I breathe a sigh of relief. Just photos. I can deal with photos. It’s nothing special. We were at the restaurant. Cas hasn’t stopped talking as I tune back in. He’s right in the middle of explaining the photo situation.
“My people have been investigating, and I just heard back that one of the photos was submitted by your ex-boyfriend.” He pauses, allowing me to process.
“Jackson?!” I shout, not meaning to.
“That name rings a bell. I don’t have the information in front of me. We’re in between practice sets. My agent called to bitch this morning. I don’t have a ton of details, but there’s something else you need to know.” Cas sounds worried again.
“Okay,” I manage to reply, my voice barely a whisper as a ball of anxious energy forms in the pit of my stomach.
“The person in the bushes who snapped the photo—the payment information traces back to him. There’s going to be some major publicity, but I can handle it. Luckily, it looks like I was completely blocking you, so you’re not in the photo at all.” He’s not sugarcoating anything.
My hands tremble as I switch the phone to speaker and check the doors are locked. The anxiety continues to bubble inside of me. “I’m scared, Cas. What do you mean he was in the bushes?”
“I know we thought it was just the paparazzi, but it turns out it was your ex. I’m pretty sure it’s not the first time he was there either.” He doesn’t mince words, and I pick up on the big details.
“Why don’t you think it’s the first time?” I ask, because how the hell would he know if it was the first time or not?
“Please don’t get upset, Vivienne. I swear it wasn’t anything creepy. I have a confession to make.” He sounds defeated. “I was practicing driving to your house after I landed, and I saw someone leap out of your bushes and go running down the street,” he pauses. “I had no idea it was your house, and I honestly didn’t think anything of it.”
“Oh my god.” I cover my mouth with my hand. “I felt like someone was watching me lately, but I convinced myself it was nothing.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could be there. It’s really important you contact the police. Ask them for a restraining order. I’m goingto email you some documents. I’ll pay for everything,” he blurts out, clearly exasperated. He sounds like shit.
I can tell it’s really messing him up not being able to be here with me. “It’s okay, Cas. Roxy can help me, and I don’t need your money,” I reply, fighting like hell to stay calm even though my hands are shaking.
“I know you don’t. Let me pay for it, Vivienne. Please. It’s my fault.”
“It’s not your fault. I don’t know how any of it could be your fault. It’s mine. I goaded him. I posted our very public, very viral breakup video. I ruined him in a quest to make myself feel better. It’s my fault. Thanks for sending what I need to turn over to the police.” My pleas are desperate. I brought this on myself, and now poor Cas got dragged into it.
“I know you don’t need me to pay for it, but let me fix this for you.” He sounds hell-bent on it.
“If it will make you feel better,” I concede.
“It will,” he sighs. “I wish I didn’t have to go. They need me on stage. I’ll check on you when I can. Text me your email, and I’ll call later.”
He hangs up before I can say goodbye. The emotional floodgates threaten to burst as I type out my email. Once it’s sent, I call Roxy.
She answers on the second ring. “Hey babe. Are you having a packing crisis, or is that just me?”
I gulp, fighting off a panic attack. “You’re actually not going to believe what Cas just told me.”
“Let’s hear it,” she answers, up for the challenge.
“Jackson was hiding in my bushes and he took a picture of us after our date. He sold it, and Cas investigated. He also saw him in the bushes the night before. He said he was practicing driving to my house and he saw him running down the street.”
Roxy interrupts me. “One—that’s fucking adorable he was practicing, and two—we’re obviously going to call the cops and ask for a restraining order. Between the emails and everything else now. You know this isn’t okay…right, Vi?”
“I know. Cas is going to email me paperwork. But do you think we can call right now? Afterwards, can I just stay at your house until we leave? I don’t want to be alone.” I’m fighting back tears.
“Of course, babe. Do you want me to come over so I can be there when you call, or do you want to talk to them alone?” Roxy jumps into action, forcing me to formulate a plan.
“It doesn’t matter.” I feel defeated. I sink into the couch. “What if he’s watching right now?”
I didn’t realize I said it out loud until Roxy answers. “If he’s outside, he better hope he’s not. I’m on my way over, and I’m going to take a look in the bushes.”
“Roxy, what if there’s evidence? If you disturb it, then it could make it harder to charge him,” I warn.
“Fine, but I’m bringing my bear spray. I’ve always wanted to use it on a low-life douchebag.”
