28. Adelaide
ADELAIDE
The look of devastation on Tyson’s face was too much to take. I knew Vance would be equally as difficult. I would not let my past destroy their business and future.
“Addy. Adelaide!” Tyson was jogging down the stairs pulling on his hoodie. “Lemon.” He said finally and I stopped. Purse and car keys in hand.
“What Ty?” I really did try to keep the edge out of my voice. This wasn’t his fault. This was my fault and I needed to deal with it.
“You're giving up? Just like that.” He reached for me and I backed up. My heart is breaking for both of us.
“I am not giving up, I’m just letting you go before you are beyond the point of no return like I am.” I was the fucked up one here. I had the shitty past that followed me everywhere I went. I was the one who could and would bomb the success of his gym with something as simple as being seen with me.
He backed me up against the door. “Lem, please. Not like this. Not after last night. Not after everything.” Everything?
Two dates and good sex. He held my face in his large, callused hands and I wanted to melt.
I wanted to give in and say that we’d figure it out.
But the trust was I’d figure it out. I always did.
I would be the scapegoat and leave him and Vance unscathed.
Who was I kidding? I felt it too. The magnetic pull to both of them.
I slipped around him and walked out to the garage. “Yes. To all of it. Let me know if there is any property damage and I can send you some money.”
“I don’t need fucking money!” He barked. “I need you.” I froze for a minute before continuing on.
“Sorry. I can’t offer that.” I peeked around and the driveway was empty of reporters. That was good at least. But that also meant they were all at Asylum and that thought pulled me back into the gravity of the situation.
“Adelaide.” I turned around and waited for more, but he just threw his hands up as if to say, ‘What the fuck?’ And I’d agree with him. Because in a different scenario where I was just a normal girl, I’d be able to overcome this. But I’m not and I won’t have him as a collateral.
“I’m sorry Tyson. I’m sorry for stringing you along, I’m sorry for ruining your business name.
I’m sorry for any damage that might come from this.
” I got in my car and started it. “Lock up when you leave.” I had seen his keys on the kitchen counter and I’m sure he didn’t grab them when he followed me out.
He just stood there as the garage door closed.
When I got to the office, it was swarming with people. The entire PR team mostly. Sophia, Norah, Lena and Marigold followed me into my office and slammed the door. “What the fuck!” Sophia led with.
“I really don’t have the patience for you this morning.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. They all just stood in front of me with a concerned look on their faces.
Sophia was clearly ready for this discussion today because she led the charge.
“I don’t give a flying fuck. Imagine my surprise when I see scandalous pictures of you all over Instagram this morning.
You and Tyson in your living room, through your room window.
I called Laurel and she had them reported and taken down.
What are you doing here?” This was a legitimate question.
I should be mortified, but after my ex blasted my name I decided I wouldn’t hide.
I couldn’t hide, or I’d never come out again.
“Why wouldn’t I be here Sophia, please enlighten me.” I snapped. I saw the rest of the girls wince. Marigold was a sweetheart, she didn’t deserve my attitude. Well…really none of them did.
“I thought you’d stay in with Tyson.” Sophia said quietly. I normally am able to field her unbridled enthusiasm but I wasn't today.
“No. Why would I continue to ruin his reputation Sophia? He has his own life to keep straight. Let alone my bullshit.” I sat down and glared at her. “Unless you have something constructive for me, go and get Laurel.” The other girls remained quiet, but I could see the concern on their faces.
“We will discuss this later.” Marigold promised. She was technically my boss, this meeting with her was required.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” I countered anyway in a futile attempt to maybe struggle in silence.
Marigold glared back at me. “You won’t push me out again Adelaide. I will not let that happen. I almost didn’t get you back after Thomas.” She turned and walked out. She was as persistent as I was stubborn.
Just like a revolving door, Sophia held the door open for Laurel and the office emptied out. “Good morning.” Laurel was all business.
“Could be better.” I retorted and she grimaced.
She balanced her iPad in her hands, her fingers moving quickly over it. “Looks like Tyson made it to the gym and the people were removed. He stated that he didn’t need my help.” I figured she’d reach out to him and offer her services on my behalf.
I’d given Laurel his phone number so that she could consult with him and his people, if he had them. “Thanks.”
“I’m glad I did some digging before this happened.
His ex has a NDA signed and he’s paying her well to keep quiet on top of that.
” She continued scrolling. I hated learning about people through Laurel, but this was my life now.
She snapped her fingers. “Are you listening to me? This guy, Vance. He’s clean but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t buried something deep. ”
“I don’t think so. Granted I don’t know a ton about him but he’s genuine. I don’t anticipate any issues.” I tipped my head back and closed my eyes. “Not that Tyson isn’t genuine, but he just has more of a celebrity status.” I closed my mouth. Laurel was all business. She wasn’t listening to me.
“I’ll continue to look, if you speak with them make sure to have them sign an NDA.” She slid two forms across my desk.
“I won’t be doing that. I broke it off with them.” My voice cracked as I said it. The thought of not seeing them again made my chest hurt.
“You know, I don’t normally offer advice or a pep talk, but I am today.
” She put her iPad down and sat back. She had never in my time known her ever discussed anything personal with me.
She was with me through the shit with my ex, through building City Women and making sure the shitty ex kept his mouth shut. I had a good team and I trusted them.
“Okay…”
“You quit living after Thomas.” She said simply. I refused to say his name, but that was my shit. Laurel was fact based and his name was Thomas. Not ‘my shitty ex’.
I let what she said set in. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You don’t go on dates, you barely go out. He won and you don’t have a life. You come here and go home. And for a brief moment with Tyson and Vance you lived again. You were the person I met all those years ago.” She wasn’t kidding when she said this was a pep talk. Yikes.
“I can’t compete with the Chief of Police’s son Laurel.
He won and I don’t stand a chance of getting past the bullshit he spread about me.
” I liked to pretend that he didn’t bother me, that he didn’t get to go on with his life and I’m still struggling.
It killed me. I wanted to be happy. I wanted to live in a nice house with the family and be left alone.
“You can though. You're a good person. We dispersed all the rumors and your name was cleared. It doesn’t matter what the media says about you or your partners. If you're happy, that’s what matters.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you saying that. Although, I mostly push people away because I don’t want their life ruined.” I was the problem. I’d always be the problem.
“I think these boys can handle it.” She pulled up a video of Tyson and Vance speaking to one of the main reporters that continually taunted me.
I was entranced by the video, taking the iPad from her.
The reporter was a tenacious woman who hounded me again and again. “Good morning Tyson, we saw you were with Adelaide Byrnes earlier this morning. Are you aware of the past she has with Thomas Miller, the police chief’s son?”
“I’m not sure how that’s relevant right now.
” Tyson started out with. “Also, those were proven to be untrue and it’s disappointing that you continue to spew lies.
It says more about your character that you're intimidated by another highly successful woman that has built an inspiring empire that you could only dream of. That most people would only dream of.” Oh.
Oh…
I never saw it that way.
Vance clapped Tyson on the shoulder. “If you're looking for drama and bullshit, you are looking in the wrong place. You won’t find it with Adelaide or her company.”
Silence. Whoever was videoing on their phone panned across the crowd. A resounding, deafening silence on the otherwise busy street.
“See. They are unfazed. As you should be. Between me and them, you have a barrier around you that is impenetrable.” Laurel stood up and left, closing the door behind her.