“I can’t believe this,” she mutters. “You’ve already lost a number of sponsorships. You’re losing so much money from those deals. You’re lucky Corey Shrader isn’t pressing charges, otherwise this could be so much worse.”
“Listen,” I say, deciding that I’m well and over this conversation. “Jersey and I are not breaking up. Not now, not ever. There will be other deals, other promotions. There is onlyoneof her. I don’t care about the sponsorships. If they’re dropping me because I stood up for my girlfriend, then I don’t want to work with them anyway. Why don’t you get to work finding me better sponsors? Otherwise, I’ll have to find a new publicist.”
“Really, Hayes?” she asks, unamused. “I’ve represented you your entire career. You’d throw that professional relationship away for someone you’ve only known a few months?”
I open my hands and shrug. “Jersey is my future. So, I don’t know what to tell you.”
She sighs and I know I’ve won. She can’t argue when I lay down the truth like that. “Okay. I’ll continue to run damage control where I can. But please, for the love of god, try not to punch anyone else.”
I grimace. “I’ll see what I can do.”
I leave the meeting room, ready to get on with my day. On my drive home, I replay her words.
You need to break up.
It’s not good for you, and it’s not good for her.
I know that being with her is good for me, but the thought that I could be hurting her? Even in any capacity is enough to set my blood on edge. We’re good for each other, aren’t we? I think everything we’ve been through thus far has proven that.
With a sigh, I press my head back against my head rest, thinking it all over. My teeth grit and I shake my head.
I can’t fathom the idea of my life without Jersey.
But not as much as I can’t bear the idea of being together being bad for her.
My thoughts are still spiraling into uncertainty an hour later when I park at the airport commuter lot to wait for Jersey. My fingers tap along my denim-clad thigh. Glancing over at the clock, I wonder how much longer it will be before I hear from her. She should be landing any moment now, and I’m desperate to see her.
My bags are packed and loaded into the back of my truck with enough clothes to get me through a week—and I can always do laundry if we decide to stay longer. Periwinkle is settled in her little bed in the back seat, waiting patiently for the car ride to be over.
I haven’t seen her in a little over a week, but it feels like an eternity. I know Cal has been on her ever since the show in New Jersey, giving her task after task to check off, keeping her swamped with busy work. I’ve hated not being able to be there for her through it all.
When I suggested she join me for a little getaway a few days ago, I had my fingers crossed she’d say yes. Even when she agreed, I was a little surprised. Jersey is so laser-focused on doing what she needs to for her career. Though I hoped she’d run away with me, I wasn’t sure she’d go for it. It seems she is as ready for a break from the madness as I am.
It fills my heart, knowing that she’s missing me just as much as I’m missing her.
Jersey arranged for her jet to land at one of the smaller airways so she wouldn’t have to deal with the pain of the public.
A text message chimes and my stomach tightens.
Jersey
I’m here
I shoot her a quick text saying that I’ll be around in a minute and then pull out of my spot, heading toward where I need to be to collect her.
Sure enough, she’s waiting for me with a suitcase in tow, her security guard standing right behind her, keeping a weather eye on their surroundings. I park the truck and slide out of the driver’s seat, rounding the front to her.
Just like in my dreams, Jersey launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her torso against mine. I waste no time burying my face in her hair, breathing in her fresh, clean scent and relishing her in my arms. My hands snake around her trim waist and I hoist her up against me, wanting to be closer to her.
“God, I missed you,” I mumble.
She makes a cute sound in the back of her throat, a blend between a mewl and a whimper, and tightens her arms around me. “It feels so much longer than a few days.”
I let her go and frame her face with my hands, tilting her chin up so I can have access to her mouth. She parts for me immediately, allowing me to kiss her like it’s the air I’m needing to survive. When I finally have satiated my fill of her—for now—I pull away and stare down at her. Her gaze has glassed over and her lips are deliciously swollen.
She blinks a few times and then beams up at me. “That’s some hello.”
“Gotta make up for lost time,” I say with a wink. Glancing back at her suitcases, I grab one and her security takes the others. “Shall we?”
