“Still works, apparently,” he said in a clipped tone.
I moved toward the door. “You need to leave. Now.”
His jaw worked slowly. “Ellie, come on. It doesn’t have to be like this.”
My stomach lurched, but I forced steel into my voice. “Actually, it does. Leave.”
“Try to look at it from my point of view.” He gestured helplessly before his hands fell to his sides. “I was trying to save what was left of us. You were drowning, pulling me down with you. I thought…” He ran his hand through his hair. “I thought if I gave you space, you'd realize how good we are for each other. Come on; everyone thinks so.”
The audacity of this fucking man.
“You're delusional if you think we're getting back together after that pathetic speech. You've been dragging me through the press for weeks, and now you break into my dressing room to tell me we're good together?”
“I was there every single time you fell apart." His voice cracked. “That counts for something. You need me.”
“No.” The word came out with a bitter laugh. “I used to think I did, but you liked it that way, didn't you?”
Something flickered across his face—guilt, maybe? Or just annoyance at being caught. “That's not how it was.”
“Oh, then tell me how it was.” I stepped closer. “Because from where I'm standing, you never loved me. You loved the access, the spotlight, the version of me you could parade around. The story you could sell to the highest bidder.”
“That's not…” He reached for me then caught himself, his hands trembling before he buried them in his pockets. “Ellie.”
The door swung open, and Rachel appeared, phone already in hand.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” she barked. “Security's on their way.”
Harold’s gaze flicked between us. “Come on, Rachel. Give us a minute.”
“Minute’s up,” she said flatly.
His voice turned pleading, desperate, as he looked back at me. “Please. I know I screwed up, but we can?—”
Sawyer filled the doorway like a storm front moving in. No words. No warning. Just steady, terrifying calm. His eyes locked on Harold, and every hair on my body stood on end.
“I think it's time for you to go,” Sawyer said, his voice low.
Harold straightened. “This is none of your business.”
Sawyer didn't even blink. He placed himself between Harold and me, blocking his access to me completely.
“It became my business the second you opened your mouth tomygirlfriend. Go. Now.”
“Or what?” Harold seethed.
Sawyer smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. “Or I'll make sure you understand why that's not a smart question to ask.”
Harold looked past Sawyer to me. “Is this about him? Seriously? You think he'll still think you're perfect when the honeymoon phase dies, and he sees what I had to deal with? I gave you everything. You'll come crawling back. You always do.”
Rachel groaned. “Oh, shut up already.”
Harold’s gaze shifted back to Sawyer. “This won't last. She's too much of a fucking mess for anyone to handle.”
Sawyer let out a bitter laugh. “That's weird. She's been exactly what I needed.”
Harold’s mouth opened like he was going to argue, but when Sawyer stepped toward him, he shut up.
Harold backed up. Once. Twice. His shoulder hit the doorframe.
