The man who thought I should be ashamed of my size and my curves. Who tried to mold me into his version of a pop star.
I pushed back and didn’t let him steal who I was. Turns out, he found other ways to steal from me.
He was someone I never should have gotten into bed with. Both personally and professionally.
It’s why it was so hard to trust Jasper at first. Eric made it hard to give my heart away. I know now that I had nothing to worry about with Jasper. He is who he says he is.
Which makes me quicken my pace to get to the game and put that entire interaction with Eric behind me.
He doesn’t deserve my present or my future.
That’s for Jasper.
Only Jasper.
Chapter Nineteen
QUINN
Ifled. As soon as Nashville put the win away, I fled the arena as fast as I could. It’s not like I can go see Jasper after the game because no one knows we’re dating.
After running into Eric, my mind was racing.
Me with the plastic smile?
It’s just like him to put all of his issues on me. The fans were—are—the best part of this business. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. Eric was the one that always took issue with me sharing myself. Said I had to put a barrier between myself and them.
Another way he wanted to control me.
Pulling into my garage, I shut off the car and storm into the house. Dolly is nowhere to be seen. Riffling through my desk drawer, I find a blank notebook. Because for the first time in months, my creative juices are flowing. They’ve been shuttered away with the looming case and everything Eric put me through. It’s some kind of weird karma that running into him is what brings them out again.
Plopping down on the couch, I start to write.
The cracks start to show
The mask starts to fall
Will they see the real me?
Will they still love?
Broken down and crying
I had it all
Flying so high
Until it all came crashing down
Like stars falling from the sky
Now I’m lost in the dark…
When I hit the ground
I fall to pieces
Shatter to shards
