Always Only You by Chloe Liese (z-lib.org).epub

but at least you had to get creative about it.”
“Thus, the oaths.”
My cheeks heat. I’m not embarrassed per se, but I wasn’t doing it with the
awareness anyone was listening. “You noticed that.”
She grins and sets down her tea. “I think my favorite to date is boil-brained
codpiece.”
“It gets the job done. I don’t like swearing at people, particularly in public.
Maybe it sounds extreme, but I feel the weight of every little fan who watches
me, whose parents read what I say in print. I-I guess I want to respect that. Still,
at some point, you have to let off some steam, you know?”
She nods. “Shakespeare Club keeps it fresh in your mind. Anyone I know a
part of this motley crew?”
I prop up on my elbows and take a long drink of tea, avoiding her eyes. “I
can’t tell. It’s a secret.”
When I glance up, there’s a twinkle in her eye, a small smile tugging at her
lips. “And how does one gain access to this exclusive gathering?”
“Well, first they have to be invited by a member. Then they have to recite
their favorite lines of Shakespeare.”
“Sounds kinda easy.”
“Oh, there’s more to it. Membership is contingent upon authenticity, upon
words spoken from the heart. They have to say it like they mean it, like it matters
to them.”
“Why?” Frankie asks.
“That’s how you keep it safe. If someone were to join and bring a dismissive
attitude, it would ruin everything.”
“Well, maybe I’ll have to brush up on the Bard, then.”
I whip my head sharply to meet her eyes. “Y-you’d want to come?”
“Someday, maybe. Sounds like a good time. Plus, I imagine you’re very
compelling, reciting Shakespeare. I have to see it.”
My cheeks heat further. “I’m not sure about that, Frankie.”
“Why not?”
“Because…” Then you’d see me in all my nerdiness. My absolute oddball
dorkdom. “I’m self-conscious,” I say defensively.
She rolls her eyes. “Ren, let me tell you something. Any person who ever
saw you having a fucking ball being a theater geek and gave you shit for it, they
weren’t worth your time. My therapist says, show people who you really are, and
you get the absolute thrill of knowing they love you for you. That’s why the
friends I do have aren’t many, but they know and love the real me.”
You know the real me, her eyes seem to say as she peers down at me.