Page 95 of Harrison's Wedding

Yes, I saw. I’m sorry, Hayden.

My phone starts ringing and his name is on the screen. I answer the call but can’t talk around the lump in my throat.

“What are you sorry for? You didn’t do anything. This isn’t your fault.”

I scoff. “Millions of people worldwide have seen me—”

I can’t finish the sentence because the nausea is all-consuming. I retch multiple times but don’t vomit.

“It still wasn’t your fault, Harrison,” Hayden objects.

“They don’t care. They only care about optics, and the optics of this are terrible.”

Hayden falls silent, and I’m sure he knows that I’m right. There’s no arguing this, no fighting it in court because it’s fair. I cheated on my fiancée, and the entire world knows about it.

“I’m going to talk to Cooper and the lawyer as soon as I can and see if there’s anything we can do,” Hayden finally says.

“Sure. Don’t hold your breath, though.”

He pauses again, then asks, “How are you doing?”

“Not great. When are you guys coming home?”

“Tonight. Do you want me to come see you?”

The thought of seeing anyone, with their knowing looks and pity, makes the nausea come back, along with memories of that night, and I retch again.

“Not tonight, please. Heather and I need to—”

My nausea cuts me off, and I retch again. I manage to say goodbye to Hayden and end the call before I retch once more. I hate everything.

December

THINGS ARE CHILLY ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SET!

Amidst a media firestorm, and with brands dropping the band left and right from sponsorship deals, Cruise Control was spotted filming their next music video in Chicago. Pictures from the set of ‘Rules to Break’ were released, and they set the internet on fire. Gabriel Knight was wearing a tuxedo at the beach on the shores of Lake Michigan amidst a group of extras wearing swimming costumes. Sebastian Fox was wearing nothing but swim trunks and sunglasses at an outdoor ice skating rink.

Pictures of Hayden Vega topless, and wearing a pair of silk boxers in the middle of a nightclub amidst the clubgoers hit the internet long before the official pictures came out. Meanwhile, Harrison Fletcher was pictured bench pressing some very heavy weights while wearing an Armani business suit.

What?! Talk about breaking rules…

15

Visitation

I’m sitting in Brendan’s office, waiting for Heather to arrive. Gabriel recommended his therapist to me when it became obvious that things weren’t getting better.

I don’t know where Heather was this morning because we basically live separate lives now, and it’s killing me. But, once a week, we come and sit for an hour with Brendan, unable to avoid talking to each other in some fashion.

I look up as Heather and Callum arrive, and she comes and sits next to me. She’s wearing a tight blouse and a short skirt that shows off her legs. Her hair is loose and flowing down her back. Everything in me aches to pull her into my arms where she belongs…except she doesn’t belong there anymore.

“Hi, Harrison.”

I don’t think I’ve ever hated my name as much as I do when it’s coming out of my angel’s mouth.

“Hey, angel. Have you had a good morning?”

She nods, and I manage a tight smile back at her. I don’t ask where she’s been because it’s none of my business. This realization kills me. We’re meant to be engaged, and yet I think that what my fiancée does and where my fiancé goes doesn't have anything to do with me.

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