by Amare, Mercy
Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
July 26
July 27
July 28
July 29
July 30
July 31
August 1
August 19
August 23
August 24
Auguts 27
August 29
August 30
August 31
September 1
September 2
September 3
September 14
September 20
September 21
September 22
October 2
Epilogue
Author's Note
Other Books by Mercy
Acknowledgments
Find Me Online
Mercy Amare
Char
Copyright © 2013 by Mercy Amare
Cover designed by P.S. Cover Design
Edited by Becca Smith
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This book is dedicated to my very best friend, Tess Watson. You rock, but don’t let it go to your head ;)
FRIDAY, JULY 26
7am
I heart Cali.
It’s seven in the morning… A beautiful day in California. The sun is shining and the waves are calling my name. Pretty much the only reason I will get up at the ass crack of dawn is to surf.
I throw my board in the back of my jeep and head towards my friend’s house. We all live along the same beach line, but Ryan Blackman lives about a mile up the road. His family is pretty loaded… not that mine isn’t… but his dad invented some crazy spy technology that the government uses. He’s not really allowed to talk about it. I don’t really care, but he lives in a more secluded area, so we all go there to surf. Not that I live in the ghettos or anything like that. My house is huge and right on the beach. Well, technically it’s my mom’s house. I just live there — as she likes to remind me. Whatever.
My mom is Caroline Diaz. You’ve probably never heard of her, but she seems to think everybody remembers. She’s a washed-up actress. She was a soap opera star for fifteen years. After they killed off her character about ten years ago, she hasn’t been able to land a part. She gave up when oldest sister, Chloe York, started getting roles.
Chloe is currently the star of Drama Queen. It’s a lame high school drama, but apparently it brings in a lot of viewers. She’s twenty four, but she plays a sixteen year old. It’s weird seeing my big sister play a teenager. Though, she plays the part very well.
I have another sister, who I’m sure you’ve heard of. Candice York. Yep. That Candice. She’s a super model and is the star of the reality show, Shores of Malibu. Everybody loves her slutty-drunken character. I personally am embarrassed by her. She’s nineteen, and recently received a ton of publicity for her upcoming pose in Playboy.
My dad is Robert York. He is a divorce attorney who generally works high profile cases. Pretty much any divorce between celebrities he handles. He lives in New York City, but works some out of LA. I hardly ever see him. Dinner once every three months is pretty much the extent of our relationship.
And that leaves me. Charlotte York. But everybody calls me Char. I am the rebel child. The black sheep of the family. Whatever else you want to call me. I hate the spotlight, and I avoid it at all cost… which is pretty hard, considering who my sisters are. Everybody knows me. Everybody photographs me. I don’t know why. I’m not a model, or an actress, or a celebrity. I’m just a teenager. A pretty normal, boring teenager.
Okay, well I have to admit my life is pretty extravagant. I live on the beach in Malibu, and I have the whole world at my fingertips. If it wasn’t for my crazy family, my life would be pretty freaking perfect.
I pull in front of Ryan’s house and shut off my jeep. I grab my surfboard from the back and head towards the waves.
“CHAR!” My friends all greet me.
I have four of the best friends in the entire world. We all enjoy surfing together. It’s our thing.
First, there is Kim Rudd. She’s the only other girl that we hang out with. Not many girls are interested in surfing. Losers. But Kim and I stick up for each other. When the guys get to be too much, we have a girl’s night.
“Cute bikini,” she says.
I always wear cute bikinis. It’s a must when you live in Cali. Mine is gray with white polka dots, and is layered with a teal floral pattern. I got it when I visited Australia with Candice earlier in the summer… I guess there are a few perks of my big sister being a model. Trips to Australia is one of them.
“Thanks.”
Kim knows absolutely nothing about fashion. Of course, all that I know I learned from my sisters. But Kim is cute. She’s got dark brown hair, green eyes, and a killer body. You will never see her wear make-up. Or shoes (unless she has to). She’s hot, but she doesn’t know it. Or maybe she does, and just pretends that she doesn’t. Either way, all the guys drool. Especially Ryan, one of my other friends.
Ryan has had a crush on Kim for as long as I can remember, but Kim is clueless. Ryan is cute — he’s just over six foot, and has gorgeous sandy-brown eyes. He’s a surfer, so he’s always got a tan, and his sandy blonde hair is sun kissed. He’s also a really nice guy. I wish Kim would go for him.
Byron and Aaron are my other two friends.
Byron Shipman recently moved here from Miami. He’s pretty cool. He just turned twenty, so he’s a little older than the rest of us. Byron is one of the best surfers I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went pro one day soon. He’s intense, and very serious about surfing. But he’s awesome.
And that leaves Aaron Rouse. He and I have been best friends since kindergarten, and we are inseparable. A lot of people think we’re dating, but there is definitely nothing going on between us… Not that Aaron isn’t nice looking — he is. He has blond hair that he normally keeps in spikes, but he is currently way overdue for a haircut. He’s kind of got Justin Bieber hair going on right now, which I tease him endlessly about. He has blue-gray eyes, with little flecks of gold in them. When you meet him, you feel like you could just gaze into his eyes for hours at a time. And most girls do.
Aaron works out a lot, and not just on his surfboard… He lifts weights, and he runs every morning before we surf. He’s very serious about fitness. But his muscles aren’t too big. They’re perfect. He definitely does not have the average body of an eighteen year old.
And yes. I am allowed to check out my best friend.
We are all pretty eager to get out into the water, so we paddle out and wait on the perfect wave.
“What are you doing today?” Aaron asks me as we sit in the water.
“I am meeting Landon for lunch,” I answer. “Then later tonight I am having dinner with the family. Landon has a concert tonight, so I’m going to go watch it once I’m done with family bonding time.”
Aaron makes a face. He doesn’t keep his distaste of my boyf
riend, Landon, a secret.
I’ve been dating Landon Tate for just over a year now. He moved here after his big brother’s band made it to the big time. His family is pretty new to money and fame. And that’s why I like Landon. He’s so sweet, and down to earth… Or at least he HAS been. Lately he has been acting like an entitled brat. And it’s starting to get on my nerves. I’m hoping it’s just a phase.
“You never have time for your best friend anymore.” Aaron likes to complain about me not spending enough time with him. Which is funny, considering Landon complains about all the time I spend with Aaron. But I never have free time. It feels like I’m always doing something. I like to stay busy.
“Sorry. I have some free time tomorrow afternoon if you want to hang out. Maybe we can get high.”
Aaron gives me a huge grin. “I’ll bring the weed.”
Aaron’s smile is gorgeous, and even after knowing him my whole life I can’t help but swoon. I can see why all the girls like him. He’s just been my best friend for too long. It’s hard for me to see him as anything else. And I know Aaron feels the same. He’s like my brother. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
1pm
Hanging with Landon.
Landon is waiting for me at our favorite cafe. I sit down in front of him, and he flashes his huge dimples… He’s absolutely the most adorable guy I have ever met. I’m lucky to have him.
“Hey, beautiful.” He gives me a quick kiss on the lips, and we both sit down. “I ordered your favorite.”
“Thanks.”
Landon has dark brown hair, and super dark brown eyes. He kind of has the whole skater look going on right now, but when we first started dating he kept his hair cut short. I liked it, but I guess California changes everybody. Now he wears his hair longer. I enjoy running my hands through his shaggy hair, but I like it better the other way.
After lunch, we head back to his house and chill in his room.
When Landon and I started dating just over a year ago, we had the perfect relationship. We waited exactly three months to have sex. I was his first, which was really kind of cute. I had been with one other guy before him, but both of us were pretty clueless on what we were doing. Since then, the sex has gotten a lot better. He’s learned what I like, and I’ve learned what he likes. So sexually, I guess I would say I’m pretty satisfied. Though, considering I only have one other person to compare it with, I’m not sure if it could be better.
As soon as we get to his room, he gets right down to business. He strips off my cover-up, and then my bikini. His hands are all over my naked breasts, and butt.
I like kissing Landon. His kisses are aggressive, and always leave me wanting more. And he’s always willing to give me more. I swear Landon could have sex five times a day. He’s always horny, which works out good for me. I love having sex.
“Your ass is huge.” He smacks my butt as he says it. “Seriously, I think it’s time to hit the elliptical.”
His words piss me off. They’re not true. I’ve been working out three to four days a week with Candi. I’ve dropped five pounds, and am more toned than ever. But even if his words were true, he shouldn’t have said it. Landon tries to start kissing me again, but I push him away. I grab my bikini off the floor and start getting dressed.
“Come on, Char. I was kidding. Lighten up.”
I roll my eyes. “Fuck you, Landon. If you don’t like my ass, I’m certainly not going to have sex with you. Stop being such a dick.”
“I’m sorry. Please don’t go.” He grabs my hand, and runs it along the front of his shorts. “Do you feel how hard I am? I need you.”
I jerk my hand away. “You have a hand, you can finish without me. I need time to cool off.”
I run out of his room, and he chases me down the stairs. I run out of the front door, ignoring him as he calls my name.
I’m so not in the mood for assholes today.
3pm
Naked and classy. Or trashy.
“He’s such a douche,” I tell Aaron, as he lights the joint. He takes a hit, and passes it to me. “Like I seriously don’t know why I put up with him.” I take a hit, and instantly feel relaxed. So I take another hit, and pass it back to Aaron.
“You do deserve better, Char. I’ve told you that all along.”
“He hasn’t always been like this. Just recently.”
“Some people can’t handle money. He’s obviously one of those people.”
I nod my head in agreement.
Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I lived in a normal family, a family like Landon had before his brother got famous… If I had parents who actually loved me, and siblings who weren’t celebrities… Sisters that I could actually talk to about normal stuff.
That’s not my life, but I so wish it were.
Instead, my life is spent listening to my mom and sister talk about if posing for Playboy is considered trashy. Of course it’s TRASHY! But Candice and my mom are convinced her spread is classy. What a laugh. How can a naked picture be classy?
“Did I tell you Candice is doing Playboy?”
Aaron’s eyes get big. “Hot.”
I smack his arm playfully. “She’s the centerfold for the September issue.”
“So she’ll be totally nude?”
“Yep. And she keeps telling me how classy it is. Ha. What a joke.”
“Trashy is more like it,” Aaron says.
“Exactly!” At least he gets it. “Would you date a centerfold?”
He thinks about it for a second. “Date, yes. Marry, no. Dating a centerfold could be fun. And your sister is fucking hot. I bet she’s a freak in bed.”
I roll my eyes. “Right.”
“You look just like her,” he says.
“I so do not!” I hate when people tell me that I look like Candi. Not that she isn’t gorgeous, she is. But that is all she is — a gorgeous body.
“Do too. And you should take it as a compliment. She’s fucking hot.” He looks over at me, and smiles big. “Seriously, your ass looks great. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”
Aaron likes my butt.
So why doesn’t my boyfriend?
“Stop checking out my ass,” I tell Aaron playfully. “But seriously, if Chloe and I were as trashy as Candice, I bet we’d have our own reality show. We’d give the Kardashian sisters a run for their money.”
“The York Sisters…” He nods approvingly. “Now that’s a reality show I would watch.”
“Shut up.” I grab the joint from his hand and take another hit.
“I am starving. Let’s get food,” he says.
“I’ll get us something.” I get up and wipe the sand off of myself. “It’s too beautiful to be inside. I’ll be right back.” I start to walk away, but then turn towards Aaron. “Don’t even think about looking at my ass on the way in.”
I turn back around, and walk towards the door. I glance back to see that Aaron is in fact checking me out. I flip him off.
Once inside, I head into the kitchen and look in the fridge.
“Why don’t you put a cover-up on?” my mom asks, as she comes up behind me.
I ignore her and just shake my ass. I keep my head in the fridge. All we have is healthy shit, and I want sugar.
“Charlotte Ashley York, answer me when I talk to you.”
I roll my eyes, and turn around. “Since when does our family care about modesty? Was it before or after Candi posed naked for Playboy?”
“Your sister is an adult. I have no say over what she does.”
That is a BIG. FAT. LIE. My mother controls everything when it comes to Candi and Chloe. She’s just mad because I’m the one daughter she can’t control. I pull the string on my bikini top, and let it fall to the floor. If she’s going to be a bitch, I’ll just walk around the house naked.
“Char, put that back on. Aaron is out back. He could walk in and see you.”
How funny. She’s worried about one guy seeing me naked, but millions of guys will see
Candi naked.
“I want some good food. All we have is vegetables and fruit.” I use my best little kid voice. “Why can’t we have normal food?”
My mom smiles as she looks at me. “You have abs.” For once she sounds like a proud parent.
“I’ve been working out with Candice four days a week. I want to look hot when school starts back.”
“With a body like that, you don’t need school.”
Should I be more creeped out that my mom is checking me out, or that she basically just told me I could drop out of school and make money with my body? “Mom, I am so not becoming a prostitute. Or a Playboy Bunny. I aspire to do more than pose naked and have guys jack off to pictures of me. Though I must say, the girls are liking the air. I’m thinking I should walk around topless more often.”
My mom rolls her eyes. “I’m talking about modeling. Or acting. You’ve always been such a drama queen. I could get you some auditions.”
Mom. The manager… She lives vicariously through Chloe and Candi. However, I am so not going to do anything that involves me being in the spotlight. I prefer the shadows.
“No thanks.”
“What’s taking so long?” I hear Aaron’s voice.
I go to grab my bathing suit top, but it’s too late. Aaron is standing there in the middle of my kitchen, staring at my boobs with a HUGE smile on his face. I cover up my boobs with my hands. “Turn around!”
Aaron turns around, and I put my top back on. My mom is smirking at me. Once my top is back on, Aaron turns back around.
“Aaron,” my mom says, “do you think Charlotte has a nice body?”
He looks shocked at my mom’s question, but he answers. He’s used to her weirdness. “Ugh… Yes. Very nice.”
“Do you think she’d make a good model?”
Aaron looks at me. I’m glaring at him. He knows that he better answer this question right or I will be pissed. He turns back to my mom. “Well, she definitely has the body of a model, but she’s too smart to waste it. She should probably do something that acquires a few more brain cells.”
