I thank her again and grab the paper, aware of Matt’s hand giving my thigh a gentle squeeze. I know he’s still feeling so bad and I’m sure this isn’t really helping, even though it’s all going to make things easier in the long run. I’m not exactly feeling peachy myself, but with Matt next to me I feel like it’s all going to be okay. I give his hand a quick squeeze back and then read the information Sloane gave me. There are four main guidelines listed for speaking with friends and family.
MEDIA REQUESTS
every request (journalists, podcasters, news outlets, bloggers, reporters), no matter how small, can be sent to my publicist, sloane kennedy. it’s best not to answerwith anything other than sloane’s contact information, which i will send to you. “no comment” is also perfectly fine.
QUOTES
please don’t speak to the media on my behalf. even harmless or casual comments can get quoted and/or taken out of context.
PRIVACY
please ask me first before posting anything on social media about or with me. this is especially important regarding my location in order to protect my privacy.
RUMORS
if you see something about me online or elsewhere that surprises you, please talk to me directly and refrain from any public reaction. not everything you see will be accurate.
The paper includes some more information, including Sloane’s contact details, a backup contact, and a slew of companies that offer personal security.I hope I never need that.
Matt clears his throat, dragging my attention away from the organized list in front of me. “Seem okay?”
His poorly veiled anxiety tugs at my already tight chest. I do my best to reassure him. “Yeah, it all seems doable. Having her spell it all out makes it less daunting. Do you think…do you think people are going to get contacted?” I think of my dad getting bombarded again and swallow. So much for reassuring him.
“I don’t think so, no. We can ask Sloane what she thinks though, okay?”
Matt’s just pulling away from kissing my forehead when she walks back into my apartment and gracefully sits in the chair angled toward us on the couch.
“Did you have any questions after reading through?” She looks at me expectantly, her expression just as warm as before.
“Um, I guess I just wonder if you think they’ll get contacted a lot. Mostly my dad,” I ask, my voice probably quieter than before.
“To be honest, Ellie, I really don’t think so. Hockey isn’t big news in the grand scheme of things. And as long as nothing else happens, this will die down really fast. I’d guess your dad will get a handful of requests for quotes, all within the next week or two, and then I’d be surprised if he gets contacted after that.”
I release the breath I was holding and sag against Matt.Phew. “Thank you. That makes me feel a lot better.”
“It’ll all be okay, promise. Now, I just chatted with Craig, my security guy, and he’s not worried about General. He said their security is excellent even with it being so busy, since it’s a well-funded hospital. So other than what I mentioned, there really isn’t anything to do. If that changes and you ever feel unsafe, you just let me know, okay?”
“I can do that.”
“Great. He did ask about your apartment building and recommended some extra security precautions here after I gave him some basic information. Just an additional automatic deadbolt on your door up here and then a video surveillance system we’ll get cleared with the building manager. It will go outside your door and the building door. You’ll be able to check it from an app. He said he’ll get it installed tomorrow before you go to work. Try to remember to always lock your door, all right? The type of deadbolt we install will automatically lock when you close the door, but it’s always good to check.”
I make a mental reminder to put a sticky note on the door so I don’t forget to lock it. Sloane grabs a box out of her bag and puts it on the table, quickly tugging at her sleeves that had started to move up her arm. Is she cold? It doesn’t feel cold, but I make a second mental reminder to check my thermostat.
“This is the new phone we talked about. I wrote the new number on the box. If you ever start getting bombarded again because of a leak, we can just change the number. I already put my contact information in there for you.” She slides it closer to me.
Getting “bombarded” nearly sent me—and Matt, honestly—into a tailspin, so I really hope that doesn’t happen again. I find his hand and thread our fingers together, silently asking for a precious Matt hand-squeeze. He doesn’t disappoint.
Sloane’s eyes flick to our joined hands and then she focuses back on me. “Ellie, remember you can reach out to me at any time, for any reason. It’s impossible to annoy me. Nothing is too small, okay?”
“I really appreciate that. Thank you.” I try to inject as much sincerity as humanly possible into my words.
“Like I said, I’m happy to do it.” She pulls the zipper closed on her bag and then gives me her full attention again. “Is there anything else you want to talk through? Any other questions?” Her hands are clasped in front of her and that iceberg of a diamond is sparkling at me.
Matt kisses my hand before releasing it to grab the phone from the coffee table. He heads to the kitchen, presumably to plug it in where he knows I keep a charger.
I look back to Sloane and shake my head. “I think everything makes sense.” I nod my head toward her hands. “Your ring is really stunning.”
Sloane looks down at the jewelry and pushes it around her finger with a thumb. “It’s certainly hard to miss.” It comes outquietly, something clouding her tone that puts me on edge. I try to hide my surprise at her response. She looks away from her ring and back to me. “You call or text me if you need anything at all, okay?” This comes out at normal volume. I nod and then she grabs her bag and stands, making her way over to the door. “I’ll text tomorrow to check on the security system, Ellie. Bye, Matt,” she calls over her shoulder as she leaves.
