Page 53 of Saving Ian Pope

“That sounds good.” My knees had started shaking so much, my laptop slid off my legs. “What’s the problem?”

“Things are not so good in his personal life. His daughter’s mother got married last year, and his daughter has really bonded with Sasha’s husband. It gutted Ian.”

“But he’s been able to see Thea on his own?”

“Yeah, yeah. He just feels like he’s missed so much, and Thea has this other daddy figure in her life. Just hit him hard.”

My hands had gotten so clammy, I couldn’t hold the phone anymore. I put it on Speaker and set it down on my lap. “You said you don’t know if he fell off the wagon, so how’s he spiraling?”

Jack took a sip of something. As it was eight o’clock in the morning in his time zone, I hoped it was coffee or tea. “He started blowing off a couple of the recording sessions. Just not showing up. He had some...uh...friends over at his place the other night. Friends from his party days. Not good people.”

I blinked. “His ex, Jessica?”

“No. They’re completely over, and she’s been waging some kind of hate campaign against him, which doesn’t help.”

“Is she the one who initiated the dick pic crusade against him?”

“Right. And she’s not done with him, yet. So, no, she wasn’t at his place, but he’s still friends with those other people. They’re bad news.”

“Then why does he hang out with them?”

“Hell if I know. They’re all toadies, yes-men. I think they prop him up and make him feel special when he’s not feeling good about himself. And he’s not. The record company has gotten wind of the no-shows at the sessions, and they’re not happy. This is it for him, Ivy. If he fucks this up, he’s done. His label told me he has this one last chance. If he doesn’t perform, they’re cutting him loose.”

I massaged my temple with my fingertips. “I’m sorry to hear this, but why call me? What am I supposed to do about it?”

“You can come to England, Ivy.”

I took a painful breath. “I can’t do that.”

“Look, I don’t know why you broke it off with him. He won’t talk about it, but I know you could give him the motivation he needs if you came back into his life.”

“I have my reasons, Jack, and they’re personal. Maybe you can get him some professional help. Doesn’t he have a therapist?”

“Refuses to see him. Thinks Sasha is using his issues against him to interfere in his relationship with Thea.”

“Well, if he starts drinking again, she could really use that against him. He’s just not thinking straight. Doesn’t he have any close friends out there? One of the other boys?”

“He’s probably closest to Charlie Beck right now, but Charlie’s on tour in South America, and when Ian gets like this, he doesn’t want to see his old friends or his family.”

“I’d like to help him. I really would, but I can’t.” A roaring headache had a vise-like grip on my head, and I squeezed my eyes closed.

“The record company will pay you.”

My lids flew open. “What?”

“Ian’s record company, Vivant Records, will pay you to come out here and be with him.” Jack spoke very slowly, enunciating every word, as if English weren’t my first language.

I still had to shake the fog from my aching head. “What are you talking about?”

“Vivant has invested a lot of money in Ian Pope, a lot of money in this comeback album and the tour to follow. If Ian doesn’t come back, his label stands to lose a load of cash. They would have no problem investing a little more by paying you to be by his side to keep him on track. You’re also good PR.”

“I am?”

“Very positive response to your appearance with him at the concert. Some fans also took some pictures of the two of you out in about in LA and started posting them to their fan accounts. The comments are all favorable. People like you, and they like him better with you.”

“This is crazy. I’m assuming you wouldn’t tell Ian about this arrangement?”

“Absolutely not. He would be insulted.”

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