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Samuel frowned.
My heart cracked.
He clasped his hands together. “He has a bright future. His dreams are finally coming true. And in order for him to fully step into his future, he has to let go of all things from his past. He cannot have one foot in Leeks and the other in California. You need to break up with him.”
“What? No. We can figure everything out. We can—”
“He got in another fight, Hailee.”
“What?”
“At school. He heard people talking about you. He got into a fight, and it was leaked to the media. People in town are not only talking but people in the industry are questioning if he has what it takes to build an actual career or if he’s just some kid who got lucky.” Samuel took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “My son is a lot of things, but he’s not lucky. He’s hardworking, and I refuse to allow the world to label him as a one-hit wonder.”
Why didn’t Aiden tell me about the fight? Why didn’t he mention that there was a fight? A fight over me? Why would he keep that from me?
My voice cracked as I spoke. “I can say something. I can speak out on his behalf and let people know—”
“No.” He shook his head. “No offense, Hailee, but you speaking up for Aiden will only worsen the situation. Any involvement, even a friendship, will be harmful to my son.”
Even a friendship?
What?
“Samuel, what are you asking…?”
“You’re his kryptonite, Hailee. Aiden will do anything and everything for you, to the point of his own destruction. You’re a great girl. You know how my family feels about you and yours, but… this isn’t healthy. Not for you and not for him. This level of codependency is toxic.”
My eyes began to glaze over because I knew exactly what he was asking me to do.
He was asking me to let go of Aiden. Not just as my boyfriend but also as my person. As my best friend. My Tom. He wanted me to let go of my other half.
“You must understand, Hailee, this isn’t easy for me to say. You have always been a shining light in my family’s world, and I would not wish what you are going through with the bullying and the tabloids upon my worst enemy, but Aiden is my son. So you must understand me asking this of you. You must understand that you cannot be a part of Aiden’s life from this point on. Not if you love him. If you truly love him, and I know you do, you will let him go.”
Was it true?
Was I the harm in Aiden’s life that he needed to be protected from?
The tears fell down my cheeks, and I seemed to choke on each inhalation I took. My body broke out into trembles as I shook my head. “He’s my best friend,” I muttered repeatedly. “He’s my best friend, Samuel. He’s my best friend.”
He’s my person.
He’s my one and only person.
Without him, I had no one.
Without him, there were only dark days without an ounce of light in the sky.
Samuel’s eyes were glassy, as if he was on the verge of a breakdown, too. I’d never seen Aiden’s father grow so close to tears. That fact alone broke my already shattered heart.
He sniffled and cleared his throat. “Hailee, you must understand. He’s going to lose everything because of you. His dreams will end if he keeps going with you. Your struggles are too big for him to carry. You can’t expect him to do that.”
My chest felt tight.
My mind was in a state of dizziness and confusion.
The worst part of it all? I knew Samuel was right. My association with Aiden wouldn’t bring about any positivity of sorts. People would always have something to say about me, which, in turn, would make Aiden feel as if he needed to protect me. The last thing I wanted was for Aiden’s acting career to end because he was trying to look after me.
“I think you should go, sir.”
