Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
kate
“Let’s run through the plan for the next few months to make sure everyone’s schedules are coordinated,” Anna says cheerfully as she pulls up Jake’s master calendar on our video call.
Her voice startles me from my wandering thoughts. I’ve been half paying attention to this meeting between Jake, Max, Anna, Jason, and me. Most of it has been focused on the album production, so I may have zoned out.
“Give me a second to pull up Kate’s calendar,” Max chimes in from where he sits next to Jake on the couch in the home studio.
After I freaked out about how I was going to manage preparations for my first red-carpet event with Jake, house hunting in Chicago, renovations in Nashville, my current clients, and the new huge beauty brand I landed at work, Jake suggested that Max help manage my schedule.
Supposedly, it’s very common for the wives and girlfriends of musicians to either share an assistant or have their own.
I’m not saying I didn’t believe him, but I may have confirmed it with Sophia before agreeing to give up more control over my life.
Max must be some magical IT whisperer because he convinced my agency to give him access to my work calendar and email.
Didn’t bother to ask questions on how he accomplished that—not entirely sure I want to know.
Although I wasn’t super thrilled about the idea of having someone manage my email and take over the more mundane daily life tasks, I’m blown away by the amount of stress Max has lifted off my shoulders in only a few days.
Probably helps that his love of spreadsheets rivals mine.
“Jake and Kate are confirmed to attend and walk the red carpet together for the movie premiere next week. Jake, you should expect questions about your songs on the soundtrack, the upcoming new album, and obviously your relationship with Kate.” Anna rattles off another six events she wants me to attend in the next month, and Max confirms my availability for almost all of them.
Do I need to be here? This feels like one of those meetings that could’ve been an email, since no one is even talking to me.
Jake sits next to Max, completely unbothered by all of it, tapping his fingers on his muscular thighs.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s likely tweaking the composition of one of his songs in his head while everyone else talks.
He’s used to having his schedule decided for him by other people.
Bouncing from one place to another, not one hundred percent sure what you’re doing next until someone tells you.
For me, it’s like I’m losing even more control. Everyone else is dictating what I can do and when I can do it. At what point does it stop? When do I get a say in my life? How is any of this okay?
The answer—it’s not.
I clear my throat, exhaling a deep breath. “Can we pause for a minute?” I ask, forcing a polite smile. “While I appreciate everyone’s willingness to include me in the planning process, I’m not sure my schedule can handle all of these events.”
Max frowns. “Do I have something missing from your calendar? I only confirmed your attendance for the ones that you appeared to be free for.”
How do I nicely tell him that just because I’m free doesn’t mean I want to go? Or that I should go? Or better yet…that I don’t want him to make those decisions for me?
“It’s more about my level of commitment to do so many events rather than my actual availability,” I reply, tension building in my chest. Old Kate would’ve agreed to do it all and kept her mouth shut.
Not New and Improved Kate. This version of me is working hard to stand up for myself and advocate for my needs, which means I’m not going to have my schedule packed with events I don’t want to attend.
“I have a full-time job. I can’t follow Jake around all the time because my calendar appears to be free. ”
“Oh, okay. How would you like me to confirm your availability for events?” Max picks up his pen, preparing to take notes about whatever response I give. He’s clearly not getting the point I’m trying to subtly make. Going to have to be much more direct.
“Let me rephrase. We need to have a bigger conversation about what events are essential for me to attend and which ones would be nice to have me there.” I pause and see Jake give me a supportive nod to continue and silently confirm he’ll support whatever I’m about to say.
“Obviously, I’ll be at the movie premiere with Jake, but everything else needs to be on the table for discussion. ”
Jason tenses, his jaw muscles flexing as he stares directly into the camera.
He’s been oddly silent, letting Anna lead most of the meeting.
So quiet that I almost forgot he was on the call.
“I hear your concerns. I’m sure we can try to be as accommodating, but I also need to set some realistic expectations for you.
Jake has written this entire album about you.
Not one song. All of them. This will be the biggest album of his career.
” Jason leans toward the camera and somehow makes the room feel smaller even though we’re not together.
“Everyone is going to want to see more of you. Hear from you. Comment about you. Whether you like it or not. You need to come to terms with that. If you’re overwhelmed now”—he shakes his head and mutters something that I can’t quite hear—“you’re in for a rude awakening when the album comes out. ”
Anna sighs and grimaces. “I hate to agree with Jason, but he’s right.
” She sounds pained to utter those words.
“I get requests every day for joint interviews and a handful a week wanting solo interviews with Kate. When people learn about the topic of the album, there will be lots of questions. We can either provide the public with our preferred narrative or let them concoct one on their own. Either way, you will be in the news.”
I nod, understanding the predicament they’re all in.
“Okay. Can we start by prioritizing the events you’d like me to attend for the rest of the year, then send the list over to me?
Jake and I will discuss it and get back to you.
I don’t want things randomly showing up on my schedule without my agreeing to it beforehand.
I need to have some semblance of control over my life. ”
Anna is the first one to agree, followed by Max.
Jason does so reluctantly after Jake glares at him through the camera.
If it were up to Jason, I’d probably have quit my job already and be at Jake’s beck and call.
After all, it’s supposedly what the majority of other women in my position eventually do.
But that’s not the role I want anytime soon.