Seven Roses (Haremworld)

Chapter 1: Lyn

“You’re getting what!?” My eyes dropped down to the enormous rock on my best friend’s hand.

“I’m getting married!” Jessica lifted her hand and the diamond sparkled in the light.

“How? Who?” My eyes bulged out of my head. “You aren’t even dating anyone!”

“You’re right, I’m not dating anyone.” She winked. “I’m engaged to Sullivan Banks.”

Sullivan Banks—the professional football player—starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Dragons?

“You didn’t answer how...” My eyes continued to bulge as the reflection of the light made the jewel glisten with a kaleidoscope of grandeur.

“We met a few weeks ago at a party. I guess he liked what he saw—and he likes what I do when we’re alone.” Her tongue traced her lips.

“Enough to marry you? Clearly I’m doing something wrong...” I let out a sigh, but my eyes wouldn’t leave her beautiful ring.

I was backstage with Jessica at Seven Roses, a dating show that she was supposed to be appearing on as a contestant. It was a speed dating show where every week the lucky contestant went through seven different eligible guys who agreed to date them, and when it was done, they were supposed to choose one as their boyfriend. It had become a ratings juggernaut and Jennifer was their first celebrity contestant. They had been promoting her for weeks and the number of applications they received broke their website multiple times. Jennifer was beautiful, but she had never really dated anyone seriously—as far as I knew, the show was just a way for her to keep landing roles on popular sitcoms—possibly even raise her asking price. The diamond on her finger suggested she was not only off the market, but she wasn’t going to be able to appear on the show at all. I was supposed to be there for emotional support while she ran through her lines, but after she dropped the engagement bombshell on me, I wasn’t sure why we were there at all.

“We’re ready for the first promotional shot.” The door opened and a man I didn’t recognize poked his head inside.

“I already told you!” Jessica’s voice raised considerably. “I’m not here for a promotional shot, I want to talk to Charles Montgomery!”

“Right...” The man pulled his head away from the door and closed it quickly.

“Is he here?” I looked at her and felt a bit of giddiness in my stomach. “I like him.”

“He’s just like every other asshole on television. Don’t expect the guy you see every week hosting Seven Roses to walk through the door. He’s not like that when he’s not in front of the camera.” She sat back down in her chair and stared at the door like she was ready to eviscerate anyone who disturbed her again that wasn’t Charles Montgomery.

Charles Montgomery was a legend. Seven Roses wasn’t the first television show he had hosted, but it had become his most popular one ever. For five seasons he had united lonely women with hot, delicious men. Most of the women who faithfully watched the show—and a few men—actually liked Charles Montgomery better than most of the male contestants. He always interjected himself into the conversations and would generally humiliate any of the guys that seemed to be there only for sex. I wanted to be there for Jessica, but the chance to meet him in the flesh made me more excited than her engagement.

We were in the backstage room for nearly an hour before I heard some commotion outside. I recognized his voice before he ever made it to the door. He sounded angry, yelling at random people as his voice got closer to the door. It definitely wasn’t the kind sharp-witted voice I was used to when I watched him on television every week. When the door opened and he stepped inside, the warm smile I had grown accustomed to was replaced by an angry scowl that looked like it could set someone on fire if he focused his attention on them—and his attention was directly on Jessica.

“What the fuck is this shit I’m hearing? You’re not going to go on the show because you got engaged? That is a breach of your fucking contract.” His words came out in a violent burst that caused his face to turn red.

“I came here to tell you in person.” Jessica stood up. “I’m not hiding behind my lawyers—which will be my next step if your tone doesn’t change.”

“Jessica...” He relaxed his tone, but his scowl remained plastered on his face. “Surely we can work this out. We don’t have to tell anyone you’re engaged. Do you know how many guys applied to be on the show with you?”

“I’m not getting caught up in a scandal. Besides, when this show airs, I’ll already be married.” She held out her engagement ring with a smile.

“Seriously?” My eyebrows shot up. “When is the wedding?”

“Who the fuck is this?” Charles turned his attention to me as if he was just realizing I was in the room. “We don’t allow guests backstage.”

“Sorry, I can go.” I reached for my purse.

“No, she’s not leaving,” Jessica took a step forward, “until she leaves with me. I need you to cancel the contract so I can get a press release together. I’m going to announce my engagement and my regrets about not appearing on Seven Roses at the same time.”

“Fucking shit!” His tone raised again and he threw his arms out in frustration. “I have a camera crew here, I have all the promotional material lined up, and I’ve even chosen the guys that are going to be on the show!”

“I’m sorry.” She let out a sigh, showing her first sign of actual remorse. “I didn’t expect this to happen. I signed up with the best of intentions, but I can’t really go through with it now that my circumstances have changed.”

“Fuck it...” Charles turned to the door. “I’ll figure it out, just get the hell out of here.”

“Thank you.” She smiled and picked up her pur

se. “Come on, Lyn.”

“Yeah...” I followed her towards the door, taking one last look at Charles Montgomery’s scowl.

CHARLES MONTGOMERY was definitely not the man I saw on television every week. I wasn’t sure anyone would actually watch the show if they saw that side of him. Jessica stayed a step ahead of me as we walked outside and after a brief goodbye, she was whisked away in her limousine. She didn’t offer me a ride, but I was used to it. Jessica’s celebrity status had left the rest of the world in the dust. She still called me when something came up and I followed along like the puppy I had become. It didn’t used to be like that. We used to be closer than sisters.

It was getting cold in Chicago and I stared at my phone waiting for my Uber to arrive as I paced outside the Seven Roses studio, trying to walk off some of the chill. I hadn’t worn a heavy jacket and that decision was definitely a bad one. I was ready to get back to my apartment and drown the day in wine. It was how most of my interactions with Jessica ended. She was a reminder that my attempt at landing television roles was nothing but a failed endeavor while she was the starlet of Chicago. The odds weren’t in my favor. Two girls from the South Side—both of us making it? That wasn’t even rational.

I heard a door slam and I looked over my shoulder to see Charles Montgomery exiting the building. He took a moment to adjust his coat and then walked out onto the sidewalk.

“I’m sorry Jessica can’t do your show.” I looked over at him, just trying to break the ice instead of standing awkwardly next to him.