“Do not read anything on the internet today. And if any reporters call, just send them my way,” Tabbi directs into the phone, and I listen, feeling completely numb.
I stayed in California after the meeting at Knight Industries, in order to help start the process of the investigation. I knew once they started digging into my family’s history with Zander’s, it was only a matter of time until they found the buried contract as well. It took a week, and once they found it, somehow social media found it too. York was already on a warpath, trying to sue any outlet that published, but it was too late. Once it’s online, it never comes off. Screenshots and pictures live forever.
Tabbi is working around the clock to put out fires on my end and finding ways to keep my name and reputation from being destroyed like it was.
Bitch.
Desperate.
Cunning.
Cold.
Gold-digger.
The names are endless. The accusations are absurd, and from people I’ve never met, people who didn’t know me or the whole story of our past. I have vendors and sponsors pulling out on the idea of being unable to believe that I would trap an innocent man and ruin his life. They no longer want to do business with me. No one cares that there is a second contract or that I saved us. Tabbi was able to get the information out there, but no one cared. It wasn’t news worthy. Morning shows and TMZ are eating this up.
In light of the scandal, I reached out to my clients and asked for a meeting, so I could tell them in my own words about everything. I’m already broken. And now my dream is dying alongside my heart. I want to run, to escape, but I have nowhere to turn too. I feel stupid for believing Zander had changed. All it took was one word from Carrigan, and it felt like we were sucked right back into the past. All the conversations, the promises, our most intimate moments in the end meant nothing. Everyone has shown up. Surprisingly, Onyx showed the most emotion about everything. He was pissed for me. In the end, no one is leaving the label. Everyone is going to wait until things die down before we ramp up the news about a music tour. Ocean and Jade convinced me to let them stay with me in my hotel room for a few extra days. So far, we’ve done nothing but eat and watch movies.
Ocean and Jade share a look when I hang up the phone. “What now?”
“They’re wanting the stationary information. Knight Industries sent one of their investigators to Rosen Records as well,” I tell them shrugging, my stomach rolling, “I have no privacy at all.”
Ocean exhales and shakes her head. She comes to sit next to me and rubs circles on my back. “You need to get away.”
“She’s right,” Jade seconds, “it’s not like it’s a criminal trial. You don’t have to stay here and read the abuse every day.”
“Where should I go then.” I chuckle even though it feels hollow. Nothing actually makes me happy anymore. “My home is even being destroyed while they’re looking for evidence.”
Ocean and Jade are deep in thought. “I, ah, well, I have a place. You’ll need a passport, though.”
My eyes slide to hers. “Where?”
Ocean’s face lights up. “How do you feel about somewhere tropical? Good food, drinks, dancing…”
“Where?” I sigh, but they’re ignoring me. I can see their brains planning everything. Ocean pulls out her phone and makes a call. “James, I need the plane ready in an hour.”
“You have a plane?” Jade asks, her mouth open in a round ‘O.’
“It’s the only thing I bought that was mine.” Ocean shrugs like it’s a normal thing to buy. “Pack a bag!”
I go through the motions, and they fly around my space, getting things together.
“Is your jailer going to mind?” Ocean turns to Jade, who rolls her eyes.
“Onyx Kiddrick does not own me.” She smirks at us as she powers down her phone.
“Tell him that,” Ocean retorts, and Jade sticks her tongue out at her.
When everyone is ready, we sneak out to a hired car that will take us to the airstrip with Ocean’s private plane. I’ve never been on one before. The little plane is white and sleek.
“Wait, picture.” Ocean holds out her phone and snaps a picture of the three of us. “Just for memories. It’s not being posted anywhere,” she reassures me.
We follow her on the plane, and I drop into a seat, exhaustion catching up to me. I feel slightly queasy and realize it’s because I haven’t eaten much today. Ocean and Jade stay tight-lipped about where we’re going, and I decide it’s for the best. Sometimes a girl just has to escape.
Almost four hours later, I can see the turquoise waters of the Caribbean out my window. And make out a coastline. It’s an island of some kind. I turn to Jade, who smirks.
“Welcome to Aruba,” she sing-songs.
“Aruba?” I glance at them both.
“Jade’s aunt has a house here. It was free this weekend, so she said we can use it. It’s on the beach, private and secluded. No paps are showing up here.” Ocean smiles and sets a reassuring hand on my arm.
“No one knows I have family here, no one,” she emphasizes the word, and I take it she’s referring to Onyx.
The plane lands, and Ocean discusses flight plans with the pilot for us to leave in a week. I wonder if that is enough time to fix my broken heart and figure out my life. We head to the convenience store, and I browse the aisles while Ocean grabs alcohol, and Jade gets food. I read all the labels while waiting on them, my heart hammering in my chest. Once we have everything, we take a taxi to the house.
“Wow,” I say, at the same time Ocean says, “Holy shit!”
Jade’s aunt’s home is a cute two-story home, nestled between the trees and greenery that are natural to this area. A privacy fence gates the property. Jade punches a code into the fence and the doors swing open. We walk the rest of the way up the path to the front door. Jade goes to the keypad and hits in another code, and the door unlocks.
“Very nice.” Ocean gives her approval and heads off toward the kitchen. I glance around the main level, where there is a living room that connects to the kitchen and a dining room. Outside, there is a garden area with a table and chairs.
“There are two rooms upstairs. You can have one, and Ocean and I will share,” Jade tells me, and I nod. For the first time in days, I find myself smiling.
“Thank you,” I tell her. Jade wraps her arms around me and lays her cheek on my head.
“It’s okay to need time to breathe,” she whispers. I hold her tighter.
Ocean walks in and heads over to the stereo. She connects her phone to a cord before turning to us with a mischievous smile. “Dance Party!”
She cranks the volume and Sia’s “Chandelier” fills the room. We dance. I let the beat fill my body and move into my heart. I sing with Ocean while Jade dances. All our hurts, our worries and our love burn into this song. It’s healing. One song bleeds into another, and we keep it going. Ocean runs to the kitchen and grabs the champagne bottle and pops the cork. She screams while Jade and I laugh. Foam and booze spray over us. Ocean takes a drink and hands it to Jade, who tosses it back. She hands it to me, and I take the pink bottle from her. I stop moving.
My chest aches.
My stomach flutters.
I shake my head and hand it back to Jade. “I think I’m pregnant.”
