Page 56 of A Love Like Pumpkin Spice
“What do you mean ‘too?’ If you’re calling, I know it isn’t good news.” I walk away from the entrance, leaning against the cool brick wall, letting the back of my head fall against it. “Please, spit it out.”
“Someone is shopping around for magazines or paparazzi who want to know your new address. Or so a little birdie told me.”
Myheart beats into my throat, my blood suddenly turning into ice. I let my head fall forward and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“No. No, no, no.” I curse, kicking a pebble away from me.
“The good news: You’re yesterday’s news.” He sounds truly happy about it, but I can’t see the same silver lining. “I mean, I say that with love. With you retiring from acting, there are bigger fish to catch, but I think at some point, someone is bound to pay up.”
“Oh, God.” I exhale a sigh so deep I fear it will take my soul right along with it and close my eyes.
“Do you know who it is?” Joel asks, sounding eager to spring into action. “Can we pay him off?”
“Oh, Joel.” I take a deep breath. “I can only imagine that it’s Jay. And I’d rather pose for a horde of paparazzi than give that sorry excuse for a man even a cent.” I gulp and hug myself with my free arm, my fingers tapping against my hip as I try to think rationally.
What do I do now? I love this life here. How calm it is, how I’m only another girl in town. That I’m notNicola Duncan, award-winning actresshere, but Nic. Just Nic. I don’t want that dynamic to change.
“Maybe he’s dumb enough to blackmail you?” Joel offers, drawing an unamused chuckle from me.
“That would make everything too easy, Joel.” I take a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. Then again, Jay hasn’t exactly proven to be very bright. “Thanks for warning me. I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Take care of yourself, Nic. And if you ever want to come back, you have my number. Hope we won’t need to talk again soon, but I’ll let you know if I hear anything else.”
Before I can return that sentiment, he hangs up. And I’m left in the streets of Wayward Hollow, a cold weight on my chest and tears forming behind my eyes.
Everything continues to pile on. What did I do to deserve this? Didn’t Jay make me suffer enough already? Now he wants to sell me out to paparazzi?
I want all of this to be over.
All I want is to enjoy my calm new life here in Wayward Hollow, instead of continuously looking over my shoulder, fearing being photographed or that Jay will be around the next corner for another attempt to get money from me.
The fact he’s ruining what I’m trying to build for myself is low. Then again, he fucked my sister during our engagement party. What did I expect?
Once upon a time, I thought he loved me.
And even with all his manipulative ways visible in hindsight, I thought there was at least a time herespectedme. Saw me as a partner instead of a piggy bank, an object he could own.
I was wrong. And now all I can do is wait for the justice system to do its thing. Sit on my ass until I hopefully get a restraining order and can at least call the cops on him if he gets too close.
But who knows how long that will take? Or if it even goes through? What else is he planning to make me miserable in the meantime?
I watch Lauren and Kieran through the window. They’re joking, grimacing at Caleb, trying to draw a reaction from him. Not a care in the world, while I’m emotionally tumbling like someone pulled the ground from under my feet.
I’m so fucking angry.
Even though a piece of bread has more empathy than the people who created me, my heart still yearns for a mom to rage with. A dad who would pull up his sleeves and go to war for me.
I’ll never have that.
Itdoesn’t matter. I take a deep breath and square my shoulders. I don’t need anyone but my cats, the people in Caleb’s café, and Henry. Well, and his dog.
I’ll be all right. But it still really. Fucking. Hurts.
Chapter 22
Henry
“It looks like Jay finally left,” Nic tells me, sounding as if a weight got lifted off her shoulders. “Nobody has seen him around town, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be back at some point.”
