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“Where is he now?”
Kyle glances at his phone. “Mr. Namara has a commercial shoot in California.”
And we’re in New York for another few days before the wedding. Our schedules rarely line up and it is a few months away before Mason and I start working in the studio together. It’s probably better this way. I feel so torn and lost, drowning in my feelings. The tour and my music should come first.
“Don’t tell him, okay?” I glance at Kyle while winding my noodles around the fork.
His brow furrows, but he pockets his phone. “Tell him what?”
“That I asked about him. That we talked about this.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “So don’t tell him that you like him taking care of everything or that you might not be as mad at him anymore?”
“I could fire you, you know.”
“But you won’t.” He grins at me and then glances at his watch. “Oh, I almost forgot. You have two new security detail starting today. They just arrived, so you can meet them before we leave tomorrow.”
I nod and keep shoveling food in my mouth. The pasta really is good, and my body obviously did need it. As footsteps in the hall come closer, I wipe my mouth and my hand then quickly swallow down my food. Having new security is not new to me. I feel like it’s always doubled when I’m traveling, something I’m sure Ezra is also responsible for. I’m not prepared though for the emotions that slam into me when two familiar faces enter the room.
“Beth. Theo.” Tears spring to my eyes. Beth is already crying when I reach for them both. They wind around me in a group hug, Beth and me crying, while Theo gently rocks us. “How did this happen?”
“They were down to one year left at BNE. Rosen Records was able to buy out their contracts and hire them.” Kyle grins at us. “I’ll give you guys a minute.”
Once he leaves and the door clicks behind him, Beth, Theo and I sit on the chairs. “I can’t believe it. I’m so happy to see you both.”
“We’re happy to see you too, Kiddo.” Theo laughs softly, while Beth continues wiping tears from her cheeks.
“You look so beautiful and healthy. I’m so happy you’re here.” Beth gently pats my hand.
I wipe my own tears. The guilt I’ve held onto for leaving them behind pushes to the surface. “I’m so sorry I just left. I didn’t even think about how they would treat you both. I just had to leave.”
Theo and Beth exchange a look between them that makes my stomach coil. I can’t help feeling like I let them down.
“Your uncle didn’t handle it well. I think the bigger issues were hidden from the press by BNE. It was rocky for a while until BNE was reminded that he was their subordinate. They took him on and he was representing their name. Then things cleaned up a bit,” Theo admits. The truth sends a pang to my heart. I don’t want to feel bad for my uncle, not after all he has done to me and taken from my name, my business, and my fans. He doesn’t deserve the pedestal that Mr. Townsend or anyone at BNE put him on. In the same breath, I still feel guilty for abandoning him when I remember that he had to step in and take care of me when my parents died.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
“Oce.” Beth shakes her head and takes my hand in hers. “We are glad you weren’t there. He would have done anything to keep controlling you. And we didn’t stay long past when you did. I was moved to Florida and finished my year working with that retired opera singer, Leslie Marigold. And Theo went to Chicago and worked with one of the stunt doubles on a television show. Don’t feel bad for us. We did not want you to feel responsible. I’m glad you were safe and far away.”
Ezra’s words echo in my mind when he said my uncle would have done anything to hurt me if he thought it would get him more money. He knew my uncle was a ticking time bomb from the moment we met. Maybe he is right, that if we hadn’t stopped back then, my uncle would have found a way to exploit things. He still probably could.
“I feel like I need to tell you.” Beth looks from Theo to me. “Ezra was the reason we were able to move. And I can’t prove it or it wasn’t said out loud, but I think he’s the reason BNE had to take a better look at what your uncle was doing to their business.”
Theo clears his throat. “I know you always felt when he left that he sort of abandoned us, but I think he was always watching; there just was nothing else he could do.”
Tears spring to my eyes again, and I blink them back. More proof that Ezra was still trying to help me even while he was gone. I hate that part of my heart is softening toward him. I feel so torn between how it happened and what happened after. I wish he thought I could have handled the truth. Maybe then it wouldn’t have hurt so much when it felt like I had no control over my life anymore.
“Okay, well, we were promised a tour of the space and then we’re jumping in to training for your upcoming shows.” Beth stands and she and Theo start toward the door.
“You’re off for a wedding this weekend though, right?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes, Mia is getting married. I’m happy to have you both here. I hope you know how much it means to me.”
Theo smiles. “Like you'd get away from us that easily.” Beth winks and they both hurry out the door.
I twist in my seat and stare at my music board. My mixed emotions and the conflict in my head about Ezra stirs again. Lyrics fill my head and music fills my heart. I need to write these feelings down.
Mia isthe most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen so far, because the way Jade and Onyx have been acting, I think it’s only a matter of time before my other best friend is tying the knot too. I glance quickly around the tented garden and make sure no one is watching me before stealing a sip of champagne. Not that underage celebrities drinking is unheard of, but I try my best to always avoid public ridicule.
