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“I know.” I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. “I’m not mad at him. I just don’t know if I can handle hearing how this affects him, too. I can only imagine what he’s going through.”
She places her hand on my leg and speaks carefully. “Yes, but do you really think not talking to him is making this any easier? He blames himself.”
“What? That’s insane. It’s not his fault.”
“He said that if he wasn’t so well known, this wouldn’t have happened – and it certainly wouldn’t have made TMZ if it did.”
My phone vibrates yet again, but this time it’s my mom. I groan as I throw myself back against my pillow. Emily smiles sympathetically and takes the device into her hand.
“I’ve got this one.” She presses answer and puts the phone to her ear. “Hi Mrs. Hartman.”
I can hear my mother shouting from here. “Emily? Where is Kayleigh? Is she alright? What’s going on?”
“She’s okay. I’m here with her now, she just really doesn’t feel like talking.”
“Put it on speaker.” I mouth, not wanting to speak to her but wanting to hear what she says. Em nods and presses the button so my mom’s voice is louder.
“She’s not high, is she?”
I roll my eyes dramatically, making my best friend snicker. “No. She’s definitely not high.”
She sighs into the phone. “Maybe I should just come there.”
My stomach drops, but Em gives me a reassuring look. “That’s really not necessary. She just needs some time. Give her a couple more days and I’ll make sure she calls you. I promise.”
“Fine, but if I don’t hear from her by Friday, I’m taking the next flight out.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hartman.”
“Thank you, Emily. She’s very lucky to have you.”
She sticks her tongue out at me and makes me laugh as she says goodbye to my mom. As soon as she hangs up, I take my phone back and send a quick text to Holden.
Me: I’m sorry I haven’t wanted to talk.
Thank you for sending Em.
Don’t blame yourself. I love you.
Once it goes through, I place it on the nightstand and settle back into my bed. Emily makes herself comfortable on the other side and grabs the remote, turning on the TV and playing Friends through Netflix. This girl always knows exactly how to make me the most comfortable, and I love her for that.
THE FOLLOWING NIGHT, THE two of us are studying for finals when she decides to take a break. She’s scrolling through her phone when it dings. I hear her breath hitch, and it causes me to look at her strangely.
“What?” I ask.
She doesn’t answer immediately, reading something over first. When she’s done, she coos. “Holden released a statement.”
“He did what?!”
“This surprises you? Kayleigh, you’re lucky he didn’t strangle the reporter.”
I grab my phone and type Holden Rivers into the search engine, clicking the first link pops up.
NHL Prodigy Responds to Fiancé Drug Rumors
A few days ago, TMZ released a bit of information involving Boston Bruins new heartthrob, Holden Rivers. A source revealed to them that his fiancé, Kayleigh Jacobs, has a history of cocaine addiction. The recent news of them expecting a baby together caused the source to be concerned. Mr. Rivers, himself, released a statement today, regarding the situation. This is what he had to say…
“It’s absurd that I even need to respond to these allegations. My relationship with my fiancé is something that is extremely important to me, and to see her name be slandered like this has caused more hurt than acceptable. If the person who went to TMZ with this story was so concerned for the wellbeing of our child, they should have come to me directly. Instead, they were only trying to cause irreparable damage and that is not something I am okay with. I’m only reaching out to set the record straight. Kayleigh does not have a drug problem, and when I find the person who made such claims, there will be legal charges brought against them. My fiancé and I will have no further comments on the issue.”
