Page 70 of Unspoken Confessions
25
Jameson
“Come on,” Jen said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the green room.
“What?” I asked in a low tone.
The plan was that I was supposed to stay here. Hidden away. I didn’t want to cause more drama for Nick.
“I can’t sit back here and maybe we’re going about this all wrong,” Jen said back just barely above a whisper. He rushed through the corridors like he knew where he was going. “I’m thinking it might be better if it looks like you’re just his bodyguard. So you need to be out there… bodyguarding.”
I wasn’t going to argue since I wanted to be as close to Nick as I could be.
We watched from the sidelines, tucked away in the dark behind Austin.
Then the host mentioned the fucking photos. Jen sucked in a breath as his fingers dug into my arm. Of course, it was too much to hope it wouldn’t come up.
I didn’t know this guy from Adam, but I was ready to go out there and shut his shit down. And the way I was thinking, it wouldn’t have been nicely either.
While the uproar over it had died down a little over the photos, Jen had mentioned that there were still a few people camped out right by the entrance to the community where Nick lived. None of them had been able to get in. Luckily, we didn’t have to deal with them sneaking in on top of the stalker shit. I had to give it to them, the security was top-notch in that neighborhood.
But it was clear that since this was the first appearance Nick had after the the photos had been released, they were going to take advantage of it.
Nick laughed nervously and rubbed his hands down the top of his thighs.
“You know,” Nick started and I was worried about what was about to pop out of his mouth.
I could tell by his face that he wasn’t all there. He’d been a little freaked out about doing the interview and I sensed that was normal for him. So it wouldn’t surprise me if his brain kind of turned off and he went through it blindly. With the way Jen was digging his nails into my forearm, he was clearly worried too.
“From the angle those pictures, it did look pretty hot,” Nick said and I could tell he was doing his best to answer back playfully in order to take the heat off of the situation. Still, he looked like he wanted to throw up. “But, uh, no, it was nothing like that. I took a little tumble while jogging and all that’s happening in those pictures is my wonderful bodyguard making sure I didn’t break my face.”
The host and the audience laughed.
“It’s been months since you and Lila Minks broke up,” The host went on and we all saw where this was going. “I’m sure I’m not the only one dying to know if there’s someone special in your life.”
There was another awkward laugh from Nick. Then he leaned his elbow on the arm of the chair and tugged at his lobe. That was a new move to me. I’d never seen him nervous enough to do that. I didn’t like it and I wanted to rush right out on that stage and pull him to safety.
“Maybe,” he said and his whole body went stiff.
“Holy shit,” Jen whispered so low that I barely heard him.
Nick was still locked up tight as he tossed out a very obvious shrug of his shoulders in the direction of the audience as if he was trying his best to play the whole thing off.
The host announced a commercial break, thanked Nick, and shook his hand before rushing to give the date for when his newest movie would be released.
Nick all but bolted off the set.
“Not a word,” Nick said with a sharp look in Jen’s direction.
The high-strung woman that was waiting backstage for Nick to get done, whisked us away to his dressing room and then quickly stripped him of his mic. Then she was gone.
“Get me the fuck home,” Nick said and I wasn’t sure who he was talking to. I pulled out my phone and texted the pilot. If Nick wanted to be home now, I’d do my best to get him there as soon as possible.
Since the pilots were on stand-by and knew we’d be leaving as soon as it was over, I was certain they would have everything ready to go by the time we got back to the airport.
No one said anything on the drive there. Jen was on his phone, not sure what he was doing. Since the show was pre-recorded, I knew there was some time before it would go out to the world, however, there was an audience there, so that was unpredictable.
I didn’t think what he’d alluded to was that bad. Then again, I didn’t live in his world and I had no damn clue what it would mean. I guess I should ask since it was important, especially if this meant there would be more people trying to get to him. Whether it was for more of an interview or to try and catch a glimpse of this person he sort of alluded to. Or, fuck me, crazy fans that might not be so happy about him having someone.
