I stand up, ready to yell in Jason’s face when Alex puts his hand on my shoulder and pushes me back into my chair.
“We all need to take a breath,” Alex says, glaring at Jason with a disapproving look that borders on deathly. “Kate and Jakewillget through this. The albumwillbe fine. All of this is just one big misunderstanding.”
Jason crosses his arms and leans back in his chair. “Let’s hope so because it’s not going to be my fault if we’re woefully unprepared when things go south.”
“Why don’t you take a walk to the back of the plane and sit with Zac?” Alex suggests in a way that sounds like a command.
Without a word, Jason gets up. A small bit of tension relaxes from my shoulders by having him gone. Sometimes, I can’t tell whether he wants me to be happy with Kate or if he’s secretly rooting for us to fail because it’s better for business if I’m single.
Alex stares at his phone, rapidly typing for a few minutes until a small chuckle comes out of his mouth.
“What’s so funny?” I ask, unsure of what the hell could make this man laugh. He’s worked for me for almost a decade, and I’ve only seen him do it a handful of times.
“Chelsi,” he replies with a small grin. “Here.” He hands me his phone with the text thread between him and Chelsi open.
Alex
Hey, it’s Alex. Jake’s tour manager.
Chelsi
Is this how you start all your texts? Introducing yourself and your title? Probably explains why you’re single.
Alex
Aren’t you single?
Chelsi
Yeah, but not because I text like I’ve never spoken to a human before.
I’m fucking delightful. Any man would be lucky to have me. Just ask any of the red flags who seem to follow me around the city.
Alex
Moving on…
Any chance you’ll tell me how Kate is doing? Jake is giving himself an ulcer worrying about her.
Chelsi
He fucking deserves an ulcer. Or worse.
Alex
He knows he fucked up big time. Tried to get out of playing the concert tonight so he could get home to her.
Chelsi
He’s lucky I haven’t talked to some of my mafia friends and put a hit on him for this bullshit. I warned him not to hurt her.
Alex
You have friends in the mafia???
Chelsi
They’re Italian and run a small business in Chicago. So probably. Or they at least know someone in the mafia. Doesn’t matter. Jake is on my shitlist.
