Page 141 of Tell Me When It's Over

It isn’t until later that night when I learn three things.

One is that Chase spoke publicly about why our breakup ended, leaving me to believe the reason he said he was sorry earlier wasn’t because he got me fired, but because he let his hurt win and talked to the world’s largest gossip blogger that feeds millions of subscribers the juiciest what have you in Hollywood.

Two, that Garrick berated his little brother’s impromptu interview when a pap asked about it, saying it was “fueled by that damn Matthews anger,” and that he “knows personal problems didn’t deserve to be out there like that,” before he shoved his hand at the camera in his face and escaped into a tinted car. As soon as Kyler found out I was fired from Chase’s outburst at Delmar’s, it took me, Gordy, and Harry to get him to calm down before he got in his car and drove to Mrs. Matthew’s house and made this worse.

And three, that Harry not only agreed to come to my rescue at Delmar’s when Gordy found out the press was waiting for me there, but to make a statement to the media about what happened three years ago, refusing to allow any slander toward the progression of my relationship with Kyler. Realistically, I know it’s to protect his son. But, according to Harry before he left, it’s about “protecting the people his son cares about too,” and I was tempted to hug him then and there if I didn’t know any better.

Because he’s trying, and that’s all anyone could ask for.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Kyler / Present Day

On my way home from Studio 51 after a grueling day of questions, meetings between K

alvin’s people and mine, and an exhausted looking Gordy, my dash screen lights up with an incoming call that my Bluetooth announces is the “The Asshole Aussie” calling. The humor fades when I reluctantly pick it up, something we don’t make a habit of.

My greeting is no more than a distant, “What do you want?”

“I know this is going to deter the progress we’ve made at becoming BFFs,” he starts with, making my lips flatten as I drive through the slow traffic. “But I thought you needed to know.”

“Know what?” Ignoring his previous comment will save us a lot of time from bantering, because I can hear the hesitancy coming through the call and know whatever it is, isn’t about braiding friendship bracelets in the future. “Garrick.”

I think he mutters something before sighing. “Listen, before you go off, know that I already told him he’s a fuckwit. It’ll come back on him one way or another, and he’ll have to deal with it on his own. I can’t get him out of everything he gets himself into. I’ve been lucky enough not to have needed to up until now.”

Blinking, I crack my knuckles before gripping the steering wheel, suddenly knowing where the call is going.

“My brother got upset with how things went down with your girl and started running his mouth to the wrong people. You know how it goes, mate.”

Eye twitching, I count to three and exhale slowly. Do I know how it goes? Yeah. I’ve said a lot of shit to people over the years that I shouldn’t have. And I did it on purpose, just like this kid did, because I was pissed off. I can’t be a hypocrite and hate him completely, because I’ve been there. Ironically, with the fucker on the other end of the phone. “If this news is supposed to shock me, you’re a little late on the delivery.”

There’s a pause. “You knew?”

Snorting, I say, “Your kid brother went to Joey Morning about their breakup. I’m pretty sure people in China know about it.”

He pauses. “True.”

I roll my eyes. Slowing down to put in our gate code, I drive in and put the car in park, leaning back against the seat. “Thanks for the heads up, but it’s not necessary. If he wants to make it up, it’s Leighton he needs to talk to.”

Another moment of silence. “He knows. I don’t suspect she’ll be hearing from him for a while. Hate to say this, but I think he liked her a lot more than he let on. He’s a bit…”

“We’ve all been through it,” is what I respond with, trying not to make a big deal out of the situation. “For the record, Leighton wouldn’t have tried to make things work if she didn’t care about him in even the slightest way.”

This whole conversation is one I wish would end, considering it’s the kind of talk I’ve heard Mia and her girlfriends have over the years. The whole heart to heart thing isn’t for me, especially not with Matthews.

His chuckle is light. “You don’t have to tell me that, Bishop. She’s a good person. Anyone can see that if they meet her.” What’s left between the lines is that he has to look out for his own first, like I have to look out for mine.

It’s why I say, “I’m not going to pretend I’m not pissed at the punk for pulling this. If he cared as much as you say, he would have kept our private life private until we were ready.”

Now he’s laughing. Loud, abrupt, amused. My eyes narrow at the screen like he can see me. “Mate, something tells me you’re never going to be ready for your relationship.”

Now he’s just annoying me. “Is that all?”

“Aw, don’t be like that.” He snorts over my dry tone. “I’m the last person to judge you on who you’re with. I mean, there’s a kink for everything. I happen to like—”

“Don’t want to know,” I say quickly, seeing the front door crack open and familiar black hair poke out. “I’m hanging up now.”

His chuckle is evident. “Does that mean it’s still a no about doing—”

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