Page 97 of The Last Love Story
I shake my head. “This could destroy our careers.”
“I really don’t believe it will at all. The people who are going to buy his shit weren’t people who were ever going to support us anyway. He’s angry, and he’s lashing out. That’s what people do when they’re cornered. The truth is coming for him. I know female authors and influencers who have had issues with him. All it takes is the trickle of information to start and people will come forward.”
His words don’t settle me at all.
“What do we do now?”
“We get ready and go to brunch. Later, we can make a joint post, not combating his lies, but clarifying our relationship. Then, as he said, we let the truth prevail. Because it will.”
I gape at him. “You’re serious? You want me to go to brunch right now?”
He nods vigorously. “Yes. Because he wins if his words hold you back. He wins if his words sideline us. We’re going to keep living and being us. We have nothing to prove.”
But we do, don’t we? I mean, our careers are on the line. At least to some degree. The urge to stand up and scream out a defense is driving me right now.
“Trust me,” he whispers. “I’m going to shower. Want to join me? I’ll distract you.”
He gives me a sweet little smirk, but that’s all way too much right now. My mind is still reeling.
“Uh… I’m just… going to get ready. I’ll get ready.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek. “It’s going to be okay.”
Then he’s up and across the room.
The second the bathroom door is closed, I lunge for my phone, then go back and read his post again. But I don’t stop there. I do the truly stupid thing and open the comments. I read a few on Justin’s phone, but this is… a hellscape. Sure, there are a few people defending us, but there are loads more who have decided I’m now an author they’ll never read, and so many people are saying they’ll never listen to another book Justin narrates and it’s time to burn the books where he’s on the cover.
It’s horrifying.
I check my sales dashboard and it’s a typical day, but these things can change quickly.
I’m sick to my stomach.
What the fuck do we do?
I manage to get off the bed, but rather than go to the closet, I pace. And read more comments.
If they’re not married, she’s destroying his life. She has less to lose. No one even knows who she is. If they are married, he’s cheating. Who’d want to be stuck with her?
It’s those words that stick with me as I look at the bathroom door.
He did so much for me, and all I’m doing for him is ruining his career. One he built for a decade before he met me.
My phone vibrates in my hand, and I almost throw it across the room. But then I see it’s my group text with Zoey and Trish.
Zoey: Are you okay?
Trish: If you need to come over and vent, we’re at Zo’s.
I glance back at the bathroom door. Justin said it’s going to be fine, but I’m not so sure about that. I need to figure out what I’m thinking and how I want to handle it all.
Me: On my way.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
JUSTIN
Darren Corval can eatshit and die.
