“I know,” I whispered. “Talk soon.”
“Take care of yourself, Serena.”
I ended the call and pulled up the script again. When I was halfway through, my phone buzzed again. By the time I picked it up, there was a flood of them. I opened the first message, and my brows drew together when I saw what my publicist had asked.
Remi
You’re 100% sure nothing is going on with Hudson and that friend he has working for him?
Another text came through from her before I could reply.
Remi
The newest photo is going to push this story through the next news cycle too.
And several more in rapid succession.
Remi
Did he hit his head doing a stunt for the newest film?
If he was my client, that’s the only excuse I’d accept for being this dumb.
He should’ve known better than to go over to her apartment only hours after that first picture came out.
But walking out in a different shirt???
My shoulders slumped, and my breath caught in my chest. I clicked on the link she sent, and the headline was even worse than I expected.
Hudson Holt Spotted at Assistant’s Apartment—Changes Shirts While Girlfriend Serena Watts Stays Silent
The side-by-side photos told a story that probably would’ve quickly blown over if he hadn’t already given them something to gossip about at lunch. The first image was Hudson arriving at Maddie’s building in black shorts and a maroon, short-sleeved Henley I bought for him. But when he left, he was wearing a gray polo instead.
The gossip sites were having a field day, wondering if our relationship was officially over or if he’d been caught cheating.
I stared at the images, my chest tightening until it hurt to breathe. Even if there was an innocent explanation for the shirt change—which I assumed there was—Remi was right. Hudson knew better. Yet he still went, making this new round of photos possible.
Instead of protecting our relationship from further speculation, he’d added fuel to the fire. All because he was willfully blind to his best friend’s machinations.
My phone rang again, Avery’s name flashing on the screen this time. I answered immediately, trying to keep my voice steady. “Hey, Aves. Did speech and debate get canceled?”
“No.” Her voice cracked, and I jumped to my feet, ready to race over to the school if my sister needed me. “It’s just…everyone is asking if you and Hudson broke up. They’re showing me the photos and laughing. I told them to shut the hell up, but they won’t stop. This is so unfair after everything you’ve done for me. And I know you explained about how I shouldn’t pay attention to stuff they post about you because most of it isn’t true. But with those pictures and her showing up to my party, even some of my friends are wondering if something’s going on.”
I closed my eyes, feeling like I’d failed Avery. She was dealing with this because I had let it get this far. I hadn’t wanted to force Hudson to choose between a friend his whole life and me, and now my sister was paying the price for my hesitation.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “It’s not what it looks like. At least…I don’t think it is. I haven’t talked to Hudson yet, but he’s not the kind of guy who cheats.”
Avery sniffled. “Are you okay? You sound like you’re about to cry.”
“I’m managing.” I walked toward my bedroom. “I’m going to pack a bag for each of us and come get you after your meeting. I’ll book us a suite, and we’ll stay in tonight, just us. Order room service and watch something. Okay?”
“Can we go to Château Marmont?” she asked. “We could do a marathon of old movies and make it a whole vibe.”
I loved the idea of turning it into a fun little trip instead of a short escape from my current harsh reality. “Absolutely.”
“Thanks, Sis. Love you.”
“I love you more.”
