Page 131 of Pretty Obsessed

"Yes," he said, the disappointment showing on his face.

"Where are you going?" I asked, not sure I even wanted to know.

"California. It's a huge con for young adult media. My publisher is really excited about my book and they want to hype it. I'm going to sit on a panel with Neil Gaiman. I couldn't say no…" He sounded like he was going to apologize.

"Don't you dare apologize for doing what is going to help your career. I never want that to come between us."

"Neither do I." He sounded sheepish. After a long pause, he added. "When will I get to see you again? Do you have another break or something?"

"I'm going to have to look at my schedule. We were going to do that tonight." I wanted to scream. He had to do this, but I thought I'd get two nights with him. Even if it was around work, we would have still got time. We'd be on other side of the earth again and it would drive us further apart.

Couldn't the universe cut us a break?

"Maybe I could fly out after I turn in my book, but they are going to want me on edits pretty fast since I'm so late."

"That's understandable."

"This is going to happen a lot, isn't it?" he said, sorrow painting his tone.

"I think so. We both have huge careers and travel." I tried not to let my mourning bleed into my voice, but it did anyway.

Would this be the end of us? Would it fade as we both got busier?

"Text me your schedule and I'll send you mine. I'm going to have to be on set for a few weeks next month when they start filming the television show for my book. But we have to find a few days before that will work." He didn't sound hopeful.

"I'll make sure we do." I had to. I couldn't leave it like this.

"How's the writing session going?" he asked, and I was grateful for the subject change.

"It was going well. We have a solid base and hook. Iris came in with a lot of material, heartbreaking stuff. You can feel the sadness resonating in the songs. It's going to be a hit. I can feel it. I was super excited about it, and then Cas killed my mood."

"What did he do?"

"We took a break to grab some food. I was pulling out my phone to call you and he stayed after to corner me. He was trying to get me on his side about Iris. I played it as natural as possible, but it put a sour taste in my mouth."

"Why? Because he thinks Iris needs rehab or…?"

"It feels like they are going to try and trap him in the band. Our current contract is up after this album so he could cut out and do what he wants, but it seems like they are trying to trap him in a roundabout way."

"What do you mean?" I could hear his confusion.

“I’m worried they aren't going to do an album. I don't know if it's true. But if they keep making him write singles, then he never finishes the contract and they own him. Then they can keep making up reasons to tour instead of going to the studio." I glanced around, making sure no one listened. “And writing is what he loves. He pours his soul out. He’s so much happier here. If they take that away from him…”

"Wow, that's so shitty of them to do."

"I want to tell Iris not to keep writing singles. Tell him to tell them all to go screw themselves. He shouldn't write another song for them while they are playing these games."

"Wow. I don't think I've heard you even say a word close to a curse word before."

"What did I say?" I had to laugh. I'd been worked up.

"Screw themselves. It was shockingly close."

"You noticed I don't curse, did you?"

"I notice words. It's kinda my job."

I smiled. "Of all the people, I guess it makes sense you would."

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