Page 118 of The Rogues

“I don’t know who you think you’re talking to, but you don’t speak to me like that, young lady.”

The laugh I let out is condescending and I don’t even try to hide it.

“He’s not a part of their lives anymore, just like I’m not a part of yours. Tell the press whatever you have to, but I am done being an accessory that you can belittle. Don’t fucking call me again.”

I hang up and the change is immediate. A heavy weight is lifted as I work to catch my breath, the conversation done and over. My skin prickles with sweat, but I feel weightless. The feeling is even more solidified as I block both of my parents’ numbers and toss my phone aside.

Sometimes, you have to let go of stuff in your life for something amazing to step forward. Without the burden of my parents, there’s a giant space of my heart ready for something better. Something sustainable.

My pack flashes in my mind and I grin. I think I made a good trade.

When I get to the meeting, everyone is already there. Tom, Ruby, the girls. Donna and a few other executives from Silver Records are on a joint video call. Besides Ruby and Tom making light conversation, the room is quiet and full of tension.

“Sorry I’m late,” I say, feeling guilty. This meeting is because of “Rosewood” after all.

“Better late than never,” Donna says, but it’s pointed. Nervousness suddenly courses through me while I take a seat.

“My mother called unexpectedly,” I tell them. “As you all know, my father is in Congress and has a lot of political influence, so I feel like I should inform you that I just cut my family off. If there’s anything you need to do with that to help when the press catches onto that fact, be my guest.”

Cleo’s eyes widen as she sits up in her seat. “You cut them off?”

I look at her and nod.

“That’s fantastic!” she says, sincerely. “Good job, Josie.”

I don’t say anything. I can’t appreciate the pride I see in her eyes right now because everything else comes running to the forefront. This is the most excited and happy that I’ve seen her in weeks, and that should make me happy or stir some hope in me, but it doesn’t.

Lark claps me on the shoulder, which is a statement all in itself.

“I’ll let PR know,” Donna says from the screen, her patience already wearing thin. “Now, let’s get started.”

I’m half listening as they go into damage control. They all talk too quickly, and the light in the room is too bright. Concerns are expressed over what this could mean for Cleo’s and my friendship in the media, and Donna brings up the idea that this was done as a marketing ploy from The Rogues’ team to get rid of the existing narrative.

I’m tired. I’m so freaking tired.

“What do you think, Josephine?” Donna asks me through the screen.

Everyone looks at me again, and my skin breaks out in a sweat. I can’t do this anymore. The guys have been so brave, proving to me time and time again that they want me, that they’re serious about me.

It’s time. I have to be brave back.

I swallow roughly, and finally tell them the truth. “They’re my scent matches.”

“They’re what?!” Cleo screeches, her hands going to the table as she stands. “What the fuck? When did you figure that out?”

I keep my eyes on the table. “During that first meeting.”

There’s silence, the only energy coming from Cleo fuming on the other side of the table. Lark scoots her chair closer to mine, offering silent solidarity.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Cleo asks, but I know what she’s really asking. Why didn’t I tell her. She’s my best friend, and the first person I’ve always run to in the past.

Before the past couple of years, at least.

“You know why,” I say, tired.

She blanches. “But… I just don’t understand. How could this happen? I mean, I know people say it’s a small world but that fucking small?!”

Ruby interrupts us. “First off, congratulations, Josie, for finding your scent matches,” she says, trying to break the tension. She looks back at Donna on the screen. “This must make things easier. You can tell the press that they are scent matches. Pretend she never met them when Cleo and Cyrus were dating.”