I never planned to tell him, but Derek has a way of convincing people to talk to him. When we met, I had just left my detachment, and since he’s the only family I’ve got…
“You know it’s okay to not be fine, right?” he says, though it’s obvious in his wary tone that he thought about not asking that question.
I scoff. “Says the man who can do no wrong.”
“The internet doesn’t know everything.”
Is he talking about himself? Or are we back to talking about the tabloid? I’m too tired to ask. “Any tips for combating this stupid website? I thought you of all people would have the right connections to get them shut down.”
He sighs again. “You and me both.”
Before I can respond, it sounds like a door opens on his end of the call, bringing the distant hum of the same noise I heard before. A sweet, feminine voice says, “There you are! I was worried I lost you.”
“I should go,” Derek says, his voice thin. “I’ll try to keep an eye onHot Scoopin case they flip a switch and start getting nasty.”
“This isn’t nasty?”
“You have no idea. Take care of—”
“Freya, I know.You’ve said.”
“I was going to say take care of yourself. You don’t have to overcomplicate things before you have reason to.”
“Derek!” the same woman says, much closer to the phone this time. “They want to take some more pictures of the two of us together.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Sounds like I interrupted something fun.”
“Call or text whenever. Good luck, El.”
“Who’s El?” the woman asks indignantly right before the call ends.
Chuckling, I sit on my bed and let the darkness settle over me. Derek’s life really is so different from mine, and I would be perfectly fine with keeping it that way. I’m going to do everything I can to avoid being in the spotlight like he is. Like Freya is. That’s not a life I’ve ever wanted, and I don’t know how they live with that constant scrutiny.
I need to protect Freya from that too before things get ‘nasty,’ as Derek put it.
With that thought, I stretch out on the bed and do my best to fall asleep quickly.
It doesn’t work as well as I hope.
Chapter Ten
Freya
Bonnie:
What if you do some kind of public space cleanup, like in a park or something?
Liam:
Livestream everything you do
Cole:
Attend a sporting event?
Liam:
And I mean EVERYTHING
