jersey
MONDAY, APRIL 21
Hayes holdsmy hand in the back seat of the tinted vehicle as we drive to Silver Shadows. My nerves are fried, hands shaking with anxiety and mouth dry as I stare down at my phone.
Bethany
We’re here. Heads up, there’re a ton of paparazzi sitting outside the building. Also, Callum did an interview this morning that’s already circulating. Here’s the link.
I click on the video she’s sent and tilt my screen so I can watch.
“What’s that?” Hayes asks, leaning toward me to get a better view.
“Callum did an interview earlier today,” I mutter, my eyebrows pulling together.
On my screen, Callum is standing in front of Silver Shadows with a plastered smile on as he points to someone in the crowd. “Yes, your question?”
“Was there a contract or written agreement for the usage of Jersey Matthews’s song?” a female reporter off screen asks.
Callum’s eyes sharpen, but somehow his fake smile gets wider. “There had been averbalagreement in a private conversation between me and Jersey. She had been worried about the label making a statement about her relationship with Hayes Vogt coming out as a PR move. The song was exchanged for the label’s indifference to the matter.”
This statement sends the other reporters around in a flurry. More hands raise and questions are shouted at Callum as cameras flash all around him.
I click off my phone and scoff, ignoring the acid taste in my mouth. “How convenient that he’d reference a verbal agreement.”
Hayes shakes his head, giving me a look of sympathy. “There’s no paper trail with a verbal agreement. Now he won’t be expected to produce anything for proof.”
“He’s always thinking one step ahead,” I whisper. It’s hard not to feel defeated, but I remind myself that the battle’s not over yet.
Hayes gives my hand a squeeze of encouragement. I close my eyes and try to focus on my breathing for the last little bit of the ride—the last little bit of calm I’ll have before this shitstorm.
When we arrive at the studio, we’re dropped off at the front door and I slide out of the car first, Hayes close behind me. As soon as my foot lands on the concrete, cameras go off, shouts echo around me, and my ears turn red with trepidation.
Paparazzi are everywhere.
Bethany’s warning text hadn’t prepared me for the sheernumberof them.
Hayes doesn’t hesitate, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, guiding me through the crowd. I hadn’t thought to bring along my security team—I usually don’t when I’m headingto the recording studio. Especially with Hayes in tow, I felt safe. Given the change of events, I’m extremely grateful to have him here with me.
It’s typical practice that Silver Shadows employs security around its premises to avoid this, with how many artists and stars they have coming and going.
However, no one would guess that fact based on how many people are crowding me suddenly. They throw questions at me about Kelsey’s statement, and Callum’s sad excuse for a counter statement which he released earlier.
“Jersey, would you like to comment on the verbal agreement between you and Silver Shadows?”
“Jersey, will you and Hayes be breaking up now that your PR stunt has been exposed?”
“Hayes, how will this affect your game next season?”
“Jersey, do you think Silver Shadows will keep you on their roster after this scandal?”
He ushers me past the people screaming at us, never once giving them a chance to ask me anything. I keep my head down, allowing him to lead me through.
Once we’re inside the building, I feel like I can finally breathe again. Hayes runs his hand through his hair and scowls at the people still outside.
“That was chaotic,” he grumbles.
My hands are still trembling. “I should’ve expected it. I should’ve brought security with me.”
