Cole:
Start talking, Riley.
Derek:
I went to Utah to do research for a movie and met her by happenstance. Nothing in that story about her is true, by the way.
Kasey:
Well that was obvious. I think one of the Hot Scoop writers has finallysnapped.
Elliot:
Something like that.
Freya:
Why will it take MONTHS for us to meet her, Derek?
This conversation is never going to end, and I still have a lot to do before the plane hits the ground in California. As much as I hate leaving my friends in the dark, I need to focus. Elliot can choose to tell them the details if he wants, but I think he understands why it will be better if the others don’t know about our mom’s involvement until she’s no longer in the game. Otherwise, they’ll all be out for her blood, and they have more important things to worry about.
Derek:
I’ll explain everything when I can. I promise.
Cole:
When will you be back in Cali?
Pursing my lips, I look back at Hunter and Janie, who are shoulder to shoulder as they discuss something on Janie’s laptop screen. Hopefully vacation plans. I’ll make sure they take a trip sooner than later, even if they don’t end up going together. But I hope they do. They deserve happiness as much as anyone.
As for me…
I give my friends the best answer I can for now.
Derek:
I’m not sure yet.
I leave the group chat before it explodes and pull up my thread with my publicist, Ethan. The poor guy didn’t know what he was getting into when I hired him, but Ethan is good at his job and has helped almost allof us navigate this mess withHollywood Hot Scoop. I’m hoping he can do even more if he has all the facts.
Derek:
Hey man, I should have reached out to you yesterday, but thanks for holding off on contacting me. I know that’s not how you prefer to work.
Ethan:
I know you like your privacy, Derek. But there’s something happening underneath the surface, and my gut’s telling me this is bigger than a rumor that you’re dating someone. Is there something connecting you to Nova Tate, or were those two stories unrelated?
Derek:
Do you have time for a meeting in the morning? It would have to be early.
Ethan:
Do you know something I don’t?
Derek:
