Chapter 31 #2
She was scanning through her iPad. “I have to say, what really tipped the scales and moved the needle of your reputation rehab was your relationship with Tiana.” She emphasized the word relationship.
“When you told me what you were doing, I honestly never thought you’d be able to change people’s minds, that people would never believe you cleaned up your act and settled down.
But I underestimated the general public’s insatiable thirst for a redemption arc and the bad boy meeting the one woman who changes his ways.
They love that you have given up your womanizing and ate up that it’s Tiana, your enemy’s ex. They really believe you are a couple.”
We are, he thought. At least on his part. Now he wished he would’ve never told anyone that it was fake, because it never was to him.
“I think all the paparazzi photos were what really sold it. I think without those, no one would have bought it. So way to take the initiative. I can’t believe I didn’t think of hiring a pap.”
Niko hadn’t slept, so he felt like his brain was buffering. Jessie kept talking, but Niko’s mind froze on something she said, he had to replay it back several times before he finally interrupted her, “Wait, what paparazzi photos?”
Jessie stared at him and blinked. “All of them.”
Niko had no clue what she was talking about.
He never went online though, so there was that.
When he first got some success and stories were coming out left and right, he read everything—all the comments, articles, blogs—and it got to him.
He was visiting his grandparents, and Papou picked up on what was going on and told him, “Other people’s opinions of you, good or bad, are none of your business.
” He’d heard that saying before, but the way Papou said it made it really sink in.
Right after that he hired Jessie and knew she would tell him if he needed to see and/or address something.
Since then, he didn’t read comments or headlines or go online ever really.
Because his grandpa was right, it didn’t actually matter what people thought of him, good or bad.
Letting that information affect him, on either end of the spectrum, could be very detrimental to him.
“I don’t know what photos you’re talking about.”
Jessie tapped on the screen of her iPad and then handed it to Niko.
He began scrolling through photo after photo after photo of him and Tiana at JT’s, at the studio, at the Airbnb, walking, driving, them waiting for the valet at The Cove, and him picking up Pops at the hospital.
There was even one of their first kiss in front of Brewed Awakenings.
His brows furrowed. “What the fuck?”
“You didn’t hire the pap,” Jessie surmised from his reaction.
“No.”
“Okay. Well, I don’t know who did, but it has worked in your favor so—”
“It’s not fake.” Niko handed Jessie’s device back to her.
“What?” She looked down at the screen, as if that’s what he was referring to.
“Me and Tiana, it’s not fake. I love her, and I’m not leaving after Christmas.
I’m staying in Hope Falls.” Niko didn’t know what that meant for his and Jessie’s partnership.
He would understand if she didn’t feel like she could represent him since he wasn’t willing to move for a correspondent or panel job.
She just stared at him for several beats before a smile curled at the edges of her mouth, and then, unless he was crazy, he saw her eyes getting very watery. She straightened her shoulders and took in a shaky breath. “Good, okay, good.”
He leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. “Sunshine, are you tearing up?”
“No.” Her face returned to neutral.
“You are a closeted romantic, aren’t you?” he teased her.
She ignored him. “Let me know what travel parameters you feel comfortable with, or if you’d like to be based solely out of Hope Falls, then we’ll need to look into investing in a remote space we can set up as a studio you could record in.”
They went over a few more logistical things, and then he walked her to the door. She paused as she stepped onto the porch and turned back, the tears in her eyes were back. “I’ve been… worried about you the past four years. I know turning the age your dad was when he died hit you hard.”
Whoa. Niko felt his chest ache, and it also felt like a weight was lifted off of it. Hearing someone say that out loud, just having someone notice that was…fuck. Now he had tears in his eyes.
“I know you liked baseball, but you never loved it, it loved you. But last night, seeing you with Tiana, and just now, seeing the look in your eyes when you talk about her…” She took in a deep breath and smiled. “I know you’re gonna be okay.”
“She didn’t say it back,” Niko blurted out. He wasn’t sure why. He and Jessie never talked about personal things like that. But apparently, they did now because he kept going, “I told her I loved her last night, and she didn’t say it back.”
Jessie’s smile widened, and she shook her head. “I saw her with you. She loves you. She’s in love with you. She’s scared to death, but she loves you. And believe me, from personal experience, if there’s one thing greater than fear, it’s love.”
Right, Niko almost forgot that Jessie had hemophobia, a fear of blood, and yet she was married to a world champion boxer.
Niko nodded, Jessie had never steered him wrong, and he had to trust that she wasn’t now. She headed down the steps and was halfway to her Mercedes when she glanced back. “Yes, I am a hopeless romantic, and if you tell anyone, I will not only deny it, I will sue you for defamation of character.”
“No worries, Sunshine. Your secret is safe with me.”
His phone vibrated in his pocket as he watched Jessie get in her car. He pulled it out and saw that G’s sisters were on board, and it was time to don his Cupid’s bow and arrow.
Niko answered, “Wesley, hi, thanks for getting back to me. I know you don’t know me. I’m a friend of Gianna Lewis, we actually used to date, and I was wondering if we could talk.”