“Oh, I’m sparing nothing and nobody. I’m already emailing the head of the network and now I’m texting Stevenson over at Hearst to tear Evelyn a new one. She’ll be lucky to keep her position after I’m done with her.”
“She was just doing her job.”
“And I’m doing mine.” Claire looked up at him briefly over herphone. “Believe me, the publisher is going to get a very strongly worded letter from our lawyers. If they don’t want to get themselves caught in legal hell, they’re going to think twice about releasing this book. Oh, and I’m also sending Evelyn a very special gift basket.”
Winter closed his eyes and groaned. “Claire.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll have her favorite sugared almonds with a card that plays an excruciatingly loud song when opened and has a battery that’s impossible to remove. And glitter. A gallon of glitter.”
Winter laughed and shook his head at her, then closed his eyes. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
“I’m really sorry, Winter,” Claire said, her voice quieter now.
“It’s okay.” He didn’t even feel angry anymore, or nauseous, or anxious. He was just tired, and all he wanted was room service and the cold comfort of an unfamiliar hotel bed. Outside his tinted window, he could still see clusters of fans on the occasional street corner, framed before the majestic green slope of Diamond Head in the background, cheering as his entourage passed by.
His phone continued to buzz nonstop. He glanced at it wearily and caught a glimpse of the messages from his friends Dameon and Leo, who had been texting him in their group chat before the broadcast even began.
r u ok
Leo’s icon was that of a brown-skinned boy with a grin almost too large for the rest of his features, his light brown curls a wild frame around his face.
Of course he’s not okay, do you need to ask
Dameon’s icon was entirely opposite in mood—a side profile of a Black boy with long dreads and a serious expression, looking out at a cityscape from a hiking trail.
just asking. that was awful
not you, the interview lady. you just looked unhappy
Leo wow stop
stopping
anyway Winter I’m at Bloom later tonight, come grab drinks and forget this mess
yall are going to Bloom?
Best club in the city with food
i’m jealous, sigh. drink an extra shot for me
Wish you were here, Leo
Their texts went on and on. Winter could almost hear them in his head, bickering as they always did during their rehearsals since they began as his backup dancers at the beginning of his career. Technically, they were still with him because he paid their salaries, but they had also become like his brothers, his second family and closest friends.
But only Dameon was here in Honolulu with him this time. After what had happened in London last year, Leo had taken a sabbatical to rest at home with his family. The memory still triggered Winter’s guilt. Leo wouldn’t have been in that situation, had it not been for Winter. And Leo deserved to recover, although Winter missed his friend sorely.
But at least Dameon was still here. Maybe Winter could use some company tonight, could vent about the day with him and laugh over a few drinks.
I’m ok,he texted back.Heading back now.
Then he put his phone down and closed his eyes. He should try to call his mother, ask her about the book directly. But right now, he didn’t have the strength. All he wanted to do was shut down.
He turned his phone over idly and nudged a finger under the rubber case, touching the edge of a business card he always kept tucked inside.
It was a card for the Claremont Hotel in Saint Paul, Minnesota, one of the finest luxury stays in the city. But Winter knew what the business card was really for, that inside the hotel hid the headquarters of the Panacea Group, the place where he first met Sydney. As they often did, he found his thoughts wandering back to her. What she might be doing.Where in the world she might be. What dangerous mission she might be on without him.
If you’re ever in need of help,Sydney had said to him,call us.
