“Henri, is it true your supposed breakdown resulted from having been drugged by a fan, and you took a hiatus to recover from your ordeal?”
The crowded room quieted fast.
Henri exaggerated a frown and put-upon sigh. He lowered his eyes. Damn, what dirty carpet.Make them feel it, he heard in Seb’s voice. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Due to an ongoing investigation, I’m not at liberty to answer your question.”
Take that, tabloids!
But… the crazed fan might still be out there, and would now know of Henri’s return.
* * *
The nextnight Henri sat in his living room, watching the press conference on the big screen. He’d texted Seb a few times, but no answer yet. More than likely he was still singing his heart out for the good folks of Peoria.
Tessa was right. The white sleeveless T-shirt and simple blue jeans, minus facial scruff and with a touch of eyeliner, gave Henri a more professional appearance.
Plus, he nearly didn’t recognize himself without his hair.
Good.
The questions came to a close. Henri on-screen dropped his bombshell; Henri in his living room munched popcorn while the news anchors puzzled out his meaning. Oh, yeah. They’d been the first in line to kick Henri when he was down, adding fuel to the “drug” fire. Let them eat those words.
His phone buzzed and he snatched it up. Maybe he’d get to talk to Sebastian tonight. Instead he found a text message from Margo:Is it true? Were you really drugged?
He tapped a reply on the keypad.What do you care?
I’m your mother!
Then act like it!Henri silenced his phone and tossed it to the side. Hopefully, she’d spend the next few hours recalling what she’d said and done after the incident. Especially the not-hugging him part.
