“You didn’t have to come all the way to Hume. We could’ve caught up when I returned to LA.” I opened the half fence to the stable.
“So, you do plan on coming back to LA,” Moniece said.
“Of course I do.”
“Good … that’s good. The gossip blogs are going wild with made up stories. You, Chap, Darla, cheating, and drugs.”
“What do you mean drugs?” I retrieved an apple from the pail I was holding and fed Candy girl.
“Some blogs are saying that you went MIA because you’re in rehab.”
“Rehab?”
“You know how they are, anything for clicks and engagement?” Moniece’s steps were deliberate as she tried to navigate the dirt and hay.
“And who said I was MIA? It’s been a week.”
Moniece shrugged. “I don’t know. Chap’s been spearheading the messaging.”
I cocked a half eye. “Is he suggesting to people I’m on drugs?”
“He’s not really looping me in. But he’s talking to Darla.”
Circling the stable, I offered apples to all the horses. “Well, he can stop speaking on my behalf. I have a plan. I’m going to call the label, come up with some lame but plausible excuse and let them know Whiskey Wild is better than ever.”
“That’s a good idea. I think they just need assurances Whiskey Wild is still on track.”
“Were they really pissed about me missing the second night of Heritage Fest?” I stopped at Cotton Candy’s stall, and she ambled over, looking for love.
“I think Chap told them you were sick. Claimed you’d caught a bug at the festival.”
“As long as he’s mitigating damage and not tossing me under buses, I’m good.”
I pointed to a bench just outside the stables under a large tree and we took a seat. “When you called you said you had something important you wanted to discuss with me. What’s up?”
Since starting our trek, Moniece hadn’t stopped fidgeting with her hands and clothes. “First let me start by saying I really enjoy working with you.” My stomach dropped. I was already down pretty bad. The thought of her quitting would send me over the edge. “I believe in discretion and confidentiality. I’m here to make things run smoothly for you, not mess things up.”
“And I love you for it. I know this past week placed extra work on your plate. I’d be stuck in place without you.” I gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
“I appreciate that.”
“But?”
“It’s about Chap.”
My eyes slammed into her. “Oh my God, was he inappropriate with you?”
“No, nothing like that.”
Placing my hand over my heart, I released a sigh of relief. The last thing Whiskey Wild needed was a sexual harassment lawsuit on top of a cheating scandal. “Thank goodness.” Sometimes Chap told off-color jokes and when people complained he’d say Hollywood had gotten too sensitive and PC. Because he was a nepo baby, he was often given a pass to be an entitled asshole.I know what you’re thinking. “Fancy, he sounds like a horrible person.” And he makes it hard for me to defend him. But trust me, it wasn’t always bad. I think I clung to the good times hoping the Chap I fell in love with would make a return.
“It’s just that the Heritage Festival wasn’t the first time Chap was unfaithful.”
I blinked owlishly for several seconds. I figured that much. You don’t go from a loving, faithful boyfriend to buck naked and balls deep in another woman’s honey pot. “Go on.”
“Right before we headed out on the first leg of our tour, I was dropping off some dry cleaning and I walked in on Chap in bed with a woman.”
“In our bed?” My voice cracked.
