“Nothing would help,” Riley said. “I’m trapped.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Harrison said.
When Briggs looked at him, he saw the famous actor wore a devilish grin.
“Stryker and I have been talking…”
“Oh boy,” Athena said. “When you two get to planning, heaven help us all!”
“Our reputation precedes us,” Stryker said with an ornery smile.
“It most certainly does!” Athena replied. “Might I remind you of the rocket incident just the other day?”
The guys laughed.
“Okay, but hear us out,” Harrison said. “The contract saysRileycannot terminate it. But it gives Rita an out. She can cut you loose if the business relationship is no longer satisfactory.”
“In other words, if the parts dry up and I’m not making any money,” Riley said. “But that hurts me too. I want to act! This is my dream. And one day, I want to produce and direct.’
“I respect that,” Stryker said. “And you can do it. But we’re not saying you stop working.”
Briggs was curious where the guys were going with this. He moved closer to the couch, standing near Riley, as they all waited.
Harrison was grinning even more as he explained, “What Stryker and I are suggesting is simple. You act so awful. Your deeds so heinous, that Ritawantsto drop you.”
“Yep,” Stryker said. “She wants a brat, you give her a brat. The brattiest brat she’s ever dealt with.”
“She could still release the pic out of spite,” Trevon pointed out.
“Sure. But it wouldn’t do her much good,” Riley said, standing.
Briggs was happy to see she was smiling now, a light flickering in her eyes that hadn’t been there since they’d started this meeting.
“Because,” she continued, “I’m going to out myself. I have a plan. Once I carry it out, Operation Brat begins!”
The Littles in the room cheered.
Athena, Trevon, and Briggs just exchanged concerned glances.
Oh boy, Briggs thought.
What in the world was going to happen?
Chapter Sixteen
“Your story has over fifty thousand likes on Instagram!” Iris said.
Floating on a pink inflatable lounger in Auntie Athena’s pool, Riley lowered her sunglasses and smiled as she drifted past where Iris sat on a chaise. “I’ll call it a soft coming out as a Little.”
Iris giggled as she read the caption. “Fun fact: I love Halloween and the baby costume is my favorite. There’s something relaxing about throwing on a diaper and hugging a stuffie. Am I right, anyone?”
The other Littles who were there—Samantha, Cami, Lana, Annika, Harrison, and Stryker, laughed.
“It’s genius!” Lana said.
Cami was sitting at one of the two patio tables, reading some of the comments. “I’d say, like, ninety percent of the comments are very kind. Some of the people are agreeing with you! Others are saying they’ll have to try it.”
“This is a massive step forward for Littles everywhere!” Samantha said.