Page 129 of You and Me, For Real
I peer down. I’m still wearing my tux from last night. I must’ve fallen asleep in it while staring at the phone, hoping Ashton would call me.
“Come on, Roxy, let’s go outside.” At Luke’s command, Roxy jolts and leaps off the bed. Luke pops his head back around the doorframe. “Whatever you do, don’t look at social media.”
I holler after him, “Why?”
He disappears, calling from the living room. “Just trust me.”
His comment is like opening a package of cookies and telling a kid he can’t have any. Now Ihaveto. I tap open Instagram. My feed floods with tags, memes, videos, and images of me chasing after Ashton at the gala. Along with pictures from outside the venue.
Everyone is saying Ashton broke Scarlet and me apart. The comments are harsh. My blood boils, my fingers itching to respond and negate every single comment. This is exactly what Ashton wanted to avoid. If I can’t make this go away, she’ll never want to be with me.
“I don’t hear the shower running,” Luke shouts from the living room.
I throw my phone across the bed and race to the bathroom.
As I shower, I formulate a new plan.
Three hours later,half of a talk-show studio is set up on my back porch.
Luke called Gwen’s studio manager and arranged an exclusive interview. Given the hype around my relationship with Scarlet, and the subsequent public frenzy over its possible fallout, Gwen couldn’t turn down such an interview despite it being a Sunday.
One of the makeup artists continues their final touches on my face. Luke stands in front of me, arms crossed, legs apart—his standard military pose. His back is to the open patio where the camera and lighting crew are set up.
“You sure about this? It could be career suicide. Now’s your last chance to back out.”
“I’m sure.” We discussed at length how I wanted to approach this personal attack on my integrityandAshton’s. Before making the phone call to Gwen’s assistant, I called Scarlet. Surprisingly, she answered. I told her what I wanted to say, and she approved it. Per the terms of our contract, there’ll be no financial penalty if both parties agreed to its termination. I’m not exactly sure why she’s being so accommodating, but I don’t question it.
The doorbell rings.
“Looks like time’s up.”
Luke greets Gwen at the front door and ushers her to the kitchen to stand in front of me.
“Well, hello handsome.”
“Good to see you, Gwen.” I try not to move too much while they put some basic color on my lips. “Thank you for coming.”
“Are you kidding? Thank you. This exclusive will be watched by millions.”
I suspected as much.
“You’re doing me the favor.”
“Luke has some notecards with some guided questions on how I’d like to proceed with the interview.”
“He does, does he?” She arches an eyebrow at me but accepts the cards Luke holds out for her. Given that I’m doing this exclusive for free, I plan to run the show this time.
“Trust me, you’ll like where our discussion goes.”
“If you say so.” She glances through the cards.
One of the other makeup artists with a septum piercing and platinum-blonde hair with purple streaks steps up. “Gwen, if you’ll take a seat, we’ll finish getting you ready.”
“Sure, honey.” She doesn’t look up from the cards as she follows the woman’s lead.
Within an hour, we’re both seated on my back patio. She’s in a chair as I sit on the couch next to Roxy, her head resting on mylap. Instead of tight slacks and a button-down shirt with one too many unbuttoned buttons, I’m wearing a casual fitted tee and comfortable jeans. I’ve never felt more like myself in front of the camera than I do right now.
“Griffin, thank you for welcoming me into your home.”
