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I’d been telling people in my inner circle about my sexuality, including Jared. I found it easier to do it this way, one at a time. So far, so good. And this way, when things rolled out, I’d have a support system in place.
“It’s well in hand. I’ll do a press conference when we return to LA. She still has a few concerns, though, when it comes to my brand deals. But that’s for her and a lawyer to review.”
“I’d be happy to provide an impartial consultation if you need it, no charge,” Aiden offered.
“I might take you up on that,” I replied with a smile. “I don’t have any morality clauses in my contracts but Henn’s worried that some brands might drop me or refuse to renew when I come out. But I told her, and she agreed, that if they drop me, they drop me. If a company has an issue with my sexuality, I don’t want to work with them anyway.”
“You might lose some, but gain new ones,” Reed added.
“Jared can put me in touch with Henn,” Aiden suggested. “I’ll have a look of your contracts and let you know if there’s anything you need to be concerned about.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“What about security?” Alex asked.
“What do you mean?” I glanced at him.
“You’re a high-profile celebrity, and often, coming out can bring out the haters. And I’m not just talking about online. You might want to hire a protection detail for the foreseeable future as a precaution.”
“That’s a good idea,” Reed added.
“I don’t know if I need that,” I mused. “Henn was more concerned about online trolls.”
“Think about it and let me know,” Alex replied. “I’ve sold the business, but I still have contacts. In fact, I know of one bodyguard here in the UK that’s looking for work.”
I glanced at Reed. “Do you really think I need protection?”
“I’d look into it. Can’t hurt,” he replied. “I dealt with a stalker a few years ago and I had a bodyguard for four months. It was well worth it for my peace of mind.”
“What?! You never told me that!”
Just the thought of anything bad happening to Reed made my stomach seize and a cold sweat break out all over my body.
“We weren’t talking at that point and the only time we communicated was when we worked together. Even then, it was name calling and yelling. So how could I tell you? And seriously, you didn’t notice the guy following me around on set?”
“I just thought it was added security for the movie. Jesus, Ree. What happened?” I asked. “Who was this asshole harassing you?”
“I don’t know. The emails stopped after a few months and that was that. Unfortunately, whoever it was probably found someone else to fixate on. It was nothing.”
I reached for his hand before I realized what I was doing. “Promise me you won’t ever keep something like that from me again.”
He placed his other hand on top of mine and gripped it tightly. “I didn’t keep it from you. We were?—”
“I know. I know.”
God, we’d been such idiots.
Then I realized that the rest of the room was silent, and I looked over to find Jared, Aiden, and Alex staring at us.
“Sorry,” I blurted out as my cheeks heated.
“Nothing to be sorry about,” Jared replied as he gave me a knowing smile.
I glanced at Reed again, and the idea that someone had frightened him, frightened me.
I couldn’t lose him. That possibility was unthinkable.
And Jared was wrong.
