Page 41 of Release
Chapter 16
ALEXANDRA lookedat Wilkes and the entertainment news interviewer. They sat in the soundproof section of the Purple Blaze publicity room soundstage. He was doing a live interview about his upcoming album, and the wired speakers outside the room were on for staff and PR folks to hear as usual. As to be expected, the subject of their relationship came up.
“There’s a question you have to ask yourself,” Wilkes told the interviewer. “When you come to a crossroads like this, what’s right and wrong isn’t about what works for you, but what you can do to work for others.”
It made no sense, but Wilkes spoke as though it was the most profound revelation in the world. Alexandra snickered and shook her head at his New Age commentary. Dressed in a chic black suit that was a far cry from his cowboy attire, he hardly looked like himself. Again.
“It’s about paying it forward, you know? I mean I’ve spent the better part of my adult life looking out for myself and my siblings, and the part where I looked out for myself hasn’t worked out so well for me. I lost the love of my life doing that. Now, I’m focused on regaining her trust and…”
Oh no, please don’t say anything. Please don’t say anything about me!
She stepped in the doorway, chewing on her nail as she stared at Wilkes on set. Her initial amusement turned instantly to anxiety. Her smartphone rang from her side pocket just then, and she snatched it up, hoping it was Bash so she could tell him everything. It was Eva. “Eva. One sec.”
Just as she put Eva on hold, the interviewer asked, “Wait a minute, are you confirming the rumors that you and Lexxi Rock are back together? Is it true?”
Wilkes laughed that charming laugh. Alexandra shrieked, “Shit, don’t answer that, Wilkes!” She looked at the phone in her hand again, unmuted it and said, “Sorry for keeping you waiting this long, Eva. I can’t believe it.”
“You’re watching it?” Eva asked in a hurry.
“I’m watching it,” she whimpered.
“Fill me in, Lex—”
“Shhh, shhh! Let me hear how he answers this.”
The talk show host continued, “…caught footage of you in an intimate moment at her front door last night, then leaving her home this morning. Curious minds want to know.”
“It’s not anybody’s business,” Wilkes said comfortably. He eased back in the chair with his ankle crossed over his knee.
Good answer, Wilkes. Good answer. Now, stop there and we’re golden.
“But, yeah. Yes, she’s giving me the chance to make amends. I hurt her something bad. I’m trying to be a better man. One she deserves.”
Alexandra threw a hand up in distress. “Nooooo!” she groaned, face fallen.
“Hello? Lexxi?” Eva vied for her attention.
Alexandra dropped her head in her free hand and fought to recover. Well, that was that.
I should have known he’d go off the deep end.
“You’ll never believe what happened,” Alexandra murmured into the phone in disbelief.
“You hooked back up with him.”
“Hell no. I’d say he lured me into a mammoth trap and I fell for it, and then I did something awful. It’s all my fault. I should have known.” She added an exhausted wail to convey exactly how frustrated she felt, but it was not needed. Eva understood.
“Well, don’t beat yourself up about it. Have you spoken to Sebastian?”
“I can’t reach him.”
“Shit. Did you leave a message?”
“Several.”
“So is that video of you and Wilkes kissing real? Don’t tell me it’s real, Lex.”
“It is.”
