Page 37 of Discover Me
Kellan shoots me a look before following Tom out, something uncertain in his expression. The door closes behind them and I'm left at the table with people I barely know, feeling completely out of place.
One of the Omegas from Liam and Jordan's pack leans forward, his expression friendly. He's got kind eyes and an easy smile that reminds me of Jamie. "The fans are already eating everything up, by the way. Your relationship with Kellan. Social media is going crazy over it."
"Is that good?" I'm not sure what response he's looking for.
"Very good." The Omega grins. "Kellan needed something to soften his image. You're perfect for that. The working-class Beta who captured the bad boy's heart. It's very marketable."
The word 'marketable' sits wrong in my stomach. I'm not a person in this scenario, I'm a product. A tool to sell albums and rehabilitate an image that Tom crafted in the first place.
Jordan shifts in his seat, looking at me with something that might be sympathy. "I saw him smile during practice today. Actually smile, not that fake thing he does for cameras. That's because of you."
"The attention is scary," I admit, not sure what else to say. "Being photographed at the grocery store, people taking pictures without asking. I'm not used to that level of scrutiny."
"You get used to it," Rex's Beta offers from down the table. "Eventually you just learn to tune it out. Becomes background noise."
I'm not sure I want to get used to it. Don't know if I want to accept a life where privacy is a luxury and every moment is potential content. But I don't say that, just nod and take another bite of the sandwich I don't taste.
The door bursts open and Kellan comes stomping out, his expression thunderous. Tom follows behind, looking annoyed but controlled. Kellan's scent floods the room, sweet rum so strong it makes my eyes water. The anger radiating off him is palpable, making everyone at the table go quiet.
"Kellan—" Tom starts, but Kellan just keeps walking, heading for the exit without acknowledging anyone.
I look at the others, uncertain. Should I follow him? Give him space? I don't know the protocol here, don't understand the dynamics well enough to make the right choice.
"Best to let him just figure it out," Liam says gently, though his expression suggests he's concerned. "He gets like this sometimes. Needs to cool off alone."
"Or maybe there's a reason he's upset and someone should check on him." The words come out before I can stop them. I stand, abandoning my sandwich. "Excuse me."
I head for the door, ignoring Tom's sharp look. In the hallway, I can hear Kellan's footsteps echoing, moving fast like he's trying to escape something. I follow the sound, my ribs protesting the quick pace but I push through it.
I find him outside, in a small courtyard area behind the building. It's private, surrounded by high walls and a few scattered benches. Kellan paces back and forth, his handsclenched into fists. The afternoon sun beats down, making everything feel too bright and too hot.
"Hey." I approach carefully, not wanting to startle him. "What happened?"
Kellan stops pacing and turns to face me. His expression is a mix of anger and something that looks like guilt. "Tom's going to officially announce our relationship in a social media live this weekend. Full production, cameras, the whole setup. He wants us to sit there and talk about how we met, how we fell for each other, sell the whole romantic narrative."
"Okay?" I'm not sure why that's cause for this level of upset. "Isn't that part of the arrangement? Public appearances and selling the relationship?"
"We're just pawns in this whole game," Kellan's voice rises. "This whole money-making machine he needs to feed. I told him I didn't want you in the media spotlight like that. That you weren't comfortable with the attention and we needed to ease you into public appearances gradually."
"What are you talking about?" I move closer, trying to understand his agitation.
"He's going to have us do a live video online," Kellan explains, his words coming fast and frustrated. "Sit there and answer questions from fans, share how we got together, talk about our relationship. We'll have to sell it convincingly. People are going to scrutinize every word, every gesture, every glance. They'll make up shit if we're not perfectly in sync. And I just..." He trails off, running a hand through his hair. "I don't want to put you through that."
"We'll figure it out." I try to project more confidence than I feel. "I can practice what to say beforehand, rehearse answers to likely questions. It's just talking, right? How hard can it be?"
"That's part of the problem." Kellan's expression shifts to something almost pained. "Micah, you have to act. You can'tjust rehearse some lines and deliver them robotically. They'll see right through that shit. It has to feel real, spontaneous, genuine. And I don't know if..." He stops himself. "Fuck, I shouldn't have agreed to any of this. Shouldn't have let Tom trap you in this contract."
He throws a punch toward the wall, his fist stopping just before impact. He grimaces, whether from the almost-pain or the emotion driving it, I can't tell. The sudden shift in his mood confuses me, this rapid cycling from calm to angry to guilty that seems to have no clear trigger.
I step forward and place my good hand on his arm. "Let's just go back to your place and we'll figure it out. Practice the live video thing, work through what we're going to say. It'll be fine."
Kellan looks at me like I'm suggesting something impossible.
"I need to go home and grab a few things anyway," I continue. "Clothes, essentials, stuff I can't keep borrowing from you. I'll pack a bag and come back."
Kellan's expression shifts to something almost tortured at the idea of me leaving. His jaw tightens and his scent spikes again, that sweet rum becoming almost overwhelming. "You're coming back though? You're not just going to stay home?"
"I'll be back," I promise, managing a small smile. "Just need to check on the house, water the plants, make sure nothing's fallen apart. Maybe grab those leftovers from the fridge before they go bad. I'll be gone a few hours at most."
