Page 75 of The Final Draft

JULIAN

I fucking hate life right now. I especially hate this mediocre singer draped on my arm wearing too much perfume that doesn’t cover the stench of alcohol on her breath. But here I am.

When I got Ashleigh’s call, my heart stopped. When my family needs me, I’ll do anything for them. And that includes walking this red carpet as part of a so-called negotiation to protect them. It feels more like blackmail, but I had limited options.

Cole’s working with a record label and Kelsey, an up-and-coming singer. When he and Ashleigh helped get her drunk ass back to her hotel safely, incriminating pictures were taken. Cole had his arm around Kelsey to hold her up while Ash went to the desk to get her room number. It wasn’t on Kelsey’s room key. While they waited in the hotel lobby, Kelsey tried to kiss Cole, exactly like she did with me tonight. Ashleigh was right there, but of course she’s not in the pictures.

Unfortunately, a picture is worth a thousand words and ten times as many dollars. The photographer knew the potential of his picture and reached out to Ashleigh on social media before publishing it. Only he didn’t want money. When he directed her to Fredrick Hamilton, I was on high alert.

A story like this could tank Cole’s baseball career, even if it’s untrue. The Liberties have a strict morality clause in their contracts. While this scandal could impact his image, more importantly, it could jeopardize his potential call up to the Liberties this season. Not to mention my sister’s reputation being questioned. Unfortunately, on the internet, appearances hold the weight of truth.

I contacted Fredrick, Maddie’s fiancé, to kill the story, and that bastard blackmailed me. I didn’t have time to rally my lawyers, so I had to work with what I had. In order for Fredrick to step in and kill the smear story, he wanted me to agree to consider his tv offer, which I won’t do. His other ultimatum was to help elevate Kelsey’s image with a few pictures. I agreed to that, although now I’m wondering if I can even elevate her to ground level. She’s so fucking low.

I had a heart-to-heart with Maddie and spilled the details. She was furious and wanted to call it off with her fiancé immediately, but she has to give her publicist enough time to control the story. Fredrick won’t be happy about that, but that’s too bad, slimeball. I’m glad to play a part in this story, if only to get her out of this mess, too.

But once this ball got rolling, it was moving fast. Maddie and I are both playing our parts tonight and giving Oscar-worthy performances. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to talk to Harper about it, but the chances of her seeing a minor LA premiere are slim to none. While she follows celebrity gossip, this isn’t her scene, and I doubt it will hit TikTok. I’ll call her later tonight and explain everything.

After this shitshow of an evening, I’m finally back at the hotel. I shower and wash off the stench of perfume and vomit before I call Harper. Yep. Kelsey threw up on my shoes at the concert. I texted Fredrick to come get his problem and left. At least I have more time for Facetime with my girl. We’ll get a good laugh over my horrible night, and she’ll remind me that my world is amazing because she’s in it.

I pick up my phone to call her and am sent straight to voicemail. I scroll through my missed notifications and see a missed call and voicemail from Harper. I can’t wait to hear her voice, so I put it on speaker and hit play.

Her anger comes through the phone, loud and clear.

“What the fuck did I just watch, Julian? You know what? Don’t bother answering.”

Shit. I call her again. Straight to voicemail.

I text her.

It’s not what it looks like.

I wait for the bubbles to tell me she’s responding. Nothing. It’s late on the east coast. Maybe she’s asleep.

I’m committed to one more appearance with Kelsey tomorrow, then I’m on the first flight back to New York immediately after. I need to explain everything to Harper, and we’ll be fine. My NDA with Frederick specified Harper would be fully informed. Actually, she'll be included in all my future contracts. I want to be completely open with her, even about the Swedish Princess. I trust her implicitly.

I’m taking the red-eye home tomorrow, and I’ll explain everything.

I love you.

If ever there was a time to hear those three words from her, now would be nice.

No messages from Harper this morning, but that’s okay. I’ll get through today and have her in my arms in twenty-four hours.

Hey gorgeous! Can’t wait to see you soon. I’ll explain everything, and we’ll get a good laugh from it. Love you.

My heart speeds up when I see the three dots start and stop. She’s mad and has every right to be. Knowing she’s awake, I call. Sent to voicemail. Yeah, she’s pissed. To be honest, I’m a little turned on by her jealousy and fire. I’m glad she’s possessive like that because I’m all hers.

I search online for footage from last night to gauge what she saw, and it isn’t pretty. Shit. I’ll make sure tonight doesn’t look cozy at all. I can fix this. Just a little bump in the road. I mean, she all but told me she wasn’t a “roll over” kind of girl. But I’m confident that once she gets the entire story and I’m able to kiss her, we’ll be fine. No, better than fine.

Maddie and I met with Kelsey and she profusely apologized for last night and the incident with Cole. As I suspected, she’s spiraling. We offered to help, see if we can renegotiate her contract, but most importantly, get her into treatment. Hopefully, the ninety days out of the spotlight will help clear her head and her situation. We need to get through tonight and then put our plan into action.

The event tonight is LA casual, allowing me to be stylish in jeans and casual shoes, which is great because my dress shoes got ruined last night. It also means the ladies are rocking shorter dresses and flaunting more skin. When it comes to perceptions tonight, I’ve got to be extra vigilant.

It’s time for the show. Kelsey and I walk the carpet as friends. We aren’t giving couple vibes, ensuring the only touching is that of a gentleman escorting a lady. Of course, I can’t control what they write, but I can do my best to make sure the pictures don’t support their narrative.

More pictures. More reporters. I wish Harper was here. I imagine her in a sexy sequined dress, low back, fuck me heels. She’d put these women to shame with her natural beauty. I can’t help but smile at the cameras because I’m thinking of her.

Kelsey ducks out after a few pictures to get ready for her set. “Good luck,” I tell her. “I’m cheering for you.” She really is a sweet girl. Unfortunately, she’s caught in the ugly world of LA and the music industry.

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