desperately. “Hello, is anyone in here? My bunny is sick and I need help! Please!”

The words are barely out of my mouth when the door behind the counter opens and a man rushes over to me.

I blink.

Cash?