Matt just laughs before leaning in closer to me. “Relax, Bradshaw. We all have weaknesses. Yours just happens to be six feet under.”
The blood drains from my face. It takes everything I have not to hit him. I want to. I want to throw him right through the wall. But then I hear Henry’s voice in my head, telling me to let the bloody wanker go.
Henry isn’t my weakness. He’s my strength.
And I won’t let this bastard turn him into anything less.
I release my grip on him, stepping back before I change my mind.Matt smooths out his jacket, cocky as ever. He flashes a sly smile as he adjusts his cuffs.
“Oh, Bradshaw? A little advice for next time you’re on camera,” he says, voice full of mock sympathy. “Don’t call the woman you’re screwing ‘no one special.’” He smirks at me. “You might just break her heart.”
I don’t say a fucking word. I won’t give him the satisfaction. I turn on my heel and storm out of the office, heart pounding.
Because as weak and insignificant as he is, I know he’s right.
I never should have said that about Addison. I was rattled. But now I’m picturing her face when she sees the footage, and it kills me.
I have to find her.
I have to fix this.
I head down the hall, past the crew packing up their gear for the day, and out a side door to the car park. My fingers fumble with my phone, adrenaline making them shake.
Me:Where are you? I need to talk to you.
I can’t stand still. I pace around the car park, heart hammering, rehearsing some apology speech in my head.
I’msorry.
I didn’t mean it.
Every second drags. She must have seen the footage already, or heard about it from one of the media people. She was held up in meetings today, but she probably asked someone to keep her posted on everything. She probably hates me now. Never wants to speak to me again.
Addison:I just got back to my office.
Me:Stay there.
Addison:Is everything okay?
I’m already moving before her last message comes through. I sprint up the stairs, barely breathing by the time I round the corner into her office. She’s packing up her bag for the day, but when she looks up at me, she knows something is wrong.
She steps toward me without hesitation, like she’s ready to catch me if I fall.
“Oliver?” she says softly, concern in her voice. “Are you okay?”
I reach her and stop, chest heaving, hands trembling at my sides. I want to touch her, but I can’t. Not until I fix this.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I manage, voice rough. “I fucked up the interviews. I said something I didn’t mean.”
She frowns, confused. “What do you mean?”
I swallow hard, tasting blood as I bite through my lip. “Matt asked if I was seeing anyone. And I…” I look down at the ground, then back up at her. “I said no one special. I didn’t mean it, Addie. I swear, I—”
A tear slips hot down my cheek before I can stop it. I swipe it away angrily, like I can erase the weakness.
“I know,” she says, stepping closer to me.
“I wasn’t thinking straight,” I rasp. “He—”
