10. Jason
Normally, I make it a rule to never read tabloids, especially when they”re about me. But it isn”t just about me anymore, so I force myself to look at the garish headline again.
SPOTTED GETTING COZY
HOLLYWOOD STAR IS CAUGHT ON CAMERA WITH THAT MYSTERIOUS WOMAN AGAIN
WHO IS SHE?
I groan, again. Why can’t they just leave us alone? Clearly someone, or maybe even more than one person, took pictures of us at the café yesterday. I don’t bother reading the article, I’m sure it will just piss me off more than I already am.
I consider texting her, but if she hasn’t seen this already, I don’t really want to tell her about it. Considering her reaction to the “Reporter” article about our first date, I’d rather she be blissfully ignorant about this one. I know she’ll be home soon. Maybe I’ll check-in once she’s home and we can watch a movie together and discuss it.
Across the room, my phone rings, blaring “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch”, and I instantly smile. When Isla was a teen, she went through a major “I hate holidays” phase, and we all called her a Grinch that year. She hated it then, hates it now, but I can’t seem to bring myself to change her ringtone. What else are brothers good for, if not to torture their little sisters whenever possible?
“Hey, Isla,” while I keep the ringtone, I know better than to actually call her a Grinch, I like my balls where they are.
“Hey, doofus,” her voice crackles a bit, like she has bad service. Which, now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure she’s out in the wilderness camping with her boyfriend. What the hell is she doing calling me while she’s away from the city?
“I’m calling because I saw that new article about you and that gorgeous babe. Wanted to check in.”
Ah, that explains it. Although I’m surprised she spends any time on the internet when she’s out there.
“Thanks, Isla, I’m ok. Honestly, I’m more worried about Alexis.”
“Oooooh, she has a name! Partick!” I hear her smack her boyfriend in the background, “did you hear that? Her name is Alexis!” I have to hold the phone away from my ear to save my eardrums. Her little sister screech never fails to hurt.
“Yes, Isla, believe it or not, she has a name.” Despite the shrieking, I’m excited that she called. I love my sister, and we’re pretty close, so getting to finally tell her about Alexis is fun.
“Gah! I’m so happy for you! I know it’s not official, or anything, otherwise you would have told me, but do you like her?”
“Yeah, I do. I really do. She’s so smart. And funny, and kind, and she has a cat who is the devil incarnate and somehow also the sweetest thing you’ll ever meet. I think… I don’t know, but I think we could be something.” I leave it there, not sure what to say next. Alexis and I still need to talk seriously about what we want out of our fledgling relationship. Hell, she might not even want to date me, considering all the media shit she’s going to have to deal with.
“She sounds amazing! What’s her last name? I want to stalk her socials.” The phone suddenly muffles, like someone grabbed it. In the background, I can just make out Patrick saying, “Babe, you can’t just go stalk her socials. Just wait until you meet her. Don’t be creepy.” I laugh. Patrick is the calm to my sister’s storm. He keeps her grounded in a way she’s never had before.
Growing up, we had a hard time with our parents’ near constant travel. I dealt with it by basically inhaling books, doubling down on school, and trying my best to emulate them. Isla, in classic baby of the family fashion, acted out whenever possible. She evened out as she became an adult and started working on more projects, but it wasn’t really until she met her patent attorney boyfriend that she really started to settle. Two years ago, she wouldn’t have been caught dead sleeping in a tent somewhere in the mountains with no access to running water. Now they spend every chance they get out in the wilderness.
“Hey guys?” I wait until I hear that they’ve put me on speaker phone and are listening instead of bickering. “How did you handle Patrick being shoved into the spotlight?”
“Hmmm, Partick can chime in with his own thoughts, but for me, it was most important to make sure he knew I was here for him. That I was willing to go to bat for him with the media, no matter what. Do you remember early on, when they tried to dig up his family history and make it look like I was somehow too good for him? And then I went on my TikTok account and made sure they all knew that I supported him, period. And that I was willing to sue anyone who tried to say even one bad thing about him?” I nod, even though I know she can’t see me.
“I’m going to assume you just nodded. But anyway, I did that not just to show people they would need to go through me to get to my man, but it was also to show Patrick that I wasn’t ashamed of his family, or him. That I… I love him more than anything and would do anything to make sure he’s safe and happy.” There’s a hitch in her voice as she finishes her story. That was a dark time for them. They almost didn’t make it through, but now they’re well on their way to being the most nauseatingly in love couple I’ve ever met.
“Honestly, I was more worried about how my family’s past might hurt Isla than how it affected me. But knowing that your sister didn’t care what anyone thought, and she just wanted me for me, helped a lot with handling the media. Now, of course, they mostly ignore me, since being a patent attorney is pretty much the most boring thing people can think of. Things will even out. You just need to make sure you’re checking in with Alexis, and giving her whatever support she needs.” Patrick is probably one of the most logical people I’ve ever met, and his steady, confident voice soothes some of my worry.
“Thanks, Pat. And you too, Isla. I feel better. I just hope I can be what she needs.” We chat a little longer about their plans for the next leg of their hike and when they’ll be back in L.A. After we say our goodbyes, I hang up, feeling a lot lighter.