Page 85 of The Wiener Across the Way

She scoffed, dismissing my words with a wave of her hand. “Please, like it even matters now that you’re pop music’s dud of a one hit wonder. I have plenty of other clients who will actually make me money.”

“But not for long,” I retorted, meeting her scoff with a determined gaze. “My lawyers have forwarded the information we’ve gathered about the way you portrayed me to my label, and your embezzlement to your other clients, Big Marine, and the law. Expect some calls.”

Skeeter’s confident demeanor faltered, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. She stood up, trying to regain her composure. “You can’t do this to me, Kelsey. I made you.”

“You didn’t make me, Skeeter,” I countered, my voice steady. “You just rode along on my talent and hard work. I’m taking control now.”

Penelope stepped forward, her expression resolute. “And I’m not just an assistant, Skeeter. I’ve been the voice behind Mz. Bestie’s Besties for years. I’ve supported Kelsey more than you ever did.”

Skeeter’s face turned a shade paler, the realization that her empire was crumbling evident in her eyes. She glanced at the third person I’d brought along with me. My lawyer, dressed in a staid black suit that belied her profession, then back at me. “You’ll regret this.”

“I don’t think so,” I replied. “I’m looking forward to a fresh start, working with people who actually care about me, the music, and my fans, more than the money.”

My lawyer stepped in, handing Skeeter the termination documents. “Everything is in order here. Please review and sign.”

As Skeeter begrudgingly took the papers, a sense of liberation washed over me. This was more than just firing a deceitful agent and manager, it was a declaration of my independence, a step towards a future where I called the shots.

Turning to Declan and Penelope, I smiled, grateful for their unwavering support. “Let’s get out of here. We have a new chapter to begin.”

But one more ugly chapter from my pre-boss-bitch days opened up right before me.

“Skeets, babe, what’s going on here? Kelsey, is that you? I hardly recognized you. I’ve been trying to call you for ages.” Jake, yes, that Jake, my ex-boyfriend and Hollywood’s current trending bad boy, leaned forward and kissed each of my cheeks before I even knew what he was doing. He crossed to Skeeter and handed her a drink, and then bent to give her a kiss. But not theEuropean kiss-kiss greeting he’d given me. He kissed her full on the mouth and with a wink at me, slipped her some tongue.

Gross.

UNSTOPPABLE

DECLAN

Irecognized Jake Jay. He was in some shitty action movies. A month ago, I couldn’t have told you that Kelsey had dated him. But I was a full-blown Bestie now, and even if I didn’t know, I would be able to tell from Kelsey’s shocked reaction that this guy was her gaslighting ex.

When her people originally approached me to act like her new boyfriend, it was to get the press off her back about her breakup with this douchepotato. I’d been engaged to do a job, and I was going to do it right now.

I stepped between Kelsey and Jake, putting my size to good use as a shield. I knew exactly how to block, and my initial instinct was to tackle him, shielding Kelsey from whatever drama he might stir up. But I’d learned from being with her that she was strong and capable, and my role wasn’t to fight her battles, but to support her in them.

It wasn’t that I didn’t think she could destroy this guy if she wanted to. It’s just that she shouldn’t have to do the dirty workthat I was very happy to do for her. Kelsey stuck her head out from behind me. “What are you doing here, Jake?”

“Just Netflix and chilling with the Incognito Mosquito here. Didn’t realize we’d see you.” He tried to move so he could actually see Kelsey. I subtly shifted my stance to maintain the barrier. “This wall’s your new beau I’ve been hearing about, I guess.”

“Yeah, I am,” I said, keeping my tone even but firm. Nobody was accusing me of being a bully or mean today. But that didn’t mean I was backing down.

“At least I fucking took her out in public. I wasn’t ashamed to be seen with her. Are you?” Jake verbally lashed out at me and tried to side-step again despite Skeeter trying to grab him to pull him away. “You looked real good on my arm on the red carpet, baby. That look you got going on in the baseball jerseys ain’t it though. Who’s your stylist because they should be fired AF.”

“Watch what you say to my girl, Jay. She’s a whole lot nicer than I am.” I’d been bothered that the league, the press, and even the stupid gossip rags thought I was mean. I knew I wasn’t, and I was just doing my job, but it still bothered me that I was perceived that way. Kelsey had never once made me think for a second that she saw me like that. In fact, she’d recognized the real me from the get-go.

Her opinion was the only one that mattered to me.

“Your girl, huh? It sure as shit seems like you’re real good at hiding her from the world. Biggest star outside of Hollywood, and she disappears from public view for a week? Is it because you don’t want to be seen dating a?—”

I held up my hand in the universal stop signal. “I’m going to stop you right there, before you say something you’ll regret.”

“Yeah.” Penelope held up her phone and showed that she was recording the whole thing. I did not envy his agent or publicist’s job right now.

Kelsey stepped forward, moving beside me not behind me. “That’s enough, Jake. What happened between us is in the past. I’ve moved on to, uh, bigger and better things.”

Jake’s face tightened, a hint of genuine regret crossing his features. “Kelsey, I?—”

But Kelsey cut him off, her voice steady. “No, Jake. We’re done here. Don’t call me or text me anymore. Not even drunk dials. Take my number out of your phone. Or better yet, I can just block you. I wish you well, but there’s nothing left to say.”

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