Page 61 of The Pucking Grump

“Wait,” he says, just as I’m about to hang up the phone.

Against my better judgment, I pause.

“Do you think your fans would love you if they knew you’re still lying to them?”

Another tremble. “You’re right. I didn’t exactly go into the details of how terrible you are at being a parent. Maybe I should make a post about this conversation.”

Maybe I should have changed my phone number after I got back to the real world.

He laughs. It’s a dark sound that sends worry echoing into the deepest fragments of my soul. “I would hold off on that.”

“Why? You’d like to do the honors? I don’t think boasting about that will cause impressionable teen girls to take you on as their manager.”

He laughs again. “I would hold off on that because I know you’re lying. You know, about the relationship with that hockey player.”

The world stills. My limp body falls into the nearest chair.

“Wh-What?”

I regret saying that almost immediately. I should have laughed and denied it instantly. But I just proved him right.

My dad laughs for the third time. “Blake White, is it? I know you’re faking a relationship with him. Wonder what your fans will say when I make the news public. You’re still on thin ice with them, you know.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The words I say next have the potential to determine the future of my career.

“I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about.”

Really, Faye?

“I think you do.” His voice is unbelievably smug. “Come on, think about it. I know most of your audience are teen idiots, but there’s no way you think they’re actually buying this. You fell into the arms of the person who would become your lover moments after escaping a wedding to the man you proclaimed repeatedly as the love of your life? Already, there are several videos on YouTube poking holes in your story. But the moment I announce the truth to the world, it’s all over for you. A miracle happened when the internet forgave you once. They’re not going to do it again.”

My head is spinning so badly I can’t think of what to say next. How did my dad find out about me and Blake? If he comes out with the news, how can I prove otherwise? I think of the text trail Blake and I have left over the past few weeks. Maybe posting them will do the trick?

But then I think of what that would do to Blake’s career, my career, if our lewd chats were exposed. I’ve dragged Blake into my mess long enough. I can’t keep doing it.

If my father decides to expose us, there’s barely anything I can do to help myself.

Except . . .

“I highly doubt anyone is going to believe the ramblings of an old man who was willing to let his daughter walk down the aisle to a cheater for the sake of a career.” I’m clinging on to that bit of hope desperately. My father’s reputation has been damaged so badly he’s had to shut down his social media accounts.

“You really think I need to announce the truth myself?” He sounds like he’s thought this through. “All I’m going to have to do is pay a few seedy people on Reddit. They don’t even need to mention your name—it keeps the intrigue. All they’ll do is start a conversation about how your relationship is obviously fake. Once the news starts to gain traction, it’ll spread on its own. And you’ll be done.”

My heart is beating painfully within my chest.

No, no, no.

I’ve worked for so long and done so much to break free of him. There’s no way on Earth that he can ruin my career this way.

“If you wanted to do it, you wouldn’t be calling me.”

“Oh, I will.” His assurance sends chills down my spine. “If you decided to play this game a little cleaner, maybe we could have worked out a solution. But right now, you’re just a loose cannon. I’m going to terminate your career and then move on to managing other impressionable young singers once my reputation is cleared. Just a heads up.”

The line goes dead.

I stare at the phone, my eyes blurring with tears.

The door creaks open and Kevin strolls in, a frown on his face.

---