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Okay, wait. No, sorry. Gosh, oh God. Chance? I didn’t mean—
Ending the call, I allowed the phone to fall from my white knuckled grip onto the wooden deck beneath me.She’s… over me?Within seconds, my heart felt suffocated.
I was supposed to do an interview this afternoon. There was no fucking way I’d be able to get through it anymore. Picking up my phone, I called my agent to cancel. I needed to wallow in my grief while drinking the rest of the day away. I yanked my phone up, calling him.
Mr. Hardwin, how can I help you?
Listennn, I sighed, cancel theinterview… because I’mnot d-doing it.
Are you shitfaced?
Swallowing hard, I mustered all the concentration I had to articulate my words carefully.Cancel. My. Interview.
I can’t do that, but why don’t I send the producers over a list of topics that you don’t want to discuss. I know this is about her.
Why did everyone know about this? Was nothing in my life ever going to be private again? I knew when I stayed in this business after turning eighteen, I was putting myself out there, giving up any ounce of my privacy I had left. Why did my personal life matter so much to the public?
Fine, I’ll d-do itttt, but tell them my rrrelationship is notto b-be talkeddd about.
Will do!He agreed happily before we ended the call.
It was an interview with a late-night show. Thankfully, it wasn’t live. Filming would begin at 4:30 p.m. Since today was anoffday from the movie, I’d agreed to do it, but was already regretting it. It would be the first time since my breakup that I spoke publicly.
As the day progressed, I drank more to remember less. Unfortunately, my plan didn’t work out how it was supposed to. Now, I just had to get through the taping.
6
HOMECOMING
AMBER
After the call with Chance that morning, Jenna and I spent some time talking about things again after Dylan was in bed and Ian was busy with hisotherwork. But the conversation only opened up my emotions all over again and I couldn’t sleep. Emerging from the guest room, I faltered down the stairs, half asleep, to the kitchen.
While I was getting water, I overheard a familiar voice in the family room. I almost dropped the bottle in shock. Hurrying to the doorway, I exhaled a deep breath when I saw it was only Chance on Late Night with Cameron Wolfe, and he wasn’t here in person.
Ian and Jenna were on the couch. She was leaning against his side with his arm draped around her shoulder. Alejandro was settled in a nearby chair. Their gazes were fixated on the TV. I crept into the room, taking a seat next to Jenna. All eyes shifted to me as I tucked my feet under my body, leaning on the arm of the sofa.
“Are you sure you want to see this?” Jenna asked.
Nodding wordlessly, I watched the screen intently.
So, you relocated out here permanently?Cameron Wolfe continued his interview.Didn’t like Boston?
Chance appeared flushed, his hair tousled, as if he had been binge-drinking for a week, never resting. I prayed that was water and not liquor in the blueLate Nightmug in front of him on the coffee table. He was visibly intoxicated, though I was unsure if the audience could tell.
Boston’s fun, ya know. He smirked.I have lots of friends there, but I belong here. He gestured to the audience.Cali has my heart.
The crowd cheered. Claps echoed through the surround sound as Chance referenced the local community. Several girls could be heard shouting,I love you. I, however, felt a sting in his words. I knew he was taking a jab at me. If you knew him, it wasn’t hard to tell by his tone. I wasn’t the only person to notice. I heard a small grunt of annoyance come from Ian.
Speaking of heart, Cameron chuckled,you had a very public breakup not long ago.
The camera zoomed in on Chance’s now frozen scowl at the host, his glare cutting through him like a hot blade through butter. The crowd ‘oohed’ as if they were dying to know the details. Cameron propped eagerly on his elbows while Chance’s face reddened.
You weren’t supposed to bring up my personal life.
Well, you’re here now, so maybe we should talk about it. Cameron awaited an answer in excitement.Consider us your friends. He motioned to a cheering, supportive audience.
His bold statement shocked us. Jenna and I gasped simultaneously. Alejandro darted his eyes back and forth, confused.
