This One Moment (Pushing Limits, #1)(68)

“That’s only because you, in the eyes of the paparazzi and fans, tried to destroy what Nolan and Alyssa supposedly had between them. But think about it. How many non-celebrity boyfriends, girlfriends, or spouses end up in the tabloids? None of them. Not unless they do something illegal or immoral that drags their celebrity lover into their mess. I don’t care what you believe. You’re perfect for Nolan’s reputation.”

She was right. But…“I’m not sure the label will see it that way.”

“The label isn’t what’s important. Nolan should have a say in who he’s dating, not the label. Look, all I’m saying is you need to go to L.A. and tell him how you feel. Tell him you love him and tell him that you’re willing to move there to be with him.” I opened my mouth to speak, but she didn’t give me a chance to say anything. “I know you’re scared of being hurt again, but you need to do this or else you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering what if.”

I released a long, slow breath. “You’re right. But it’ll have to wait until he’s finished recording his album. The last thing he needs is for me to go to L.A. now and disturb him.” Kayla opened her mouth, no doubt to argue against what I was saying. I raised my hand to stop her. “No, it has to be my way. This album’s important to him and the band. If I’m gonna do this, it’s not at the risk of that.”

While my romantic-at-heart best friend would have preferred that I rush to L.A. in some grand gesture, she nodded, seeing I wouldn’t budge on this point. No matter what happened between me and Nolan, his music career came first. He’d worked so hard and defied all kinds of odds to get where he was. I wouldn’t take it away from him. He deserved everything and more.

My phone played a generic tune. I glanced at the number but didn’t recognize it. I accepted the call. “Hello?”

“Is this the slut who’s trying to steal Tyler Erickson away from the sweetest person alive?” The menace in her voice caused the air in my lungs to stop moving. I quickly hung up on her and stared at the phone as if it had turned into a viper.

“What’s wrong?” Kayla asked. I barely heard her over the pulse pounding in my ears.

“Hailey?” She waved her hand in front of my face, breaking my trance.

I swallowed. Hard. “That was a member of the Nolyssa fan club.”

Kayla’s eyebrows drew together, forming deep crevasses. “What did she say?”

“She asked if I was the slut who was trying to steal Tyler away from Alyssa.” I figured there was no point telling Kayla exactly what the fan had said about Alyssa. She was already angry enough as it was.

“You’re f*cking kidding me!”

I shared her sentiment. “I don’t even know how she found my number. It’s not like I give it to everyone I meet.” Although who knew what I’d done during those five days I still didn’t remember.

Kayla narrowed her eyes at me. “Don’t even think it.”

“Think what?” I gulped down some soda, stalling.

“You’re going to use this call from some crazed fan to avoid telling Nolan the truth.”

Kayla knew me too well. But really, who could blame me? This wasn’t the life I’d signed up for. I didn’t do well having people hate me. I’d always done things to avoid that. And for good reason.

“This wasn’t a fan who wrote a comment on a fan site,” I reminded her. “She tracked down my number. She might not have found out where I live or work, but that doesn’t mean someone else can’t. Someone who is even more pissed off at me.”

The lines on Kayla’s forehead deepened. “You need to tell Nolan.”

I shook my head. “No, he doesn’t need to know about this. And you can’t tell Brandon either.” Because he would tell Nolan.

“Then tell the police.”

“And what are they going to do? It was one phone call. It’s not like she threatened my life.” Nor was it linked to what had happened to me and Chris in Northbridge. That was their bigger priority. They wouldn’t care about some crazed Nolyssa fan.

Not unless she was connected to the attack and murder.





Chapter 43


Nolan


The final note of the song faded away and I glanced at Daniel Maynard, sitting behind the impressive mixing console in the control booth. He nodded, which was good, but I also recognized his expression and what it meant.

“That was good, Nolan,” he said through the microphone. The rest of the band was standing behind him, listening. “But I’d like you to sing it again, this time with more emotion during the chorus. The song is about finding the girl you love after losing her. Show the listener how broken you were and how seeing her again gave you hope.”

I nodded and waited until the engineer started the instrumental track of the song again before pouring my heart out. I thought about how this time tomorrow I would have told Hailey that I loved her and asked her to move to L.A. to be with me. True, she could say no and break my heart, but it was worth the risk.

By the time I finished singing the song, Daniel was grinning. “Perfect. She’s one lucky girl.” He winked at me, clearly knowing the song was about a real girl. But I had no idea if he assumed the girl was Alyssa.

The door to the control room opened and my supposed girlfriend walked in. At the unexpected intrusion, all six guys in the crowded space turned to her. I couldn’t see their expressions, but I could imagine Mason’s at the sight of Alyssa’s short skirt, stilettos, and long legs.