“If you’re going to be with me, you’re going to have to learn to deal with that. I don’t need you coming in and fighting my battles for me.”
A moment passes before he speaks, his voice suddenly low and calm.
“A battle implies you’re fighting back, honey.” My entire body stills, but when I don’t respond, he continues. “I’m happy to let you fight your own battles, but fighting your own battle implies that you’re standing up for yourself, and you’re not. I know that’s not easy, Willa, because of your history with Jackie: you’re close and you’ve known her for longer than you haven’t. So it’s my job, not just as your man, but as your publicist, to step in for you. Because, until you tell them no, they aren’t going to stop.”
I close my eyes and take in a deep breath, a confusing mix of emotions battling in my chest. On one hand, I feel warmth and joy that, finally, finally, I have someone in my corner whose sole priority isme. On the other hand, I know I have my own responsibility to take care of Leo and his own interests, the same way he does mine. If he goes off on Jackie and Jefferson now, things could go terribly.
“I have. I did,” I say. “I told Jackie that she crossed a line today, and I did so clearly. I think she got the message.” I leave out that she knows about Leo and me, deciding that neither of us has time to brainstorm what to do about it right now. “Look, I know there’s a bigger conversation that has to be had here,but right now isn’t the time. I’m coming home earlier. I’m not waiting until Thursday, I’m coming back tomorrow morning. While I’m home, we’ll talk about it all, figure things out.”
“Come now. Skip the next event. It’s not that vital, pretend you’re sick.”
My shoulder drops, and my voice goes soft despite the fact that I’m about to deny him.
“I can’t, Leo. People are relying on me.”
“Who? Who is relying on you?”
“Jackie, for one. And my mom. And in his own way, because Chris is my date, Jefferson, and you and I both know that we have to keep him content for the next year until you’re free of your contract.”
“I don’t care about that anymore, I—” his voice is strained, and it tugs at my chest, but I stop him. He’s speaking from a place of impulse and protectiveness, not from common sense. Right now, it’s my turn to be the rational one.
“I do, Leo. I’m not letting you risk your career for me,” I say, my voice soft. “Just like I know you would do the same to me.”
A heavy pause takes over, and my heart pounds before he lets out a frustrated sigh.
“Willa, you know I wouldn’t.”
Relief moves through me, quickly followed by dismay that I have to say what I have to next.
”Then you know I have to go today. I’ll be home soon.”
He groans, the sound deep, and I can picture him running his hand through his hair.
“Yeah. I know, honey.” Another moment passes before he speaks again. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t being fair. I know you have to do what you have to do for your job, and you’re right: we have to keep them happy, especially if Jefferson is in Jackie’s ear, trying to get her to stay with Perfect Image. I don’t trust him with your career at all, and if I am out of there, you’ll be stuck being ledby him.” If I hadn’t already had the gut feeling against Jefferson, today would have cemented that, but that, too, can hold on until I go home.
“There’s more we need to talk about,” I whisper, thinking about how Jefferson tried to throw Leo under the bus and how Jackie seemingly knows about Leo and me. Despite my best intentions, Leo is right: we might need to be working on plan B earlier than later. An unhappy laugh leaves his lips.
“I’m sure we do.” The words make a dread spiral in my belly, but just then a text comes through, Gabe informing me he’s sending the hair and makeup team in.
“Shit. I have to go,” I whisper into the phone. “Hair and makeup are here.”
“Okay,” he says, the words curt and final feeling, making my heart pound with nervous energy, unsure of where we stand.
“Are you mad at me?” I ask without thinking.
“Fuck,” he says, voice low. “Fuck.”
“Leo—”
“I need you to know right now that if I, for any reason, am ever pissed at you, Willa, I will always tell you. I will never be a dick and bury that. You and I are a team now, which means I get you out of situations you’re uncomfortable with, not because I work for you, but because I love you, and I hate to see you unhappy. I hate that no one else in your team or in your life does that, and that’s what I’m pissed about. I’m furious that Jackie is only ever worried about your fucking brand, as if you aren’t the fucking brand. As if you couldn’t show up in sweatpants and your hair in that messy bun you wear around your house and not think you’re the most beautiful, interesting person in the room. And I hate that you want to let her have that, because you feel like you owe her something, as if she made you when you’ve always beenyou.”
“She did—” I start to argue, but I stop when he continues.
“Willa, I’ve seen videos of you as a kid. I’ve seen you acting, and I’ve seen you singing, and I’ve seen you dancing. Jackie did not make you. Jackie found you, saw that no matter what, you were going to be something big, and saw that your mom was so desperate for you to have fame, she could make herself absolutely indispensable. That she could live the rest of her life off of your talent. Then, as you grew older, she saw the sweet, kind person you are and found ways to manipulate that, too, to benefit her. I’m not mad at you, Willa. I’m mad at the world, and the way it has learned to take advantage of a sweet, kind woman like you.” Despite myself, I find myself smiling. “But don’t worry. We’ll work on that, too. We’re a team now.”
“I kind of like this team, Leo.”
“Good. You’re stuck with it.” I grin then, full out, something I didn’t think I’d do after my shit day. “Now go let everyone think that they’re going to make you somehow even more beautiful than you already are, and make sure you send me photos.” That smile spreads wider, and I don’t miss the way his words are so different from those of Chris.
