“It’s too early for this,” I complain, taking my coffee to the couch.
“No, it’s nearly two in the afternoon. The problem here is that you’re way too underdressed and far too hungover.”
“You’re in my apartment,” I point out. “Less than ten minutes ago, I was naked, so think yourself lucky.”
She shudders as if the thought physically repulses her.
Honestly, if I thought it would get her out of here faster, I would whip my boxers off in a heartbeat. But Hailee is too stubborn for that.
“What do you want, Hailee?” I grunt.
“I thought you’d figured it out,” she starts, letting me know that we’re going to do this with little riddles that she expects me to understand.
She stands before me, all five feet of her, and tries to stare me down.
“I thought you’d understood my warning,” she finally explains after it becomes apparent that I’m not going to respond. “And then I wake up this morning to a whole load of photographs of you wasted and making a fool of yourself.”
“I’m allowed to go out,” I grunt, irritated that she’s more controlling than my own damn mother.
I mean, Mom figured out a long time ago that she couldn’t control me and pretty much gave up. Maybe she and Hailey need to have a little chat.
“I never said you weren’t, but every time you do, it comes back to bite you. Have you even seen what they're saying online?”
“No, and nor do I want to. It’s all lies and bullshit.”
“Maybe. But it’s not just your reputation on the line here, Donnelly. It’s the entire organization.”
My stomach knots with the harsh reality of the situation.
“You have the spotlight on you. People know what you’re like, and they’re waiting for the show.”
“I’m not a fucking performing monkey,” I mutter.
“Then stop giving everyone something to watch,” she says, throwing her hands out from her sides.
Our eye contact holds, her silently chastising me, and me…well, if I’m being honest, I’m asking for help.
I don’t know if she reads it in my eyes or what, but after a few seconds, she deflates and perches her ass on the edge of the couch beside me.
“I know, Rett. I know you got the results, and I understand that it’s a lot to take. I know why you went out last night, trust me, I do. But your career is on the line here.”
My teeth grind, and a pointless ball of emotion crawls up my throat.
“It’s not just my career now, is it? It’s someone else’s life.”
“Rett,” she sighs.
“Oh no, don’t go all soft on me now, Caldwell.” I can cope with fiery Hailee. I’m happy to argue with her all fucking day if I have to. But sympathetic Hailee…nope. Not doing that.
“You have even more reason to turn this around now,” she tells me. “LA is your home. It’s where you want to be,” she says, echoing words I’ve said to her recently. “And now, you’re going to have a baby here.”
“Oh my god,” I breathe, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees as my heart starts to race.
“Sounds serious, doesn’t it?”
“Hailee,” I warn.
“That little person is going to need you, Rett. And as they grow, they’re going to look up to you, watch you on TV, listen to people talk about you. What do you want them to see and hear?”
