I ascend the stairs two at a time to reach her faster. When I’m standing in front of her door, I pound my fist on it, making sure she hears me.
I hear the girls scream a little inside and then hear Emily ask, “Who the fuck is that?”
“It’s me. Open up. I need to talk to Sam.”
Emily answers the door, and I look past her but don’t see Sam. “Where is she?”
“In her room.”
“She’s got some explaining to do.” I slip past her into the apartment, staring at the closed door at the end of the hallway.
“Tait,” she starts. I turn to look at her. “This isn’t her fault. Just let her explain everything to you and keep a rational head. I tried calling you to explain, but you didn’t answer.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I fell asleep and woke up to a text from Rory with the article about the contract. I came right over when neither of you would answer your phones.”
“She has been getting calls from tabloid writers wanting the inside scoop. She didn’t want to deal with them, so it was easier to turn her phone off. I did the same because they started calling me shortly after. She, um, she lost her job atReel Studiosover this. So, try not to make her feel worse, huh?”
I walk down the hall without responding and push open Sam’s door, clicking it closed behind me. She’s sitting with her back against the headboard and her knees pulled into her chest. She looks so small, and I want to wrap my arms around her.
“Sam, what the fuck happened? Why’d you release the information about the contract?” I try to keep voice calm, but it comes out a little harsh.
She glares at me. “I didn’t. My asshole ex found it, and he took pictures of the contract. He was using it to blackmail me. That’s why I left Vancouver in such a hurry. I had to. Otherwise, he threatened to release it, and I didn’t want your reputation to be ruined.”
I scrunch my face, trying to follow her story. “What? How did he even get pictures of it?”
“Before we left for L.A. for the talk show interview, he came by for a visit. He wanted me to listen to him and try to give him another chance. I told him no and asked him to leave. He did so, and I thought that was the end of it. The contract was sitting out, and when I went to the restroom, he snooped. He then saw pictures of us and got jealous. The night of the club, he was waiting for me outside my room. He told me to break up with you and leave or he was going to send the pictures of the contract to TMZ.” She puts her head down on her knees. “Guess that one still didn’t work out.”
This girl has done so much to try to keep my reputation afloat. I sit on the edge of her bed and run my fingers through her dark hair. “It’s all right. We’ll figure it out. Any idea why he released them now?”
She scoffs and looks at me. “Besides the fact he’s an asshole?” I nod. “He heard your voice this morning. I tried to get him to listen to me, but he wouldn’t. Then I went over to his apartment to reason with him. When he called me a whore, I freaked out and punched him.” She smirks thinking about it. “I broke his nose. I’m sure that won’t help my case either.”
That’s my girl!I smile wide at her. “Good for you for knocking him down a peg or two.” My smile fades. “That’s why you tossed me out this morning, isn’t it?” She nods. I pull her to me so I can wrap her in my arms. “Sam, I’m so sorry. You should have just told me about it and we could have figured this out together.”
“He’s not your problem though. He’smyproblem.”
“No, he’sourproblem. If I never had the contract with you, then we never would have had to worry about any of this. We’ll figure this out together.” I give her a small, reassuring smile. “Now, there is another matter at hand.”
“What’s that?”
“You told me this morning you loved me, and then you took it back. Is it because of Ben?”
She bites her thumbnail and then drops her hand with a huff. “I said the only thing I thought would get you to leave. I’m so sorry, Tait. I meant what I said. I do love you. I haven’t even known you that long, and this is all moving so fast for me.”
“Me too, lass. I love you, Sam. You’re special, and you are so good for me. I’m a better man with you in my life. We’ll figure this all out, and then I’m going to take you away so we can go on dates without everyone in our business.”
“How are we going to do that?”
“I’m not sure yet. I need to call Rory and let him know that I’ve talked with you and you’re not the one that released the information.”
She turns her head to the side, looking at me. “You think I would do something like that?”
I shake my head. “No. I know you wouldn’t do that. I just wasn’t sure what was going on and I had to find out.” I lean in and kiss her on the lips. Not hard, just a soft peck and pull away. “I’m going to make a call, and then you and I are going to have some fun.”
“Gross! Keep it in your pants, Tait,” Emily calls out from the living room.
I snort and call back out to her, “Private conversation. Stop listening, Emily.”
“Don’t talk so loud and I won’t listen,” she retorts.
