Page 112 of Everything In Between
An hour later, the truck is packed, and we head out. Hayes holds my hand over the console as the lake house disappears behind us.
“Sorry I ruined your vacation,” Kelsey says from the backseat where she sits with Periwinkle.
“It is what it is,” Hayes mutters, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.
“There will be more vacations,” I add, though I’m forlorn about leaving.
The drive is quiet and seems to take an eternity before we pull into the parking lot of Red Zone. Hayes meets me at the front of the truck and offers me his hand, which I readily take. My head still spins with everything that’s going on in my world, but as soon as we walk into the bar and I see Chloe beaming at me with stars in her eyes. I put my troubles to the back of my mind, focusing on her.
Even as my world crumbles around me, without fans like Chloe, I’d be nothing. The least I can do is take a few moments to give back to her. Let her excitement remind me that all this will be worth it in the end.
By ten o’clock, the three of us are back on the road. As we drive away, I stare down at the selfie Chloe and I took, feeling my eyes well up again as everything comes back to hit me.
Hayes reaches for my hand and threads our fingers together. “That really meant a lot to Preston and Chloe. He said that this was a dream come true for her.”
“I’m glad I got to see her,” I say, my voice thick. I swipe away at a tear that escapes from the corner of my eye. “I told her I would make sure to get her tickets for my next show.”
“I bet that made her whole year.”
“I hope so.” I nod.
He squeezes my hand, and I look out the window, wishing there was a way I could go back to the cabin, lock myself away, and shut the rest of the world out, pretending none of this happened. Unfortunately for me, though, it did, and the list of things that need my personal attention keeps multiplying.
The drive is spent mostly in silence. My nose is glued to my phone where I’m answering text messages and emails and the occasional phone call—mostly from Bethany or my lawyers. I have a meeting with them first thing tomorrow morning to figure out the next moves. Bethany has been texting me with updates on the statement my lawyers released and any new updates from the label or the media. Kelsey is working hard on drafting a statement that she’ll release directly to the media.
Hayes is doing everything he can to be supportive. He’s almost always touching me in some way, his hand laced through mine or his palm resting on top of my thigh. It’s his way of quietly lending me his strength.
As soon as we make it back to Milwaukee, we drop Periwinkle off at home. The little dog gives us a mournful look when we say goodbye, but then she plops down into her bed, perfectly content to sleep until we get back. We meet Kelsey back down in the truck and drive to the airport. The flight from Wisconsin toCalifornia flies by, my mind buzzing with scenarios preventing me from catching an hour or two of much needed rest.
Even that night, back in my condo, as Hayes draws me into his chest and holds me tight, I can’t shake the anxiety brewing in my belly. He kisses the top of my head and runs his hand up the length of my back, trying his best to soothe me. It works to an extent, but when morning arrives, I still feel entirely unrested.
My lawyer—Carla—Kelsey, and Bethany arrive first thing in the morning right as Hayes is brewing a pot of coffee. I open the door to welcome them in and they step into the apartment. Carla readily accepts a mug of coffee from Hayes, while Bethany stays back and wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. Kelsey stands right behind her, looking about the same as I’m feeling right now, with dark circles underneath her eyes.
I close my eyes and hug her back, grateful that she’s here with me right now.
“I’m so sorry, Jersey,” she says. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
My throat feels thick, and I don’t say anything back, for fear of bursting into tears again. I can’t cry about this today. The necessity of handling the situation takes priority, but the blatant violation and betrayal is still simmering underneath the surface, and I know at some point I will not be able to hold it back.
“Here, I brought you something,” Bethany says before reaching into the canvas bag on her shoulder and pulling out a package of Oreos and a big jar of peanut butter.
I laugh, despite everything, and accept the gift, my heart warming from the small gesture.
“Let’s head into the living room so we can get started,” I say, taking the cookies and peanut butter. I meet Kelsey’s eyes and give her a weak smile. “Thanks for coming.”
“I gave my statement yesterday to the press and resigned from my position,” she tells me as we make our way to our seats.I haven’t had a chance to read her statement, but I don’t doubt she did what she had to do. “I’ve heard from a few of my friends at Silver Shadows. Callum is getting ready to give a counter statement today, so we should probably be ready for the worst-case scenario.”
Carla is sitting on the chaise lounge by the coffee table. She takes a sip of her coffee and sets it on the table. “We need to start drafting something for your team to put out, Jersey.”
“I can help,” Kelsey says, sheepishly. “I may not technically be a part of your publicity team anymore, but I still have those skills.”
I nod. “I’m fine with that.”
Carla pulls a notepad out of her briefcase along with her laptop. She opens it up and starts typing. Hayes sneaks into the living room and takes a seat next to me, wrapping one large arm around my waist and settling his hand on my hip. I lean against him, letting his warmth ease some of the tension in my body.
“I have Kelsey’s statement right here,” Bethany says, handing me her tablet so I can read it.
Kelsey Hurst, a publicist for Vantage Personal Relations, is speaking out regarding Meghan Connelly’s new song
