Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(71)
“Why?” I say, worried by his statement.
“We’ve got them,” Allen shares.
“So do we,” Maggie adds.
“Our whole family has them,” Jimmy offers.
“Since when,” I question.
“Since always,” Jimmy answers.
“I’ve never seen them,” I argue.
“They’re that good,” Allen states.
“Leave her alone,” Joe interjects. “This will blow over in a few days. A few weeks at the latest.”
“I’m not so sure,” Jimmy debates. “There’s already been talk from the one reporter, David from Star Magazine, who’s been posting about him seeing and overhearing Jared, Nathan and Emma both signing autographs and taking pictures with some of the fans with and without Chris before they went inside the theater.”
“Shit!” my mouth explodes.
Everyone looks to me as I regretfully share what occurred. Maggie beams, excited for what all the hype can mean for Naturally Me on top of Nathaniel’s. Jimmy and Allen believe that there is no way this whole thing, especially with Chris in the mix, will be going away anytime soon. My mind starts to wander as my friends continue to chat, hoping for a not so public airing of my unreal relationship with Chris.
Jared calls a few minutes later, catching me up on all of the emails flooding Naturally Me. The majority of them are all positive from our supporters and followers. There are a few pieces of hate mail, as we predicted, we’ve gotten some unfriendly mail over the years specifically for our LGBT section, but they are mostly direct to Jared about him being gay and that he’s going to burn in hell for his blasphemes ways. I jump into instant defense mode and it takes Jared a minute to calm me. He’s able to brush off the comments much easier than I can when they target him, but then again, the roles reverse when there’s hate mail for me.
Jared reassures that there is no connection to me from last night and Naturally Me in the news, yet, but there’s a good chance that it will happen within the next day or two. He also mentions that he already has our social media team handling a lot of the press, letting them know what we feel most comfortable saying, which is pretty much nothing. He suggests I lay low by not going outside, and if I do, to wear a hat and sunglasses. Ironically, he encourages that I stay at Joe’s once he finds out that they have bodyguards from Jimmy. Joe, Jimmy and Allen agree, as do Maggie and Henry, when security comes up in conversation. I insist that he an Nathan lay low as well, considering some of the nasty emails received. He tries to assure me that Nathan and he will be fine, but agrees to have me arrange for some protection for them. When Jared updates me on the status of Nathaniel’s, I discover that the store is sold out. Nathan and Denise have been taking a lot of back orders while also mentioning to customers that several pieces are coming out this fall in department stores. Jared rushes off the phone when he hears that another A-list actor is calling for a consultation.
Joe contacts one of his guards to make arrangements to have a team come within the next day or two to potentially be my bodyguards as well as another group to be assigned to Jared and Nathan. I’m grateful for his attentiveness to protecting Jared and Nathan and not just me.
For the rest of the day, I purposefully do my best to keep my eyes and ears away from any of the news from last night. Anna sweetly comments that she thought I looked pretty. I thank her appreciatively despite my apprehension for the topic. Maggie and Henry head home after dinner and once the sun is fully set, Joe, Anna and I take a trip to my place to grab a few of my things. Jimmy and Allen try to come along, but Joe stands firmly with it only being three of us, hoping to not draw any more attention.
Anna stays in the car as Joe and I head up to my apartment. The second the door opens, Joe has it closed behind us and my body pinned, devouring my mouth.
“Do we have enough time?” Joe search with desperation in his voice.
“I doubt it,” I regretfully admit, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to.
“Damn,” he states, fighting to expose his irritation. “What do you need to pack?”
“Stuff for Sadie, clothes and some other things,” I manage to explain.
“Other stuff?” Joe muses. “Like?”
“Just other stuff,” I say.
“Like B.O.B.?”
“Maybe,” I answer calmly. “I’m considering it now that you mention him, with Jimmy and Allen at your place.”
Joe growls a little with frustration and excitement.
“He might have to . . .” I begin.
Cutting me off, Joe commands, “Unless you want to be naked in the next five seconds, don’t finish that statement.”
I weigh my options carefully, opening my mouth several times as if I’m going to and then don’t, wanting to tease and play.
“Start packing, or else we aren’t leaving,” Joe explains.
“Sure,” I agree, smacking his ass when I walk away.
“You’re asking for it, beautiful,” Joe announce.
“Am I?” I play.
Joe takes a moment to compose himself. “What should I pack for Sadie,” he questions with a steady tone.
I lead him into the kitchen, seductively bending over in front of him to get two large, pliable coolers, baiting him on purpose. A yelp immediately followed by a giggle passes my lips when Joe spanks my right butt cheek. Joe gives me a look, almost a little surprised by my reaction, but then realizes what I’m doing. He’s trying so hard to stay focused.