Page 70 of Carte

I waited for Tim to say or do something. He just stood there, fidgeting like crazy.

“Was there something else you needed?”

“You guys seemed intense when you got back.”

I watched Tim for a few beats. We weren’t close. Sure, we spent a lot of time together, but we didn’t share any personal stuff. Just talked about the job. And with him working with me, I felt like this was crossing a line. But, I could see concern on his face, and I couldn’t help but to feel grateful to have people looking out for me.

“Well, we were in a pretty extreme situation, and emotions were heightened. When it’s like that,” I shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you. He just gets me. He accepts me the way I am. All of me. And he doesn’t expect anything from me. Just me. It’s refreshing.”

Tim scratched his chin, “But do you think being with him is a good idea? I don’t even want to think what the press will say once it goes public.”

I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn’t lash out at Tim. I understood his point of view. Everything depended on my image. But for the life of me, I couldn’t see why dating Carter would damage it. Especially since all my songs revolved around romance in a way.

I took a breath, and said softly, trying not to scream at him even though I really wanted to, “I don’t think that loving Carter is going to change the course of my career. In fact, I think the fans are going to love him.”

“But he was your bodyguard,” Tim frowned like he thought Carter was somehow beneath me.

“Yes,” I smiled. “Just think about how people will cheer us on once they find out we’re the real life version of Whitney Huston and Kevin Costner. I’m telling you, the sales will go through the roof.”

I hated that I had to look at that angle to get Tim to see that this relationship was good for me.

I didn’t care what it could do for my career. All I cared about was Carter and how he was with me.

How he looked at me.

How he made me feel.

And he made me feel precious.

Tim’s eyes twinkled, “That’s right. I completely forgot about that.”

He got lost in thought for a moment then snapped his fingers, “Once this whole ordeal is over, we’ll organize some party, then we can fake the two of you getting caught as you sneak out of the party.”

Everything in me stopped.

“No,” I snapped.

I grabbed his forearm and stared at him. “We are not ever going to be exploiting my relationship with Carter. For any reason. We’re also never going to force him to step into the public eye. Not if he doesn't choose to do it himself. You’re not even going to mention this ludicrous idea of yours to anyone.”

“But-” Tim stuttered.

“Do you hear me Tim?”

“It’s just-” he tried to explain himself, but I cut him off.

“This is mine. Carter is mine. And only mine.”

He looked at me. His eyes shifted, as if he was searching for something in mine. I made sure whatever he saw was how serious I was.

I don’t think I even blinked.

“I hear you,” Tim mumbled. “But are you sure he wouldn’t do it?”

I was positive if I asked Carter, he would go to the ends of the World for me. But I was never going to ask.

“He has a job that requires privacy and sometimes even secrecy. You are not going to blow everything he worked for to smithereens just to make a few extra bucks. And I’m telling you now, Tim, if you even think about going against what I just said, I’ll leave and never come back. None of you will ever receive even a line from me, let alone a whole song.”

Tim’s eyes widened, “You would walk away from this just to be with him?”