Page 20 of From Us, Forever

In the meantime, I had also been querying literary agents for my manuscript. Some I never heard back, some outright rejected me with words that weren’t necessary, and some were kind enough to let me know we weren’t a good match.

I knew it was all a part of the process, but it felt like a dig at my competence. It felt discouraging—like I was somehow lacking. The only thing I believed in was my story, and I had to keep believing in it if I ever wanted my book to see the light of day.

I sighed as I signed off on work a couple of hours later.

The past few days had been cloudy. Both in the sense of real life and the storm waging outside. However, I must say I liked the latter better. Jay had been in a mood lately. Ever since the news of Dorian’s death and themedia running a shitstorm on the band, their PR had been working nonstop to clear their name and get them out of it.

Jay was probably used to all this. He was usually the calm one, but something seemed to be bothering him, and he wouldn’t tell me what. He was currently smashing weights at the gym, andhis usual hour-long sessions had turned into two.It was frustrating at times. I got that he needed his own space, but I wish he’d tell me what was going on inside his head.

I set my laptop aside and rose to my feet, wringing my hands overhead as I stretched out my drained bones. Needing coffee, I padded to the open kitchen attached to the living room. With gleaming gray cabinets and marble countertops, it was equipped like a chef’s dream. And my favorite part was the full-blown coffee machine. Retrieving the pink mug with tiny hearts that Jay got for me, I placed it on the stand, and as I waited for it to brew, I checked my phone.

No emails, no phone calls, just a couple of messages from our girl group.

I tried not to peek into what the media were saying about the boys but my curiosity got the better of me. I typed the band’s name into the search bar and was immediately bombarded with numerous alerts. I opened the first one from a reputable press that read the headlineThe Four Foxes might be the cause of late Dorian White, the CEO of Pacific White Label’s, ultimate demise.

I scoffed, reading the outrageous things they were saying, quoting internal sources and interviews from people who weren’t even involved in the matter. Does thepress these days just say anything about anyone without proper research?

Footsteps thudded in my direction, and my eyes flew from the phone to the man advancing toward me.

Tall and looming with pearls of sweat trailing down his tanned skin.

Tortured blue eyes.

The smell of wood and seawater and him was a high to my veins.

“Good workout?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest as I leaned against the counter knowing very well that my nipples stood hard underneath the soft hoodie that I stole from him.

Jay didn’t say a word as he pulled up next to me and seized my lips in a breathless kiss. “I’m going to take a shower,” he whispered before heading toward the room without another glance.

I sighed, internally as I watched the empty hallway like a desolate idiot.

The smell of coffee wafted through the air, followed by a beep. I grasped the mug in my hand and walked over to the TV room.

I tried not to think too much as I curled up on the couch, draping a blanket over Strawberry and me while I played a random movie.

“You okay, baby?” I asked, scratching Strawberry behind her ears as she whined, laying her head on my lap.

The movie was about ten minutes in when I felt his presence. Jay lowered beside me, slinging his arms around as he pulled me to his chest and pressed a kiss on my head.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you?” I questioned, lifting my eyes to meet his. “You’re not one to get worried about things like this.”

“I know,” he mumbled, combing his fingers through my loose hair. “And I’m not really worried about it.”

“Then what is it?” The faint sound of the TV ran in the background. “Is it what the press are saying about you?”

“No, that’s not really an issue.” His eyes absentmindedly swept over me. “In fact, it will no longer be an issue aftertomorrow. Our team has advised usto put out a live statement, and with the fans by our side, I doubt any of the rumors will stand for long.”

“Then what is it, Jay?” I steeled my tone. I’ve had enough of him beating around the bush.

“I spoke with Cece,” he admitted, a line forming over his jaw.

My heart sank like a broken boat as I pushed away from him, creating distance between us. “When?” I muttered in disbelief.

He looked sheepish, knotting his fingers in his lap. “The other day. She called me.”

“And you decided to pick up,” I said as if I were arobot following its directive.

“Yes.” He placed a soft hand on my knee.

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