Page 27 of Between the Lines

“Damn, that’s what I get? See if I worry about your little ass next time,” he shot back, matching my energy before he got to why he really called. “Nah, for real though—you good?”

“Uh…as much as could be expected, I guess?” I answered, pulling a blanket from the back of the couch to cuddle into. “What are people saying?”

“Nothing you need to be concerned about.”

I closed my eyes. “That bad, huh?”

It wasn’t that hard to imagine the narrative some had probably decided to go with—“Spoiled Princess Elodie Perry Maces Adoring Fan Seeking Autograph.”That was how it always went. Especially if you were a woman, especially if you were aBlackwoman—celebrity status precluded you from being a victim of anything short of…maybe murder.

And even then, there would’ve been plenty of discourse about whatIcould’ve done differently.

Rather than simply being left the hell alone.

“Logan went by your place to get you some clothes,” Pierre continued, not really giving me an answer to my question. “I don’t know how long you plan to kick it with Shaw, but…you probably want to give your place a bit of space for a while. We’ll make sure you get anything you need from out of there though.”

Damn.

Okay.

Maybe hewasanswering the question.

“I feel like I’m going to regret asking, but…what’s happening at my condo?”

“Media circus.”

“Shit. Um…I don’t know. I guess I can get a temporary rental somewhere. I don’t think it’s a good idea to be here with Shaw too long,” I answered.

“Stop playing with me,” he said. “You can stay with me and Logan—she’s already been making sure one of the guest rooms is ready for you. And as far as Shaw…you want to tell me what’s going on there?”

“Not particularly.”

“El.”

“There’snothinggoing on,” I insisted. “We happened to be on the phone when it happened, and he saw how upset I was, so he told me I should come to his place. So…I did.”

“Got it. Nubia got everything worked out so you’re not due on set for a few days—try to rest, decompress, all that as much as you can until then.”

“Sure. I’ll get right on it.”

He sighed. “I know, easier said than done. Just…try. This media frenzy shit isn’t new, remember? You’ve made it through worse scandals.”

“Yeah, back when I lived for that—and we see where that got me,” I said. “I’m trying to be off that. I just want to mind my business and make good TV.”

“And you shouldn’t let this little drama stop you from doing exactly that. It’ll pass, El. I promise.”

Even though he couldn’t see me, I nodded. “Thanks, P.”

“Anytime, baby girl. Logan is gonna drop that stuff off at Shaw’s for you.”

“Okay. Thank you. Luh you. All that.”

“Luh you too. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Once we were off the phone, I pushed out a long,heavysigh.

Despite my brother’s insistence on not letting the media shit get to me, it was already doingexactlythat, as the possibilities tap-danced through my mind.

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