Page 106 of The Fallacy of True Love
What the hell had happened?
Checking my phone, I found a missed call and a couple of texts from Tala, along with one from Maya.
I called Tala first.
“Lonzo!” she answered. “Are you okay? I saw people posting photos of you.”
“Yeah, it’s been crazy in here. I’m hiding out in the bathroom for a sec. What happened?”
“Apparently, someone looked into you after the whole leak thing. They posted your college grad pic and started a thread about you.” She hesitated as if she didn’t want to share what she had to say next. “When they learned you were single, it blew up…and then they found out where you work.”
“Shit.” I scrubbed my hand down my face.
“Do you need help? I can go?—”
“No, don’t come here. It’ll just get worse.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry, Lonzo.”
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault,” I told her. “Anyway, I have to go.”
“Call if you need anything. Talk to you later?”
“Yeah. Bye, Ate.”
Dropping my head back, I stared at the ceiling. This wasn’t the end of the world. I was just the flavor of the moment, and people would forget me and move on soon enough.
I took a deep breath and read the message from Maya.
Maya
nikki said ur 1 of the most eligible bachelors in mla
Even though I should go back to work, I called her. I needed to hear her voice just for a minute. Luckily, she picked up right away.
“You ditching me?” she asked.
Despite the situation, I almost smiled. “No way. I’d go to you right now if I could.”
Maya must have heard the stress in my voice, because she said, “What’s wrong?”
“There’s a ton of people here trying to take my picture and get my number.”
“You’re famous.”
“Fuck.”
“You want me to break you out?”
I chuckled, imagining her storming into the coffee shop. She wouldn’t waste her time on diversions—she’d just get me away from here the fastest way possible. “Could you?” Then I shook my head. “I can’t do that to Fred. We’re swamped enough as it is.”
“What help do you need?”
“Knowing I get to see you after this is enough.” I took a deep breath to center myself. “I should go back.”
“Sure you don’t need an escape plan?”
I wished I could take her up on the offer. “Yeah. Thanks, Maya.”
