Bodyguard Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend Dating Agency)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

TARAE

“ T arae, girl, you need to take this shit seriously. People are crazy out here nowadays.”

I sigh as I listen to Cierra lecture me for the umpteenth time. I’m just glad she can’t see my face as she fusses.

“Cierra, you’re my best friend, and I love you like a sister, but you are not my mama. You’ve got to chill out. These people are keyboard thugs. If I ever saw them face to face, they would shit on themselves.”

“Tarae, you’re a star. People are invested in your life whether you like it or not. You need to get a bodyguard or something.”

I roll my eyes at the thought of having a bodyguard. Cierra is overacting as usual.

“I’m just a sports reporter, CeCe. People are nosy because of Mark. Once a real celebrity does something, they’ll forget all about me,” I reply in exasperation.

It’s been two weeks since the news of my pro-football player boyfriend was caught red-handed cheating on me. If it wasn’t humiliating enough that the man I thought I was going to marry was cheating on me, I had to relive it over and over again because people kept tagging me on social media. The video vividly replays in my mind…

“Alexa are you and Mark a couple?” The paparazzi yells.

“Of course, I don’t just go around kissing everybody!” Alexa says giggling.

“What about Tarae, Mark?”

“Tarae is a hateful witch that can’t stand to see us happy.” Alexa smirks at the camera before giving a big show of kissing Mark and walking off.

Watching a video online isn’t the best way to find out that your man is gallivanting around Dallas with a barely legal rapper, and I use the term rapper hella loosely because singing nursery rhymes with autotune isn’t what I would categorize as rap.

But hey what do I know, I’m just the hateful witch.

The worst part about all this is I can’t even show my ass like I really want to because of my career. It took everything in me not to smash the windows out of his car and slash three of his car tires. I wanted to crash out so bad.

Instead, I had to constantly say no comment to the paparazzi who were following me and block a few people on social media. I’ve kept quiet while this little twit’s fans have called me every name under the sun, like I’m the one who cheated. CeCe might be right that people are crazy, but I really doubt they’re dangerous.

“Tarae, I’m gonna hold your hand while I say this… you are a real celebrity, sweetie.” Even over the phone, I can tell CeCe is smiling.

“Ce, just leave it alone. I swear, you’re supposed to be lifting me up right now…”

“Babe, I am lifting you up. Have you seen the latest article that’s out?” CeCe questions in a tone that makes my stomach turn.

“No, I turned off all of my social media alerts after I took my vacation time. I mean, it can’t get any worse, right?”

“Oh sweetie—” CeCe takes a deep breath before my phone beeps with a text message.

“I’m afraid to open it,” I whisper into the phone.

“Do you want me to come over? You know I will.”

“No, it’s late. I’m a big girl. I’m sure it’s fine.”

I open the message, but my eyelids are shut tight. I count to ten before I slowly peek at the words on the screen. My heart dips into my stomach at the headline.

Is reporter Tarae Green standing in the way of true love instead of standing on the sidelines where she belongs?

The headline sucks, but it’s the source of the article that’s heart wrenching. Person to Person magazine is one of the largest online publications. They have millions of viewers a day. And my name is front and center.

“Why, Lord? When I was manifesting my name in print, this is not what I meant!” I yell, kicking my feet like a toddler.

On the other end of the phone, I hear my best friend cracking up. I frown, but CeCe’s laugh has always been contagious, so before long we’re both dying laughing like a couple of hyenas.

“Friend, I love you. But you need to be specific when it comes to your manifestation,” CeCe says once our laughter dies down.

“You’re right. But hey, at least my name is in print, right? I don’t want to read the rest. What did it say?”

“Nothing you don’t already know, but I wanted you to see the comments. It’s some real crazy bastards saying some worrying shit. One wrote, ‘You deserve to be alone. If you get in Alexa’s way, that white couch of yours will be dyed red with your blood.’ Tarae, are you still there?” CeCe questions after she finishes reading.

My heart has dropped for a completely different reason now. That comment was extremely violent and way too specific.

“What the fuck! Painted red with my blood? How the fuck did they even know my couch was white?” I sit up and look around my apartment like someone is watching me.

“Fuck if I know. But like I said, you need a bodyguard. Cause weirdos on the internet should not know what color your furniture is especially talking about blood being on it. That shit is crazy.”

“Damn, you’re right. But maybe if I stay out of sight, people will forget all about me. Football season doesn’t start for another couple of months, so I won’t have to go anywhere…” I don’t finish my sentence because CeCe interrupts.

“Uhhh, did you forget that I’m styling you for the ELFIEs?”

“Shit, I actually did.”

The ELFIEs are the biggest preseason award show in American Sports. And the who’s who of celebrities will be attending. Everyone goes to the ELFIEs, and no matter what that headline might have implied, I am important in the entertainment sports world. I’m so important that I was asked to co-host the event with my now ex. We were a popular “it couple” in sports, after all.

“I have to call my agent. Maybe she can get me out of this.”

“If anybody can, Shelby can.”

“I sure hope so,” I sigh in defeat.

The last thing I want to do is be in the same room with Mark Dixon. I sure as hell don’t want to stand beside him while I read a teleprompter with a fake-as-hell smile plastered on my face. Yeah, no thanks.

“Well, if you need that bodyguard and a date— I know just the person who can help you with that as well.”

“I’m afraid to even ask.”

“Don’t worry, sis; not only will you be protected while you’re out in public, but you can also get your back blown out in private.”

Cierra cackled before another text message beeped on my phone with a link to someplace called The Book Boyfriend Agency.

“Oh Lord, what is this?”

“It’s just what you need in your life,” Cierra says.

Before I can respond, my doorbell rings. I frown because I’m not expecting anyone, but I get off my couch and go to look out my peephole. I smile at the person standing on the other side.

“Hey CeCe, Christina’s at the door.”

My neighbor is a sweetheart. She’s always checking on me and bringing me baked goods. Christina probably read the same article CeCe did.

“What the hell does she want?” I can hear the disdain in CeCe’s voice, and I roll my eyes.

Cierra has never liked Christina. I’m not sure why; like I said, Chrissy is a sweetheart. But once my bestie gets something in her mind, there’s no changing it. Most of the time it isn’t an issue because I keep the two ladies separated.

“I don’t know, Ce; let me call you later.”

“Uh-huh. Just don’t forget about the service. You need a bodyguard, especially when inviting creepy Chrissy into your house.”

“Bye, Cierra.” I hang up the phone to CeCe’s laughter as I answer the door.

“Hey, Chrissy. What’s up?” I put some fake cheer into my voice so she doesn’t pick up on the fact that I’ve been wallowing in the pits of self-despair.

“Oh, girlie, I just saw the article. You must be devastated. I can’t believe Mark dumped you for Alexa Ash. I mean, I can; she’s a star, and you’re just a reporter, but still.”

I know Chrissy means well, but damn, can I catch a break.

“Nah. I’m good. Actually, I’m busy with some stuff right now, so I’ll catch up with you later,” I respond, trying to keep the frown off my face.

“Oh, yeah, sure.” Chrissy tucks her curly hair behind her ear.

“Alright, then. See ya later.” I shut the door on a smirking Chrissy.

As soon as I close the door, my phone beeps with a message.

Unknown: Alexa is better than you! When you’re out, I’ll show you just how much!

“What in the actual fuck! I guess I do need a bodyguard!”