Iwas unaware my stomach could drop even further, but apparently there’s a level past hell, and it plummets there. Breaking into a run, I’m at Clover’s side seconds later.
“What the fuck was that?” she fires at Deacon. Vibrating with rage, her breath comes in quick and shallow gasps. She’s gesturing back toward where the interview took place.
Deacon looks uninterested. “I believe that was an interview... one you unnecessarily blew up, I might add.”
“No, I’m not doing that with you. What the hell is that statement?”
“Should I be concerned about your reading comprehension?”
Clover refuses to take the bait. “What do you mean, Hailey’s been cast in upcoming films?”
“I mean just that.”
This arrogant son of a bitch…
I should step in, I should say something, but fear has me frozen in place. I want to scream at him, to shove him. But I don’t want her to know the full extent of how bad this is.What the fuck happened? How did they go behind my back and cast Hailey?
“What does that mean for me?” Clover clarifies, fire burning bright in her eyes.
“You will be written off at the beginning of the next film. I believe the scriptwriters are currently torn between having you die via running into a burning building or a spacecraft accident.” He’s smiling by the end. Actually smiling.
The fire in Clover’s eyes burns out. “Why?” She breathes. Her shoulders slump as the news starts to catch up with her.
“I don’t know, you’ll have to ask Roman. He’s the one that wanted you off the sequels.”
Any fight Clover has evaporates, and it’s replaced by sheer devastation.
Chapter Sixty-Two
ROMAN
Clover whips her head in my direction. “Youwhat?” she asks, voice breaking on the last word. “Is that true?”
“Yes, but please let me explain.” I reach for her, but she pulls away, nose wrinkling in disgust, like she can’t stand the idea of me touching her.
“No,” she grits out.
The word cuts like a knife, and I raise my hands to show her I won’t touch her, even though I desperately want to.
Her eyes flood with tears, tangible confirmation that I am in fact the shittiest human being in existence.
“Clover, please let me explain...” I beg. I don’t care how undignified I sound. I’d get to my knees and clasp my hands if it meant her hearing me out.
“I can’t be here,” she whispers as she backs away, before turning and heading toward the bathroom to change out of the wardrobe provided by the magazine.
The door slams behind her, and I whirl on Deacon.
“What the fuck was that?” I shout.
“Roman, please, you’re making a scene.”
“Oh, I’m making a scene? You leaked that publicly to humiliate her, to get at me. Fuck off.”
“The statement wasn’t meant to offend anyone, I can assure you.”
“What the hell happened with talking to legal and removing that clause?”
“I didn’t want to,” he smiles and turns away. Pulling on his arm, I yank him back toward me.
