Chapter 30
THIRTY
I t isn’t going to trial, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved—not because I am ashamed, but because I was terrified of Fox having to confront someone he loved and trusted and recall what he did to him.
Fox is strong and not afraid to stand his ground regarding what Theo did, but he’s already having nightmares.
Theo will face prison time, but our job is done.
He will never hurt Fox again, and the outpouring of love and support is incredible.
So many men have written to Fox, asking for his strength and help, and it’s really affected him. We spent days reading letters sent to him as a band, and more than once, we had to take a break to cry and rage in anger.
It’s sparked something in Fox, and we are all glad to help him.
He’s taken it upon himself to become the champion for those who have been silenced.
He’s been speaking with local charities on how he can help, and we’ve all donated our time, money, and voices.
We’re planning a charity show next week to help raise more money and awareness, but I couldn’t be prouder of my boyfriend and friends.
Strike and Dash have stepped up big time and have been volunteering, as well as making content online to help those in need.
Despite all the good we are doing, it’s heavy and tiring, and Fox is burning out.
He’s been through so much recently, and I want to give him a day of happiness with no other thoughts.
Early the next morning, I steal him away. Strike and Dash cover for us, and we wear hats and masks and venture out into the city.
We go undercover, avoiding fans and paparazzi as we wander through a mall before stopping for dinner. Later, we stop at an arcade and play games for hours. It’s nothing major or special, a mundane day, but this slice of normal is heaven and indescribable.
I smile at Fox as he cheers, spinning away from the shooting game he beat me on again.
Laughing, I let him whirl me around, and when he puts me back on my feet, he tugs my mask down.
My eyes widen as he tilts his head to avoid our hats hitting and presses his lips to mine.
He holds my hips, tugging me flush against his body as he deepens the kiss.
I begin to lean into him, and only then does he pull away.
His eyes are bright with happiness and love, and his lips are tilted in a warm, familiar smile.
“Thank you for today,” he murmurs. “I needed it.”
“I know you did. Admit it, I’m the best boyfriend ever,” I tease.
Laughing, he turns me and drapes his arm around my chest, resting his chin on my shoulder. “You are,” he agrees, sounding serious. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Ry.”
“You’ll never find out,” I promise as I interlace our fingers over my chest. “Now, I want a rematch. Loser is bottom tonight.”
That gets him moving as I grin.
“It’s too early,” I whine as my phone starts to ring again. I pick it up and hit answer. “This better be good.”
“Um, Fox?” Po asks, confused.
Pulling the phone away, I realize I picked up Fox’s phone. I roll over and smack him to wake him up. “Fox, phone.” I toss it on his chest as he grumbles and grabs it blindly, shoving it against his ear before putting it on speaker.
“It’s actually good you’re, uh . . . both there. Could you guys come into the label this morning please?” He sounds odd, but it’s probably because it’s barely light out.
“Sure, I’ll let Strike and Dash know,” I grumble.
“No, just you two please. See you soon.” He hangs up, and Fox and I share a confused look before he dives at me, making me laugh.
“No, don’t!” I groan as he pulls the comforter down and presses his lips to my chest. “Fox.”
“We’re awake, so we might as well make the most of it,” he murmurs against my skin.
I grip his hair and tug him up. “My ass is still sore from you last night,” I whine.
“I’ll be gentle this time, I promise.” He smirks, knowing he’ll get his way.
By the time we make it out of the door, the sun is up, my body is covered in bite marks, and every time I glance at Fox, I blush.
The label is pretty empty at this time, which is surprising, but I have an unsettling feeling, especially when we are escorted to a meeting room where Po, some managers, and a few directors sit across from us.
I don’t know most of their names other than Mrs. Noel and Miss Wilson, but sitting in the middle is the CEO, Mr. Atlas.
Sharing a look with Fox, I take a seat and wait.
I’m used to being in trouble, but I’ve been well behaved since Fox and I started dating.
I wonder if this has to do with what happened with Fox and Theo. It’s the only thing I can think of.
“Do you recognize this?” Po winces as he turns the iPad and shows us some images.
I lean in, and my heart stops. Fox and I are on the screen.
It’s from yesterday, when our masks were down as we kissed and hugged by the arcade machine.
They were taken from a distance, but it’s undeniably us.
Our private moment was stolen and sold. My eyes dart up to Po’s and back down, and he sighs.
“They were published early this morning online. The news has already picked up on it and are calling you two the new ‘it’ couple of the century. Fans are confused and picking sides. We’ve had two brands already contact us to drop deals because they don’t want to be associated with any scandals.”
“Scandals?” I scoff, pushing the iPad back as Fox stays silent. “We fake being together all the time to sell your music, remember?”
“But this isn’t fake,” Mr. Atlas snarls.
“This is real and has undercut everything we have been working for. We told you no more bad news, and this is bad news. Flirting for cameras is fine, but two of our biggest stars dating and sneaking around? You specifically signed a contract that says you can’t date.
It puts us in a bind. What were you thinking? ”
I look between them, getting angry. “I was thinking I love him,” I snap, hating how silly they are making us seem, diminishing our relationship.
“Ry,” Po begins, but I glare at him as I grab Fox’s hand. His eyes meet mine, and he nods, holding mine tightly.
“I was thinking I fell in love with my best friend and I wanted to be with him. You’re going to sit there and tell me it’s wrong that we are in love?” I refuse to deny it any longer. Why should I? I won’t hide it. I refuse to hurt Fox like that.
“Which is fine, when you aren’t under contract,” Po admits. “You read the contract.”
“We didn’t know then,” Fox argues. “It just happened. Isn’t this a good thing? You’re always selling our supposed relationship, and now it’s real.”
“People don’t want real. They want fantasy,” Mr. Atlas sneers. “They don’t want this .” He pushes the iPad back at us. “We are losing numbers, not to mention breaching contracts.”
Sickness rolls through my stomach as I stare at their cold, impassive faces. Even Po looks down at the table, refusing to meet our eyes, and I spare Fox a look to see his concern as I grip his hand, in desperate need of connection and support.
“Here is what we are going to do. You are going to stick to the PR plan we have come up with. You will distance yourselves from each other until these rumors die down. Ryker, I want you seen with your usual entourage of beautiful women, the more the better?—”
“No,” I interrupt, my voice sharp. Even the idea of putting on that show makes me feel sick.
“Excuse me?” he responds, a threat in his tone.
“I won’t do that to my boyfriend,” I protest.
“You are breaching your contract!” he roars.
“I don’t care!” I yell, and he sits back, stunned.
“Do whatever you want. I won’t betray Fox in any way, not even for show.
Let them all know it’s real. I’m tired of hiding it anyway.
If it means walking away from this or losing the love of my life, then I will choose him every time.
I’m tired of trying to be what this world wants of me.
This is who I am.” I jut my chin out, daring them to fire us.
“If you won’t comply with our demands, then you leave us with no choice.” He leans forward, drawing my gaze. “We are suspending you until we decide what to do about your contract. Please go back to the house. We will be in touch in the next few days about your future with the company.”
Fox’s hand slips from mine, and I glance at him in panic to see him sitting back, his eyes wide with shock.
“You can leave now.” The cruel demand makes me swallow, and Fox lurches to his feet. He nods at them and turns to leave. I spare them a glare and hurry after him, catching up to Fox at the elevator door just as it opens and he steps inside.
“It will be okay,” I tell him softly when I reach the elevator. I reach for his hand, but he jerks away. “Fox, I promise it will be okay. I’ll figure this out.”
He nods, but he isn’t looking at me.
Panic winds through my chest. After everything we have fought against, will this be what breaks us?