Page 79 of The Wiener Across the Way

“That sounds great. Ask dad to call me as soon as he can though, okay? It’s important.”

“Yes, of course. Just as soon as he gets home. Oh, gotta go, customers. Love you, sweetheart. Bu-bye.”

I hung up and Declan blinked at me like I’d grown three heads. “Your parents have a store called Best Christmas Ever and didn’t care that you were in the hospital or that your concerts are cancelled?”

“My people are on strict orders not to let my mom know anything unless it’s a real emergency. It’s just too stressful for her. She’s a good mom, but all of this, well, it’s not for her.”

It was clear that the concept of a family member not being all up in your business was a very foreign concept to him. We’d both need a little getting used to for each other’s families. Even thinking about a future where we get to combine his family and mine gave me warm and fuzzies.

Yes, I was thinking about a happy ever after with him.

Trixie walked into the office with a laptop and suggested a bold move. “How would you feel about a press conference? Lay it all out in the open. It worked for Chris and me.”

Declan made a face, and I knew there was a story there.

Jules proposed a more modern approach. “I think you should take to social media. Let your fans hear it from you.”

“Penelope usually takes care of that kind of stuff. I honestly don’t even know my own logins.” I sure thought I was in charge of all of my business, but the past two days was showing me what a joke that was. I’d been relying on others for years, thinking I was always on my own. “I’m really worried that I can’t get a hold of Pen.”

A parade of Kingman men streamed into the office with plates loaded with scrambled eggs, toast, tomato slices, avocado,a whole pot of coffee and two full pitchers of some kind of pink smoothie. These guys knew how to cook and feast. Declan served me and poured me a cup of coffee and it was the cutest thing I’d ever seen that everyone waited for him to do that. Especially since the second he was done, they pounced on the rest like they were starved hyenas.

Hayes chugged a smoothie and then said, “Jules says you can’t get on your socials, but we can use our accounts to get you online. Maybe Penelope will see it and reach out.We can stream it from our gaming studio setup at my house.”

Flynn and Gryffen high fived. “Remember how the internet broke when Declan joined on our stream? We’ll get you a massive audience on the Tube.”

Everett added, “I’ll live stream it on FlipFlop. I’ve got a few million followers, and to be honest, it’s mostly women, and they love you. They’ll tune in for sure.”

Isak held up his phone. “I got you on InstaSnap. The more channels you go live on, the better.”

“And I can stream it on the Besties’ Bestie FaceSpace group,” Jules offered, her fingers already dancing over her phone. “I’m a mod.”

Mr. Kingman, still cuddling Pooh, gave her a stern look. “You’re not supposed to be on social media.”

She shrugged. “I tried, but the whole world is online. I’m careful, super incognito. No pics, no personal details.”

“We will talk about that later.” He gave her a look that would have withered a normal human. Not Jules. She had every man in this family wrapped around her little finger. “Right now, let’s use your super-secret, sneaky spy knowledge to help Kelsey.”

Declan looked overwhelmed but resolute. “I’ve never been a friend to the media, but for you, Kels, I’ll do anything. Say anything you need me to.”

Their suggestions swirled around me, a lifeline in the storm. My heart swelled with gratitude and determination. I had a voice, and it was time to use it for myself. It was time to walk tall.

“Okay,” I said, my voice steady. “Let’s do this. Let’s tell the world my side of the story.”

Yes, I was facing a career crisis, but I wasn’t alone. Declan and his family were with me, ready to help in any way they could.

“We need to get the truth out there,” I declared, feeling the weight of the situation but also a sense of empowerment. “Before any more rumors and lies take hold.”

Declan nodded, his expression serious yet supportive. “Whatever you need, Kelsey. I’m here for you.”

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “First, I need to clear the air about the contract situation with Big Marine. It’s important for my fans to know I didn’t abandon them.”

Trixie, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. “You should also address the stuff about the relationship being fake. Show them the truth. With you both on camera, it will be obvious.”

I nodded, appreciating her insight. “Yes, and I need to let everyone know I’m safe and recovering. That my health scare was real, not some publicity stunt to hide away from some kind of drama with the label.”

The Kingman men, now finished with their breakfast feast, gathered around, each one offering their support in their own way. It was heartwarming to see such a tight-knit family rally around someone they barely knew. Oh, song idea. I made a quick note in my phone about it.

I didn’t even think about the fact that I didn’t have a label and had no idea if I was ever going to get to produce another record in my life. It didn’t matter. Music was still deeply rooted in me, and I’d never let it go, even if I couldn’t make my living from it anymore.

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