Page 70 of Grown

“Sorry about all this. But, uh, hey, can I get your autograph? My wife, she’s ahugefan and she’d kill me if she knew I met you and didn’t at least try.”

Korey thickens his charm.

“Sure, man! Sorry y’all came all this way for nothing. You know, trolls stay trolling.”

As he signs the officer’s flip book, offering to pose for a selfie, I creep away slow, willing myself invisible.

Maybe this will all blow over. Maybe it won’t be that bad.

But no more than two feet into my room, the front door slams. My lungs shrink as his feet stomp up the stairs. He charges in, face emotionless.

“You know it was them nosy-ass parents of yours who sent them cops, right?”

“You... talked to them?”

“Yeah, they said they were going to do this shit,” he snaps, shaking his head. “They texted me.”

“Can I see?”

He cocks his head to the side, stepping toward me.

“Why you need to see? What, you don’t trust me?”

Panic surges and my arms go limp.

“N-n-no, of course I trust you. I... just wanted to see what they said. That’s all.”

He cuts his eyes before flopping onto the bed.

“They said they wanted more money. Said I ain’t paid them enough for you. I think I’ve given them plenty. Shit, I’m overpaying, after all the shit you’ve put me through!”

“Can... can I have my phone back. Please?”

“That’s all you got to say to me?” he roars.

“No! I mean I can call them and try to—”

“After everything I’ve done for you, all you want is your phone back? You should be on your knees, begging me to keep you. Get on your knees, now! Now!”

I hesitate before kneeling. Korey approaches and I have to crane my neck back to look up at him. He steps closer, crotch in my face, and my stomach drops.

“Please, Korey,” I whimper. “I don’t want to fight. I love you.”

Korey blinks, as if the wordlovebroke him out of a trance. He mumbles a curse and brushes by, storming out the room. When the studio door slams below, I exhale the breath I’d been holding, hands trembling.

If only he’d give me back my phone. Then maybe I could convince my parents to back off, just for a little while. They’re making things harder for us. For me, really. But if they give us some space, maybe he’ll return to normal.

Chapter 51

Follow the Rules

Korey’s label organized a small six-city Southern tour to show love to all his loyal fans. Could’ve been nicknamed the Apology Tour or the Love Me Again Tour, after the rounds of terrible press from Candy’s lawsuit.

Still, it’s a blessing. We’re out of the house and back on the road, on a tour bus this time. Korey doesn’t want to do duets but lets me sing background, even though my voice is raspy, and I have trouble staying on beat. Sometimes, during sets, I catch him stealing glances, and I can tell he’s singing just to me.

Korey says love is hard. Love is complicated and a lot of work. The rules are different when you love a celebrity. They’re under so much pressure. And as his girlfriend, I needto support him. Be understanding, rather than be a headache. So that’s what I do. Sing my heart out from the shadows, stage left. Make sure he has plenty food, water, and space when he needs it. He’s given me, and my family, so much. It’s the least I can do for him.

Just follow the rules.