So much destruction.
“It’s all her fault.”
My shoulders lifted against the voice.
Valerie.
“The situation got out of control, but you didn’t help. You’re fired, Valerie.”
“What?” Her voice was a screech. “I busted my ass for you and for this place and you’re going to fire me over her?”
“You put her in danger because you wanted views on your goddamn video. That’s why you’re fired.”
My chest twisted at Tate’s voice. I’d never heard him be so cold and angry.
I backed away before he could see me. I couldn’t even revel in Valerie being fired because she was right. All of this was my fault. I knew better, but I’d fallen for my own hype. Not for the Ambrose half of me.
No, I’d forgotten she was the lead in my life no matter what I wanted.
Amber would never be able to have a normal life. No matter how amazing it felt to be with Tate, my fame would always come between us. Today was proof of that—times a million.
I climbed up the path to the Rudolph building. It was completely twisted on its base. So many bodies had been pushing and shoving. The poor girls in the room with us had been just as frightened at the ferocity of my fans.
James’s fight response proved it as well.
I knew her fear response was always a punch instead of tears.
I kept climbing past the food stations to the arches for the Haven Wonderland of Lights. All the lights were dark save for a row of safety lights that showed the perimeter of the village.
This had been Tate’s dream for too many months to count, and I’d ruined it with one walk down North Star Lane. I’d forgotten who I was. I’d just been a proud girlfriend who wanted to experience every part of his plans coming to fruition.
Instead, there was just wreckage.
I brushed away the tears that came. They weren’t going to help, but they wouldn’t stop.
Blind with them, I only wanted to get away from the proof of my royal fuckup.
I ran. I didn’t want to face any of it. When I stumbled into the fence line, I sagged against the roughhewn wood. It was to keep people out, but it also kept his dad out of his space too.
A whinny told me I was too close to his property. Before I could turn away and go back down to Tate’s place, a flash of flame and the sharp scent of sulfur lit the air.
“What are you doing up here Amber Dalton?”
“Mr. Reynolds?”
“It is. Out for my number two smoke of the day. Why are you encroaching on my peace?”
“I was looking for some. It’s okay, I’ll go.”
“It’s fine.”
“Thanks.” I leaned against the fence. “I just need a minute then I’ll go.”
“What are you doing up here instead of being with my son?”
“I don’t think he’ll want me around him right now.”
“Why?”
