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Even with me, the one who claims to love him more than anyone, he’s a dangerous secret. A risk I haven’t been willing to take. Not really. I say I would, but like everyone else in his life, I’ve chosen my career over him. He asked me not to throw everything away for him because that’s who he is, but the choice was there for me this entire time. At any moment, I could have chosen him. I could have said no. But I took the easy road. As always, I took the path of least resistance and did what was expected, even if it wasn’t what I wanted. Even if it hurt someone I claimed to love.
His green eyes are full of the hurt of always being second. Of always being the “wrong” choice even though he deserves to be the only choice.
I’ve spent twenty-six years afraid to say no.
Twenty-six years afraid to be who I am and face the pain necessary to have the life I want.
Before he can stop me, I climb on the chair and wave my arms.
“Excuse me, everyone!” I shout. “May I have your attention, please!”
A crowd gathers, and I wait until I have the attention of at least two dozen strangers. Travis and J-Dawg look ready to tackle me and drag me away, so I better make this quick.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Larinda Scott and this is my producer, Val Andrews. I just want you to know that he’s one of the most incredible people you will ever meet and I’m completely and hopelessly in love with him. He’s my boyfriend, and I wake up every morning convinced I’m the luckiest person in the world that he’s mine.”
Val looks equal parts amazed and horrified as the audience breaks into an awkward applause. From this vantage point, I can also see the sour expressions of my bodyguards who have made space around my impromptu stage. Their faces are about to turn more sour.
“Thank you for your time,” I say. “I would so appreciate it if you could please spread the word. Also, would anyone like an autograph or photo before I head back to my tour bus?”
“What are you doing?” Val hisses as he helps me down from the chair. “This is going to get back to Jarvis and Lakebend!”
“Yep.” I take the pen and paper being shoved at me by a teenage girl.
“They’re going to drop you!”
“Probably.”
Next, I sign something I’m pretty sure is a takeout menu. Sushi. Yum.
“Can we get a picture?” the woman asks.
“Of course! You mind?” I ask Val, who returns a hard look.
But he’s Val, so instead of being a jerk, he takes the stranger’s phone and snaps a photo of me sandwiched between her and her companion.
“Thanks! It was so great meeting you! And congrats on your new boyfriend,” she says.
I return a smile and address the next person.
By now, Travis and J-Dawg have transitioned into fan-publicity mode, subtly moving people along while also providing a barrier of protection. They really are the best. They’re even doing a great job of looking appropriately intimidating, professional, and not mad at me.
“She shouldn’t have said that. And now she’s going to miss bus call,” Val says to Travis, panic in his voice.
“She already did,” Travis grunts.
“What?! Larinda!” Val tugs my arm, but before he can say more, I drop a kiss on his concerned frown.
“I’m choosing you,” I say.
His eyes widen. “What?”
“I’m choosing you. Over everything else. You are my number one, Perceval Andrews. I should have done this from the beginning, and I’m sorry. But I’m doing it now. It’s my life and my choice, and I’m choosing you.”
I fight back a smile as I return to signing autographs and imploding my career.
“Don’t bother arguing with her,” Travis says to Val. “This is her new thing.”
My grin breaks as Val mumbles a bewildered response I can’t fully make out.
