Page 58 of I Love You, It’s Ruining My Life

“Well, that’s rude!” Cassidy scoffed, and I smiled. “People aren’t supposed to share other people’s lives on the internet! Dad tells me that all the time. And when I’m allowed to have social media, I don’t have to share anything I don’t want to.”

“And he’s right,” I nodded, “but you know how your Dad was in a band with your Uncles, right? And since the band was famous, a lot of people decide that famous people don’t get that kind of privacy.”

“Wait a second… Dad’s famous?!” Cassidy asked, shaking her head in shock, “Since when?”

“Since he was seventeen,” I laughed, acting like I was telling her a giant secret, “Before he ever met your mom.”

“But why?” she asked, grimacing at the idea, “He’s boring. And he’s my Dad!”

“Wait, you really didn’t know RaineFall was giant? Like,” I paused for a moment, trying to think of what musicians she’d know, “You know how Taylor Swift is super famous? They were almost as famous as her. Because he and your uncles are magic when they make music together.”

“Gross,” the girl whispered under her breath.

“I know; him being famous is my least favorite thing about him too,” I nodded, “But you’re really okay with us dating?”

“You make Dad happy,” Cassidy smiled, “And you’re cool and fun. And most importantly, you don’t pretend like I don’t exist. You’re not my Mom, and that’s okay. Everyone talks about how stepmoms ignore them or are mean, and I know you wouldn’t do that. We’d be a family instead!”

“Hey, we only started dating, and you’re already trying to promote me to Stepmom?” I laughed while she innocently shrugged.

“Everyone says your New Year’s Candle Wish comes true, and guess what I wished for,” Cassidy sing-songly teased me. “Are you really sure Dad is famous?” she asked, changing the subject back. Laughing, I pulled up one of their concert movies I knew was still streaming, despite the fact I'd never actually watched it. It proved my point to the girl, while also proving to me I was glad I hadn’t tried to stop Kam from living out this dream.

The camera might've focused more on Jack and Noah, but all I could see was Kam, playing his heart out and making musical magic.

Chapter forty-six

Kameron

The absolute last thing I’d expected to walk in on was Cassidy and Nalini dancing in the living room to my old concert movie. Or getting a lecture from my daughter about how I’d failed to tell her I was actually famous instead of fake famous, or her telling me she was glad Nalini and I were dating. It was obvious I’d missed something on my drive back from the city, but whatever it was, it was clearly for the better.

“How did things go?” Nalini asked after I’d wrangled my daughter into bed.

“Weird,” I finally said, “Mel’s handling most of it and working with the lawyers. Jack apparently gave her Power of Attorney for things like this, which honestly is one of the smartest things he’s ever done. I’m not sure if there’s going to be a lawsuit, but probably a restraining order. And Jack’s place has to be rekeyed. Again.”

“Yikes,” Nalini grimaced before filling me in on what she'd learned at her yoga class. Which was about what I’d expected based on the messages I'd already read. I hated that Cassidy had found out about us this way, but she seemed to be taking it well — especially when she kept referring to Nalini exclusively as my girlfriend the rest of the night.

“Have you thought about what you want our statement to say?” I asked, “Mel was getting on me for answers when I left.”

“Tell the world,” Nalini said with a calmness I hadn’t expected, “I’m tired of hiding. And honestly, I’m hoping the call for privacy and the way you’ve won over the town will make sure we get the peace we want. When Cass and I climbed the back fence today to avoid the photographers, Mrs. Reynolds literally took her broom and went out to yell at them. And maybe hit them with the broom; I didn’t stay to watch.”

“Apparently I needed to talk to her and not the mayor,” I laughed. I'd believed the elderly woman hated me, but it seemed like I was wrong. “Here’s Mel’s draft, and we can decide if it needs any edits,” I said, handing her my phone only to reread it over her shoulder.

Normally I’m not one to comment on rumors; I wanted to clarify a few things.

First: I am dating Nalini, and yes, she is the Nalini that Jack wrote a song about years ago. They were teenagers, and we’ve all grown up and decided the song shouldn’t have been released in the first place. While it won’t be removed from our catalogue, it is being retired both for Nalini’s sanity (the hate was intense and uncalled for) and for our own personal growth. We’re going to do better — and yes, Jack knows about the relationship and is okay with it.

Second: Our privacy has been severely violated. People should not be spying on either of us, acting on behalf of anyone, or selling gossip about us for stories. Neither of us were ready for the world to know about our relationship yet, and the fact we have to say this not because we chose to, but were forced to, is not something I want to see continuing. If you’re a fan of mine, you know privacy is important to me. And if you violate that, you’re no fan of mine. If there’s anything to share, we’ll share it — but in our own time. Nalini never asked for a life in the public eye, and I will protect her privacy to the same degree I protect my kid’s. If you push, there will be consequences.

The third: there’s been a lot of speculation about RaineFall, and while we’re not ready to announce anything yet… you might want to keep your eyes peeled - there might be something in the works. We’re just still getting it ready.

-Kam

“It’s perfect,” Nalini whispered as she read it, “but are you sure you want to let the RaineFall cat out of the bag right now?”

“I ended up talking to my brothers today, and we decided we’re going to go for it,” I smiled, “and I think we’re finally at the place where we’re willing to figure out how without hating each other this time around.”

Nalini turned and kissed me, and laid her head on my shoulder as I pulled up my newly logged-in-by-Mel social media pages and published the statement everywhere. For the first time in a long time, everything felt right, and I could see from her face she felt as much at peace with our decisions as I did.

And if we were able to handle this, we could handle anything.