Kissed by Reality Read Online Free

suffocating when she came home from the doctor's in the fall and told me the news.
    He gaped for a while, just holding my hand as I tried to communicate with him through my facial expressions. But then I saw his features harden. "Then why did you come here?"
    I was waiting for that one. "Because she told me I'd kick my ass if I didn't. And that if I didn't come here to try and fight for you, it would be the biggest mistake of my life."
    Finn seemed to be digesting that, but before we could get another word in to each other, Chuck yelled cut and Mitchell stepped in. "Okay, time for the Charm Ceremony."

Chapter Four
Finn
    I had originally said no when Chuck and Mitchell approached me to be the next Mr. Right.
    It had been about three months since I'd broken up with Leighton, I was in a hell of a state, and the last thing I was thinking about was finding love again. Hell, I was cursing the female sex each and every day I woke up.
    But they're weasels, manipulators, its what they do for a living. They snagged me, dragged me into this season with the promise of fun and love and hot women. In the back of my mind I was thinking, "She'll probably be watching. What better revenge than falling in love with another woman in the exact setting, the exact way I'd fallen in love with her."
    I never in my life thought I would be struggling not to look at Leighton Aldridge in the front row of the Charm Ceremony on my season of Mr. Right. Guess that meant I shouldn't trust or listen to Chuck and Mitchell as much as I had. Not that I ever really did.
    It was so tempting to flick my gaze to her where she stood in that tempting yellow dress. I swore I could hear her curves whispering my name.
    But no. Now that she was here, she could watch me fall in love with one of these other women in person. Which was even better than if she was watching on TV. She'd have to observe me bond, flirt and kiss these other ladies, and that revenge made my blood tingle with sweet anticipation. It served her right for what she had done to me.
    My hands were slippery and I could feel the click of my prosthesis as I jiggled my leg. I was nervous standing up here in front of this pack of gorgeous females. I couldn't believe I was actually on the distributing end of the Charm Ceremony. I remember standing exactly where they were on my season, when Jillian Dupont was Mrs. Right. I remember not breathing until she called my name and presented me with a link to complete my watch.
    We'd been given the time piece at the beginning of the season, but had to receive a link each week to symbolize our time committed to Jillian. The winner completed his watch in that final episode, and if Mrs. Right was lucky, he'd get down on one knee and present her a gorgeous piece of jewelry. That winner just wasn't me.
    But I was happy for Jillian and Harry, who were on their way to a walk down the aisle. They were right for each other, and it opened the door for me to experience other things this franchise had to offer.
    I stared down at the 20 glistening heart charms laid on the platter next to me. The men on Mrs. Right all got links for their watch. The women on Mr. Right all received charms for their bracelet. The first episode charm was always a heart, to "open our hearts to love" or some kind of bullshit like that. I really should have been taking this seriously, but Leighton's presence had unnerved me.
    I glanced up at the girls, some who were fidgeting, others who looked close to tears, and two that were so drunk they could barely stand. Yeah, I knew production was making me keep one of them for ratings.
    I'd had a good conversation with the girl in the purple, Erin I think her name is. She'd told about how she was a teacher, elementary if I remembered correctly, and hailed from a suburb in Illinois. She seemed down to earth, and I could see an instant spark with her. So I called her name first.
    After she smiled, and the other girls glowered at her, she walked towards me