Page 7 of Love You Like This

“No comment.”

“How about off the record?”

“No comment,” I answer with a smile. “We’ll let you know when we’re ready to speak about the allegations.”

“Ahh, tease,” he chuckles. “Is there anything else? An update about Stone and the author, maybe?”

“The New York Times bestselling author’s name is Hazel Archer.” If there’s one thing that’s irritated me about the coverage of this tour, it’s seeing her and her incredible work minimized by men in the entertainment industry. “And no, I’m not speaking about them either.”

“Promise I’ll be your first call when you do have something?”

“Absolutely,” I pause for dramatic effect. “Not.”

He laughs again. “I’d crawl for you, Jade.”

“And I’d step right over you. Goodbye, Drew.”

I walk down the hall to my room. I’m mostly ready for the day, but I still need to finish up my makeup. I was just finishing my eyeliner when I got the first tip about the upcoming story. The only reason I keep the banter light with these reporters is so they feed me news before going public with it. Otherwise, I find most of them insufferable to interact with. There are only a handful of music journalists that I truly like and respect. The gossip hounds can all get fucked.

The door is just about to close when a hand slides through and stops it. Xander pushes it open and steps into my hotel room, closing the door quietly behind him. I ignore him as I walk into the bathroom and start the finishing touches of my look for the day.

“I’m serious, it can’t be mine.” He leans against the doorjamb, his dark blonde hair still askew from bed.

“Okay.”

“You don’t believe me.”

I swipe mascara over my lashes. “Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. “Why?”

“You know why, Jade.”

“I really don’t. You’re a grown man who can do whatever and whomever he wants. I’m just here to keep the public’s perception positive.”

“I don’t care what the public’s perception is.”

“Thanks for clearing that up,” I say dryly. “Will you please move?” He’s blocking the bathroom door.

“No. We’ve been on this tour for months now. Don’t you think it’s time we hashed everything out?”

I make the mistake of looking up into his eyes, their warm, amber depths imploring me to let him back in. But I can’t. I won’t survive him a second time. Xander Jacobs is my own personal wildfire, and every time he leaves nothing but scorched earth in his wake. I can’t rebuild myself again.

Thankfully a knock at the door interrupts us. I walk over and open it, finding Hazel on the other side. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and looks up at Xander.

“Sorry, am I interrupting something?” She steps back. “I can come back; I just wanted to run some ideas about content by you.”

“No, not at all. Xander was just leaving.” I give him a pointed look.

“Hey, Haze.” He steps past me and wraps an arm around her, giving her a brotherly squeeze.

“Morning,” she says back. “Stone was looking for you. Something about the new album and chord progression. I’m not entirely sure, he was mumbling in musical genius.”

“Alright.” He nods and closes the door behind him.

“Is everything okay?” she asks with raised eyebrows.