Page 40 of Everything In Between
I nod. “Before we started dating, during the whole relationship, and even more so now that we’re not together anymore. It’s crazy, and I have no proof other than the overjoyedvibe Callum gave off when I told him we had broken up. I had artists texting me I didn’t even know had my phone number. My sales skyrocketed because everyone felt bad for me. Instead of ganging up on me, the media was fully in my corner. It was like a dream come true from a PR perspective.”
“It sounds more like a nightmare for you, though. I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Hayes says. “I promise you, I’d never hurt you like that. Hell, if you asked me to marry you, I think I might say yes.”
Despite the weight of the current topic, I laugh. Hayes’s face splits into a triumphant grin, successfully breaking the tension. “Don’t be ridiculous,” I say.
Hayes smirks and shrugs. “All that to say, I’m still okay with going public.”
“But what about the media? I’m nervous about what they’re going to say about it. Or say aboutyou.”
“I don’t care what they say about me in the slightest. And nothing they say about you could make me feel any different. I’m here for all of you—the good, the bad, and everything in between.”
My shoulders relax, feeling lighter after talking this through with him. “I guess I better get myself one of your jerseys then, huh?”
He gives me a heart stopping smile that reaches all the way into his eyes and takes my breath away. “I guess you better.”
I never saw Hayes coming, which is maybe part of why I find the idea of being with him so appealing. We’re from two different worlds which seems to be a good balance. Knowing he’s not with me to use me as a leg up in the world, but because hewantsto be with me, is comforting and reassuring. That alone gives me the courage to go full throttle into this with him. I’m ready to step into his world and show everyone that he and Iare in this together just like he said—the good, the bad, and everything in between.
“Thanks for letting me come over,”Kelsey says as she brushes past me into my living room later that night. “We gotta finish drafting this post for Instagram and then we can talk about if you want to do anything further. I loved your idea of shifting the focus away from you and back to the charity,brilliant!”
“That’s what the focusshouldbe on,” I say with conviction. “Definitely not on me and my potential dating life.”
“I agree,” Kelsey says, tucking her knees up underneath her on the other end of the couch and placing a pillow on her lap to act as a desktop for her laptop.
“Kelsey,” I start hesitantly. She looks up at me from her screen. “There was something else I wanted to talk to you about. And it’s important to me.”
Kelsey studies my face for a moment before snapping her laptop closed. “What’s wrong?”
“Corey was at the gala,” I say. “And he was seated at the same table I was.”
“Oh.”
“That can’t happen again. I want to limit interactions with him as much as possible, and I can’t do that if I’m being seated right next to him.” I exhale but hold her gaze. “If I’m going to attend any of your family’s events in the future, I’m going to need your mother to send Bethany the seating chart for approval. It’s nonnegotiable moving forward.”
Kelsey nods and swallows. “Of course. I’m really sorry, Jersey. I had no idea she put you next to him or had even invited him again this year.”
“It’s okay. Just with the storm he managed to stir up in one night, I can’t imagine what he’d do with other opportunities.”
“Trust me, it won’t happen again.”
“I do trust you,” I say and feel like a weight has lifted off my chest. I hate having to confront my team, especially when they’re my friends, but this is a boundary that needed to be set in stone. If I’m going to move on with my life, I need to limit my interactions with Corey.
He’s in the past. I’m focused on the future, and I’ll do what I can to make sure everyone else around me is as well.
FOURTEEN
hayes
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9
The team landsin LA Wednesday night before the game where we load up onto a bus to take us to the hotel. The collective energy is palpable, but under control. The whole team knows there’s a lot on the line for this game. We have a rivalry with the Los Angeles Lightning going back a few seasons. All eyes will be on me and their QB, watching to see who will lead their team to victory.
My publicity team has made sure that I’m well prepared and equipped to answer any question about the rivalry tossed my way with respect and professionalism. But the QB for the other team is a wildcard. He’s talked shit on the Majestics for the last few seasons, throwing slanderous accusations my way about possible cheating or bribing.
Which is enough to make him my least favorite quarterback to go up against.
Aside from the drama with the other team, this will be Jersey’s first game, and I’ve been a nervous wreck thinking about having her here in person watching me. With the assumed pressure of the game comes an even stronger need to show herwhat I’m made of. No matter the outcome today, I know Jersey will still be in my corner, cheering me on louder than anyone in this stadium, but I want to win.
For her.
