Nash scrubbed his hand over his face. “Someone identified you and linked your audition clip to the video. People are talking about you being on that reality TV show again.”
Again.
The word echoed until she thought her brain might explode. Her stomach plummeted. Or maybe that was her heart. The room tilted—blurred—Ivy nearly fell out of her chair. She would have except for Nash grabbing her.
Her body shook. Cold seeped through her.
This can’t be happening.
Nash squeezed her shoulder. “Ivy. I’m so, so sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, but I have. Please believe me.”
Emotion clogged her throat, but hearing his anguished tone hurt, too. She had to answer him. “I believe you.”
He leaned his head against hers. “Thanks.”
She crossed her arms, rubbing them to try to bring some warmth back. Not even him being so close to her helped.
“I deleted my social media accounts ten years ago. Never went back online. Thought if I didn’t have a presence nothing could happen again.” Her words came out rough. The result of her ragged breathing. “But that didn’t stop this.”
“Oh, babe.” He pulled her onto his lap and held her tightly. “I’m sorry. I never meant for my singing with you to lead to this. I assumed there might be consequences for me, but not for you with the past coming back to life.”
Tears stung, but she blinked them back. “You didn’t know.”
“No, but this is still my fault. I’ll take care of it. Protect you, do whatever is necessary.” Nash rubbed her back. “My PR team is on this. They’re well paid and the best in the business. I know it’s hard, but please, don’t worry. They’ll have a plan in place soon. Tomorrow for sure. Maybe tonight. Trust me.”
“I’ll try not to worry.” She couldn’t promise if she’d succeed. “And I trust you.”
He brushed his mouth over her hair. “If it’s any consolation, people love the song. Your song.”
She half laughed. “I guess that’s good.”
“It will be okay.”
“You don’t know that.” Her voice trembled the way her insides did. She rubbed her eyes.
“No, you’re right. I don’t. But I want it to be. Because I feel really guilty right now.” Nash kissed her forehead. “I want to make it better.”
His words went a long way. “Thank you.”
“We’ll get through this together.” He stood with her in his arms as if holding her was nothing.
“Your leg—”
“Is about healed thanks to your cousin Travis and the hot springs.” Nash carried her to the couch. “Let’s watch a movie and forget all of this.”
“I’m not sure I can.” Ivy eyed her phone in her purse. Not that she had any social media apps or accounts to check, but her family did. Had they seen anything yet? She didn’t want to know. “But if you keep holding me, I’ll give it my best shot.”
* * *
Nash spent Wednesday morning on the phone with R.J. and his publicist. Ivy had agreed to allow the PR firm to handle the situation however they felt best. That made things easier, but…
She’d only texted him because she hadn’t wanted to leave her apartment. But he needed to hear her voice, so he hit thecallbutton.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine. How about you?”
“I suppose it could be worse.” Her voice was so soft, almost weak, he had to turn up the volume on his phone. “But I haven’t figured out how yet.”
