Cici patted my hand. “Sweetheart, she would make time for you. She will think it’s uncool to ask because no man she’s ever dated would have wanted to go public like that. But you are a bonafide star and… if you wanted to, I think it would make her day.”
I cleared my throat. “I must get back. I’ve got vocal warmups. I will text Betty, but… sure… and thanks.”
“We’ve got someone to drive you back,” Keir said. “Auntie cleared it this morning.”
“Oh, I can… call a cab or…”
“No, trust me. You want our help.”
I soon understood why. While I felt I was far too old to hide away in a delivery van, I could hear the music all around as we drove a few blocks to my hotel. Out of the dark rear windows, I saw a line of reporters waiting—a line that grew exponentially from previous days. They took me around to the service entrance and I landed back safely.
I was glad to be home free, but didn’t fear the future. I told myself I feared the spotlight or press, but it was more about my freedom. I worried attaching myself to Betty would dull it. Instead, her free spirit brought peace. We did this together in the way we wanted. Everything I did to build my career and find my voice led me here.
And just as I thought I figured out what using my voice felt like, I realized defining my relationship wasn’t the only way I could write a new story. Because as I returned to my room, I was faced with a fork in the road.
Alia sat on my bed with wet hair and a Ramones crop top stolen from Clarice.
Clarice approached, as if needing to explain.
She took me into the bathroom and turned on the fan. “I wondered when you’d be back. Alia showed up last night and I couldn’t turn her away.”
“Why didn’t you ring me?”
“You had your own shit, darling. And given that you lookhappy, I suppose it did turn out well?”
“Her family is… super nice,” I admitted. “They ran a statement by me. We had… a lovely evening.”
“Oh, good. I am glad the day got salvaged. Alia is fine… well, here. She just didn’t feel safe and I didn’t have the heart to turn her away.”
“She needs to reach out to her parents. Let me talk to her.”
I sat with Ali, who was already in tears. She was so young, frightened, and needed someone to tell her to stand strong. I saw so much of myself in her. It was time to be the grown-up I needed almost three decades ago. I couldn’t undo the scars from my first attempt at a career on that stage, but Alia had a chance to survive. I’d fight like hell to make sure the same didn’t happen to her.
“First, before you say anything,” I said. “Clarice told me what you did, and I want to say I am so proud of you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here, but I am glad you came.”
“I know you were… with Princess Betty,” she said. “And I think that’s lovely. She’s so sweet.”
“She is,” I agreed. “But let’s focus on you, dear.”
She looked at her lap.
“I know that Jason and Max have isolated you from your parents over time. He did that to me.”
She nodded bravely.
“Call them. And if you wantmeto involve myself, I will. They will believe you. They will support you. He wants you to think they won’t.”
“Can you come with?” Alia asked, face so pathetic I couldn’t say no.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, revealing the sender.
ÄLSKLING
Do you want to come out on the yacht tonight? I can sneak you in.
My two worlds collided. I didn’t want to tell Betty no, but couldn’t stand to let her go. I also had nothing left in the tank to try to avoid the press on the family yacht.Who the hell had a family yacht?
“Give me just a sec. We will figure it out,” I told Alia.
