Page 124 of How Good It Was (Excess All Areas 3)

“You’re not?”

“How could I be? I love you. You’re carrying my child. And I love him too. Was it the kind of get together that legends are made of? Not exactly. But isn’t that what all good rock ’n’ roll stories are made of?”

“You still love me?”

“Yes, Will. I love you. Loved you from the moment Alex bet me a hundred quid I couldn’t sleep with you.”

“I was a bet?”

“You were. The easiest money I ever made because one look at you and I was sunk. I just didn’t know how to deal with it.”

“But a bet?”

“Yup. And I’d bet on you, and us, and Cletus a hundred times over. When our back is against the wall, I want to ...”

Shit. A lump formed in his throat.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Sorry. I was just thinking I want to be like Dad. I want to protect you and Cletus. I want it to be us versus the world when it matters.”

Willow placed her hand over her heart. “You did a great job of protecting your sister. I have no doubt you can look after us. Your sister is amazing, by the way.”

“What made you go up there?”

“I realised I didn’t need to face this alone.”

“You trust her.”

“I drank tea.”

“Wow. You really do trust her.”

This time when she smiled, it reached her eyes. “Izabel has been so helpful. She’s helping me write a PR plan. I thought we could deny it. Unless people have proof, which I think—”

“Let’s tell the truth. You’ve got the opportunity to do something amazing here. Being a social media influencer is seen as this super cushy job. But it’s not. It’s cutthroat. And maintaining the lifestyle is a full-time job. And there are young girls who follow you. Getting pregnant unexpectedly isn’t the end of the world. It shouldn’t be the end of your deals. If you worked at an office and got pregnant, your employer can’t fire you. All of this is morally bankrupt. You have a chance to pivot, Will. To become an advocate. To tell the truth online. To share the good with the bad. Show the balance, babe. I’ve got your back. The band has your back.”

“I don’t know, Luke. It’s bothering me that I don’t know how the paparazzi found out.”

Luke lay back down on the bed. “Does it matter? They know. It doesn’t affect you and me. What happens next in our life isn’t defined by this moment.”

“But doesn’t it bother you that people are asking why you took the money?”

“I took it because you needed the contract to trust me enough. It’s the only reason. And you know that. I know that. Those people who matter to us know. Everyone else out there, sitting behind their keyboards firing potshots at us because their life is miserable ... I don’t give a shit about them.”

“What if they all unfollow me?”

“Will. You have, like, a bazillion followers. You don’t have to be a math wizard to know in basic probability that at least fifty percent of them will stay with you.”

“What if they unfollow you?”

Luke ran his hand through his hair. “Again, I don’t give a shit about them. Anyone who judges me for the things I’ve done in my life can go fuck themselves. Let’s tell the truth, Will. Wait until I get home and we’ll do it together. Alex is working on flights. I’ll be home as soon as I can, okay? I’ll go see what Alex has been able to book.”

Willow sighed, her shoulders rising and falling. “Hurry. I love you.”

“I love you too. Try to relax. It’s not good for you or Cletus.”

Four hours later, he was trying to attain the calm he’d encouraged Willow to find. When Iz had messaged him two hours ago that Willow was asleep on the sofa, he’d felt relieved. Now, he felt anything but.

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