Page 59 of Lexi Lets Go

"And why is that?"

"I'm not sure if you saw the headlines this morning, but it seems you find yourself in the midst of yet another scandal Mr. James," he said as the corner of his mouth twitched, holding back a sneer.

"Another scandal? What are you talking about?"

"Jacinda?" He gestured to his daughter.

Jacinda smiled at him and slid a piece of paper across the table to him. His heart dropped as he saw it. There before him was a fuzzy picture of him and Lexi kissing after his concert while they waited for the car. This was a protected area. The only people allowed there were the workers. This shouldn’t have happened. Picking it up to inspect it further the headline, the fucking headline, filled him with more rage than he knew how to handle. That was fucked up. Not only was it insulting to him and the relationship between him and Lexi, but it was unnecessarily hurtful toward her. He needed to make sure she was okay, but he didn't seem to have his phone on him. Fuck!

"Do you think your little team is equipped to handle this kind of scandal? Isn't this why you brought us on?"

"Well, a fucking lot of good it did, with bullshit like this," he said as he slid the paper back at them. They could fucking choke on it for all he cared.

"It is my understanding that you recently changed the rules Ms. Moore put in place to help scandals like this from popping up. You are the cause of this scandal and all the pain it will bring to this poor woman. You should read the article, there are some really hurtful things said about her. Not only is it bad for your image, but now another innocent person has been brought into the mess all over again."

Well, that did it. That shut him up. All his righteous fury gone in an instant. He was right. He didn't need to read the article to know the things it would have to say about someone like Lexi. This was exactly why he was against a relationship in the beginning, he knew she would get hurt like this. He had dealt with that for years, but Lexi… She didn’t deserve the hurt this would cause. She had helped him find his way through the storm, and this is how he would repay her, by bringing scrutiny and cruelty to her doorstep. That thought made him sick to his stomach.

A warm hand found his on the table. A warm hand in this room of opportunistic vultures that care nothing about him and only had fake concern for the woman he loved. The woman he hoped loved him even though this was going to cause her so much pain. Looking over at Sue, she offered a warm smile. She had stepped aside last time when Liam thought this was a good decision, but this time she wasn’t stepping aside.

"Be that as it may," Liam said, trying to sound strong through his wavering voice. "My decision stands. After tomorrow my last contractual obligation is complete, we’re done. You can talk it out with my manager and legal counsel, but I’m done here."

He stood and walked out. He needed to talk to Lexi. Where the fuck was his phone? Above the large reception desk, he checked the time, five thirty on a Friday. They were sure playing games keeping him there this long. He was done with their games, Sue and Mr. Thomas could deal with them.

Hopefully his car was still there. Checking outside he didn't see it, but he did hear some people whispering behind him. He would give anything to be a normal person right now and just hail a taxi and get home. Instead, he went back inside and waited for his team to finish up whatever they were talking about without him. As soon as they were done, he would go home and call Lexi. He would make sure she was okay and then they could start their life together.

One more night, one more show, and then they would figure it out together. At least that's what he hoped. He sat down on the couch waiting for his team, trying to silence the voice that told him he wasn't worth the hassle.

Finally, around six thirty, his manager and new lawyer came out of the room.

"I was wondering how far you would get without this," she said as she gave him his phone.

He took a quick peek at it, nothing from Lexi. Maybe she didn't know yet. She wasn't online much, and she never even fully googled him in the beginning, so maybe she wasn't aware yet. But he knew whether she was unaware or not, there were hundreds of tabloid journalists and bloggers working their magic to try and find out the identity of the mystery woman he was kissing. That thought of strangers casting judgment on her for her body made him see red. Closing his eyes, he momentarily pushed away the rage to focus on the current problem at hand.

"Sorry I stormed out like that, but I really needed to get away. What's the word?"

"You’re done with them after tomorrow night. You have no contractual obligation to continue with this label. There will be some legal issues with some of the songs. They still own the tracks you performed that were written by other musicians, but you were smart and protected your own music. You leave with all the rights to those songs. We can figure out what that looks like when you’re ready. I know you are wanting a break."

Honestly, that was better than he had hoped. He knew that they didn't have a legal leg to stand on, but that doesn't always stop major corporations. But it was almost over. He would perform tomorrow, then he was free. But right now, he needed to get home and check on Lexi.

Chapter26

Lexi

It was Friday night and Lexi was getting ready for the concert tomorrow. Her floor was covered in clothes because she only had a few outfits suitable for a concert and Liam had already seen her in most of them. Over in Glendale there was a store that sold clothes in her size, but none that she really liked. She was almost strictly an online shopper these days. Being short and plus size meant finding her size was tricky.

The thought of letting Liam know she was struggling with this did cross her mind. She knew he would work some magic and somehow have new clothes delivered on her step by magic forest creatures, but she didn't want to take advantage of him. Using his connections like that just felt wrong but being with someone who was known for their style while not really having one herself didn't feel great. But time and money and of course her body had made being interested in fashion not really available to her, but that might be changing now.

In the end, she settled on the outfit she wore for their first date but with some boots she hadn't had many opportunities to wear. She wasn’t even sure why she had ever bought something as impractical as tall black leather boots with a high rainbow heel. She could definitely wear them at a Liam James concert. Self-expression was the biggest star at his concert. She loved that. She was so excited to see him perform again, and maybe have some after concert fun that would make her blush for weeks. She had only officially been with him for a week, but it felt like part of her was missing when they were apart. It was a new feeling, but a welcome one all the same.

And he had been so attentive while they were apart. Good morning texts, random texts throughout the day, sweet ones and not so sweet ones. And they had video chatted every night. A couple of those nights had been sexy, which was very new to her, but also something she enjoyed. But all that being said, she couldn't wait to see him tomorrow and be close to him. They both came close to saying I love you this week, but not yet. It was coming though; she could feel it.

Just as she was finishing packing her bag her phone buzzed on her dresser. She smiled, hoping it was Liam, but it was Poppy.

Poppy- Hey Lexi, have you been online much today?

Lexi- Not really why?

Poppy- I'm coming over.

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