Time to change the subject. Can’t solve my work issues or our living situation right now.
“How are things going in Chicago? Good day at work?” Crossing my leg over my knee, I’m ready to distract myself by hearing about her day. I could listen to Kate talk nonstop and never tire of her voice.
She grimaces, briefly glancing away before looking at me and chewing on her lower lip. “I don’t want you to freak out,” she says calmly.
My entire body immediately goes on alert, and my stomach drops as I sit up straight, preparing myself for whatever she’s about to say.
“That doesn’t sound ominous at all,” I reply, forcing my face into a neutral expression. “What’s going on?”
Her face pales, and goosebumps prickle across my skin. I quickly scan what I can see of her body and don’t notice any injuries, which slightly eases my concern. She also isn’t crying, at least not yet, which should be a good sign. But my growing unease doesn’t let up.
“There’s been more interest in our news than expected.” She presses her lips together firmly before continuing, “Nonstop calls to my office. Paparazzi and fans outside my condo. People following Chelsi to work. A few of them got into our building over the weekend. It’s been a little scary.”
My fucking heart stops, and time stands still. Fear and panic erupt like a volcano inside me. Never once did I consider how dating me could impact Kate’s safety. If something happens to her… I’d lose it. Wouldn’t survive it.
Part of me is ready to say “fuck the album” and book the next flight to Chicago. Find a way to be with her twenty-four seven, so I can ensure her physical and emotional safety. But I know she’ll find that overbearing and unnecessary. Instead, I force myself to dampen my innate need to rescue her and wait to see where her head is at before jumping to solutions.
“I talked to Anna. She’s going to try to corral some of the press, but warned it might not do much. I guess this is what she meant by baptism by fire.” A forced laugh and smile come out of Kate.
It’s obvious how uncomfortable she is with everything. How much it’s already impacting her life after only a few days.All because of me.
“I don’t know what to say except I’m terribly sorry, Kate. I never imagined?—”
Kate shakes her head. “You havenothingto apologize for. There’s nothing you could’ve done to prevent this.”
In my brain, I know she’s right, but my heart fucking disagrees. It wants to protect her, no matter the cost. I swallow hard, not wanting to ask the next question, even though I have to know the answer. “How scared are you? Scale of one to ten.”
She breaks eye contact, telling me everything I need to know. She’s fucking terrified, and it’s all my goddamn fault.
“Probably a five or six. At least we don’t have any crazy stalkers yet. Anna mentioned that’s much worse.”
It’s my turn to grimace, realizing I’ve never told Kate about the multiple restraining orders I’ve had to get on overzealous fans. The ones who have tried to break into my house, gone through my trash, and attempted to follow my every move. It’s been a couple of years since that’s been an issue, so it never crossed my mind to tell her.
It doesn’t seem like the best time to bring it up, either. Not when she’s concerned about the attention she’s already receiving. Why the fuck is Anna talking to her about stalkers when this is happening? Is she trying to scare the shit out of Kate even more?
Now I have a good idea about how she’s feeling, my mind is made up on what I need to do next. “I’m going to have Max book me a flight for tonight or first thing in the morning,” I reply, standing and pacing in the studio as I hold the phone. “We should hire private security. Max can work with our contacts to set you up for around-the-clock protection when you’re in Chicago.”
“Hold on, Jake. You don’t need to come here,” Kate replies confidently, locking eyes with me and causing me to stop. “I’m okay. You need to focus on getting the album done. I know how stressed you’ve been about it, and how Jason’s breathing down your neck about the timeline. As for security?—”
“I don’t care about thefucking album.All that matters to me isyou.” Frustration in my voice that I’m unable to control. Not at her, at the situation.
“That’s not true. You care about your music, and that doesn’t diminish how you feel about me. I know I come first. I don’t doubt that.”
I sigh loudly. “You’llalwaysbe my top priority. I hate anytime work keeps me away from you. I’d spend every moment of every day with you if it were possible.”
Kate chuckles softly. “You’d get bored with me if you saw me all the time,” she teases.
“Never. A lifetime spent with you wouldn’t be enough.”
She places her hand over her heart, tears welling in her eyes. “Ditto.”
“Back to security?—”
“No. I don’t want you hiring bodyguards to follow Chelsi and me around. I want to live a normal life as much as possible. A security team is the exact opposite of normal.”
“I know, but?—”
“No, Jake. Please let me have this one. If things get worse, we can talk about it more, but not now. I can’t handle any more of my life being disrupted. It’s too much too soon.”
