He sighed. “I need to talk to you.”
“Oh my God, what now?”
Chapter 22
Ileaned my head back on the headrest as Ralph drove us out of Teterboro, heading to the house. It was still early enough for the roads to be quiet, and his foot was to the floor.
I couldn’t get there soon enough.
My eyes were stinging from tiredness; from lack of sleep at being away from Emerson, the forty-eight hours of hell we’d been through, and my non-existent ability to protect her from any of it. I clenched my fist again at the memory of her sobbing inconsolably over the phone last night, Jupiter comforting her when I should have been there.
The blood that used to course through my veins had been replaced with pure, unadulterated rage.
Heads were gonna roll for this.
I looked at my phone again, at the photo of Jupiter and Emerson leaving the studio, and the article underneath, reading it for the thousandth time, the words almost taking on new meanings.
SPOTTED: RANGERS STAR FITNESS GAL WITH THIRD BASE BROTHER
Yesterday we broke the news that Ranger’s star, Drew Crawley, is currently embroiled in a love triangle between his new fitness instructor, Emerson Reeves, and her heart surgeon boyfriend.
Today we can exclusively confirm they met earlier this year through her brother, baseball’s bad boy, Jupiter Reeves, third baseman for the L.A. Dodgers.
Introductions took place at one of Reeves’ infamous sex parties, known throughout Hollywood circles for only granting access to the beautiful elite.
Other guests present at the A-list only event included sports stars and models Jackson Foggerty, Felix Cleverly, and Justin Blackshaw, as well as awards winners Morgan Watson, and Henley Crane.
A source at the party said, ‘It was clear Emerson was going home with Drew that night. She wouldn’t let anyone else near him.’
Seems like the Reeves family is building quite the reputation.
No representatives were available for comment.
I ran inside as we pulled up to the house, leaving my bags for Ralph to sort. I found Jupiter in the kitchen on the laptop, looking up at me as I walked in.
“Hey, man, how’re you doing?”
He scratched his beard. “I’m fine; just trying to figure out this fucking ballache.”
“Where’s Em?”
He nodded toward the den. “She’s on the couch. It’s not pretty though. She was up pounding the punching bag early this morning, but her work called an hour ago and they’ve suspendedher. Or fired her. I couldn’t really tell because she was crying so hard, but she kicked me out.”
I let out a long breath. “Fuck. They fired her? What the fuck? This isn’t her fault!”
“I know, it’s mine.” His shoulders slumped.
“Fuck that, it’s not yours either.”
He raised his eyebrow at me.
“It’s not, Jupe. We’ve both been in this game long enough to know what the deal is, this isn’t on you. The fucking studio though, way to stand by their employees.”
He sighed. “I know. She’s better off out of there anyway. I tried to tell her, but she didn’t want to hear it. Anyway, the lawyers have said she can sue for defamation of character and they’ve sent another letter of intent. We have a call with them in a couple of hours.”
“Okay cool, thanks man. I’m glad you were here.” I thumbed behind me, “I’m going to find Emerson.”
He nodded at me and I walked toward the den. She was lying on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket, hoodie pulled over her head, staring blankly at cartoons on the television. Her tear-stained face was red and swollen from crying.
