Page 76 of Hot Mess

But that was the whole problem, I was dealing with the consequences of someone else’s actions. I hadn’t done anything other than trust some tape to hold my costume up.

“Kayla. Kayla talk to me.”

Why should I talk to her when she didn’t believe anything I had to say? But she was right, I couldn’t hide from my problems. And that included her.

With a groan I climbed out of bed. I opened the door with a sigh. Mom stood with all of her judgment clear on her face. I was a problem child who she could not trust. This was obviously just another burden for her. What would she do with me?

“I called Connie, and she said her husband would be willing to speak with you about your situation.”

I really wish she hadn’t done that.

“Thanks,” I said.

“You didn’t eat your soup. Are you hungry?”

“It was cold when I woke up.”

Our conversation was stilted, something that happened between strangers. I think that's what we were. It didn’t matter that I had lived in this house with my mother my entire life, except for three months. We didn’t know each other. She had no interest in who I was, just who she thought I should be.

And it didn’t matter if I knew who she really was or not. She was my mom, that was all that should matter.

“Come down to the kitchen and I’ll heat it back up for you. We can talk—”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Mom.”

“Jessie had some good ideas before she left.” Mom stepped away from the door as if she expected me to follow.

I didn’t move. “I don’t care about anything Jessie has to say. I’m not going to talk about it, and I’m not going to come down to the kitchen if you do.”

She pursed her lips together and started to narrow her eyes. I was standing up for myself, and that was something Mom did not like. I was expected to be obedient.

The doorbell rang. We both looked down the hall toward the front door. Without a word Mom turned to answer the door, and I closed the door to my room and climbed back into bed.

32

NICK

Astern woman opened the door.

I ran my hand through my hair. If this was Kayla’s mother, I could only imagine what she thought of me after seeing those pictures. After a long flight, I almost didn’t care what she thought. I just wanted to see Kayla.

Hours earlier, I left the press conference not feeling like anything had been accomplished. I was angry and not afraid to let people know. I was making threats and ready to follow up with action. But there was no action for me to take.

It wasn’t until about halfway through the flight that I got some form of good news. I kept checking my phone. Isaac was supposed to notify me as soon as he heard anything.

I hated the no news is good news situation I was currently stuck in. I wanted answers. I had money to throw at whoever could fix this situation, only no one seemed to know what to do.

My phone pinged and I picked it up again. I had a text message from Steve from the show.

“Jeff is not pleased with May’s behavior. She’ll be off the set by the time you return.”

I smiled. That was one issue handled. “Thanks for the update.” I texted back.

“She’s imploding on Twitter. I’d avoid it at all costs.”

“Thanks for the heads up, I will avoid it.”

I didn’t need to follow May on Twitter or witness her breakdown. And I really didn’t need to see what she had posted in response to my situation that apparently had kicked off her tantrum. Isaac would follow everything for me. If I really needed to know the details, he would have them for me.

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