‘I don’t know how to fix this,’ I admit. ‘No one grows a skin thick enough to deal with what they’re going to say about us overnight. It takes time. I haven’t had enough time to prepare her for what it’s like to be mine.’
‘Well, find her, son, and show her what it’s like to be yours. Show her you’ll stand by her side no matter what anyone says, does, films, or prints…’
‘I wish I could level out the playing field for her. Show her she might have gone viral for something embarrassing, but it doesn’t matter one iota to me.’
Mam clicks her tongue against her palate. ‘Think of a plan fast. Because if I was trending ashashtag, not right for Nate, I’d probably feel like complete shit too.’
I pinch the bridge of my nose and wrack my brains for an idea. The hashtag#NotrightforNatesets a rage roaring through my veins so powerful I want to break something.
Who are these people who hide behind their devices while cruelly attempting to tear the real world to pieces? Holly is a real person with real feelings.
She’s someone’s daughter.
Someone’s sister.
Someone’s friend.
Someone’s girlfriend.
My girlfriend.
There’s no way I’m letting her fall at the first hurdle. Not because of this. No fucking way.
‘You’re in the eye of the storm, son.’ Mam takes my hand and pats it affectionately. ‘There’s going to be a lot of shit swirling in the air for a long time. And there’s always going to be the chance of another storm, or even a tornado. But if you stay centred and don’t get dragged into it, it will eventually die down. Holly hasn’t learnt that yet. You need to show her.’
‘But how? How can I justify dragging back the woman to a position where people can and will hurt her over and over again?’
‘Because you love her. And she loves you. And “people” don’t matter. “People” come and go. A love like you two have, some “people” never find that once. Grab onto it with two hands, Nate. Show Holly what really matters. Make a grand gesture. Something the entire world can never doubt.’
She’s right.
The fire sparking in my gut knows it. The humming, fizzing electricity firing through my blood knows it. Every fibre of my entire being knows it.
“People” are about to get the shock of their lives.
They’re about to see Nate Jackson as never before. Pierce Brosnan inMamma Miahas got nothing on what I am about to perform. If the Hallmark movie isn’t enough to end my career, this next performance might be.
But if it brings Holly back into my life, it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
‘I think it’s time I patched things up with Niall. I need to borrow a fire engine.’
ChapterThirty-Five
HOLLY
My heart pounds like a drum in my chest, but my brain can’t seem to stop my thumb from scrolling through more articles. The media has dragged up all the tiniest insignificant details of my life. Where I went to school. Where I grew up. My parents’ business. And what knickers I wore yesterday.
Parents from St. Jude’s have stepped forward, claiming they’ve always ‘expressed concerns’ about the example I set for their daughters.
Acquaintances I haven’t seen in years have crawled out of the woodwork to offer an opinion and insight into mysituationship with Nate. Because the world knows a man like him would never be involved in an actual relationship with me. They say the truth hurts. And deep down, I’ve never believed I’m good enough for him.
I’m not even good enough for my parents. How the hell could I ever be enough for a man like Nate?
Finally, I understand why Sally-Ann broke up with Nate all those years ago.
This level of privacy invasion is not something anyone could prepare for. I won’t have Nate’s career or reputation suffer because I’m an embarrassment.
I love him too much to allow that to ever happen.
