Page 42 of Release
“Fuck. And he really left your place early the next morning? Did you seriously spend the night with him? You slept with him?”
“Hey, don’t you have better things to do than to consume that tabloid crap,” she complained.
“Nope. Not today I don’t.”
“Dammit, Eva…Yes, he spent the night at my place, but it’s not what it looks like. He slept on the couch. Wilkes and I are not together.”
“You need to tell that to Bash.”
“I will, and I can tell him in person. He’ll be here this weekend.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Well, he said he had it all arranged.”
“Plans can change, honey. Did you see that kiss? No sane man would believe there was nothing to it. Call him. Don’t stop calling until he picks up, and if he doesn’t pick up, fly your ass out to Tucson and tell him yourself before he makes up his own mind.”
“My schedule today is crazy, Eva.”
“I don’t care.”
“Look. I promise I’ll keep trying to reach him. Can you come by tomorrow night? I’m going to need a drinking partner for this one.”
“Sure. I’ll be there by nine. Are you sure you can’t change your schedule around tonight?”
“I’m not out of here until really late.”
“This is more pressing, Lex. Anyhow, fine. Tomorrow. Be sure to drop everything by eight thirty, and meet me at your house so we can fix this.”
“Okay. Look, I have to run. The interview is ending and Wilkes is about to get bitch-slapped.”
“Good luck. See you tomorrow.”
Alexandra hung up the phone as the cameras and lit ‘We’re Filming’sign went off, signaling that Wilkes could leave. When he stood up, she charged into the room. It was time to end the insanity once and for all. “Let’s have a word in private, Wilkes,” she told him, not caring about the edge to her tone.
He nodded and followed her to the nearest boardroom, which she slammed shut once he was inside.
“Why did you do that?” she screamed.
“What?”
“Don’t act all innocent. You told them we’re back together.”
“Come on, Lex,” he said, walking toward her. “It’s only a matter of time before we’ll have patched this all up.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me,” he told her. “It’s time you stop fighting us. You felt is as much as I did last night. Now let’s focus on me making you happy.” He closed the gap and rested a hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t touch me, Wilkes. Don’t ever touch me again. This has to stop, and it seems there’s only one way for you to get the message.”
“What do you mean?”
“Wilkes, I’m sorry I have to do this, but…I’m terminating your contract with Purple Blaze.”
“What?” he shouted. “You’re not serious.”
“I’m dead serious. Rick will get the documents together. We’ll still release the albums you have, and our song, and you’ll be very well compensated. I’ll personally make sure you land on your feet with one of the other top labels. We just can’t do this anymore. What I mean is I can’t. I won’t let you.”
