Page 102 of My Rock Star Neighbor
“That story is being printed as we speak,” I say.
“You witch!”He reaches to grab me.
I whip out the pepper spray.
“Aarrgh!”He screams and covers his eyes.
The pepper spray works.
I grab his arms, pull him off-balance, sweep his foot out from under him, and flip him.I sit on him.I have a moment while he’s still shocked, but then he struggles to push me off.
“Nick!”I yell.Can’t.Hold.Him.Down.Much.Longer.
But Nick is right there next to me, immobilizing Ward.
“I told you not to mess with her,” Nick says, tightening Ward’s arms behind his back.
A siren sounds, followed by running footsteps.The street is lit up with flashlights.It’s the officer who wanted my autograph.
“I called him as soon as I saw Ward stop here,” Nick huffs out.
The police take over, and it’s a blur as we go to the police station.I call Felicity to tell her that Ward confirmed that the other deputy commissioners are not involved.The article is focused on Ward, but I’m relieved to know that I don’t have to write a follow-up article adding the others.We give our statements to the police, and then we’re released, although they may follow up with more questions.But at least Ward is spending the night in jail.
Suddenly it’s Nick and me, alone at my apartment, sitting at my kitchen table.I sag against him.All the adrenaline has left me.He hugs me.
“You were brilliant with that flip.”
“You saw it?”I ask, leaning into him.
“I ran to you as soon as he cursed at you.”He pulls the Sherlock hat out of his coat pocket, puts it on my head, and then kisses my forehead.“My own Sherlock Holmes.”
“I wish I’d been able to convince him not to reveal our contract,” I say.
“He has to find a paper willing to publish it.And he won’t be able to reach out to anyone tonight since he’s in jail,” Nick says.“If he was honestly offering you a deal.”
We both look at each other.Integrity is clearly not Ward’s strong suit.
“I forgot to tell Felicity earlier, but I’m worried she is going to say we should break up—that this could distract from my big story.”
“I don’t want this to distract from your front-page news,” Nick says.“I’ll let my team know and ask them if there is any way that they can protect us, without our breaking up.”
We go to bed, but our lovemaking feels like we’re both trying to prolong it, to memorize each other’s bodies, as if this might be our last time.What we’re not admitting out loud is what we’re revealing as we cling to each other, desperate to hold on to what we have.
Chapter thirty-one
Nick
Sleepeludesme.Myheart was in my throat, watching Maddie face off with Ward.My pulse is still racing.I slip out of Maddie’s bed and disappear into the bathroom.Maybe our fake-dating contract won’t be published.I click onThe Squirrel.It’s there.The contract is public.
And the troll comments are horrible:
Fan5001:I knew the girl next door couldn’t keep him.
I can’t engage, but I wish I could write back that the girl next door has me for life—if she will keep me.
Fan2245:I told you it was fake.
It’s never been more real.
