Chapter 44
chapter
forty-four
“I stopped chasing his approval the day I realized it cost me my soul.” – Haven
HAVEN
Getting out of the shower, I groan as my phone rings for the third time. I know it’s my father from the Frank Sinatra ringtone. I don’t really want to have this conversation before I’ve had any sleep, but apparently, he won’t let that happen.
Well then, he gets what he gets, which is the annoyed and miserable Haven.
“Hello, Dad,” I say, hitting speaker and laying the phone down.
“Hello? That’s all you have to say to me?”
“Well, I just got out of the shower, haven’t slept or eaten, so I’m not exactly in the best mood.”
Grabbing the towel, I dry myself off.
“I see. So this is how you behave after you humiliate yourself in front of the world?”
Okay, that seems a bit harsh.
“I know it’s not ideal that I got into a fight or landed in jail, but let’s not forget that you were the one who wanted me to lean into the whole star-crossed lover’s thing. If nothing else, this is great PR to keep that storyline going.”
Wrapping my hair up, I pull on my comfy sweats and tank top before leaving the bathroom.
“Especially, the wife angle,” I add, tossing the stupid idea back in his face.
I don’t even like reading fake-dating books, let alone living the situation.
“Haven—”
My father starts to say something, but I’m on a roll now, and I cut him off.
“I claimed to be Cy’s wife because the medic wouldn’t let me ride in the ambulance. Later at the hospital, it was the only way to get information on his condition. It just came out, but don’t worry, Declan says he has it handled.”
I’m not proud of myself for the fight or being arrested, but I’m also not wrong about the publicity.
“I see. So you believe this is good for the company?”
There is a slight growl to his tone that I’ve never heard directed at me before.
“Yes…why wouldn’t it be?”
“Haven, I was counting on you to keep Cyrus on the right path. I genuinely thought that you would be a good influence on him. Instead, it has been one disaster after another.”
“Dad. That’s not fair.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Cy collapsing on stage was not my fault, and I had no idea Charles would show up and cause a scene. I hit that girl, but she was literally assaulting Cy.”
Unable to stand still, my feet smack against the tile floor as I pace my hotel room.
“And what about after that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, so you haven’t seen the post,” Dad says, and my blood chills.
I stop, suddenly frozen to the floor.
“What post?”
My phone dings and I’m almost too scared to look. I swallow the fear and open the link. The image of Cy fucking me in the jail cell comes on my screen. I smack a hand over my mouth, wanting to toss my phone as if that will get rid of it.
“Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.”
Mortification floods my system, and heat replaces the cold from a moment ago, as my heart races out of control.
“Yes. Oh my god indeed. Let’s just say that this is not a post I ever wanted to be sent of my daughter.”
He sounds furious, and I can’t blame him. My ass is literally on display for the world to see. Bile rises in my throat.
How am I ever going to walk down the street again?
“I can explain.”
“No. I really don’t want an explanation, and it doesn’t matter. Effective immediately, you’re relieved of your duties and will be put on a one-month suspension. You’re lucky that you’re my daughter and still have a job.”
My hands begin to shake as I grip the phone tighter.
“Dad, you can’t do this. Please let me make this right.”
“Haven, the fight in public…we could’ve swung. The night in jail…manageable. The wife thing…not an issue. But this…this is disgraceful. You’ve embarrassed the company and me. I’ve never been so disappointed in you.”
“Please don’t do this.”
How will I ever face anyone at any job ever again, let alone at LG Records? This is happening so much faster than I thought it might.
Cy is untouchable. They will wipe the situation away as a rock god just doing what they do, but not me. I’m Auguste Gaillard’s daughter, in line to inherit the company. I’m not a famous rockstar and most of all…I’m a woman. I’m held to a higher standard.
“Haven, you aren’t hearing me. The board overruled me. Even if I want to keep you working right now, I can’t. They do not want this kind of scandal.”
“No, of course they don’t. But I bet if one of them got caught with their dick in a serving girl on a golf course, you’d all give him a fucking high-five,” I growl into the phone.
This is the first time I’ve ever spoken to my father like this, but the injustice is killing me.
“Do not talk to me like that, Haven.”
“Why? It’s the truth.”
“I’m not arguing with you about this. What is done is done. You will pack your things and head back to California.”
Click.
He hung up on me. I stare at the phone, unable to believe that this is happening, and then snarl under my breath.
My body is vibrating as I throw open the door with a bang and go stomping out into the hall. My first stop is Cy’s room. I expect to see him passed out when I barge in, but the bed hasn’t been touched.
Marching down the hall, I head toward the voices and find the rest of the band sitting in the living room, but there is no Cy.
“Where is he?” They look at me, but don’t say anything. “I’m not playing around. Where the hell is he?”
Ledger shrugs. “We don’t know. We thought he was with you. What’s going on?”
“Don’t.” Raising my hand, I shake my head. “I know you’ve seen it.” Still, no one says anything. “The jail video.” I cross my arms. “You’re seriously going to sit there and pretend you haven’t seen it? You were probably all sitting around laughing at my expense.”
Vex slowly stands to face me.
“We saw it, but we weren’t laughing,” he says, and I snort.
“Yeah, I’m sure. Just like high school all over again. I’m such a fool.”
Turning, I start to leave.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
Tears prick my eyes, but I don’t let them fall as I whip around to face them.
“Oh, haven’t you heard? I’ve been fired. Thanks, Cy…wherever the fuck you are,” I yell out into the suite like that will bring him out of hiding.
“They can’t do that,” Ledger says, standing. “Your father wouldn’t allow that.”
“They can, and they did. And it was my father who called to give me the news. But you know what? It’s all for the best. This was never going to work.”
“Don’t say that.” Eren steps forward. “Cy is better with you here.”
“Better? You call this better?”
They all look at one another and shrug.
“Honestly? Yeah,” Eren says, while the rest nod in agreement.
“Whatever. I’m going to pack. I have a plane to catch.”
I only make it a few steps when a phone starts to ring.
“It’s Declan, maybe he knows where Cyrus is,” Ledger says.
“I don’t care if he does,” I say, but stay just in case.
I don’t want to leave without punching Cyrus Vale in his gorgeous fucking face. The video has to be what he used to barter his way into my cell. Fucking asshole.
“Declan, what’s up?” Ledger’s face goes from concerned to confused, and then angry within the span of a heartbeat. “What the fuck? She can’t do that.”
I take a step closer.
“That’s fucking illegal, or something, isn’t it? What do you mean she got a judge to sign off? That makes no sense. Where are they taking him? I’m not promising anything.”
Ledger hangs up the phone and runs his hand through his hair.
“What is it,” Ash asks. “Has something happened to Cyrus?”
“Yes. Sort of.”
Ledger looks up at me, and my knees shake as I expect the worst news. The last time someone looked at me like that was the night Patrick died. I’d been sitting in the hospital waiting area when the doctor came out and had that exact expression.
“Anita used the fight and arrest as evidence to get Cyrus put on a seventy-two-hour hold.”
“What?” My stomach drops through the floor. “She can’t do that.”
“Well, she did.”
“Bitch,” Vex growls and throws his mug across the room.
It smashes against the far wall, and coffee sprays everywhere.
“We can’t let this happen,” I say, and head for the door.
“Where are you going,” Eren asks.
“To see if I can stop this. And if I can’t…then I’ll give Anita a piece of my mind.”
“What about your plane?” Ledger calls out.
“It will still fucking be there when I’m done with Anita. The beauty of a private jet.”
“Wait up. We’re coming with you,” Vex quickly adds.
No matter how pissed I am at Cy…this is an abuse of power. I can clearly remember the look of fear on his face when the officer threatened solitary confinement. What the hell will he be like in a locked ward?
Anita wants me out of the picture. She wants Cy to fall in line and be her happy little cash-cow again, but this…this is just cruel.
Shit.