Page 1 of The Break Out

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Working as my best friend, Spencer’s, publicist has its pros and cons.

Pro, we get to spend a ton of time together. She’s an extremely well-known singer and the most talented person I’ve ever met. It’s amazing to get to travel with her and watch her perform all the time. I get to hype her up constantly. Honestly, it’s a dream come true for both of us.

Con, she goes rogue and announces her new relationship while her ex is still pissy. I then have to deal with the massive fallout for her because I don’t need her stressed about it. Plus, that’s what I’m there to do for her.

And as her best friend, I want to be on her side about the picture she posted as a “fuck you” to her shitty ass ex. As her publicist, I kind of want to kill her for doing so without talking to me first.

Right now, I’m on the phone with Spencer’s ex, Kenneth’s, publicist.

“I just think we should have had a heads up so we could have approached this together,” she says.

“I know, I get that, but Spencer did approach Kenneth about a joint statement, and he basically told her to kick rocks. Which is why she posted hersolostatement.”

“This is whyyou and Ihandle these things.”

I sigh, “I know. She was mad and vindictive, so she posted the picture. Can we just move past this. Spencer would like to cut all ties with Kenneth.”

“Fine. I’ll figure something out.”

“Thank you.”

We hang up and I toss my phone across the hotel bed in annoyance. There’s several texts, emails, and phone calls that need to be returned and I don’t feel like dealing with any of it.

Spencer is currently on tour, and we are in Denver because she had some days off, but we fly out in the morning to her next stop.Which is Kansas City, I think. Or maybe it’s Detroit.Honestly, I can’t keep up without my planner on my tablet. We’re here because her new boyfriend, Jared, is a goalie for the Denver Dragons hockey team. The same team that my brother, Brent, is the captain of.

We went to a game tonight against the Spartans, which is the team her ex played for. Then, she decided to post a picture holding hands with Jared and shut off her phone. She’ll be hearing about all of this from me on our plane ride.

For now, I’m here in my hotel room about to drink myself to sleep. I like being in Denver and being able to see my brother and his unconventional family. His girlfriend, Chandler, is also dating two of his other teammates. It’s a little weird, but not my business and I like her a lot.

Could never be me. I don’t want to deal with one hockey player, let alone three. My brother and I have a good relationship, though. He basically raised me because our parents suck and he’s the oldest. We have three other siblings with me being the youngest.

Well, I guess wehadthree other siblings.

Two years ago, my second oldest brother, Brandon, died of an overdose.

I shake away the memories because I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with the spiral that will send me down right now. Though, the single reminder is sobering enough to remind me not to grab a bottle to deal with my problems.

Instead, I take a nice, hot therapeutic shower before climbing into the cool sheets and do my best to fall asleep. If only it were that simple, because as soon as I do my mind is consumed with all my thoughts I suppressed during the day. All the guilt and resentment that comes from being a Collee comes rushing back and sleep is a lot more elusive than I would like it to be.

Spencer is already seatedon the private jet when I arrive because I’m late, which is unlike me. She’s texting and looks up when she hears me enter.

“Hey, I was starting to worry about you,” she says right as her phone goes off signaling another text and she looks down smiling. I assume it’s Jared.

“Yeah, sorry, I couldn’t sleep,” I plop down in the seat across from her.

“Someone keeping you awake, too?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me, suggestively.

I bark out a short humorless laugh, “Not in the way you’re suggesting. Mine was all work related.”

She sets her phone down on the seat next to her. “Yeah, I’m sorry about posting that picture.”

I wave her off, “Don’t worry about it. That’s why you pay me.”

“I was just so mad and annoyed at Kenneth and wanted to make it known that I’m happier without him,” she explains.

“It’s really okay. I get why you did it, I’ll get it handled.”

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