Free Famous by Jessica Burkhart Page A

BBM, whatever if u need me. I’m here 4 u.
    Lauren:
    I know u r. That’s why I like u so much. Talk soon.
    A lump formed in my throat. I knew my instinct would be to run to Drew after my conversation with Taylor. But I couldn’t. Drew and Taylor had enough bad blood betweenthem, and I couldn’t add fuel to the fire. I had to wait until I was calm to tell Drew. Plus, I had Lex, Clare, and my other friends to rally around me.
    I got up, stuck my phone in my pocket, and looked at Khloe.
    She hadn’t moved from my bed. KK stared at me with a soft expression. “Going?” she asked.
    â€œGoing.”
    Khloe stood, wrapping her arms around me in the tightest hug. “Take him down, LT. Do what you have to do.”
    Nodding, I slipped into my coat and cast a final look at her. “I will. The lies end today.”

TRUTH TIME, TAYLOR
    TAYLOR WAS ALREADY WAITING FOR me when I reached the courtyard. He was on his BlackBerry, but he looked up when my sneakers crunched a leaf on the sidewalk.
    He smiled. “Hey, LT,” he called.
    I didn’t answer.
    As I walked toward him, I realized I couldn’t tell anything was wrong. If I said nothing, if Brielle didn’t tell him, Taylor and I could go on like this . With him giving me giant smiles, us running into each other in the hallways, me resisting fixing his collar, or noticing that he was wearing a new pair of jeans. Not noticing him in a boyfriend way, but a friend way. A close friend way. My “close” friend was just an illusion. Taylor wasn’t that at all.
    My chest swelled with anger the closer I got. Anysadness I’d felt seconds ago was gone. He had lied to me, and I wanted to know why.
    â€œHey,” I said, my tone short.
    His green eyes, the ones I’d fallen for when we’d started dating, darted across my face.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he asked. “You’ve been crying.”
    â€œThat’s putting it mildly,” I said, staring at him with my jaw set.
    Taylor’s lips parted a little. “Talk to me. Something happened. I’m sure I can help.”
    I didn’t answer. I stood, my feet rooted to the cobblestones. A cluster of laughing students passed behind me and I waited until they were down the sidewalk before opening my mouth.
    â€œActually, Taylor, you can’t help.”
    I let the sentence hang in the air.
    â€œYou’re the reason why I’m upset. The reason why I spent the past couple of hours crying. You . So thanks for your offer of ‘help,’ but I’ll pass.”
    His head jerked back. “What are you talking about? Lauren, I didn’t do—”
    I couldn’t hold it in for another second.
    â€œStop lying to me!” I screamed.
    Taylor stepped back. Birds flew out of nearby trees,and I wondered if a teacher was going to come looking for the source of the scream. I was too angry to care.
    â€œLying to you about what ?” Taylor asked. His face was red, and he adjusted his gray beanie, pulling it tighter over his ears.
    â€œTaylor Frost, I swear, if you make me tell you and you don’t come clean, I’m never speaking to you again.” I paused, my chest heaving. “You. Know. What. You. Did.”
    The red in his face slipped away. I was barely able to look at him as he stared into my eyes, not blinking or moving.
    â€œPlease,” I said. It took everything I had to speak. My body already felt as though I’d run the New York City Marathon after my talk with Bri. Now I just wanted to crumple up in a ball. “If you care about me like you claim to, if you care even a little , just tell me.”
    â€œI dated Brielle this summer.”
    Taylor didn’t hesitate. The words came out of his mouth, and by the look in his eyes and the twist of his mouth, I knew he hated himself right now. He had said the words, though, and the truth about our sort of lopsided dating triangle was out in the