AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As soon asthe plane lands, Jax and I turn on our phones. As much as we want to disconnect, we still need to be available to the world right now. We have to head to the hotel to shower, then get back on the bus to the venue for soundcheck. Somewhere along the line, I need to respond to my work emails. It’s important that I show I’m not checked out now that I’m dating Jax. I need to prove that I can manage being his girlfriend and publicist.
We’re still on the plane waiting for the okay to exit as my phone loads. My cell is blowing up with notifications. It was only on airplane mode a few hours. Yikes. I realize my phone is not the only one sounding like it’s going haywire. Jax’s phone is also blowing up. Something happened. I don’t have any clue what could be going on, but I’m suddenly anxious. We look at each other and then at our phones. After what seems like an eternity, my text messages load. I scan them before I click on any message.
Gemma: WTF is going on?
Hayley: Are you OK? Are you still on tour?
Mom: Honey, come home. I’ll get you at the airport.
Imani: I’m investigating this, don’t worry.
Marisol: I’ll take you off the account. Call me.
“Jax, something is going on.” My hands are shaking and my entire body goes weak. These messages don’t foreshadow good news. My mom, my boss, and my friends all know something and I’m in the dark.
“Shit.” Jax throws down his phone.
I pull up the message from Gemma and click the link. It leads me to an online tabloid site. The headline:Woman Reveals “I’m Pregnant With Jax Slater’s Baby.”
I feel like I’ve been hit by a semi-truck. My brain can’t even comprehend that sentence. “I’m Pregnant with Jax Slater’s Baby.” I read it five times before I scroll down to read the article. Apparently, some woman is claiming she was dating Jax before tour started and is pregnant with his love child.
Jax never mentioned dating anyone before tour started. We had all these conversations, about our past, dating, and honesty. He outright lied to me. I should have known better, but I thought he had changed. So much for clearing up his bad boy reputation. I break down in tears and look at Jax who is sitting with his face in his hands.
“None of this was real to you, was it? I was just another fling. I bet you have been laughing at how gullible I’ve been, falling for this act.”
“Cailin, let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain, Jax. I’m a fool. You played me.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“It’s not what I think? Some woman is pregnant with your child. Pretty sure that didn’t happen without you.”
Jax walks over and tries to reach for me. I push him away. “Don’t touch me. Stay away from me. You disgust me!”
“Cailin, I love you. Would you please just calm down and listen to me?”
“I’m done listening to all the bull you’re going to feed me. I’m done. I’m leaving.” I don’t even grab my suitcase. I leave everything behind. I don’t want reminders of anything to do with this tour. I just need air. I need to get out of here, away from Jax. Away from the scene that shattered my heart. I run down the parking lot of the private airport and straight into the town. Jax calls after me and starts to follow, but I have enough of a head start that I lose him.
* * *
My head is pounding, my heart is aching, and I’m out of breath. I collapse onto a bench about ten minutes later. I’m near a café. Thank you, my guardian angels. I walk inside to rest and call a car service. I need to get to the nearest commercial airport to fly back to New Jersey. Never before have I ever been so grateful for my fanny pack. I didn’t even think to make sure I had my wallet before I ran out, but it was with me the whole time. At least I can rely on fashion to remain loyal.
A server approaches me a minute after I slump into a two-seater table. “Can I get you anything?”
“N-no. Not right now, thank you.”
“Are you okay, ma’am?” I don’t like how she’s looking at me closely with doubt.
“Yes, thank you. I ran here, gotta get in my daily steps, that’s all. I’m chill. Like iced tea.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to call someone for you?” She is clearly not buying my lines.
“Already did.” I check my phone. Where is that driver? I need to get out of here before Jax starts a search party. I realize I must look in shambles. I open up the camera app and put it in selfie mode to check my appearance. No wonder why the server is asking if I am all right. I’ve been betrayed by black mascara stains, revealing the path of my tears. My cheeks are bright red and my eyes are still flooding over, further spilling dark puddles.
I go into the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. The water is freezing, yet I feel no pain. Nothing can feel worse than the pit of my heart right now, which is numb. I was blindsided and now I am broken.
Every day, I loved Jax more and more. I risked my job, my career, and even my privacy. I thought I’ll be loving him forever. I am so disappointed in myself for being so foolish. I never grew up from the teenage girl who dreamed of marrying her favorite boy band member. I got caught up in a fantasy that was never going to last. I believed I had his heart. He was too romantic, too perfect, too forward from the start. I was blinded by my infatuation, looking through foggy rose-colored glasses and ignoring the warning signs. I thought my tragic trait was ignoring red flags, but maybe I trust too easily. Or it’s that I believe in love.
