Page 29 of Beneath the Fame

“I think it’s a good rule of thumb not to assumeanythingabout people you don’t actually know beyond a couple of interviews and clandestine photography,” I answered. “And ifdidhave something to confirm or deny, it wouldn’t be a damnfling. Any woman I speak on, it’ll be because she’smine, fully.”

“Seems like you’re speaking on Vanity with your whole chest.”

I shrugged. “Again, assume what you want to. But when you talk about Vanessa, you really should come correctly—her biggest claims to fame are the platinum plaques from her own music and the work she’s done with other artists, and most recently, a starring role in one of the hottest shows on TV. Actual, undeniable talent. But that’s not the narrative that gets the people talking, so I understand why you wouldn’t want to focus on it. Pretty sad though, honestly.”

“I…Uh…I think it’s time for another quick commercial break—when we come back, we’ll be checking in with our correspondent on the street,” the host stammered. “But before we go, let’s give another big round of applause for Shaw Bridges and Alec Everett, stars of WAWG’sKinfolk, new episodes premiering every Sunday!”

We’d barely gotten the cue that we were clear to leave our seats before I was out of mine, already approaching ol’ boy’s desk. Shaw was quick to get in my way, wisely guiding me away the host, who’d already backed up as far as he could go—clearly, he’d caught the hint that I was dead serious about not forgetting what was said on stage.

Violence…wasn’t my thing.

Truly.

It wasnotmy default, and never had been, at any point in my life.

I wasn’t going to touch him—at least, not based on what had happened so far. I just needed him to understandhowbadly he had me fucked up.

Nobody’s security was having it though.

As it was, I had to simply let it go and get rushed off stage, back to the greenroom with Shaw.

“So…you’refor realabout Van, huh?” he asked, laughing at how clearly bothered I was.

“The shit isn’t funny,” I said, and he shook his head.

“The disrespectful shit he was saying, no, that’s not funny at all. You being ready to knock his head off about it?Thatis hilarious. I’ve never seen you like this before.”

I shrugged. “The world has never been like this to somebody I cared about,” was the only answer I could give. “You heard the bullshit—talking about my type beingwholesome.”

“Has it not been?”

“No,” I insisted. “That just…happened to be who I connected with—it was never aboutthat. And not a single one of my exes waswholesomeanywhere except the public eye,” I countered. “People always think what they see is reality—meanwhile, thewholesomechicks…you know,” I said, and all he could do was nod.

Because hedidknow.

He’d experienced the same damn thing.

But because of her lyrics and outfits, people came right out the gate with the assumptions about Van, who I’d barely even touched yet in real life. The shit was maddening, and honestly…weird.

Even if she was everything they assumed, the things they wanted to say, the way they wanted to treat her…it wasn’t right.

I pulled my phone out, turning it back on—I’d shut it down out of courtesy to the host, which I knew now wasn’t deserved. I flicked away the notifications clogging my screen, intent on completing the only mission on my mind—checking on Van.

Before I could navigate to her number, a fresh text popped up—with her name and number attached. I had my previews turned off for privacy, so I was quick to tap into it.

The message was just a few words that instantly made me smile.

VK:About that “real” date…you’re picking me up, right? What day and time?

ChapterEight

VANESSA

If anyoneother than my very closest friends asked, I would deny it in a heartbeat.

But tomyself?

I couldn’t lie.

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